Research on rainfall and the water cycle. Covers climate-driven precipitation, hurricanes and storms, moisture transport, and extreme-weather forecasting.
Researchers found that stronger connectivity alters how rainfall affects moisture, heat, and carbon fluxes in ecosystems, as well as the progression from early to late-stage drought. The study provides insights into how connectivity influences ecosystem responses to extreme events.
Tropical Depression Paul is moving westward, with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph. The depression is expected to weaken into a remnant low on Wednesday due to stable air and cooler sea surface temperatures.
Hurricane Florence's maximum sustained winds have increased to near 115 mph, making it a category 3 hurricane. Satellite data reveal powerful thunderstorms with cloud tops as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, capable of generating heavy rainfall.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected a thick ring of powerful storms around Hurricane Isaac's central dense overcast, with coldest cloud tops reaching minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm is expected to strengthen over the next day or two before weakening by the middle of the week.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected Tropical Depression Gordon's center over Arkansas on September 7, with maximum sustained winds near 10 mph. The depression is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 3-6 inches, causing local flooding and flash flooding in Missouri and the Midwest.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission found heaviest rainfall rates at 1.5 inches per hour around the storm's compact eye. Hurricane-force winds extend up to 25 miles from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds reach 115 miles out.
Hurricane Norman's stronger storms have expanded beyond its center, with cloud top temperatures reaching minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit, capable of generating heavy rainfall. The storm is forecast to pass 200-300 miles northeast of the main Hawaiian Islands, bringing large and potentially dangerous surf.
Tropical Depression Gordon is expected to produce significant rainfall accumulations of 3-7 inches in northwest Mississippi and Arkansas, potentially causing local flooding. The depression is moving west-northwest at 8 mph, with little change in strength forecast over the next 48 hours.
The GPM core satellite revealed heavy rainfall rates of 50 mm/h near the eye of Hurricane Florence, with storms producing rain at a rate of 2 inches per hour. The satellite also provided estimates of storm heights using data from geostationary satellites and radar.
A new climate-modeling study finds that large wind and solar farms in the Sahara Desert and neighboring Sahel would increase local temperature, precipitation and vegetation. The effects are likely to benefit the region, with increased rainfall leading to a positive feedback loop of vegetation growth.
Typhoon Jebi's rainfall affected Shikoku and most of Honshu's south central coastal regions, with estimated amounts over a one-week period ranging from 100 mm (~4 inches) or more. The storm caused significant flooding, including at Kansai International Airport near Osaka, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
Tropical Storm Gordon has the potential to generate heavy rainfall as it moves inland over several days, according to NASA's Aqua satellite data. The storm's cloud top temperatures indicated by the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder instrument were as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, suggesting a high risk of heavy rainfall.
A new NSF-funded project will investigate how climate change impacts plant growth and health in relation to soil microbes. The study aims to understand the effects of changing moisture levels on plant survival and how plants influence microbial communities.
A new study by University of Bristol scientists reveals that ancient global warming was associated with more intense and episodic rainfall events. The Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum showed increased rainfall in some areas, decreased in others, but a significant increase in extreme event frequency.
Research indicates that California will see increased winter precipitation, but dry conditions in non-winter months. The state's new norm could mimic or surpass the 2017 fire season, emphasizing the need for enhanced water storage capabilities.
Researchers reconstructed history of monsoon activity in northern Mexico using leaf wax compounds from deep sea sediments, settling a long-standing debate over its impact on ice age climates. The study helps predict regional climate responses to future conditions by understanding past variability.
Researchers observed hurricane storm tops circling at very low temperatures, indicating intense energy and heavy rainfall potential. These findings provide critical insights into the dynamics of powerful storms.
A potential sixth tropical cyclone is forming in the far eastern Atlantic Ocean, with NASA detecting strong storms and coldest cloud tops as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The system is expected to move near or over the southern Cabo Verde Islands on Friday, Aug. 31, posing a threat of life-threatening flash floods.
Heavy rainfall was observed in a band of thunderstorms wrapping into the low-level center of Tropical Storm Miriam, with rain rates reaching over 10 inches per hour. The storm is currently located about 1,165 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, and is expected to begin weakening by Friday.
Post-Tropical Cyclone Lane has ceased to be a tropical cyclone and will dissipate soon after hitting record-setting rainfall on the Hawaiian Islands. The NASA-NOAA Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image of its final hours, showing wind shear taking its toll on the storm.
