Research on rainfall and the water cycle. Covers climate-driven precipitation, hurricanes and storms, moisture transport, and extreme-weather forecasting.
Tropical Depression 04W brought moderate rainfall to Palawan, Philippines on March 24. The depression had weakened to a remnant low pressure area by then, moving through the Sulu Sea. NASA's TRMM satellite showed heavy rainfall rates of up to 1.2 inches per hour in the region.
Tropical Cyclone Gillian has re-formed just south of Java, Indonesia, with improved central convection and symmetric shape. The cyclone is expected to intensify to hurricane-force over the Southern Indian Ocean.
The Landsat satellite helps track urban change, which impacts a community's flood risk, using data from NASA and the US Geological Survey. Urbanization increases flood risk as impermeable surfaces absorb water, leading to more frequent and severe flooding.
NASA's TRMM satellite spotted towering thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Gillian, indicating some power still present. The storm is expected to move west across the Timor Sea away from Northern Territory.
A new analysis reveals that dust in the air absorbs sunlight west of India, warming the air and strengthening winds carrying moisture eastward. The study also shows that natural airborne particles can influence rainfall in unexpected ways, with changes in one location rapidly affecting weather thousands of miles away.
TRMM satellite data shows heavy rainfall rates and powerful thunderstorms in the northeast Gulf of Carpentaria, indicating a potential rebirth of Tropical Cyclone Gillian. The system is expected to intensify over the next 24-36 hours, posing gusty winds and heavy rainfall to coastal communities.
Tropical Cyclone Lusi battled vertical wind shear pushing precipitation away from its center. The storm showed strongest thunderstorms being pushed south of the circulation center.
A new study by Scripps Institution of Oceanography predicts that some regions will experience an increase of up to 30 more dry days per year due to climate change. This shift in precipitation patterns will have significant impacts on vegetation, soil moisture, and water resources.
The Ground Validation program gathers similar precipitation data on the ground to compare with satellite data, improving models and understanding precipitation physics. Remote campaigns and a Precipitation Science Research Facility supplement GPM data, allowing scientists to monitor precipitation under various conditions.
Tropical Cyclone Lusi intensified to hurricane force near Vanuatu, bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms, and potential flooding. The storm is expected to weaken on March 13 before transitioning into an extra-tropical storm.
Tropical Cyclone Hadi weakened to depression status, while Tropical Cyclone Lusi strengthened with maximum sustained winds near 50 knots/57.5 mph/92.6 kph. NASA's Aqua and TRMM satellites provided crucial rainfall data, cloud heights, and temperature information.
Researchers used crowdsourcing to collect hurricane rainwater samples during Hurricane Sandy, revealing the storm's chemical signature and improving understanding of extra-tropical hurricanes. The study provides new insights into how these storms interact with weather systems, aiding in hurricane forecasting.
Tropical Cyclone Lusi has become better organized, with strong thunderstorms surrounding its center. The storm is expected to weaken due to cooler waters and increasing vertical wind shear.
The TRMM satellite's data revealed a large low-pressure center in the Pacific Ocean moving towards California, resulting in over four inches of rain and evacuation orders. The storm then affected Arizona, New Mexico, and eventually the Ohio Valley, with precipitation and snow covering large areas of the Eastern US.
A major winter storm brought snow and freezing rain to the US east coast on March 2-3, with data from NOAA's GOES-East satellite compiled into a video by NASA. The storm's movement was tracked using MODIS instrument data, providing a clear picture of its path.
The TRMM satellite observed heavy rainfall and towering thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Faxai, with rain falling at a rate of over 89 mm/hour. The storm is expected to move north and intensify before becoming extra-tropical.
A swirling Eastern Pacific Ocean storm system is heading towards California, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to the drought-stricken state. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for the region, warning of potential flash flooding and debris flows in areas that recently burned from wildfires.
Tropical Cyclone 16P formed near Fiji, bringing heavy rainfall and flooding to the region. The cyclone was centered about 170 nautical miles northeast of Suva, Fiji, with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots.
NASA's TRMM satellite detected rising rainfall rates on February 27, indicating the birth of Tropical Storm Faxai. The storm formed over System 93W in the Northwestern Pacific, with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots.
The TRMM satellite revealed that Tropical Cyclone Guito produced heavy rainfall at a rate of over 50mm per hour in the Mozambique Channel. The satellite data contradicts earlier forecasts predicting landfall, highlighting the importance of accurate weather modeling and monitoring.
