Research on rainfall and the water cycle. Covers climate-driven precipitation, hurricanes and storms, moisture transport, and extreme-weather forecasting.
A University of Hawaii at Manoa research team has identified two distinct ocean temperature patterns that will impact regional climates, leading to increased or decreased rainfall in various regions. The findings suggest that certain areas may experience dramatic shifts in precipitation patterns, with potential consequences for global ...
The TRMM satellite has observed a significant decrease in the diameter of Tropical Cyclone Gelane's eye, now measuring approximately 10 nautical miles. Heaviest rainfall is located in the southwest quadrant of the eye, with rain rates reaching up to 2 inches per hour.
Tropical Cyclone Rene brought maximum sustained winds near 100mph, causing power outages and heavy rainfall to Nuku'alofa. The storm is now moving over cooler waters, leading to its expected dissipation in the next couple of days.
Researchers compiled database of 1.1 million grass species and found 18 out of 21 transition nodes between C3 and C4 grasses were linked to changes in precipitation. This discovery challenges previous understanding that warmer temperatures were the primary driver of C4 grasses' evolution.
Cyclone Oli has strengthened to Category 4 strength, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the region. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite observed large circulation patterns and intense rainfall in distant islands like Bora Bora and Tahiti.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared images of Oli as it passed by, revealing better organization and a well-defined eye. Infrared imagery showed deep convection over the storm's center, with waves 20 feet high in the open ocean.
Tropical Storm Oli is a large storm with high thunderstorm cloud tops and strong winds near 52 mph, affecting the islands of Bora Bora and Raratonga. The storm is expected to move southeast and pass between the islands in the next couple of days.
Australians in New South Wales Territory face heavy rainfall and potential flooding due to Tropical Cyclone Olga's remnants. The region is expected to experience widespread moderate to heavy rainfall over the next couple of days.
NASA's TRMM and Aqua satellites observe TD11S's rainfall patterns and temperatures, indicating it is becoming extra-tropical. The storm's center is fully exposed from the west, making it susceptible to drier air or wind shear that can weaken it.
Tropical Storm Nisha is experiencing light-moderate rainfall and moderate vertical wind shear, weakening the storm. It is forecast to move slowly eastward and dissipate over the latter half of the weekend.
Tropical Depression 11S forms near La Reunion Island with sustained winds of 39mph, moving southward at 6mph. The storm is expected to strengthen over warm sea surface temperatures before becoming extra-tropical.
NASA's TRMM satellite observed Tropical Storm Nisha strengthening rapidly, with rainfall rates exceeding 2 inches per hour and cloud heights reaching 6 miles.
The TRMM satellite provided a three-dimensional view of tropical cyclone Magda, showing its eye and powerful thunderstorms. The data revealed hurricane-force winds and intense rainfall rates over 50mm per hour.
Cyclone Magda made landfall in northern Australia, with NASA's Terra satellite capturing a clear image of the storm. The heaviest rain is located on the western half of the system, but those thunderstorms are weakening.
Tropical Storm Magda is expected to bring gusty winds of up to 93 mph and heavy rainfall to coastal areas in North Western Australia. The storm's center is predicted to make landfall on January 22, with the potential for flooding in low-lying areas.
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite reported that Tropical Depression 01W's rainfall is now light and widely scattered. The storm has made landfall and is dissipating over Vietnam and Cambodia, bringing light rain to some areas.
Tropical Storm Edzani is undergoing significant changes, with its rainfall confined to the southeast and a fully exposed low-level circulation center. The storm is elongating due to strong westerly winds, eventually transitioning into an extra-tropical storm and moving safely away from land areas.
The TRMM satellite captured a clear picture of Tropical Storm Edzani's current state, revealing heavy rainfall on the eastern side and minimal convection on the western side. The storm is weakening and transitioning into an extra-tropical storm, but forecasters are monitoring its movement back over warmer waters for possible regeneration.
Tropical cyclone Edzani has strengthened due to low wind shear and warm ocean temperatures, with heavy thunderstorms near its center. The storm is expected to continue intensifying over the next two days before hitting cooler waters.
