Research on rainfall and the water cycle. Covers climate-driven precipitation, hurricanes and storms, moisture transport, and extreme-weather forecasting.
Former Tropical Storm Carlos continues to dump heavy rainfall on Australia's Northern Territory after moving inland. The storm's powerful thunderstorms and cold cloud tops are causing flooding and strong winds.
Tropical Storm Bingiza is maintaining tropical storm intensity with heavy rainfall over the Mozambique Channel, preparing for its second landfall in Madagascar. The storm has weakened from a powerful category 3 cyclone to tropical storm force winds.
Tropical Storms Carlos and Dianne are bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to Western and Northern Australia, respectively. The storms' cloud tops have reached temperatures as low as -52C, indicating strong convection.
Tropical Storm Bingiza continues to impact western Madagascar, with strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall reported over the region. The storm's cloud tops reached temperatures as low as -52 degrees Celsius, indicating strong convection and thunderstorms.
Cyclone Bingiza brings most of its rainfall to the Mozambique Channel, with strongest thunderstorms north and west of its center. The storm is expected to re-strengthen due to warm waters and low wind shear in the channel.
Tropical Cyclone Bingiza made landfall in northeastern Madagascar, with NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites capturing visible infrared satellite data of the storm's progression. The cyclone brought heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the region.
NASA's Terra satellite captured an image of Tropical Storm Bingiza showing strong thunderstorms and a well-defined low-level circulation center. The storm is intensifying slowly and expected to meander over the next couple of days before strengthening towards central Madagascar.
A new study finds that the tropical Atlantic has experienced weaker trade winds and changes in ocean surface temperature, leading to increased rainfall over adjacent land areas. This shift is attributed to asymmetric reduction in surface solar radiation due to man-produced aerosols.
NASA utilized its TRMM satellite to gather data on the rainfall rates of Tropical Cyclone Yasi as it moved through inland Queensland. The storm dropped moderate to heavy rainfall over an area southeast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, posing flash flooding and damaging winds risks.
Cyclone Yasi made landfall in Queensland, Australia, bringing heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surge. The satellite imagery captured a clear eye of the cyclone before it made landfall.
A study by the University of Zaragoza found that Spain's precipitation has declined overall between March and June, reducing the length of the rainy season. The rains are heavier in October in the north west of the country.
A multi-agency project investigates the effects of air pollution on California's precipitation, with research flights documenting cloud microphysics and aerosol impacts. The goal is to improve climate projections and planning for water and energy resources.
NASA satellites reveal Cyclone Yasi's heaviest rainfall falling at a rate of about 2 inches per hour on the south and eastern sides, with frigid temperatures in its thunderstorms. The storm is expected to make landfall near Cairns in Queensland by Wednesday at a projected strength of 130 knots.
A massive winter storm is impacting 30 US states with severe weather conditions including heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and sleet. The storm system stretches from Texas to New England and has been described as one of the largest since the 1950s.
A new scientific study confirms that computer models at a European weather-forecasting center gave clear indications of the impending floods in Pakistan last July. The researchers found that if the information had been processed, forecasters could have predicted extremely accurate rainfall totals and even prevented some flooding.
New research predicts increased frequency of drought in eastern Africa, exacerbating existing food shortages and population growth. Scientists link warming Indian Ocean temperatures to decreased rainfall in the region.
Tropical Storm Bianca intensified into a storm just off the northern coast of Western Australia, with NASA's TRMM satellite capturing moderate to heavy rainfall rates. The storm is expected to curve to the southeast and weaken as it enters cooler waters.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured visible and infrared images of Cyclone Wilma, revealing a clearly visible eye. The storm had strengthened overnight and showed strong convection around its center.
A rogue weather system triggered flooding in Pakistan by pouring heavy rain on the barren mountainsides, which then ran into the Indus River. The World Health Organization estimated that as many as 10 million people had to drink unsafe water, causing structural damage of over $4 billion.
Tropical Storm Zelia forms in the South Pacific after strengthening from System 94P; NASA's TRMM satellite captures heavy rainfall on its northwestern and southwestern sides. The storm is expected to continue moving southeastward, strengthen into a cyclone, and impact New Caledonia with winds and rains.
