Research on rainfall and the water cycle. Covers climate-driven precipitation, hurricanes and storms, moisture transport, and extreme-weather forecasting.
Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Matthew has been detected by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission, with rates reaching over 6.4 inches per hour in some areas. The storm is expected to cause devastating torrential rainfall as it moves slowly over Haiti.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected cold cloud top temperatures near minus 27.6 degrees Fahrenheit over Arizona and New Mexico. The post-tropical cyclone's remnants brought heavy downpours, causing flash flooding and mudslides, as the storm weakened overnight.
Post-Tropical Cyclone Hermine was still producing light to moderate showers with maximum sustained winds of about 58 mph as it rotated in the Atlantic Ocean. NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission detected heavy rainfall rates exceeding 1.1 inches per hour in various areas of the storm.
A recent study from the University of California, Davis, found that coastal development and precipitation increase the risk of disease-causing organisms flowing to the ocean. The study tracked the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can shed infective egg-like structures in soil, freshwater, and seawater.
Hurricane Newton is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rains to Baja California Sur, Mexico, with total rain accumulations of 8-12 inches. The storm's trajectory suggests it will pass over the Gulf of California late this afternoon or evening.
Hurricane Hermine made landfall near Saint Marks, Florida with 80 mph winds, and then moved into Georgia where it weakened to a tropical storm. The NASA/NOAA GOES Project created an animation showing the development of Hermine into a hurricane during the afternoon of Sept. 1.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission tracked Hurricane Lester as it continued through the Eastern Pacific Ocean, showing extremely heavy rainfall rates of over 7.1 inches per hour. The satellite also revealed a strong hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 140 mph and estimated minimum central pressure of 948 millibars.
A new study found that thunderstorms in the southern United States transport significant amounts of mercury to the ground, with concentrations 50% higher than other rain events. Researchers matched rain samples to weather data and used radar and satellite data to examine storm clouds.
Satellites show Hurricane Madeline has weakened from a Category 4 storm to a Category 1 storm as it approaches Hawaii. The storm is expected to bring tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall, and storm surge to the islands, with the potential for dangerous flash floods and mudslides.
Tropical Depression 9 is bringing torrential rains to western Cuba and issuing a tropical storm watch for parts of the Florida Gulf Coast. Infrared data indicates extremely cold cloud tops, indicating heavy rainfall potential.
Using high-resolution cloud models, researchers uncover the processes taking place in the atmosphere, revealing a 'memory' state of organisation that leads to heavy rain. Collisions between clouds produce heavier rain, contradicting traditional global climate models where convective clouds are seen as independent.
Tropical Depression 8 formed off the coast of North Carolina in the Atlantic Ocean, with NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission providing detailed analysis. The depression was predicted to strengthen slowly over the next 48 hours, bringing heavy rainfall and isolated maximum amounts of 5 inches to far eastern North Carolina.
Tropical Storm Lester, the 12th named storm of the 2016 eastern Pacific Ocean, was analyzed by NASA's GPM core satellite. The storm showed moderate intensity bands of rain curving around its eastern side, with rainfall rates reaching over 54 mm per hour.
System 99L is a tropical low pressure area located over Hispaniola, producing disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity. Heavy rainfall, flash floods, and mudslides are likely over the region, with conditions becoming more favorable for development early next week.
Gaston became a hurricane on Aug. 25 with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, but heavy rain rates of around 50 mm/h were occurring near the center due to southwesterly wind shear. The storm's trajectory is expected to shift northwestward over the next several days as it battles strong environmental wind shear.
Typhoon Lionrock intensified as it passed over the western edge of its eye, with GPM measuring intense storms and rainfall rates exceeding 222 mm/hour. The typhoon's wind speeds increased to 126.6 mph, making it a category three on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
A tropical wave is bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds to islands in the Atlantic Ocean and northeastern Caribbean Sea. The National Hurricane Center predicts that the system could develop into a tropical depression, posing danger to the Bahamas and southeastern United States.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission captured data on Tropical Depression Kay's remaining rainfall, which was limited to a small area. The storm had been devoid of deep convection and thunderstorms for about 12 hours when it faded from the record.
Tropical Storm Gaston intensified in the Atlantic Ocean with rainfall rates reaching up to 141 mm per hour. The GPM satellite provided detailed measurements of precipitation, cloud heights, and storm tops.