Cyclone Laurence dropped heavy rainfall over northwest Australia, with the heaviest totals exceeding 450 mm near Cape Bougainville. The Australian coast also experienced high rainfall totals, with areas along the coast receiving over 150 mm of rain from the cyclone.
Despite being over land, Tropical Cyclone Laurence is still bringing heavy rains and gusty winds to northern coastal areas of West Australia. The cyclone has downgraded to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.
Research reveals global warming favors the growth of cold-hardy winter annuals in the Sonoran Desert, shifting climate change's impact on plant species. Cold-adapted species, such as popcorn flower and red filaree, are becoming more common due to the delayed onset of winter rains.
Tropical Cyclone Laurence made landfall in northern West Australia as a Category 2 hurricane, but its winds are waning, and it is expected to weaken further. The storm's maximum sustained winds near 103 mph (90 knots) were revealed by TRMM's Precipitation Radar instrument.
Monsoon rainfall has decreased over the past 50 years in rural areas with increased irrigation in northern India, while urban areas have seen an increase in heavy rainfall. This shift is attributed to landscape changes and cooling effects on low-pressure systems necessary for monsoons to progress.
Tropical Cyclone Mick made a quick landfall over Fiji's main island of Viti Levu as a Category 2 Cyclone, bringing heavy rains and gusty winds. The storm has weakened to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 63 mph.
The TRMM satellite captured rainfall data on Tropical Depression 05B, showing a large area of rainfall near the storm's center. The system has weakened into a tropical depression, with cloud heights dropping over time.
Tropical Cyclone 05B has formed in the Northern Indian Ocean, expected to approach southeastern India and make landfall on Monday, December 14. The storm is forecast to intensify due to low wind shear, but may be impacted by a zonal jet stream.
Cyclone Cleo's rainfall has significantly diminished over the last 24 hours, with its maximum sustained winds down to 40 mph. The storm is expected to dissipate in the next day or two due to wind shear and dry air.
Cyclone Cleo's maximum sustained winds dropped to 69 mph as it moved into an area with increased vertical wind shear, further weakening the storm. The tropical storm is forecast to become extra-tropical over the next several days.
NASA satellites capture images of Cyclone Cleo's strong convection and rainfall patterns. The storm is larger than 230 miles in diameter with hurricane-force winds extending 45 miles from its center.
Tropical Storm Cleo formed in the southern Indian Ocean after experiencing rapid strengthening due to low wind shear and warm ocean waters. The storm was centered approximately 425 nautical miles east-southeast of Diego Garcia at maximum sustained winds near 52 mph.
System 97W's low-level circulation center has become exposed, allowing outside influences like wind shear and dry air to weaken the storm from within. The system is now tracking northwards, expected to fizzle out as it encounters a cold front and high wind shear.
A delegation of indigenous teens, women, elders and shamens present video evidence of drought, deforestation and unseasonal downpours in Africa, Asia and the Americas. They highlight the unintended consequences of climate change mitigation efforts on local livelihoods.
Nida will pass east of Iwo To and Chichi Jima islands, causing heavy surf and battering waves. The typhoon is forecast to weaken as it moves into cooler waters and areas of stronger wind shear.
Cyclone Anja was a powerful Category 4 cyclone on November 17, with maximum sustained winds of 86 mph. It weakened drastically due to upper-level wind shear and spread out, extending tropical storm-force winds 115 miles from its center.
The TRMM satellite measured heavy rainfall from last week's coastal low pressure area 'Ida', which drenched the U.S. east coast and caused flash floods. Heavy rain amounts were found in Alabama, North Carolina, and Virginia with maximum values exceeding 240mm.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured Cyclone Phyan's landfall in India and its remnants are now raining on Tibet. The cyclone broke a 43-year record for the first tropical cyclone to appear in November in the region.
Satellite imagery and weather data indicate that Ida's coastal low pressure area has moved away from the US east coast, with its western edge passing over the easternmost part of the country. The system is expected to continue moving southeastward, leaving behind significant flooding in eastern Virginia and northeast North Carolina.