During strong El Niño events, tropical western Pacific sees a sudden drop in sea level, causing prolonged droughts in Samoa and triggering tropical cyclones near Tahiti. Computer climate models predict that these drops could become seasons ahead, helping island communities prepare for the next event.
NASA and NOAA combined satellite footage shows the massive winter storm's development and movement, with clouds and snow stretching from southern US to northeast. The storm brought freezing rain, significant snow accumulations, and ice storm warnings across mid-Atlantic states.
Tropical Cyclone Fobane was found to still have powerful convective thunderstorms despite weakening. The TRMM satellite's Precipitation Radar instrument measured rain falling at a rate of over 68 mm/hour, indicating intense activity near the storm's center.
Recent decades have been the wettest in 3,500 years in North East Tibet, according to a new study. The region's tree ring records show wider growth rings, indicating moister growing conditions, with the last 50 years seeing increasing rainfall.
Tropical Cyclone Fobane, formerly known as Tropical Cyclone 14S, is weakening due to moderate to strong vertical wind shear and cooler waters. The TRMM satellite measured high rainfall rates near the storm's center, with rates of up to 35 mm/1.3 inches.
The TRMM satellite measured intense feeder bands producing the heaviest rain near La Reunion and Mauritius Islands, dropping 175mm/hour at a rate of over 6.9 inches.
UI researchers assessed global numerical weather prediction models' performance in predicting severe flooding in Boulder, Colo. in September 2013. The study found that while models generally performed well, there is room for improvement in capturing persistent rainfall and accurately forecasting flood events.
Tropical Cyclone Fletcher has brought heavy rain to coastal areas in western Queensland and the Gulf of Carpentaria. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology expects further rainfall over the next couple of days, with maximum sustained winds estimated at 30 knots/34.5 mph.
TRMM satellite data revealed moderate to heavy rainfall rates of over 31 mm/h as Tropical Storm Dylan approached the Australian coast. The storm made landfall on January 30 and was quickly weakening as it moved inland.
Tropical Depression Kajiki is bringing heavy rainfall to an already soggy area in the central Philippines. The depression was captured by NASA's Aqua satellite, showing powerful storms and high cloud tops, with winds sustained at 16 mph.
System 91S is a tropical low-pressure area located northeast of Maputo, Mozambique, with heavy rainfall rates occurring over the Mozambique Channel. Wind shear has increased, causing the system to elongate and reducing its chances for tropical development.
A 27-year study found that climate change is a major cause of chick death in Magellanic penguin colonies, with an average of 65% of chicks dying per year. The rising frequency of storms and heatwaves is particularly detrimental to young penguins, who struggle to regulate their body temperature.
The TRMM satellite monitored a System 91S tropical low in the Mozambique Channel, showing intense rainfall and towering thunderstorms. The analysis suggests a medium chance of development over the next 24 hours.
A new recording system at the University of Southern Denmark has revealed two bat species not believed to live in the area, including Nathusius' pipistrelle and the Danish pond bat. The monitoring system also found that bats often fly in the rain and their activity slows down when weather is clear and cool.
NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites continue to monitor the movement of System 94S, a stubborn tropical low pressure area affecting Western Australia. The system is expected to bring heavy rainfall, including flash flooding, to parts of the region.
Lingling, a tropical cyclone affecting the central and southern Philippines, has finally wound down after bringing heavy rainfall. The storm's maximum sustained winds were down to 25 knots/28.7 mph/46.3 kph on January 20.
Scientists predict a doubling of extreme El Nino events as the world warms, leading to increased heat waves and droughts. The research found that the eastern Pacific Ocean will warm, causing massive changes in global rainfall patterns.
The TRMM satellite has provided critical data on the devastating floods and landslides triggered by System 91W in the Philippines. The analysis revealed extremely high rainfall totals of over 1,168mm near northeastern Mindanao, causing 34 reported deaths.
NASA's Terra satellite tracked System 94S, a tropical low, moving inland from the Northern Territory into Western Australia. The system brought heavy rainfall to the region, exceeding 50mm at Sturt Creek in the Interior Region.
System 94S continues to track over Western Australia and the Northern Territory, with NASA's Aqua satellite detecting powerful thunderstorms northwest of the low-pressure center. Heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for the region, with some storms potentially producing heavy rain rates.