Tropical Depression 16E formed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with coldest cloud tops reaching minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The depression is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm and potentially become a hurricane by Thursday.
Researchers used information theory techniques to track changes in rainfall, heat, soil moisture and carbon flow in two ecosystems before, during and after rainfall and drought events. The study found that stronger connectivity alters how rainfall affects moisture, heat and carbon flux in the system.
Tropical cyclone Lane was affected by strong westerly winds, causing a significant shift in its strongest storms east of the center. Despite this, the storm strengthened back into a tropical storm on August 27.
Hurricane Lane is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 20 inches, with localized amounts up to 40 inches possible over Hawaiian Islands. The slow movement of the storm increases the threat for prolonged heavy rainfall and extreme rainfall totals.
The GPM core observatory satellite analyzed rainfall rates and cloud heights of Hurricane Lane on Aug. 22, revealing very heavy rain occurring within the storm's eye wall. The satellite showed moderate to heavy rainfall extending outward from the storm's center, posing a threat to the Hawaiian Islands with powerful storms.
Severe monsoon floods affected Kerala state in India with extreme rainfall totals of up to 469 mm. Heavy rain bands brought intense precipitation to the southwest coast of India.
NASA's Terra satellite monitored Hurricane Lane's powerful storms, confirming strong thunderstorms capable of heavy rainfall. The storm is expected to make a turn toward the Hawaiian Islands, bringing large swells and excessive rainfall that could lead to flash flooding and mudslides.
A review of research on summer weather stalling highlights the impact of Arctic warming on air circulation patterns, leading to more frequent extreme weather events. The study suggests that prolonged sunny episodes can turn into heat waves and heavy rainfall, posing a major climate risk.
The GPM satellite provided highly accurate information about precipitation within Hurricane Lane, revealing intense feeder bands and eye wall storms. Rainfall rates reached over 89 mm/hour near the hurricane's eye, with some areas dropping rain at a rate of over 143 mm/hour.
A new study found that seed rain, canopy gaps, and soil disturbances contribute to the establishment of invasive plants. Proximity to seed sources was a significant predictor for wine raspberry, Japanese barberry, and Japanese stiltgrass.
Tropical Storm Ernesto has brought light to moderate rainfall to the eastern Atlantic, with the Global Precipitation Measurement mission (GPM) detecting rainfall rates of up to 1.2 inches per hour. The storm is expected to become post-tropical and move across Ireland and the UK on Saturday night.
A GPM satellite scan revealed Hurricane Lane's strengthening to a Category 2 hurricane, with intense rainfall rates of over 128 mm/hour and towering cloud heights. The storm's formation eye wall was accurately mapped using the satellite's radar data.
Sub-Tropical Storm Ernesto's rainfall and cloud heights were analyzed using NASA satellites, revealing a patchy pattern. The storm is expected to strengthen before weakening due to environmental factors, ultimately merging with a frontal zone near Ireland and the UK.
Researchers found that low-resolution climate models fail to capture the complexity of regional rainfall systems, leading to underestimated projections. High-resolution models, on the other hand, project large increases in summer rainfall under certain scenarios.
Tropical Storm Bebinca has been affecting Hainan Island in China for days, with NASA's Suomi NPP satellite capturing its powerful thunderstorms. The storm is currently moving westward through the Gulf of Tonkin, expected to make landfall in Vietnam.
Heavy rainfall caused flash floods and power outages in Virginia and Texas, while NASA's IMERG program estimated rainfall totals of over 8 inches in some areas. The analysis was based on satellite data from the GPM mission and used algorithms developed by NASA's PMM science team.
NASA's Aqua satellite reveals strong thunderstorms with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating heavy rainfall potential. The storm is forecast to move slowly around the seas off western Guangdong, lingering near Hong Kong.
Tropical Storm Yagi made landfall in China's Zhejiang Province on Aug. 12, causing heavy rainfall and strong thunderstorms. MODIS instrument detected cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating the storm's capability to create heavy rain.
