Research on rainfall and the water cycle. Covers climate-driven precipitation, hurricanes and storms, moisture transport, and extreme-weather forecasting.
Tropical Cyclone Alessia made landfall in northern Australia as a weak storm, with NASA's TRMM satellite capturing mostly light rain and moderate rainfall. The cyclone dissipated quickly after crossing the Northern Territory coast, causing no damages or significant impacts.
Researchers found that sulfur emissions from massive volcanic eruptions could have created widespread acid rain in the Northern Hemisphere, contributing to plant and organism extinctions. The acidity levels reached as low as pH 2 — comparable to undiluted lemon juice — potentially disfiguring plants and stunting their growth.
Cyclone Helen made landfall in eastern India on November 22, with moderate rainfall expected from its northwestern edge. The storm is forecast to continue moving westward and dissipate over land within the next day or two.
Extra-Tropical Storm Melissa has weakened and is headed towards the Azores Islands with sustained winds near 45 knots. The storm's core temperature change indicates a transition from warm to cold, similar to a mid-latitude low-pressure system.
Researchers developed a new statistical model to forecast summer rainfall in the Southeast, identifying key climate factors that influence rainfall intensity. The three-cluster finite normal mixture model improves accuracy for seasonal predictions.
NASA's TRMM satellite monitored Tropical Storm Melissa's transition to a tropical storm, revealing intense rainfall rates of up to 55 mm/hour. The satellite's Precipitation Radar data also showed the storm's structure, including towering convection near its center.
A UCSB study found that invasive plants' ecosystem impacts decrease over time, but native species may need additional assistance to recover. Long-term monitoring revealed declining nitrogen mineralization rates and reduced self-reinforcing effects on soil nutrients.
Tropical Cyclone Helen is expected to intensify and make landfall in the coastal plain of Krishna Delta in Andhra Pradesh, India. The storm's track is predicted to shift westward due to a mid-level subtropical ridge, with forecasters warning fishermen to return to shore.
Subtropical storm Melissa formed in the central Atlantic Ocean on November 18, with maximum sustained winds near 50 mph. The National Hurricane Center expects it to transition into a tropical storm later in the day.
Tropical Cyclone 04B is a rapidly intensifying storm with moderate rainfall and broken bands of thunderstorms. The cyclone is expected to track slowly westward before making landfall in southern India, where it may bring significant impacts.
The study reveals that natural fluctuations in the climate system are the primary cause of differences in short and medium-term projections. Despite this, researchers have found ways to make predictions about local climate extremes for certain regions and large areas, highlighting the importance of considering regional variability.
The Philippines has experienced devastating heavy rains from Super Typhoon Haiyan and Tropical Storm 30W, resulting in over 2300 confirmed fatalities. The storm surge caused catastrophic flooding, with waters rising up to 5.2 meters in Tacloban.
Cyclone 03A has made landfall in Somalia, causing heavy rainfall and powerful surge, with NASA satellites tracking its movement and impact.
New research suggests that the Amazon rainforest can withstand dry conditions due to its ability to recycle moisture, reducing water stress on plants. This natural process helps mitigate the impacts of climate change-induced drought.
Ex-tropical storm 30W has re-developed into a low-pressure area near Chennai, India, with heavy rainfall and thunderstorms expected to make landfall within the next two days. The system is moving west-southwest at 9 knots per hour, bringing up to 10 inches of rain to northern Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh.
NASA satellites tracked Typhoon Haiyan's movement and provided rainfall data to help forecast its impact. The data showed the storm's flood potential increased significantly before its second landfall in northeastern Vietnam.
Cyclone 03A made landfall in east central Somalia on Nov. 11 with sustained winds of tropical-storm force, before moving inland where it is dissipating over eastern Ethiopia. NASA satellites captured images of the storm before and after landfall, showing concentrated thunderstorms around its center.
The NASA TRMM satellite captured detailed data on Super-typhoon Haiyan before it struck the Philippines, revealing sustained winds of up to 195 mph. The storm's extreme power was showcased in the satellite imagery, with a well-defined eye surrounded by moderate rain and multiple rainbands.
A NASA satellite revealed intense rainfall around Super Typhoon Haiyan's eye, with rates of over 100mm/hour. The storm's powerful winds and convection patterns indicate catastrophic damage upon landfall in the Philippines.
Typhoon Haiyan is intensifying quickly as it moves through the Philippine Sea, with rainfall rates reaching up to 50-60 mm/hour near the center. NASA's TRMM satellite provided data on the storm's northeastern quadrant, revealing some thunderstorms reached heights of over 10 km.
