Research on rainfall and the water cycle. Covers climate-driven precipitation, hurricanes and storms, moisture transport, and extreme-weather forecasting.
Hurricane Chris strengthened into a hurricane on July 10 with maximum sustained winds near 100 mph, bringing heavy rainfall to Newfoundland, Canada. The storm's eye was visible in an infrared image captured by NASA's Aqua satellite, revealing cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission gathered important rainfall data on Hurricane Beryl's remnants as it passed through the Windward Islands and Puerto Rico. Strong convective storms were dropping rain at rates of over 75 mm per hour, with intense storms measured in a small area along Puerto Rico's southeastern coast.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected two areas of strong thunderstorms with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit, capable of generating heavy rainfall. The remnants of Tropical Storm Beryl are expected to pass over the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico today, producing locally heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds.
Researchers from UTEP and UNT discovered that dusty rainwater carries a range of chemical elements, including nutrients like iron and phosphorus. This study provides the first quantification of dust composition in Texas rainwater, highlighting the potential for pollutants and nutrients to impact ecosystems.
Typhoon Prapiroon dropped over 512 mm of rain in some areas, causing mudslides and flooding in South Korea. The heaviest rainfall occurred from June 28 to July 6, 2018, affecting Japan and South Korea.
Prapiroon's remnants bring heavy rain, dense fog, and flooding to northern Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency continues to issue advisories and warnings for the affected areas.
Typhoon Maria brought heavy rain to Guam, with the National Weather Service issuing a Flash Flood Watch and Small Craft Advisory. The storm is forecast to continue intensifying over the next 24 hours, posing a threat of excessive rainfall and flash flooding.
Researchers found the sandy soils in Chaco Canyon were suitable for agriculture, suggesting the ancestral Puebloans were self-sufficient. The most significant challenge was irrigation, where they demonstrated adroit farming skills and land management.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission saw Tropical Storm Fabio intensify into a hurricane, with maximum sustained winds reaching near 75 mph. The storm's height of thunderstorms was estimated to be around 16 km, and rainfall measurements showed intense convective storms producing heavy precipitation.
Researchers found that over 80% of natural vegetation began growing in response to pre-rain green-up signals, with woodlands leading the way. The study challenges traditional assumptions about rainfall's role in African plant growth and highlights the need for further research into environmental cues driving this phenomenon.
A new coating developed by MIT researchers provides water-repellency to natural fabrics without the environmental harm of existing chemicals. The coating uses a shorter-chain polymer and initiated chemical vapor deposition process, resulting in high performance and durability.
Heavy rainfall was observed in Tropical Storm Prapiroon's southwestern side, with precipitation rates exceeding 192 mm/hour. The storm is expected to intensify into a typhoon and make landfall in South Korea.
Tropical Depression Six-E strengthened into Tropical Storm Emilia after being tracked by NASA's GPM satellite, producing heavy rainfall and powerful storms. The storm is moving west-northwest at 14 mph with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph.
Researchers warn of significant changes in regional rainfall patterns over densely populated Eastern China due to global warming. The study, published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, reveals that increased CO2 forcing leads to differing responses on interannual and interdecadal timescales.
A tropical disturbance brought extremely heavy rainfall to southern Texas, resulting in record-breaking flood levels. Over 15 inches of rain fell in Hidalgo County, with IMERG estimates indicating 21 inches fell in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission captured extreme rainfall rates of up to 3.5 inches per hour in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Heavy flooding is expected along the coast of Texas into Louisiana, with a high risk of rip currents and minor coastal flooding.
Tropical Depression Carlotta has weakened into a remnant low pressure area while making landfall in southwestern Mexico. The storm was still producing heavy rainfall over the region before dissipating on June 19.
Beneficial rainfall from hurricane Bud's remnants has spread into the U.S. Desert Southwest, helping to alleviate drought and wildfires. The heaviest rainfall over land occurred in northwestern Mexico with over 200 mm (7.9 inches) indicated.
Tropical Depression Carlotta has powerful storms in fragmented thunderstorms over mainland Mexico and the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The National Hurricane Center forecasts heavy rainfall and life-threatening flash floods, especially in areas of higher terrain.