A University of Arizona study resolves controversy over rain's relationship to soil moisture, revealing morning soil moisture can impact afternoon rainfall in the region. Drier soils enhance rain on days with limited wind-borne moisture, while wetter soils increase rain when winds bring more moisture.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission provided detailed coverage of hurricane John, revealing heavy rainfall in the eastern half of the hurricane. The satellite's radar data showed extremely heavy rainfall rates of over 2 inches per hour just east of John's eye, with storms reaching altitudes of up to 13.5 km.
The study found that 30% of bird species in the Mojave Desert have become less common and widespread over the past century. Birds adapted to desert environments fared better than those adapted to grasslands or forests, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect these populations.
Tropical Storm Ileana has weakened due to interaction with land and nearby Hurricane John, according to NASA's Aqua satellite data. The storm is moving toward the west-northwest at 23 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 50 mph.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission observed Tropical Storm John's strengthening on August 6, 2018, with intense rainfall in feeder bands. The satellite's radar data revealed storm tops reaching heights above 13.7 km, indicating the storm's potential for intensification into a hurricane.
Climate change is projected to double rain-on-snow flood risk in the Sierra Nevada, Colorado River headwaters, and Canadian Rocky Mountains by the end of this century. This could lead to a 200% increase in localized flood risk and strain existing infrastructure.
Tropical Depression Jongdari is a weak low-level circulation with small thunderstorms and shallow curved bands. NASA's Terra satellite captured an image of the depression, which is expected to make landfall just north of Shanghai, China on August 3.
Researchers found that nearly 25% of monsoon rainfall percolates into groundwater systems, recharging aquifers near their point of origin. The study used field instrumentation and hydrological modeling to demonstrate the importance of small stream beds in this process.
A stalled weather pattern led to significant rainfall and flood warnings along the eastern seaboard, with NASA utilizing satellite data to analyze rainfall totals. The heaviest accumulations were recorded in North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York, with some areas receiving over 7 inches of rain.
A landmark study by Newcastle University researchers finds that heavy, short rain storms are intensifying rapidly in Australia, leading to increased flash flood and urban flooding risks. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, shows that these extreme events are substantially larger than expected under climate change.
A new tool predicts dengue outbreaks in the Caribbean after droughts and intense rainfall, helping plan interventions to reduce disease risk. The model, developed by ISGlobal, considers combined impacts of drought and rainfall on mosquito-borne diseases.
Typhoon Jongdari is another dangerous storm affecting southern Japan and potentially South Korea, with intense rainfall and extreme wind speeds.
A new study analyzed speleothems in Brazilian caves to reconstruct rainfall distribution during the Middle Ages. The research found that southwestern Brazil was wetter than now, while the Northeast region was drier. This analysis provides insights into the climate changes that occurred during the Little Ice Age.
Tropical Storm Son-Tinh continues to drop rain over Hainan Island and mainland China. The storm has tracked northward at 4 knots and appears to have entered a quasi-stationary state.
Tropical Storm Ampil showed intense downpour in a band of thunderstorms northeast of its center with precipitation rates over 139 mm/h. The storm's heaviest rainfall shifted from the northern quadrant to the southern quadrant after passing by NASA's GPM and Aqua satellites
NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission tracked Tropical Cyclone Son-Tinh's trail of heavy rainfall, revealing intense precipitation rates of over 97 mm/hour. The storm made landfall in northern Vietnam on July 18, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to the region.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission detected moderate to heavy rainfall from Tropical Cyclone Son-Tinh near the northern Philippines. Extremely heavy precipitation was recorded at a rate of over 6.5 inches per hour in some areas.
Tropical Cyclone 11W formed on July 15 and maintained strength as it moved west, approaching the Philippines. The storm's center was located between Luzon, Philippines, with powerful thunderstorms wrapping into the low-level center.
The study analyzed data from NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) to estimate rainfall accumulation during the week from July 9 to 13, 2018. Heavy monsoon rainfall was reported along India's Arabian Sea Coast and in large areas of north-central India, with at least 525 mm of rain recorded in Mumbai.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission observed intense bands of precipitation wrapping around the eastern side of intensifying tropical storm Chris. Rainfall rates reached over 123 mm per hour in strong convective storms east of Chris' forming eye.
Typhoon Maria made landfall in southeastern China after striking Japan and Taiwan, bringing torrential rains and sustained winds of 95 knots.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission observed two areas of heavy rainfall in the Bahamas from Beryl's remnants on July 11. Heavy rainfall was also detected over the Atlantic Ocean northeast of Crooked Island.