Before hitting wind shear, NASA's TRMM Satellite observed heavy rainfall in Typhoon Krosa, with rain rates exceeding 116mm/hour. The storm weakened significantly over the South China Sea, making landfall far south of Vietnam on Nov. 5.
Tropical Depression 30W, also known as Wilma, formed and moved through the Visayas region of the Philippines. NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared images showing the depression's potential for heavy rainfall, particularly in the central Philippines.
A new tropical depression formed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean on November 1, with NASA's TRMM satellite detecting moderate rainfall and NOAA's GOES-West satellite capturing cloud extent. The depression is expected to strengthen and become a tropical storm by the weekend.
Typhoon Krosa made landfall in extreme northern Luzon, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall. The storm's center was located near Manila, Philippines, with maximum sustained winds of 90 knots.
A new study finds that geoengineering approaches to mitigate global warming could result in reduced rainfall and snowfall worldwide. The research suggests that these techniques would not only fail to address the root problem of climate change but also have unintended consequences, such as altered regional precipitation patterns.
Researchers developed a method to analyze redwood cores for climate reconstruction, revealing 50-year coastal conditions. The technique uses oxygen isotopes to detect fog and rainfall, providing insights into ocean temperatures and long-term climate change.
Tropical Storm Raymond's maximum rainfall intensity was only about 33.6mm/hour, and its winds weakened to near 50mph/85kph on Oct. 29. The storm is expected to become a remnant low in a day or so due to cooler ocean temperatures and southwesterly wind shear.
A new study suggests that melting Arctic sea ice causes a shift in the jet stream, leading to increased rain in northwest Europe during summers. The research also finds that Mediterranean regions will receive less rain, with potential effects on weather patterns as far as North America.
The Geological Society of America is presenting a late-breaking session on the 2013 Colorado flood event, which was triggered by unprecedented heavy rainfall. Speakers will discuss causes, processes, and effects of the flood, including its impact on dams, infrastructure, and lives.
Typhoon Lekima's eye shrunk to just 4 nautical miles on Oct. 25, according to NASA data. Heavy rainfall was observed around the storm's eyewall, with rain rates reaching over 130mm/hour in the outer eyewall.
Hurricane Raymond has weakened to a tropical storm, with rainfall totals of over 350mm along the Mexican coast and extreme amounts in open waters. The storm is expected to move into a more favorable environment, potentially reaching hurricane status again before weakening over cooler waters by October 31
NASA's TRMM satellite tracked Tropical Storm Francisco and found a large rain-free area at its center. Rainfall rates exceeded 130mm per hour in Super-typhoon Lekima's outer eye wall, contrasting with the weakened Francisco.
Hurricane Raymond caused extreme rainfall amounts of over 560mm/~22 inches in open Pacific waters, with totals exceeding 125mm/~4.9 inches along Mexico's coast. The storm's copious rainfall also dropped abundant precipitation in areas already hit by deadly flooding and landslides.
Research reveals that regional differences in rainfall timing and resulting vegetation patterns help maintain genetic diversity among giraffe species. Annual climate cycles may play a key role in this process, with each species tied to its local seasonal cycle of greening.
Typhoon Francisco was already impacting southern Japanese islands on Oct. 22 when NASA's TRMM satellite captured its intense rainfall and cloud heights. The storm was weakening with estimated winds of less than 75 knots, but heavy rain continued to fall at a rate of over 3 inches per hour.
Tropical Storm Raymond has started moving away from the coast of south-central Mexico, with a west-southwesterly direction indicated in microwave satellite imagery. Weakening storm expected to drop more rain on already drenched state of Guerrero.
Typhoon Lekima's rainfall rates were found to be heavy, with rates over 2 inches per hour north and east of the center. The typhoon is forecast to continue on a northwesterly track before making a turn to the northeast as it reaches the island of Iwo To.
Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Raymond is causing widespread flooding along Mexico's Pacific Ocean coast, with precipitation rates reaching up to 153 mm/hour. The National Hurricane Center warns of hurricane-force winds, storm surges, and coastal flooding due to the storm's stationary motion.
Hurricane Raymond, a Category 3 hurricane, is bringing heavy rains and gusty winds to western Mexico. The storm's center is located near latitude 16.2 north and longitude 102.3 west, about 165 miles south-southwest of Acapulco.
Typhoon Francisco is expected to make a brief landfall near Tokyo as it moves towards Japan. NASA satellites captured detailed data on the storm's structure and rainfall patterns, revealing extreme precipitation rates of over 207 mm per hour in violent storms southwest of its eye.