Researchers from the University of Missouri developed a system that improves rainfall forecast accuracy by considering evaporation. This method uses dual-polarization radar to track raindrops and a model assessing atmospheric humidity, resulting in more accurate forecasts for locations 30 miles or more from National Weather Service radar.
Tropical Depression Bud brought heavy rainfall to western Mexico and the southwestern US, with thunderstorms flaring east of its center. The storm's remnants are expected to produce 1-2 inches of rain with isolated totals of up to 3 inches across the region.
Tropical Depression 04E formed near Mexico's coast on June 14 and was analyzed by NASA's Aqua satellite, which detected the strongest storms in infrared light. The depression brought heavy rainfall to coastal cities, with forecasters predicting life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
NASA's Terra satellite captured an infrared image of Tropical Depression 08W revealing concentrated areas of strong storms near Taiwan. The storm is forecast to move northeast and exit Taiwan on June 15, affecting several regions with heavy rain and strong winds.
Tropical Storm Bud is generating heavy rainfall in a band extending from the storm's center, with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for southern Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Weakening Hurricane Bud is expected to produce life-threatening flash floods and mud slides across southwestern Mexico. The storm's rainfall rates are decreasing, with moderate to heavy precipitation only present in the southeastern quadrant.
A new teleconnection discovered by UCI scientists uses sea surface temperature anomalies near New Zealand to predict winter precipitation in California and the Southwest US. The New Zealand Index has a correlation of 0.7 with precipitation, outperforming El Niño-Southern Oscillation techniques.
Hurricane Bud has formed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to southwestern Mexico. The storm is predicted to produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, as well as life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
NASA observed hurricane Aletta's intense rainfall rates and powerful storms before it weakened due to adverse conditions. The storm produced heavy precipitation, with radar data indicating a rate of over 142 mm per hour.
Tropical Storm Ewiniar made landfall in southeastern China on June 7, according to NASA's Aqua satellite. The storm's extreme cold cloud tops, reaching -63 degrees Fahrenheit, are indicative of its potential for heavy rainfall and severe weather.
A new study found that hurricanes are moving more slowly, spending more time over land, resulting in catastrophic local rainfall and flooding. The slowdown is attributed to climate change, which is amplifying the effects of human activity on hurricane behavior.
Tropical Storm Aletta was found to have intense rain bands with rainfall rates over 187 mm, and storm top heights of over 12 km. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission revealed these findings using GPM precipitation measurements.
Tropical Depression 05W briefly reached tropical storm status before weakening back to a depression. NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared imagery showing the storm's strength and potential for heavy rainfall.
Tropical Storm Sagar brought heavy rainfall to Somalia, while Cyclone Mekunu caused widespread flooding in Oman and Yemen. The Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for the Global Precipitation Measurement mission estimated heavy rainfall in various regions, with some areas receiving over 3 times their annual average.
Tropical Depression 05W shows strong storms with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating potential for heavy rainfall. The depression is expected to reach tropical storm strength late on June 5 and make landfall in southeastern China early on June 7.
Subtropical Storm Alberto brought heavy rain to the southeastern US, with IMERG estimates showing up to 8 inches of rain over central Alabama. The storm's passage also led to flash flood watches for several states, causing 6 deaths in total.
Subtropical Depression Alberto's center has been located near latitude 38.7 degrees north and longitude 87.4 degrees west, approximately 80 miles southwest of Indianapolis, Indiana. The depression is moving toward the north-northeast at 17 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 30 mph and higher gusts.
Alberto has weakened to a subtropical depression with strongest storms circling its low-level center, producing heavy rainfall and flash flooding concerns.
The National Hurricane Center has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for parts of Mexico and Cuba as Subtropical Storm Alberto strengthens in the Atlantic Ocean. The storm is forecast to produce large rainfall totals and life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, particularly in the northeastern portions of the Yucatan Peninsula.
NASA satellites provided an infrared, night-time and precipitation analysis of Tropical Cyclone Mekun, revealing powerful convective storms southwest of the center. The storm's cloud top temperatures were as cold as -63.1°C, indicating potential for heavy rainfall.
Researchers used ancient dust records to develop a new understanding of the Earth's long-term climate. They found that the Asian summer monsoon drove global changes in wind and ocean currents, affecting polar ice cap growth or shrinkage over tens of thousands of years.
