Research on rainfall and the water cycle. Covers climate-driven precipitation, hurricanes and storms, moisture transport, and extreme-weather forecasting.
Hurricane Irma's eye was characterized by extremely cold cloud top temperatures, indicating potential for heavy rainfall. NASA-NOAA's satellites captured detailed images of the storm's structure, including its well-defined eye and strong thunderstorms.
Hurricane Katia is moving toward the west-southwest near 3 mph (6 km/h) and is expected to make landfall on Saturday, Sept. 9, bringing powerful bands of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. The storm's eye is becoming more distinct, with a Hurricane Warning in effect for parts of Mexico.
NASA's Aqua satellite captures clear view of Hurricane Jose's eye as it strengthens into a Category 4 hurricane. Powerful storms surround the center, capable of heavy rainfall and powerful winds of up to 150 mph.
NASA's GPM satellite detected strengthening in Tropical Storm Jose, indicating towering thunderstorms and heavy rain rates of over 5.3 inches per hour. The storm intensified into a hurricane on September 6, 2017, with maximum sustained winds near 90 mph.
Hurricane Katia strengthened into a hurricane on Sept. 6, with powerful bands of thunderstorms around its center, and is forecast to produce heavy rainfall and potentially major hurricane strength at landfall.
Tropical Storm Katia is developing near Mexico's east coast with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and forecasted to produce 5-10 inches of rain over northern Veracruz. Strengthening is expected, potentially making it a hurricane before approaching the coast.
The GPM core observatory satellite passed over Irma on September 5, 2017, revealing intense rainfall within the storm's eyewall. The satellite's radar data showed extremely powerful storms reaching altitudes of over 10 miles, with precipitation rates exceeding 10.8 inches per hour.
Hurricane Irma has strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 175 mph, posing an extremely dangerous threat to the northern Leeward Islands. NASA and NOAA satellites have been providing critical imagery and data to forecasters, indicating significant fluctuations in intensity over the next few days.
The Suomi NPP Satellite provided a night-time image of Hurricane Irma, revealing powerful thunderstorms with cloud top temperatures as cold as 190 kelvin. The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission confirmed heavy rainfall within the hurricane, with a convective storm dropping rain at a rate of almost 6.3 inches per hour.
Post-Tropical Cyclone Harvey is spreading into the Ohio Valley, bringing heavy rain and flash flooding to parts of Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Indiana. The system's minimum central pressure is 1002 millibars, and it is expected to weaken by Saturday, Sept. 2.
Hurricane Lidia made landfall on the Baja California peninsula, bringing soaking rains and threatening life-threatening flash floods. The storm's strongest storms surrounded its center, with coldest cloud top temperatures exceeding minus 81 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tropical Storm Lidia is producing heavy rain and life-threatening flash floods in Mexico. Infrared data shows two areas of strong thunderstorms with extremely cold cloud tops, indicating potential for intense rainfall.
A study found that climate change may have contributed to the 7% surge in US road traffic collision deaths in 2015. Warmer temperatures led to an increase in miles driven, resulting in higher CO2 emissions and further temperature increases.
Hurricane Harvey's rainfall caused widespread saturation in southeastern Texas, which already showed signs of moisture levels near 20-40% before the storm made landfall. NASA's data also revealed exceptionally wet conditions in southwest Houston after Harvey's arrival, exacerbating the flooding issue.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission detected heavy rain and strong convective storms in the area where Tropical Storm Irma was forming. The storm is expected to strengthen over the next 48 hours, potentially becoming a hurricane on Friday, September 1st.
A large system is producing torrential rains over southwestern Mexico, prompting warnings and watches. The NASA Aqua satellite detected Potential Tropical Cyclone 14E, which is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm by tonight.
A new study suggests that Jordan may face disastrous droughts if alternative water sources are not implemented. Climate change and water scarcity could lead to a decline in rainfall, higher temperatures, and reduced freshwater supply, making it difficult for the country to meet its water demands.
NASA's Aqua satellite and International Space Station provided critical data on Tropical Storm Harvey, illustrating growing flood threats along the Texas coast. The storm is expected to produce heavy rainfall accumulations of 7-13 inches, with isolated totals reaching 50 inches in some areas.
IMERG data show over 30 inches of rainfall in the Houston metro area, while Harvey dropped over 40 inches in southeastern Texas. The storm is expected to produce catastrophic flooding and life-threatening conditions in parts of Texas and Louisiana.
Using satellite data, NASA calculated Tropical Storm Harvey's accumulated effects of rain, with totals reaching on the order of 20 inches near Galveston Bay and over 10 inches in western Louisiana. The analysis shows widespread massive flooding across the region, similar to Tropical Storm Allison in 2001.
