Research on rainfall and the water cycle. Covers climate-driven precipitation, hurricanes and storms, moisture transport, and extreme-weather forecasting.
A new NOAA climate model reveals southwestern Australia's long-term decline in fall and winter rainfall is primarily driven by manmade increases in greenhouse gases and ozone depletion. The study projects a continued decline in winter rainfall throughout the 21st century, with significant implications for regional water resources.
The TRMM satellite provided near-real-time rainfall data for western Kyushu, showing over 490 mm of rain fell in the past week. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued its final bulletin on July 10, indicating maximum sustained winds of 40 knots.
A synchronized lock and dam system failed during a severe flood in April 2013, resulting in seven unmoored barges crashing into the dam. The incident caused significant damage to the navigation channel, flooding adjacent land and disrupting agricultural shipments.
Typhoon Neoguri was analyzed by NASA's Aqua, TRMM, and CloudSat satellites, gathering data on its eye wall structure, cloud heights, and rainfall rates. The storm showed a large eye with meso vorticies and moderate to heavy rainfall south of the eyewall.
Hurricane Arthur made landfall in North Carolina on July 3, bringing powerful 'hot towers' of thunderstorms that indicate strengthening. The TRMM satellite spotted these storms before landfall, providing a 3D view of the hurricane's structure.
Tropical Depression 08W formed on July 3 with maximum sustained winds near 30 knots, moving west-northwestward. NASA's TRMM satellite captured rainfall data indicating strong bands of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour.
Heavy rainfall was spotted by NASA's TRMM satellite around Tropical Storm Arthur's center on July 1, with rates reaching up to 2 inches per hour. The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane over the next two days, affecting the southern U.S. coastline.
The TRMM satellite captured heavy rainfall in dissipating former Hurricane Cristina, with rain rates reaching almost 97 mm per hour in the northwestern side of its eye wall. The storm's powerful thunderstorms reached heights above 13.5 km, and its eye wall was broken on the eastern side.
Tropical Depression Hagibis regenerated and sped northeast through the East China Sea after a brief weakening. Moderate rainfall was observed at a rate of 1.4 inches per hour in its northeastern quadrant.
Tropical storm Hagibis made a brief landfall in China's Guangdong Province, bringing heavy rainfall and significant precipitation. The storm dissipated over mainland China after a short lifetime, with NASA's Terra satellite capturing the event.
Tropical Storm Nanauk formed over India in June 2014 and moved northwest towards the Arabian Sea. The storm exhibited powerful storms dropping heavy rain at a rate of over 247mm/hour when observed by NASA's TRMM satellite on June 11.
Hurricane Cristina has reached Category 4 status with maximum sustained winds near 155 mph. The National Hurricane Center expects the storm to maintain major hurricane strength for another 36 hours, posing life-threatening surf and riptide conditions along Mexico's west coast.
Heavy rainfall was observed in Tropical Storm Cristina by NASA's TRMM satellite before intensification into a hurricane. The storm is expected to strengthen further with ideal environmental conditions.
The TRMM-based Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis system monitored near-real time rainfall totals for May 29 to June 6, 2014, during Tropical Storm Boris and System 90L's impact on Mexico. The satellite recorded the highest rainfall totals of over 535 mm in southern Mexico.
System 90L, a tropical low pressure area, never formed into a tropical depression but dropped heavy rainfall on eastern and southeastern Mexico. The system eventually dissipated after making landfall, resulting in gusty winds and life-threatening flash flooding.
Research by Virginia Tech architects found that green roofs can retain up to 50% of stormwater runoff, compared to 6% for traditional roofs. This reduces the risk of sewer overflows and stream erosion, making them a crucial tool in building resilient cities.
A tropical low pressure area in the Bay of Campeche is showing signs of development, with cloud-top temperatures near -63F (-52C). The system has a 50% chance for formation, threatening southeastern Mexico with heavy rains and life-threatening flash floods.
The remnants of Tropical Storm Boris are merging with a low-pressure area in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, according to NASA and NOAA satellite data. The system, now known as System 90L, has a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression, threatening heavy rainfall and flash flooding in southeastern Mexico.
Tropical Storm Boris strengthened into a depression before making landfall in southern Mexico, bringing heavy rainfall and flash flooding. The storm's slow movement exacerbated localized rainfall amounts, with the Mexican Weather Service reporting 12.5 inches of rainfall in one city.
Tropical Depression 2E has high, very cold cloud top temperatures indicating strong thunderstorms and potential for heavy rainfall. The National Hurricane Center forecasts large rainfall amounts in southern Mexico over the next couple of days.
