Research on rainfall and the water cycle. Covers climate-driven precipitation, hurricanes and storms, moisture transport, and extreme-weather forecasting.
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.
A new report highlights the need for increased investment in diverse water storage options to reduce uncertainty and improve production of rainfed farming. The study argues against overreliance on single solutions like big dams, proposing an integrated approach that combines large- and small-scale storage options.
Hurricane Earl has weakened to a Category 2 storm with powerful winds of 104 mph due to increasing wind shear and cooler waters. NASA satellites captured rainfall data, showing moderate rainfall mostly north of the storm's center.
NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite observed heavy rainfall within Hurricane Earl, with rates exceeding 2 inches per hour. The Global Hawk unmanned aircraft is gathering information about the storm from 60,000 feet high, aiding scientists in understanding rapid intensification.
Hurricane Earl is producing heavy rainfall of over 50 mm/hr in Puerto Rico as a category four hurricane with wind speeds of about 115 knots. The storm is expected to maintain intensity for the next few days, impacting the Bahamas and eastern North Carolina.
Hurricane Danielle has reached Category 2 status with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, driven by low wind shear and warm waters. Forecasters expect the storm to intensify over the next 24 hours, potentially becoming a major hurricane by Wednesday.
Tropical Storm Frank has strengthened with increasing convection and tightening thunderstorm bands. NASA's TRMM satellite revealed a deep eye wall and microwave data confirmed the storm's west-northwest trajectory. Heavy rainfall is expected over south-central Mexico, with potential flash floods and landslides.
Tropical Storm Mindulle made landfall in central Vietnam on August 24, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds. The storm's center was located near Vinh city, with maximum sustained winds near 46 mph.
NASA's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder captured an infrared image of Tropical Depression 5's (TD5) remnants on August 18, showing showers and clouds extending from Louisiana northeast into Tennessee. The strongest thunderstorms were located over south central Louisiana and north central Alabama, producing heavy rainfall.
The remnants of Tropical Depression Five continue to bring heavy rain to Louisiana and Mississippi, with some areas experiencing localized flooding. NASA satellite imagery shows the slow-moving system stretching from Louisiana northeast into Mississippi, with some higher thunderstorms embedded in the cloud cover.
NASA satellites have been tracking Tropical Depression 5's remnants, which are bringing heavy rainfall to southeastern Louisiana and coastal Mississippi. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch and Coastal Flood Advisory due to the expected heavy rainfall and coastal flooding.
Tropical Depression Five's remnants have re-emerged in the Gulf of Mexico, with NASA satellites tracking its thunderstorms and potential for rebirth. The system has a 60% chance of developing into Tropical Depression 5 again, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds to coastal areas.
NASA's TRMM satellite is monitoring heavy rainfall and potential flooding in southeastern Louisiana and coastal Mississippi due to Tropical Depression Five's remnants. Rainfall amounts of up to five inches are possible, with isolated areas experiencing even more intense downpours.
A NOAA study found that clouds exhibit oscillating patterns influenced by precipitation, creating regular rainfall events. The discovery highlights the impact of aerosols on large-scale cloud structure and climate change, suggesting a more complex understanding of interactions between aerosols and clouds.
Researchers demonstrate how rain causes air movement that breaks down and builds up cloud walls, forming honeycomb clouds with self-organizing patterns. These clouds cycle regularly due to the interaction between rising and falling air, resulting in shifting showers over time.
NASA's TRMM satellite confirms better organization in Tropical Depression 5, leading to its classification as the fifth tropical depression in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters predict strengthening into Tropical Storm Danielle in the next day or so.
Tropical Storm Bonnie strengthened into a tropical storm, bringing heavy rainfall to south Florida. The GOES-13 satellite provides visible images of the storm's cloud-covered center, and forecasts indicate it will pass near the Florida Keys and southern Florida before moving over the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
System 97L is developing into a system with intense rainfall, affecting Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Hispaniola. NASA satellite data shows strong thunderstorms and cold cloud tops, indicating potential for a tropical cyclone.
Tropical Storm Chanthu has a large area of moderate to very heavy rainfall near the southeast China coast, with rain rates reaching up to 2 inches per hour. The storm is forecast to pass just north of Hainan Island and make landfall near Luichow Peninsula in southern China mainland on July 22.
TRMM satellite data shows Typhoon Conson with a well-formed eye and high thunderstorms dropping rainfall at 2 inches per hour. The storm's intensification is linked to hot towers, indicating it had reached typhoon status.