A new study reveals that global ocean currents, rather than Earth's geometry, explain why the Northern Hemisphere receives more tropical rain. Icy waters from the poles influence seasonal rains crucial for crops in Africa and India.
Typhoon Francisco passed west of Guam on October 18 as NASA's TRMM satellite measured its heavy rainfall, with rain falling at over 113 mm/hour in powerful storms. The storm is forecast to become a super-typhoon, reaching maximum sustained winds of at least 130 knots/150 mph.
Typhoon Wipha's effects were felt in Alaska from October 18 to 20, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds. The system's transition into an extra-tropical storm led to increased moisture and warming of the region.
The new field guide delves into the geological history of the Rocky Mountains, spanning over 1.7 billion years. The book also examines the effects of unprecedented heavy rains and catastrophic flooding that hit the region in 2013, causing widespread destruction and altering the landscape.
Tropical Storm Octave made landfall in western Mexico on October 13, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall to the region. The storm's remnants caused significant flooding and damage, particularly in the state of Sonora.
Research from Princeton University found that Christmas Island red crab's reproductive cycle closely follows precipitation patterns, suggesting a potential decline in population due to climate change. The study highlights the importance of studying tropical species' migration patterns in response to changing environmental conditions.
A McGill University team has identified a key gene that regulates how wheat responds to excess rainfall and humidity, potentially preventing the loss of $1 billion annually. This discovery in epigenetic factors may also improve yields and quality of other cereals like barley.
Typhoon Wutip made landfall near Dong Hoi, Vietnam, with a 10-mile-wide eye, prompting evacuations of over 140,000 people. The storm's heavy rains are expected to cause flooding and landslides in Vietnam's central highlands.
The TRMM satellite observed a 'hot tower' near the center of Tropical Depression 11, indicating it would strengthen into Tropical Storm Jerry. The storm later strengthened with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph.
The HIRAD instrument aboard NASA Global Hawk 871 detected an area of heavy rains and likely strong winds in Hurricane Ingrid. The storm made landfall in northeastern Mexico on Monday, September 16, with maximum sustained winds near 75 mph.
Typhoon Usagi maintained its inner-core structure with a ~50 km eye wall before landfall on Sept. 22, 2013. Radar data showed updrafts fell short of forming lightning in the inner core.
The Rim Fire has made significant progress in containment, currently standing at 84%. Officials estimate full containment will be achieved on October 1, 2013. The fire has burned approximately 402 square miles and destroyed numerous structures, with total damages estimated at $122 million.
Typhoon Usagi made landfall in Guangdong Province on September 22 with maximum sustained winds near 110 mph, displacing over 310,000 residents and causing widespread destruction. Heavy rainfall rates reached up to 6.7 inches per hour along China's coast.
A new study predicts a northward shift of Earth's wind and rain belts, making the Middle East, American West, and Amazonia drier. This redistribution is based on historical climate patterns during the last ice age, when warming led to changes in ocean currents and temperature contrasts between hemispheres.
Hurricane Manuel brought intense rainfall to northwestern Mexico, causing destruction, and its remnants streamed into southwestern Texas, bringing showers and thunderstorms. Rainfall rates reached up to 2 inches per hour, with potential for heavy rain and mudslides.
The TRMM satellite has observed heavy rainfall and banding of thunderstorms around System 98W in the northwestern Pacific, indicating potential consolidation into a tropical depression. The system is expected to become a tropical depression within 24 hours as it moves northwards.
Super-Typhoon Usagi is a powerful storm that has affected the Philippines and Taiwan with heavy rain and strong winds. NASA's TRMM and Aqua satellites captured detailed images of the storm's eye and cloud structure, revealing strong thunderstorms and rainfall rates of over 5.5 inches per hour.
TRMM satellite observed heavy rainfall around the storm's center and in a band of thunderstorms north of the center. Hot towers over 9.9 miles high were detected, indicating intense rainfall potential.
TRMM satellite data revealed heaviest rainfall in the Gulf of Mexico, with rates reaching 2 inches per hour, and moderate rainfall stretching inland over eastern Mexico. The remnants of Ingrid are expected to produce significant flooding and mudslides in eastern Mexico, with totals ranging from 10-15 inches.
Tropical Storm Manuel dropped heavy rains causing widespread flooding and landslides that claimed the lives of 21 people. The TRMM satellite's data showed rain totals exceeding 350mm along Mexico's Pacific coast, with some areas experiencing extreme rainfall that forced the closure of Acapulco airport.