Research on rainfall and the water cycle. Covers climate-driven precipitation, hurricanes and storms, moisture transport, and extreme-weather forecasting.
Tropical Depression Bonnie experienced heavy rainfall from organized thunderstorms, measuring up to 4.9 inches per hour. The system weakened due to increased vertical shear and colder sea surface temperatures.
Heavy rainfall totals of over 20 inches were reported in parts of southeastern Texas, with IMERG estimating 431 mm (17 inches) during a week of major flooding. Flooding resulted in at least 6 deaths and a state of disaster was declared in 31 Texas counties.
A new rain frog species, Pristimantis pluvialis, has been described from Amazonian Peru and the Amazonian foothills of the Andes. The discovery highlights the need for continued study of tropical regions to uncover new species.
A recent study by the University of Vermont found that irrigation systems in wine-producing regions of New Zealand led farmers to perceive their local area as cooler and wetter than it actually is. This misperception can slow efforts to address climate change, according to the research.
NASA's GPM satellite has detected a developing low-pressure system in the Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Bahamas, which could potentially become a tropical or subtropical cyclone. Increasing shower activity near the center of the system suggests it may be on track to develop into a storm.
Scientists reconstruct ancient precipitation patterns in Greenland using aquatic plant leaf waxes, finding evidence of increased snowfall from 6,000 to 4,000 years ago. This trend is consistent with the hypothesis that global warming could drive Arctic snowfall increases, slowing ice sheet shrinkage and sea level rise.
Tropical Cyclone 01B is intensifying with maximum sustained winds of 40 knots, displacing 134,000 persons in the path of the storm. The system has caused record-breaking rainfall in Sri Lanka since its inception on May 14.
A developing tropical storm in the Bay of Bengal has caused massive landslides in south central Sri Lanka, burying three villages. The storm's heavy rainfall and intense rain bands have led to widespread flooding and mudslides, with hundreds feared buried.
Researchers will assess storm water quality and implement Low Impact Development techniques to treat pollutants, ultimately aiming to enhance the city's ability to provide drinking water for its growing population.
Heavy rainfall caused catastrophic flooding in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, resulting in four deaths and thousands displaced. NASA's GPM satellite data revealed intense storms with precipitation rates exceeding 300 mm/h along a line of heavy rainfall on May 8, 2016.
Researchers study concentrated storms causing extreme flooding in urban areas and high methane emissions from the Bakken oil field. Scientists also investigate black carbon in oceans and its impact on marine life. Additionally, a new study reveals that half of streamflow in the Upper Colorado River Basin originates as groundwater.
Researchers found that storms are shrinking in space and intensifying over smaller areas, resulting in more intense peak rainfalls. This intensification is expected to lead to a significant rise in flash flooding across major urban centers worldwide.
Scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found a clear link between higher sea surface salinity levels and increased rainfall on land in the African Sahel. By analyzing global salinity and rainfall data, they discovered that high springtime salinity levels correlate significantly with increased monsoon-season rainfall in the ...
Researchers found that large storms move about 50% more sediment than typical rainfall, but the overall contribution to erosion is smaller. River channels adjust their size to accommodate flow, setting a speed limit on erosion.
Scientists discovered that up to 60% of airborne particles after a rainstorm come from the soil, releasing organic matter into the atmosphere. This finding has significant implications for understanding the planet's climate and will be integrated into atmospheric models.
Severe spring thunderstorms spawned over 67 tornadoes across the US, with intense rainfall totals reported in states including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. Heavy flooding caused six fatalities in Palestine, Texas, while six inches of rain were recorded in southern Mississippi.
A new study finds that climate change will disproportionately affect African antelopes with the smallest geographic ranges, exacerbating their already high risk of extinction. The researchers predict a significant decline in suitable habitat for these species, particularly those adapted to cooler and drier climates.
Tropical Cyclone Amos weakened and dissipated in the Southern Pacific Ocean on April 24, 2016, after being torn apart by increasing wind shear. The storm's elongation was evident in composite satellite images, with heaviest rainfall appearing in its northwestern quadrant.
NASA tracks Tropical Cyclone Fantala's decreasing wind speeds and intensifying rainfall rates, with estimates suggesting maximum sustained winds of 105 knots (121 mph). The storm is expected to encounter adverse conditions that will prompt a weakening trend north of Madagascar as it continues to move west toward the African mainland.