System 91W continues to bring floods and heavy rainfall to the central and southern Philippines, causing 31 deaths and 36 injuries. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicts a high chance of System 91W becoming a tropical depression within 24 hours.
The TRMM satellite provided detailed time series data on Tropical Cyclone Ian, capturing its intense rainfall rates of over 169 mm/hour around the eye. The satellite's data revealed a well-defined eye wall with powerful thunderstorms reaching heights of up to 15 km.
Tropical Cyclone Colin is losing organization and strength due to cooler sea surface temperatures and increased vertical wind shear, with most precipitation occurring on its southern side. The storm is expected to weaken into a cold-core low pressure area in the next couple of days.
NASA's TRMM satellite measured heavy rainfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour in the northeastern Van Dieman Gulf and northwestern Arnhem Region. The system is affecting parts of Northern Territory with damaging winds and heavy rainfall warnings issued.
Tropical Cyclone Colin is experiencing heavy rainfall, with TRMM satellite data showing rates of up to 2 inches per hour. The storm is moving south-southeast towards cooler sea surface temperatures, which will cause it to weaken.
A team of researchers from Curtin University has developed an approach to identify potential refugia in declining rainfall environments, essential for conservation efforts. They found that areas with great water run-off below granite outcrops and deeper soil may provide safe havens for biodiversity.
A new Tropical Depression is forming near Australia's Kimberly coast, with System 98S expected to develop into Cyclone 05S on Saturday. Heavy rainfall and gusty winds are forecast for coastal areas, including gusts up to 100 km/h and heavy rain from Port Hedland to Mardie and Karratha.
Tropical Cyclone Amara is experiencing heavy rainfall, with scattered bands of moderate to heavy rain falling at rates over 76.9 mm/3 inches per hour. The storm is also producing hurricane-force winds and rough seas.
Tropical Cyclone Amara strengthened into a tropical storm after NASA's TRMM and Aqua satellites provided visible and rainfall data. The storm is expected to reach hurricane-strength by December 22 as it nears La Reunion Island, with forecasters closely monitoring its progress.
The TRMM satellite spotted powerful storms in Tropical Cyclone Madi, with rain falling at a rate of over 81 mm/hour. The storm's maximum sustained winds dropped to 40 knots after the observation, and it is expected to weaken further as it approaches landfall in southeastern India.
Researchers suggest formation of lesser mountain ranges Hangay and Altai may have driven climate in Central Asia, leading to expansion of Gobi Desert. The new data indicate that rainfall decreased by 50-90 percent over tens of millions of years, contradicting the traditional explanation.
Tropical Cyclone Madi is expected to make landfall in southern India on December 12. The storm's heaviest rainfall was observed north of its center, with rates reaching up to 2 inches per hour.
The NASA TRMM satellite tracked and analyzed heavy rainfall near tropical cyclones affecting the Philippines in 2013. The resulting animations show almost four feet of rain fell in parts of northern and central Philippines, with some areas receiving over 1,200 mm (~47 inches) of rainfall.
Tropical Depression 33W rapidly weakened, with only two isolated areas of heavy rainfall remaining. The depression was expected to move northeast and dissipate over the next day due to high vertical wind shear.
The 33rd tropical depression formed in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean on December 3, 2013. NASA's satellites captured images of the storm's cloud cover and rainfall rates, showing moderate to heavy rainfall north of the center of circulation.
A University of Alberta study links rainfall to survival of wild birds in Canada, citing a long-term decline in reproduction for Arctic peregrines. The study found that over one-third of chick deaths were caused by rain, leading to hypothermia and drowning.
HS3 gathered data on the Saharan Air Layer, studying its effects on Tropical Storm Gabrielle. The mission also identified a unique hybrid core in a redeveloped storm and measured hurricane Ingrid's heavy rain and strong winds.
The project utilizes GPS-equipped cars with varying wiper systems to measure rainfall intensity, offering a promising alternative to traditional rain gauges. By analyzing sensor readings, researchers can create a more extensive network of measurement points, leading to improved flood prediction and prevention.
Tropical Storm Alessia reclaimed her title after being tracked by NASA's TRMM satellite on November 27. Heavy rainfall was observed around the storm's center, with rain rates reaching up to 50 mm/hour.
Tropical cyclone Lehar is gaining intensity in the Bay of Bengal, heading toward India's east-central coast. Rainfall rates reaching up to 64 mm/hour were measured by NASA's TRMM satellite, indicating a powerful storm with strong thunderstorms and heavy rain.