NASA analyzed satellite data to measure heavy US rainfall, finding record amounts in the Mid-Atlantic region. The extreme precipitation led to severe flooding along several rivers, including Washington D.C.'s Potomac River.
Firat Testik, a UTSA professor, aims to enhance rainfall estimations and climate modeling with his research on microphysics of rainfall. He will focus on understanding raindrop collisions and size distribution to develop more accurate weather radar predictions.
Heavy seasonal rainfall caused by NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) revealed severe flooding in Kenya, displacing over 244,000 people. The estimated death toll from flooding and mudslides has been increased to about 100 people.
A study mapping 2016-2018 cholera epidemics in Yemen suggests a causal link between rainfall and cholera incidence, with over 13.8 million people at risk of infection. The study's findings have been used to inform mitigation efforts and prioritize vaccination campaigns and WASH interventions during the rainy season.
A recent study suggests that early Mars was modestly warm and prone to rain, with only small patches of ice. The research challenges the long-held idea of an icy climate on Mars.
The GPM core satellite observed high rainfall rates of over 2.1 inches per hour in Tropical Cyclone Flamboyan on April 29, 2018. The storm was weakening due to increasing vertical wind shear and colder ocean temperatures.
A UCI-led study finds that tropical forests respond to higher CO2 by reducing water vapor, leading to drought in the Amazon and increased rainfall in Indonesia. This process can have significant impacts on biodiversity, freshwater availability, and food supplies.
A pilot study in Kenyan counties found a strong link between RVF-associated syndromes and rainfall, with mosquito swarms preceding cases. The enhanced surveillance system provided early warnings for major outbreaks, enabling preventive measures to be taken.
Tropical Cyclone Fakir is expected to intensify as it moves southeastward, with heavy rainfall rates reaching over 8.6 inches per hour in some areas. The GPM satellite revealed bands of extremely heavy rainfall spiraling into the cyclone's southeastern side, and predicted that the storm could peak in strength on April 24.
In April 2018, a weather system caused destructive flooding and mudslides in Hawaii. The NASA GPM satellite provided detailed data on the heavy rainfall, showing that Kauai received over 478 mm of rain, with some areas experiencing even higher totals.
A recent study found that the Pacific Walker circulation (PWC) weakens significantly after strong tropical volcanic eruptions (SVEs), leading to changes in rainfall patterns and extreme climate events worldwide. The research suggests that the cooling effect of SVEs on the Maritime Continent plays a dominant role in weakening the PWC.
Tropical Cyclone Keni caused widespread damage and flash flooding in Fiji, especially on the island of Kadavu. Rainfall totals exceeded 200 mm over southwestern Viti Levu and reached 430 mm southwest of Viti Levu.
Scientists confirm the 100th meridian as a real divide between population and agriculture on opposite sides. Climate change is pushing this boundary eastward, expanding aridity into the Midwest, with significant implications for farming and land use.
Tropical Cyclone Keni has formed in the South Pacific Ocean, with NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission (GPM) detecting heavy rainfall. The storm is tracking southeastward at 25 knots, expected to weaken and begin extratropical transition by April 11.
Research from Florida State University found that urban areas in Florida experience shorter and more intense wet seasons compared to rural areas. The study indicates a trend of decreasing wet-season length by 3.5 hours per year in urban areas.
The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission observed heavy convective rainfall southeast of Tropical Cyclone Iris' surface center. Heavy precipitation rates were recorded at over 59 mm per hour in that area.
Tropical Cyclone Iris has taken a long and fluctuating trek since its formation in the Coral Sea. The GPM core satellite analyzed heavy rainfall as it lingered near the Queensland coast before weakening and moving away from the coast.
NASA analyzed Tropical Cyclone Josie's heavy rainfall using Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) data, revealing extreme rainfall totals of over 450 mm in some areas. The study showed that Josie's clockwise circulation caused flooding leading to at least four deaths in Fiji.
The Sahara Desert has expanded by about 10 percent since 1920 due to a combination of human-caused climate change and natural climate cycles. The expansion is linked to increased greenhouse gases and aerosols in the atmosphere, posing devastating effects on African people who depend on agriculture-based economies.
A new UMD study reveals the Sahara Desert has expanded by 10% since 1920, primarily driven by human-caused climate change. The research also suggests other deserts may be expanding, posing significant implications for global food security and ecosystems.