Tropical Storm Conson has formed in the northwestern Pacific Ocean with maximum sustained winds near 60 knots (69 mph) and is forecast to make landfall on July 13. The storm's track is expected to take it north-northwest over the next couple of days, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the northern Philippines.
NASA's Aqua and TRMM satellites confirmed strong, high thunderstorms in Tropical Depression 2 after its center made landfall. The storms had cloud tops as cold as -63F, indicating heavy rainfall.
Remnants of Tropical Depression Alex are expected to trigger thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in southern, central, and western Texas, prompting flash flood watches. The National Weather Service notes that additional rainfall will cause flooding and potential flooding through Saturday.
NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Satellite data reveals heavy rainfall in northeastern Mexico, with estimated totals exceeding 10 inches in various locations. The satellite imagery also shows the hurricane's well-defined eye containing powerful thunderstorms that dropped extreme amounts of rain as it made landfall.
After making landfall in northeastern Mexico, Tropical Storm Alex has weakened to a tropical storm and is moving west at 12 mph. The system is expected to weaken further, with heavy rainfall the main threat, before dissipating in 24-36 hours.
Heavy rainfall was detected in Hurricane Alex using data from NASA's TRMM satellite on June 29, 2010. The analysis revealed a heavy band of precipitation spiraling into the center of the storm, with rain falling at over 2 inches per hour in some areas.
The TRMM satellite detected scattered moderate to strong convection southwest of Darby's center, with isolated strong convection also seen over the Gulf of Tehauntepec. Darby's remnants are expected to weaken and move northwest towards Caribbean Tropical Storm Alex.
A new study suggests that seeding clouds over the ocean to make them more reflective could actually increase monsoonal rains and cause continents to become wetter on average. This contradicts previous assumptions about the impact of geoengineering schemes on global rainfall patterns.
Tropical Storm Alex has brought heavy rainfall to Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula, with total rain accumulations expected to reach 4-8 inches over the region. The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane over the next several days as it heads north into the western Gulf of Mexico.
System 93L in the western Caribbean has become better organized, leading to a higher chance of forming Tropical Depression Alex. Forecasters expect heavy rainfall and gusty winds affecting the Yucatan Peninsula this weekend.
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite has observed moderate rainfall around the center of Hurricane Celia, with maximum sustained winds near 105 miles per hour. Celia's wind shear is expected to relax in the next 24 hours, allowing it to strengthen into a Category Three hurricane.
Tropical Depression 2-E had dissipated off the coast of Mexico by June 18, with NASA's TRMM Satellite revealing waning rainfall and moderate ocean precipitation. The depression's maximum sustained winds were near 30 mph, and its minimum central pressure was 1008 millibars.
System 94L is a strong tropical wave associated with heavy showers and thunderstorms, moving west-northwestward over the Lesser Antilles. NASA closely monitors its development, forecasting a low chance of 20% that it will become a tropical cyclone within the next 48 hours.
Tropical Depression 2-E is close to land, bringing heavy rain to western Mexican coast states of Oaxaca and Guerrero. Tropical Storm Blas has strengthened into a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph, expected to strengthen further over the next 48 hours.
New climate simulations published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B demonstrate flowering plants' crucial role in regulating climate in ever-wet rainforests. Replacing these plants with non-flowering varieties leads to significant decreases in rainfall, underscoring their importance in maintaining tropical ecosystems.
Cyclone Phet has reached Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale, bringing extremely dangerous seas and strong winds to Oman's east coast. The storm is expected to weaken due to dry air and friction over the coast before making landfall in Pakistan.
Tropical Storm Agatha made landfall in El Salvador and Guatemala, and its remnants are now tracked by NASA. The National Hurricane Center reports a near-zero percent chance of reorganization, solving the forecasting mystery.
Tropical Cyclone Phet has intensified into a powerful cyclone with an eye in the center, posing a threat to coastal Oman, India, and Pakistan. The storm is expected to bring gale force winds and rough seas, with waves as high as 18 feet.
Tropical Storm Agatha brought heavy rains to El Salvador and Guatemala, causing over 100 deaths and forcing 70,000 people to evacuate. The storm's remnants have entered the northwestern Caribbean Sea with only a 10% chance of reforming into a tropical cyclone due to unfavorable atmospheric conditions.
Researchers have found that marine fossils in Florida's sandy ridges are tied to the land's uplift, rather than rising sea levels. The process is driven by a combination of weather patterns and geology, including karstification and isostatic rebound. As a result, some ridges have been preserved with their ancient marine fossils intact.