Tropical Storm Harvey is expected to produce heavy rainfall accumulations of 15-25 inches over the upper Texas coast and into southwestern Louisiana. The storm's center is located near Port O'Connor, Texas, with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph and slight re-strengthening possible later today.
Tropical Storm Harvey showed powerful storms that could produce heavy rainfall, with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit. The storms were detected by NASA's Aqua satellite and identified areas extending from southeastern Texas into southeastern Louisiana.
Harvey's heavy rainfall was measured by NASA's GPM satellite, showing intense storms dropping rain at a rate greater than 3.2 inches per hour. The storm's eye made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane between Port Aransas and Port O'Connor, Texas, causing catastrophic flooding. The National Hurricane Center predicts total rain accumulati...
Tropical Storm Harvey continues to generate significant rainfall over southeastern Texas, with forecasters predicting catastrophic flooding. NASA satellite imagery shows the storm's elongated center of circulation and extensive thunderstorms stretching into Louisiana.
NASA used its Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) satellite to analyze Hurricane Harvey's intense rainfall, revealing powerful storms dropping rain at a rate of over 2.1 inches per hour. The hurricane is expected to produce devastating and life-threatening flooding in Texas and Louisiana, with maximum sustained winds near 110 mph.
Tropical Storm Harvey is intensifying with heavy rainfall, forecast to bring life-threatening flooding and strong winds to the middle Texas coast. The National Hurricane Center predicts rain accumulations of 12-20 inches in some areas, with totals exceeding 30 inches in isolated regions.
Tropical Depression Harvey has regenerated into a tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico, with NASA tracking its cloud pattern and temperature. The National Hurricane Center predicts heavy rain accumulations of 10-15 inches over Texas and Louisiana, with storms potentially exceeding -63 degrees Fahrenheit, capable of generating heav...
A NASA infrared image shows former Tropical Storm Harvey's remnants causing heavy rainfall and gusty winds in the Yucatan Peninsula. The remnants have a high chance of reforming into a tropical cyclone over the next two to five days.
Remnants of former Tropical Storm Harvey are being tracked by NASA's GOES-East satellite as they move west across the Caribbean Sea. The National Hurricane Center predicts a medium chance of re-forming into a tropical cyclone within two days.
Before becoming a post-tropical cyclone, NASA observed Hurricane Gert's intense rainfall of over 2.94 inches per hour. The storm's eastern side was experiencing powerful bands of rain, with some areas reaching up to 7.5 miles in height.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission detected extremely heavy rainfall in Tropical Storm Harvey, with rates reaching almost 5.8 inches per hour. The satellite's radar showed powerful convective storms west of the storm's center, creating a 3D image of the rainfall structure.
Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 is organizing east of the Lesser Antilles, with heavy rainfall expected to cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. The system is expected to move through the Windward Islands and into the eastern Caribbean Sea on August 18.
Tropical Storm Gert strengthened into a hurricane, generating intense rainfall and dangerous surf along the US East coast. The storm's eastern side showed the most intense rainfall rates, with some areas reaching over 3.5 inches per hour.
A global analysis of rainfall and rivers reveals more intense flooding in cities and smaller catchments, coupled with a drier countryside. This is attributed to rising local temperatures causing more evaporation from moist soils, leading to reduced water flows in rural areas.
PNNL scientist Jiwen Fan has received a $2.5 million DOE Early Career Research award to investigate severe thunderstorms in the central United States. The research aims to understand how storms form, change, and are influenced by factors such as urban heat islands and wildfires.
NASA provided three different views of former Hurricane Franklin, revealing powerful storms and heavy rainfall before it dissipated. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission detected intense feeder bands on the western side of the tropical storm dropping rain at rates over 2.8 inches per hour.
NASA analyzed data from Tropical Storm Franklin before it made landfall in east-central Mexico, revealing intense storms with tops reaching heights of over 9.4 miles. The analysis showed heavy rainfall rates of over 2.4 inches per hour in bands around the storm's southwestern side.
A study found that drought recovery depends on post-drought weather conditions and location. In general, most areas recover in under six months, while high-latitude regions need up to two years. Climate models predict more frequent droughts, which could lead to a double whammy effect if ecosystems are hit before they recover.
Tropical Storm Franklin generated heavy rain when observed by NASA's GPM satellite, with rainfall rates exceeding 1.6 inches per hour around the center and south of its circulation. The storm is expected to bring life-threatening flash floods and mudslides to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.