Researchers at Griffith University used paperbark tree leaves to reconstruct past rainfall activity in tropical and subtropical regions. The study, published in Global Change Biology, offers a new proxy for inferring changes in climate.
Tropical Cyclone Fantala continues to move north of Madagascar with significant changes in its intensity and track. The storm showed heavy rainfall and a clouded eye due to vertical wind shear, causing it to reverse course and move southeastward over its earlier track.
Tropical Cyclone Fantala reached Category Five intensity with maximum sustained winds of 150 knots (173 mph), making it one of the strongest storms in the South Indian Ocean. NASA satellites tracked the storm's intense rainfall and powerful thunderstorms, providing critical data on its size and wind patterns.
Record Balkan floods of 2014 were likely caused by the temporary slowdown of giant airstreams and planetary wave resonance. The study found that extreme rainfall events are strongly increasing in the region, even more than globally observed.
Tropical cyclone Fantala continues to intensify, moving westward over the South Indian Ocean. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached 100 knots on April 15, making it a Category 4 hurricane and a major threat to Mauritius.
Tropical Cyclone Fantala intensified with sustained winds near 80 knots, prompting heavy rainfall of up to 189 mm/h. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicts further intensification and potential impact on northern Madagascar.
Researchers in China have developed a portable laboratory and topography meter to measure the frequency of random landslides on the steep slopes of the Loess Plateau. The system allows for site-specific tests, such as simulated rainfall, and can digitally reconstruct the slope's behavior under erosion conditions.
A recent study found that a droplet hitting a thin fiber will be captured at low speeds, pass through at intermediate speeds, and split at high speeds. The researchers' model has significant implications for optimizing water collection systems and fiber-coating technologies.
Tropical cyclone Zena intensified over Vanuatu and Fiji with very high cloud tops and intense rainfall. The GPM satellite measured rainfall rates of almost 300 mm/hour in some areas.
Tropical Cyclone Zena intensified in the South Pacific Ocean near Vanuatu on April 5, 2016, causing sustained winds of over 35 knots. The GPM satellite measured intense downpours dropping rain at a rate of almost 154 mm per hour
The study found that agricultural land has doubled within the Cerrado region, replacing native vegetation and altering the water cycle. Continued agricultural growth could reduce rainfall or delay critical rainy periods, threatening both natural vegetation and agricultural production.
The GPM core observatory satellite measured heavy rainfall rates of over 3.6 inches per hour in a powerful storm east of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The satellite also revealed the three-dimensional structure of precipitation in storms beneath it, showing storm tops reaching heights above 7.4 miles.
Scientists can now accurately estimate rainfall amounts by understanding the size distribution of raindrops and snowflakes globally. The new data provides insight into storm growth and behavior, helping predict complex interactions that impact weather patterns.
A study found that agricultural expansion in the Cerrado biome reduces water recycling, affecting rainfall patterns. Double cropping can help mitigate this effect by increasing evapotranspiration rates.
Researchers encase Arctic plants in ice to study climate change's effects on growth patterns. To their surprise, the frozen plants exhibited increased growth in remaining undamaged shoots.
Tropical Cyclone Emeraude intensified rapidly after forming on March 15, 2016, with GPM's radar measuring extreme rainfall rates of over 8.2 inches per hour. The storm peaked at 125 knots and then weakened, but is expected to re-intensify as it curves toward the southwest.
Researchers reconstructed a 2,000-year record of precipitation changes in the eastern Pacific using sediments from Galapagos lakes, revealing long-term shifts in El Niño patterns. The study provides new insights into tropical climate dynamics and will help model future changes.
Tropical Cyclone Emeraude formed on March 15, 2016, in the South Indian Ocean, with intense rainfall rates exceeding 220 mm/h. GPM data revealed a 3D structure of precipitation, indicating storm tops heights above 15 km.
Heaviest rainfall in the southern US was reported over 24 inches in Monroe, Louisiana, with over 4,958 homes damaged by flooding. NASA's TMPA analysis revealed a merged satellite rainfall image showing heavy rain stretching from northern Louisiana to south central Arkansas.
Heavy rainfall and strong storms affected the southern U.S. on March 9, with over a foot of rain falling in Texas to Arkansas. The GPM satellite measured extreme precipitation rates, including 148 mm in one powerful storm.
New research reveals that global warming will increase rainfall in dry regions, but the additional water may not be available due to increased evaporation. This could lead to more frequent and intense flash flooding events in areas without adequate infrastructure.