Tropical Storm Vania brought heavy rainfall to southeastern New Caledonia, affecting residents of Norfolk Island with gusty winds and moderate to heavy rains. The storm's center was located near Noumea on January 14, before weakening and dissipating in the South Pacific Ocean.
A low-pressure system with signs of tropical development has been observed in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia, according to NASA's Aqua satellite. The system, known as System 94P, is expected to track towards Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, over the next couple of days.
Scientists have identified a cluster of deep low-frequency earthquakes along the San Andreas Fault, influenced by a Chilean earthquake. Additionally, satellite imagery reveals evidence of buried water ice near the Martian equator, contradicting previous research that Mars' current climate is inhospitable to equatorial water ice.
The TRMM satellite provided a 3-D image of Vania with thunderstorms reaching 15 kilometers high, while Aqua satellite infrared data showed strongest convection over open waters. Tropical Storm Vania is forecast to move south and brush New Caledonia before weakening due to wind shear and cooler sea temperatures.
A tropical cyclone system, System 98S, is bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the northwestern coast of Western Australia. The NASA TRMM satellite has captured images of moderate to heavy rainfall in the system, with areas near Kununurra experiencing light to moderate rainfall.
A powerful low-pressure system brought significant snowfall to New England, with some areas receiving over a foot of snow. The GOES-13 satellite captured an image of the storm's center off the Massachusetts coast, showing the extent of the blizzard conditions.
System 91S made landfall in Western Australia on Dec 16 with a large area of strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. The remnants of the low continued to bring rain to inland areas until Sunday December 18, causing flash flooding and rising streams.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that satellite data can significantly improve forecast accuracy for thunderstorms, which can bring intense rain, hail, lightning, and tornadoes. By incorporating upper atmosphere conditions into storm prediction models, scientists can better anticipate severe weather events.
System 94B is creating heavy rainfall near India's southeastern coast with strong wind shear pushing convection northwest of its center. Heavy rain has been reported in the state of Tamil Nadu, with intense storms producing over 50mm/hr rainfall.
Researchers are improving rain gardens to reduce runoff and filter pollutants, keeping toxic metals out of storm drains. Scientists have found that biochar-activated carbons can attract heavy metals, leading to more effective filtration.
Hurricane Tomas strengthened to hurricane status, affecting Hispaniola and eastern Cuba. The GOES-13 satellite provided a visible image of the storm's extensive cloud cover on Nov. 5.
Tropical Storm Tomas is intensifying due to strengthening convection and colder cloud tops detected by NASA's infrared satellite imagery. The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall and life-threatening flashfloods to several Caribbean islands.
Scientists have found that large volcanic eruptions tend to dry up central Asia but bring more rain to southeast Asian countries. This contradicts climate models' predictions and highlights the complex interactions between natural and manmade forces.
The TRMM satellite tracked Tomas' center of circulation reforming on Nov. 3 after being downgraded to a tropical depression the previous day. Maximum sustained winds remain at 35 mph as Tomas is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm, producing heavy rain accumulation in Haiti.
Research from Tel Aviv University reveals that cloud seeding with materials like silver iodide and frozen carbon dioxide does not produce rain. Instead, changes in weather patterns are responsible for increased rainfall.
Cyclone Giri made landfall in Burma as a Category Four cyclone, bringing powerful winds and heavy rainfall. The storm's eye was approximately 20 nautical miles wide, with wind speeds reaching up to 155 mph.
Typhoon Megi is forecast to make landfall in southeastern China late at night on October 22 as a Category One typhoon. NASA satellites have been monitoring the storm's rainfall, changing cloud cover, and weakening eye, which weakened due to wind shear.
System 99L is showing increased organization in the Caribbean Sea, with improved cloud structure and rainfall patterns. Heavy rainfall is expected for the Cayman Islands and Jamaica over the next couple of days.
Typhoon Megi is intensifying in the South China Sea due to high clouds filled with ice creating heavy rainfall. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached 110 knots (126 mph) near Hong Kong, China.
A new study predicts widespread droughts across much of the globe within decades, with most of Western Hemisphere and Eurasia at risk. Drought conditions are expected to worsen as warming temperatures lead to reduced rainfall and increased evaporation.