The study analyzed accumulated rainfall from July 24 to 31, 2017, using data from NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals (IMERG). The Fujiwara Effect significantly altered Tropical Storm Irwin's movement, causing it to slow down and change direction.
Tropical Storm Emily formed in the Gulf of Mexico on July 30, with NASA's AIRS instrument capturing high cloud top temperatures indicating potential for heavy rainfall. The storm made landfall in Florida on July 31, bringing maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and forecasted to weaken into a tropical depression.
Researchers from King Abdullah University of Science & Technology have modeled the impact of El Niño on rainfall in the Red Sea region. The study found that El Niño strengthens the Red Sea Convergence Zone (RSCZ), leading to increased rainfall and storms along the coast.
Tropical Storm Sonca made landfall in Vietnam, bringing maximum sustained winds near 40 knots and heavy rainfall to the region. Infrared data from NASA's Aqua satellite revealed an area of strong storms with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Indian summer monsoons have strengthened in the last 15 years over north central India, reversing a 50-year drying period. This increase in monsoon rainfall is attributed to a shift in India's land and sea temperatures, with higher land temperatures combining with lower ocean temperatures.
A recent study found that climate change significantly contributed to the severity of the 2013 Colorado flood, with heavy rainfall increased by 30% due to a warmer atmosphere. The researchers used high-resolution models to 'hindcast' the event and attributed the increased precipitation to human-induced climate change.
A new study predicts that habitat loss on wintering grounds will be the greatest threat to eastern forest birds, exacerbated by climate change. The research found that bird species spend up to 60% of their year in Central America's wintering grounds, where habitat conversion and land-use changes will have a significant impact.
Researchers used models to simulate the effectiveness of a combined set of geoengineering tools in reducing warming and precipitation changes. The study found that deploying both methods in concert could decrease global warming to pre-industrial levels, but with substantial regional variations in rainfall.
Tropical Storm Fernanda has weakened due to cooler water, dry air, and southwesterly vertical wind shear. GPM's radar revealed powerful convective storms dropping rain at nearly 7.2 inches per hour in the northwestern quadrant.
Researchers found that North American monsoon storms are becoming more extreme, with heavier rain and stronger winds, while their frequency is decreasing. The study, led by the University of Arizona, used historical climate data to verify the findings.
NASA's Suomi NPP and GPM satellites observed Tropical Storm Don developing in the North Atlantic, producing moderate to heavy rainfall rates of over 4.4 inches before weakening into a remnant low pressure area.
Researchers at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School found that manmade aerosol particles in the atmosphere drive changes in global rainfall patterns. The study suggests that these aerosols are a primary driver of large-scale shifts in precipitation, particularly in the tropics.
Heavy rain caused significant flooding in the US Midwest from July 7 to 14, 2017. NASA's satellite data showed parts of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio received over 6 inches of rain.
Tropical Storm Eugene is weakening due to cooler sea surface temperatures, with decreasing rainfall rates measured by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission. The storm is expected to degenerate into a remnant low later in July, generating life-threatening surf and rip currents along the US west coast.
A team of researchers found that decades of groundwater pumping from the Ogallala Aquifer has led to long segments of rivers drying up and collapse of large-stream fishes. The study's findings have implications for watersheds worldwide, as irrigation accounts for 90% of human water use globally.
Heavy rainfall was measured by NASA's GPM mission over Hurricane Eugene as it approached its peak on July 8. The storm weakened to a tropical storm by July 11, with rain diminishing significantly in the northwestern quadrant.
Tropical Storm Nanmadol caused severe flooding and one death in southwestern Japan. The GPM satellite measured intense precipitation bands, with rain falling at a rate of over 3.3 inches per hour in an area near the Korea Strait.
Tropical Depression 4 formed over the central Atlantic Ocean on July 6, with heavy showers and rain rates exceeding 44mm/hour. The depression is moving west-northwest at 16mph and is expected to remain a depression for several days before potentially reaching tropical storm status.
A team of engineers at the University of Illinois has developed a mathematical technique to assess green roof performance, considering factors such as rainfall intensity and soil moisture. The study aims to facilitate communication between stakeholders about the financial risk and environmental benefits of green infrastructure.
The Sahel region could receive significantly more rainfall, potentially transforming from a dry to a wet area, as temperatures rise beyond the Paris Climate Agreement's limit. This sudden change poses a huge adaptation challenge for an already troubled region with over 100 million people affected.
A new global erosivity map shows significant variations in rainfall erosivity across different climatic regions, highlighting the need for soil degradation mitigation and restoration strategies. The map provides critical data for assessing soil erosion by water, flood risk, and natural hazard prevention.