Climate researchers found that global climate models become increasingly uncertain when making predictions at scales below approximately 600 miles for temperature changes and 1200 miles for precipitation patterns. This makes it difficult to predict regional variations, such as the difference in warming between Indianapolis and Pittsburgh.
A new tropical depression has formed north of Guam, prompting a tropical storm warning for nearby islands. The depression is expected to track northward, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall to the area.
Tropical Depression 6 formed in the far eastern North Atlantic Ocean on August 16, 2016, with NASA and NOAA satellites providing key data. The depression showed signs of organization, with strong rainfall bands and intense showers dropping rain at a rate of over 155 mm/h.
Tropical Storm Chanthu brought heavy rainfall and gusty winds to northern Japan as NASA's Aqua satellite analyzed the storm's clouds on August 16. The storm is transitioning into an extra-tropical storm and expected to move into the Sea of Okhotsk.
A severe low-pressure system brought intense tropical moisture to the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in record-breaking rainfall totals over southern Louisiana. At least 4 people have died in the floods, which also affected southeastern Mississippi and western Louisiana.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission gathered extensive rainfall data on Louisiana storms, finding intense rainfall rates of over 3.9 inches per hour and storm tops reaching 9.9 miles high.
A new species of rain frog, named Sleeping beauty rain frog, has been discovered in the Peruvian central Andes. The frog features bright red coloration on its groins, shanks, and thighs, distinguishing it from other related frogs.
The IMERG data revealed the most extreme rainfall fell over the northern Gulf of Mexico, with estimates suggesting 20-35 inches of precipitation. Heavy rainfall and flooding have affected parts of Florida, Louisiana, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Hurricane Earl caused extreme rain in southern Mexico, with some areas receiving up to 43.3 inches of rain. The remnants of the storm interacted with another weather system, forming Tropical Storm Javier.
Researchers used the K computer and advanced radar data to accurately predict torrential rains in localized areas. They achieved this by synchronizing data between large-scale simulations and observational data through 'big data assimilation', resulting in high-resolution maps of rain every 30 seconds.
NASA's IMERG data revealed strong bands of heavy rain extending east-west over north-central Maryland, with localized areas experiencing higher rates. The area affected suffered devastating flooding, including the historic town of Ellicott City, where two people drowned and numerous cars were damaged.
NASA satellites monitored Typhoon Nida's intense rainfall, reaching rates of over 3.5 inches per hour, as it approached southeastern China. The storm's height reached over 10.5 miles in some areas, posing a threat to Hong Kong.
A recent study by ETH Zurich researchers found that opposing mountain ranges will experience different water balance changes due to climate change. The Juncal region in Chile is expected to become even drier, while the upper Langtang valley in Nepal may see increased water discharge due to glacier melt and increased rainfall.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that mineral dust from the Middle East can strengthen the Indian Summer Monsoon by heating the atmosphere. This heat absorption affects monsoon rainfall, with more efficient-absorbing dust linked to increased rainfall.
Geographers from UC Santa Barbara's Climate Hazards Group will help African scientists predict food deficits using remote sensing tools and climate data. The new project aims to provide early warning systems for severe hunger, giving policymakers four months of advanced notice to allocate resources.
Tropical Storm Darby brought extremely heavy rainfall to northern Oahu, with estimated totals reaching up to 480 mm. The storm's track led to flash flooding and lightning damage on the island of Oahu.
Tropical Storm Darby brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to the Hawaiian Islands, with rainfall rates reaching up to 5.4 inches per hour. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission detected intense storms southeast of the Big Island, causing widespread flooding and prompting evacuation warnings.
Climate effects of major eruptions deliver 'just right' conditions for vulnerable saguaro seedlings. A study by biogeographer Taly Drezner found that distant volcanic paroxysms fostered population growth in the Sonoran Desert.
Tropical Storm Frank intensified as NASA spotted 'hot towers', powerful thunderstorms with intense showers and high rain rates. The storm's height and organization suggest a significant increase in wind speed and potential for becoming a hurricane.
Tropical Storm Georgette developed in the eastern Pacific Ocean, intensifying into a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds reaching 45 mph. GPM data revealed extremely heavy rain and storm top heights over 14 km, indicating favorable conditions for cyclone formation.
GPM data showed heavy rainfall on Estelle's eastern side, later shifting west of center. Precipitation rates reached over 65 mm/h, with some storms having heights exceeding 11.6 km.