Washington University in St. Louis has achieved the world's first full certification under the Living Building Challenge, a rigorous green building performance standard. The 2,900-square-foot facility is powered by clean energy and incorporates nontoxic materials.
A low pressure area designated as System 97L has an 80% chance of developing into a tropical depression over the next 48 hours. The system is expected to bring locally heavy rainfall to the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola in the coming days.
Research reveals a causal relationship between rainfall and earthquakes, with variations in rainfall affecting pore-fluid pressure at depth and triggering earthquakes. Ground motion patterns in the Santa Clara Valley are also studied, revealing complex geological structures that influence seismic wave propagation and amplification.
Tropical Storm Nicole brought heavy rain and flooding to the US East Coast, with rainfall totals reaching up to 550 mm in Jamaica and 500 mm in North Carolina. The storm caused significant damage and loss of life, with 4 deaths reported in North Carolina and 12 in Jamaica.
Tropical Storm Nicole's remnants combined with an upper-level low pressure system, dumping record rainfall on the US East Coast. Heavy rains fell across states from New England to North Carolina, breaking records at multiple airports and cities.
Tropical Storm Nicole strengthened with NASA's satellite data revealing high thunderstorm clouds and heavy rainfall. The storm is expected to produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides over the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Cuba.
NASA's Aqua and TRMM satellites detected increasing cloud top temperatures and heavy rainfall around Tropical Storm Matthew. The storm is expected to strengthen further, bringing hurricane conditions and potential flooding to the region.
Hurricane Igor brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to Newfoundland, Canada, causing extensive flooding, power outages, and wind damage. The storm's circulation increased as it moved north, extending tropical-storm force winds up to 520 miles from its center.
The GOES-13 satellite has captured images of three tropical cyclones, including Tropical Storm Lisa in the eastern Atlantic and Tropical Storm Georgette in the eastern Pacific. Lisa is struggling to intensify due to wind shear and dry air, while Georgette is expected to produce heavy rainfall over western Mexico.
Hurricane Igor is expanding in eastern Canada, prompting hurricane watches for the region. The storm's diameter has grown to 920 miles, with maximum sustained winds near 75 mph and heavy rainfall possible over Newfoundland.
Typhoon Fanapi brought very heavy rain to the Pacific Northwest Ocean, with rainfall rates exceeding 2 inches per hour. The storm made two landfalls, one in Taiwan and another in eastern China, causing significant flooding and damage.
NASA satellites and aircraft gathered crucial data on Hurricane Karl's maximum sustained winds of 115 mph as it moved into Mexico's rugged terrain. The storm caused widespread flooding and evacuations, resulting in over 40,000 people being evacuated and eight reported missing.
The TRMM satellite provided a 3-D image of Hurricane Igor's cloud heights and rainfall rates, revealing towering clouds and heavy rainfall. The image showed the eye was still distinct but the southwestern portion had eroded, with heavy rainfall falling at 2 inches per hour.
Karl strengthened into a hurricane as it moved across the Gulf of Mexico, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to the region. The storm is forecast to make landfall in mainland Mexico late Friday or Friday night, with minimum central pressure at 983 millibars.
Hurricane Julia intensified rapidly overnight, becoming a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. NASA satellites captured clues as they passed over her from space, including heavy rainfall dropping at over 50 mm/hr and a clear eye structure with impressive cloud top enhancement.
Tropical Storm Karl made landfall on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds. The storm brought sustained winds of 49 mph and a wind gust of 62 mph to the area.
System 92L is developing a tropical depression signature with organized showers and thunderstorms. The system has a 40% chance of becoming a tropical depression over the next couple of days, posing life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides in the Caribbean region.
NASA satellites detect intense rainfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour around Igor's circular eye, indicating powerful thunderstorms. The storm is expected to remain a Category 4 hurricane for the next couple of days, posing significant threats to affected areas.
Tropical Storm Julia was born on September 12 with strong convection and heavy rainfall, powered by a cold core that reached temperatures as low as -63°F. The storm is expected to strengthen over the next few days, potentially reaching hurricane status.
Scientists mapped termite mounds to understand vegetation patterns and geology, revealing how changes in rainfall affect the landscape. The research uses termite mounds as indicators of ecological shifts from climate change.