A new tropical low pressure area is brewing in the Eastern Pacific, with heavy rainfall expected to cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides in western Central America. The National Hurricane Center gives System 93E a 90% chance of becoming a tropical depression in the next 48 hours.
The Global Precipitation Measurement Core Observatory satellite has completed its check-out period and started its mission, collecting observations of rainfall and snowfall. The satellite's two science instruments have been calibrated and are now producing accurate data on weather elements such as thunderstorms.
NASA's TRMM satellite measured heavy rainfall at a rate of over 147 mm/h in the northwestern side of Hurricane Amanda's eye wall. The storm weakened to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph.
System 92B dissipated on May 27 after struggling to develop in the Bay of Bengal, with NASA's TRMM and Aqua satellites capturing data on its rainfall rates and cloud heights. The storm had strong thunderstorms and generated heavy rainfall before wind shear took its toll.
Two articles investigate influence of climate, erosion, and tectonics on Bolivian Andes landscape. Researchers conclude that tectonics play primary role in shaping Earth's surface, not rainfall patterns. Tectonic deformation controls pattern of rock uplift and erosion rates.
Hurricane Amanda strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane over the Memorial Day weekend, with maximum sustained winds near 155 mph. The storm is currently moving north-northwest at 7 mph and has a minimum central pressure of 932 millibars.
The National Hurricane Center expects TD1E to strengthen into a tropical storm later today. The depression has maximum sustained winds increasing to 35 mph (55 kph) and is moving west-northwest at 5 mph (7 kph).
NASA's Aqua and TRMM satellites captured data on System 92B, showing heavy rainfall and powerful convective storms in the Bay of Bengal. The system is moving north at 5 knots and has a high potential for developing into a significant tropical cyclone within 24 hours.
NASA's TRMM satellite observed strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in System 92B, a developing tropical low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal. The storm showed organized clouds and tall storms reaching heights of over 8.7 miles.
Groundwater pumping in California's Central Valley depletes the aquifer, raising the Sierra Nevada and Coast Mountain Ranges by a few millimeters each year, creating stress on faults that could increase earthquake risk. Scientists report their results in Nature, finding cumulative rise over 150 years of up to 15 centimeters.
Groundwater pumping has raised Sierra Nevada mountain range by up to 6 inches over the past 150 years. The seasonal changes in the Central Valley aquifer have been linked to microquakes on the San Andreas Fault.
A first-year Environmental Science student at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus published a literature review on the Southeast Asian monsoon in Geoscience Frontiers. The study found that future climate warming could lead to a 15-day delay in the monsoon onset by the start of the next century.
A 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Mexico's Guerrero State on May 8, triggering rain from dissipating tropical low pressure system System 90E. NASA's Aqua satellite captured an infrared image of the system three hours later, showing high cloud tops and potential for heavy rainfall.
The TRMM satellite recorded severe weather affecting the Great Plains from May 8 to 9, including three tornadoes in Minnesota. The satellite detected intense rainfall rates of over 6.4 inches per hour in Arkansas and Texas.
System 90E is a tropical low-pressure area located southwest of Zihuatenejo, Mexico, heading towards landfall in the region. The National Hurricane Center has given it a 20% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone over the next 48 hours.
System 91B brought heavy rainfall to southern India and Sri Lanka on May 6, with TRMM's Precipitation Radar revealing rates of up to 66 mm per hour. The system has since moved inland over southwestern India, weakening and becoming less organized.
The Integrated Precipitation and Hydrology Experiment field campaign aims to better understand mountain weather patterns and improve precipitation measurement. Researchers will combine ground-based measurements with airborne sensors and satellite data to gain insights into the complex processes of mountain rainfall.
A new study reveals that the South Asian summer monsoon is experiencing significant changes in extreme wet and dry events, leading to an increased risk of drought and flood in central India. The researchers found that the intensity of wet spells and the number of dry spells have both been increasing in recent decades.
Tropical Cyclone Jack had weakened to a tropical depression when NASA's TRMM satellite passed above on April 22, 2014. Rainfall rates reached over 130mm/hr near the center, while wind shear continued to impact the system, ultimately leading to its dissipation in the Southern Indian Ocean by April 23.
Tropical Cyclone Jack weakened significantly after two observations by NASA's TRMM satellite on April 21, with maximum sustained winds dropping from 90 knots to 30 knots. Rainfall rates reached up to 197 mm/hr, indicating a powerful storm before its final weakening.