A new species of rain frog, Pristimantis prometeii, has been discovered in southwestern Ecuador and named after the Greek hero Prometheus. The frog grows to 2-3 cm and is part of a group of directly developing frogs that do not have an aquatic tadpole stage.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected coldest cloud top temperatures between minus 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong storms remained north of Tropical Storm Darby's center. The storms are expected to generate heavy rainfall due to their high altitude in the troposphere.
Scientists studied Tropical Cyclone Abela using satellite data, which provided insights into its rainfall rates and cloud heights. The cyclone's low-level center was exposed due to wind shear, causing convective storms to form southeast of the center.
Researchers found a negative correlation between rainfall in north-western Africa and Europe 10,000 years ago, reversing in the early Holocene period. Climate simulations suggest the North American ice sheet's melting affected atmospheric circulation patterns and ocean currents, leading to the change in correlation.
Germany can expect increased flood losses due to climate change, with potential damages reaching up to 500 million euros per year, according to a recent study. The research suggests that without adaptation, flood-related damage could multiply in the future.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a system to predict excess monsoon rainfall or drought in central India, which can impact the national and global economy. This prediction tool has the potential to improve decision-making for policymakers and communities, ultimately mitigating the effects of extreme weather events.
NASA's RapidScat instrument measured surface wind speeds exceeding 30 meters per second, while the GPM core satellite detected rainfall rates of up to 33 mm/h near Hurricane Celia's eye wall. The storm weakened to a tropical storm on July 13, with forecasted weakening continuing over the next 48 hours.
Typhoon Nepartak brought severe problems when it moved ashore, causing thousands of home destructions in China and at least three deaths in Taiwan. NASA's IMERG estimated totals indicated over 500 mm (19.7 inches) in some areas, with even greater rainfall calculated in non-affected regions.
Typhoon Nepartak's cloud top temperatures were as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong storms. Rainfall totals compiled by Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau confirmed high amounts, with some areas receiving over 500 mm of rain.
NASA's GPM core satellite analyzed rainfall rates, while RapidScat measured wind speeds near or above 30 meters per second around the center of the storm. The typhoon intensified over warm sea surface temperatures with minimal wind shear and good outflow, eventually reaching Category 5 hurricane status.
Researchers identified human fingerprint on Indo-Pacific warm pool growth using climate model simulations and fingerprinting technique. Human-induced greenhouse gas increase is the dominant cause of IPWP warming and expansion, with a small contribution from natural climate variability.
A powerful tropical depression was weakening over the Arabian Sea, with maximum sustained winds near 30 knots. Heavy rainfall rates of over 8.2 inches per hour were recorded southwest of the storm's center, indicating a severe weather system.
NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) data revealed extreme rainfall in West Virginia during June 20-26, 2016, with 12.6 inches reported in affected areas., The IMERG analysis also showed heavy rain producing thunderstorms, causing flash flooding in the region.
NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission tracked Tropical Storm Danielle as it made landfall north of Tuxpan, Mexico. Heavy rainfall rates were measured at moderate to heavy levels, with some areas experiencing precipitation at rates over 41 mm/h, indicating a rapid weakening of the storm.
NASA and NOAA satellites detected Tropical Depression 4 developing into Tropical Storm Danielle off the Mexican coast. The storm strengthened into a tropical cyclone on June 20, bringing heavy rain to eastern Mexico.
Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Colin led to widespread flooding in Florida and Georgia, with over 250 mm of rain recorded in some areas. NASA's IMERG data analysis showed Colin's heaviest precipitation occurred over central Florida, with extreme amounts exceeding 280 mm.
Scientists uncovered century-scale patterns in Pacific rainfall and temperature linked to global climate changes over the past 2000 years. El Niño-like states have amplified global climate fluctuations, with northern hemisphere warming and droughts corresponding to an El Niño state from 950 to 1250.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured images of Tropical Depression 1E over southwestern Mexico, revealing its slow movement and disorganization. The depression is expected to slow and turn northward, dissipating by June 8, 2016, with heavy rains affecting southern Mexico and western Guatemala.
Tropical Storm Colin made landfall in northwestern Florida on June 6, 2016, before moving northeast across northern Florida into the Atlantic Ocean. Satellite images captured by NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites showed the storm's cloud spread over Florida and its eventual movement into the Atlantic.
The study reveals how Syntrichia caninervis moss collects and transports water using its specialized awn structures, allowing it to survive in extremely dry conditions. The findings also have potential applications in industry and public hygiene, such as reducing splash-back in urinals.