NASA's RapidScat instrument detected tropical-storm-force winds in a weather system affecting the Pacific Northwestern U.S. and southwestern Canada, bringing rain and snow to the region. Heavy rainfall totals of over 8 inches were estimated in some areas, with potential to alleviate California's long-lasting drought.
Heavy rainfall caused flooding and landslides in northern Peru, with NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) measuring extreme rainfall totals of over 700 mm. The strong El Niño was partially blamed for the abnormally high rainfall.
NASA has visualized rainfall data to show the changes in US precipitation during El Niño, with areas like California and East Coast experiencing wet conditions. However, other parts of the country faced droughts and floods due to shifts in precipitation patterns.
Heavy rainfall causes gullies to expand rapidly, with predicted climate change increasing rates up to three times faster. Researchers have developed a model to predict gully expansion and warn of devastating consequences for agriculture, water quality, and infrastructure.
Tropical Cyclone Winston made landfall in eastern Fiji as a Category 5 hurricane, bringing powerful winds and heavy rainfall. The storm dropped rain at a rate of over 169 mm/hour near its center.
GPM satellite reveals heavy rainfall and a well-defined circular eye in Tropical Cyclone Uriah, but also detects a weakening trend starting on Feb. 17, with maximum sustained winds peaking at 125 knots (144 mph) on Feb. 18.
Tropical Cyclone Uriah intensifies to a Category Four hurricane with sustained winds near 115 knots, expected to reach peak intensity of 125 knots on Feb 18. Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are observed south of the storm's center.
Tropical cyclone strengthening off Southwestern Pacific threatens Tonga and American Samoa with heavy rainfall, moving northeast at 10 knots. NASA satellites have observed cloud top temperatures exceeding -63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating a high-intensity storm.
Scientists dated fossilized pollen to show the Nullarbor Plain was once home to gum and eucalyptus trees before a dramatic climate shift. The region's history reveals a rainfall increase of up to four times higher than today, contradicting its modern arid conditions.
GPM's radar measured heavy rainfall in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Virginia coast, with rates exceeding 25 mm per hour. The low-pressure area also packed strong winds, generating gusts up to 65 mph, particularly across southeastern New England.
Scientists found that recent developments near the Meramec River, including a levee and landfill, significantly magnified flood levels. The study showed that floods are becoming more chaotic, unpredictable, and severe due to human activities such as development in floodways and floodplains.
The NASA GPM satellite examined violent thunderstorms in the southern US on February 2-3, with one powerful storm in North Carolina dropping rain at an extreme rate of 112.96 mm (4.4 inches) per hour. The satellite's radar instruments measured precipitation within the area and created a 3D cross-section through the storms.
NASA analyzed satellite data measuring heavy precipitation in southern Florida, California, and across the Great Plains from late January to early February. The IMERG mission estimated over 200mm of precipitation in some areas, with powerful winds bringing down trees and power lines.
Research by the University of Tsukuba's Hiroaki Ueda and Youichi Kamae group reveals a connection between tropical seawater temperatures and changes in East Asian monsoon patterns. The study found that specific trends in tropical sea surface temperatures can explain recent changes in the region's summer rainfall.
A study by Oxford University scientists found that human-induced climate change increased the risk of severe storms in the south of England, leading to devastating flooding. The analysis attributed the increase in extreme rainfall to thermodynamic changes in the atmosphere and westerly air flow.
Tropical Cyclone Stan weakened to a remnant low pressure area after landfall in Western Australia on January 30, 2016. The system dropped significant rainfall, with 77.8 mm recorded at Menzies and 40.4mm at Red Rocks Point.
New University of Washington research shows that the lunar forces affect the amount of rain on Earth, though very slightly, with a change of about 1 percent of total rainfall variation. The effect is due to the moon's gravitational tug causing higher air pressure and increasing temperature, making it less favorable for precipitation.
Researchers found recent increases in mercury concentrations in rainfall at many sites across the continent, with positive trends in central regions consistent with increased emissions from Asia. The findings suggest that reductions in North American mercury emissions are primarily benefiting the eastern United States.
The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite observed Tropical Cyclone Corentin, which was weakening due to high vertical wind shear. Rainfall data showed moderate to heavy rainfall in bands southeast of the exposed center of low-level circulation.
A new study suggests that continent-scale monsoons will adapt gradually to climate change, with changes in land use and greenhouse gas concentrations prompting adjustments in massive air circulations. Despite predictions of a sudden shift, the researchers argue that monsoon rainfall will change smoothly over time.