Tropical Cyclone Jack strengthened quickly after forming on April 20, but strong vertical wind shear is expected to weaken the storm. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center notes that despite this, the storm continued to build thunderstorms and elongate to the southeast.
Scientists at the University of Central Florida and Arizona are extending the length of a high-intensity laser beam by surrounding it with a secondary beam, sustaining the central beam for greater distances. The goal is to stimulate static charged particles in clouds, leading to rain and lightning activity.
A University of Utah-led study reveals that a curvy jet stream pattern, bringing mild temperatures to the US West and harsh cold to the East, became more pronounced 4,000 years ago. This pattern may worsen as Earth's climate warms, contributing to extreme winter weather events.
Remnants of Tropical Depression Peipah continue to bring scattered thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rain showers across the southern Philippines. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued flood advisories for several regions due to the lingering storm system.
The TRMM satellite provided near-real time precipitation data for Tropical Cyclone Ita, estimating rainfall totals of up to 400 mm in northeastern Australia. The satellite also captured a 3-D image of the storm's structure, showing that some clouds were reaching heights of over 13 km.
Tropical Cyclone Ita weakened to a tropical storm after making landfall in northeastern Queensland, Australia. NASA's TRMM and Suomi NPP satellites captured imagery of the storm's elongating structure and heavy rainfall rates.
Tropical Cyclone Ita has intensified to a Category Four hurricane with winds near 132 mph, threatening catastrophic damage and power outages in Queensland. NASA's Terra satellite captured visible images of the storm, revealing powerful thunderstorms and heavy rainfall rates reaching up to 163 mm/h.
Tropical Cyclone Ita intensified with a large eye feature and sustained winds of 65 knots/75 mph. Rainfall analysis revealed rain falling at over 99 mm/h within its feeder bands.
Researchers will study amounts and types of aerosols influencing cloud formation in the Amazonia region. The three-year project aims to understand how the Amazon rainforest influences storm formation and internal water cycling.
Tropical Depression Peipah is intensifying as it approaches the central Philippines, with forecasters predicting landfall by April 11. The NASA Aqua satellite's infrared data shows high cloud-top temperatures indicating potential for heavy rainfall, with estimated amounts ranging from 5 to 15 mm per hour.
Tropical Cyclone Peipah passed Palau on April 5, weakening to a tropical depression with sustained winds near 25 knots. The storm is expected to make landfall in northeastern Mindanao before moving through the central or Visayas region.
Researchers discuss catastrophic rock avalanches, evidence of ancient rainfall, and geological phenomena in the High Atlas Mountains, western United States, and Italy. The studies provide insights into Earth's history, including a 4.5 ka seismic event, tectonic settings, and paleoprecipitation patterns.
Tropical Cyclone Hellen rapidly weakened after hitting Madagascar, but its remnants showed signs of life in the Mozambique Channel. TRMM satellite data revealed strong convective thunderstorms with heavy rainfall rates up to 75 mm/h, indicating potential regenerating activity.
A 3,500-year-old Egyptian inscription describes rain, darkness and stormy weather, suggesting a massive Thera eruption in the Mediterranean Sea. The revised dating of the pharaoh Ahmose's reign could change scholars' understanding of critical junctures in human history.
Tropical Cyclone Hellen's heavy rain rates were detected by NASA's TRMM satellite, with rainfall rates reaching over 44 mm/hour near its eye. The storm's remnants re-emerged in the Mozambique Channel, posing a potential regrowth threat.
Tropical Cyclone Hellen made landfall in west central Madagascar, with powerful thunderstorms and cloud top temperatures exceeding -63F/-52C. The storm developed in the Mozambique Channel and rapidly intensified into a Category IV cyclone before making landfall.
A new study predicts that 12% of land will experience drought by 2100 due to rainfall changes alone, but this number increases to 30% with consideration of evaporative drying. The warming climate may lead to food-price shocks and water scarcity in regions like the US, China, and Africa.
Tropical Cyclone Gillian reached Category 5 hurricane status with winds of over 140 knots when NASA's TRMM satellite passed overhead on March 23. Data analysis revealed intense storms and heavy rainfall, but the storm weakened to a tropical storm by March 26.
NASA's TRMM satellite gathered data on rainfall rates in the South China Sea as Tropical Depression TD04W weakened. The storm's remnants dissipated near Vietnam, marking the end of a potential regeneration threat.
The NASA-JAXA Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory has released its first images, capturing precipitation falling inside a March cyclone over the northwest Pacific Ocean. The data show high-quality measurements of global precipitation, including light drizzle, heavy downpours, and falling snow.