A NASA 3D image reveals a thunderstorm in Cyclone Laila that reached almost 11 miles high. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite provided data to forecasters, helping them predict rainfall and storm behavior.
TRMM measured intense rainfall rates near the center and along the Indian coastline, generating storms with hot towers extending up to 14.5 kilometers high. Cyclone Laila's maximum sustained winds reached 50 knots at landfall, prompting forecasts of heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and rough seas for affected regions.
Tropical Cyclone 24S has strengthened to tropical storm strength with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots, located 570 nautical miles north of Learmonth, Australia. TRMM's rainfall rates indicate areas of light to moderate rainfall, with the storm forecast to intensify before weakening due to increased wind shear.
A new study by Tel Aviv University researchers reveals that pollution can significantly alter thunderstorm intensity, leading to changes in local weather patterns and rainfall. The study used lightning patterns as a quantitative measure of the impact of air pollution on cloud development over large areas.
Research papers published in Geophysical Research Letters reveal changing precipitation patterns in Europe, increased gully activity on Mars indicating liquid water, and thick water ice observed in lunar craters near the Moon's north pole. These findings suggest potential impacts on flooding and climate change.
Tropical Storm Robyn formed in the Southern Indian Ocean on April 2, with maximum sustained winds near 60 knots. The storm's strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are safely nested over open waters, but it is expected to weaken over the next three days due to higher vertical wind shear.
Tropical Storm 23S has formed over the Southern Indian Ocean with maximum sustained winds of 39 mph. The storm is expected to strengthen and intensify over the weekend before being affected by a mid-latitude trough, potentially weakening it.
The TRMM satellite measured heavy rainfall totals from ex-tropical storm Paul, which left up to 11 inches of rain in northern Australia. The data confirmed significant flooding, with areas receiving between 100-200mm of rainfall and some reaching up to 300mm.
New research suggests the Andes rose gradually, not abruptly, due to changes in oxygen isotopes and rainfall patterns. Climate modeling experiments supported this conclusion, indicating that increased precipitation rates caused the ratio of oxygen-18 to oxygen-16 to decrease.
Cyclone Paul has moved back toward the Gulf of Carpentaria, with a cyclone watch in effect for coastal communities. TRMM satellite data shows light to moderate rainfall over land and isolated heavy rain over the Gulf.
Cyclone Paul intensified slowly and became a Category 2 cyclone with wind gusts of up to 140 kph. TRMM data showed a deep convective tower penetrating up to 9 miles high, associated with intense rain in the northwestern eyewall.
Cyclone Ului brought heavy rain to Queensland, Australia, with TRMM satellite capturing the storm's intense rainfall. The cyclone dumped over 180 mm of rain along its path, with Mackay airport reporting 145 mm in 24 hours.
TRMM data revealed that Cyclone Ului brought heavy rainfall to western Queensland, with estimates suggesting 5.1-7.0 inches of rain fell in some areas. The satellite's precipitation radar and microwave radiometers provided detailed insights into the cyclone's track and potential flooding.
A new database reveals that precipitation in Spain has declined in quantity in March and June, but increased in October. The study analyzed monthly precipitation series over the Iberian Peninsula between 1945 and 2005, providing a detailed image of precipitation behavior.
Researchers discovered a layer where helium condenses into droplets, allowing neon to dissolve and fall towards the planet's interior. This phenomenon explains the observed lack of neon in Jupiter's upper atmosphere.
Scientists at UC Berkeley propose helium rain as explanation for neon depletion in Jupiter's atmosphere, with helium droplets forming around 10,000 km below the surface and releasing heat that explains Saturn's excess brightness.
Tomas, a Category One cyclone, caused widespread destruction in north and east Fiji with winds near 109 mph and storm surges. The storm is now moving southeast, weakening due to cooler waters, and transitioning into an extra-tropical storm.
Cyclone Tomas, a Category 4 cyclone, has caused damage to residents in the northern Fiji islands with heavy rainfall and strong winds. The storm's eye is cloud-filled, with very high, cold thunderstorms surrounding it.
NASA's Aqua satellite revealed strong thunderstorms in Hubert's remnants, which continue to bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to southeast and south-central Madagascar. Residents can expect moderate to heavy rainfall over the next couple of days.
Tropical Storm 90Q forms in the South Atlantic Ocean, with NASA tracking its movement. The storm is moving away from Brazil's coast and is expected to weaken before being absorbed by a mid-latitude cold front.