A new water management framework developed by NC State University researchers can help plan for droughts or excess rain, making efficient use of water resources. By using climate forecasts, water managers can reduce vulnerability to drought and increase benefits for poor farming communities.
Ida has reformed as a powerful coastal low pressure system bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds, coastal erosion and tidal flooding to the Mid-Atlantic region. The system will continue to affect areas from North Carolina to New Jersey with significant flooding and high water expected
Former Ida has strengthened into a powerful low-pressure system causing severe flooding from northeast North Carolina to coastal Virginia. The storm is expected to continue bringing heavy rains, with isolated totals around 6 inches possible through Friday morning.
NASA's GOES satellite captures images of Tropical Storm Ida's landfall on Dauphin Island, Alabama. The storm is expected to produce heavy rainfall and flash flooding across the southeastern US.
Tropical Cyclone 4A has developed with maximum sustained winds near 37 mph, moving north at 13 mph over the Arabian Sea. High-powered thunderstorms are expected to continue intensifying as the storm moves north and makes landfall east of the India-Pakistan border.
The TRMM satellite revealed most of Ida's heaviest rainfall was located just off the coasts of Nicaragua, Honduras, and Belize. The satellite data also showed that the heavy rainfall tapered off except for a few intense thunderstorms near the northeastern coast of Honduras.
Hurricane Ida's large cloud cover stretches over the Gulf of Mexico, extending from Florida's west coast to eastern Texas. The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall, storm surge, and strong winds to the affected areas.
NASA's TRMM and QuikScat satellites provide critical data on Tropical Storm Ida's rainfall and wind patterns. The storm's center is expected to make landfall along the northern Gulf coast Tuesday morning.
Tropical Storm Ida is expected to make its official landfall during the early morning hours on Tuesday, November 10. The storm has weakened, with cold thunderstorm cloud tops not as cold as they were when Ida was a hurricane.
TRMM satellite analyzed Typhoon Mirinae's rainfall, showing totals over 200 mm in the Philippines and 275 mm in Vietnam. The typhoon dropped heavy rain north of its path, causing flooding and disasters.
Typhoon Mirinae made landfall in Vietnam with strong thunderstorms, leaving behind floods, destruction, and death. The storm had maximum sustained winds near 57 mph and caused serious flooding, power outages, and landslides, taking at least 10 lives.
Heavy rainfall is already affecting sections of central and northern Philippines due to Typhoon Mirinae's approach. The storm's strong convection and thunderstorms bring moderate to heavy rainfall over eastern sections.
A University of Pittsburgh-led team creates a nanoparticle-based coating that thwarts the buildup of ice on solid surfaces, offering a potential solution to prevent freezing rain damage. The coating, inspired by water-resistant lotus leaves, uses microscopic ridges to reduce surface area for ice adhesion.
Typhoon Mirinae is expected to make landfall in the northern Philippines on October 31, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds. The storm's moderate rainfall rate was measured by NASA's TRMM satellite, which analyzed rainfall patterns before the storm hit.
A three-dimensional image of Tropical Storm Neki was created using TRMM Precipitation Radar instrument data. The storm showed a small area with powerful thunderstorms at heights of up to 52,493 feet.
Tropical Storm Neki continues to exhibit intense areas of heavy rainfall despite weakening, according to NASA's TRMM satellite. Rainfall rates reached up to 2 inches per hour in the storm's northeast and northern quadrants.
Typhoon Lupit is already affecting the northern Luzon region with heavy rainfall, while its center moves westward at 8 mph. The storm's large size and slow movement are expected to cause more flooding in the Philippines, which has already suffered from Tropical cyclones Ketsana and Parma.
TRMM satellite captures heavy rainfall in Tropical Storm Neki's northeast quadrant, indicating intensification of the storm. The storm is expected to strengthen and potentially make landfall over Johnston Island by Thursday.
Tropical Storm Rick is expected to pass south of the Baja, bringing heavy rainfall to extreme southern Baja California and northwestern Mexico. The storm's center is currently located 200 miles south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph.
A new study suggests that some minerals beneath the Earth's surface could be of extraterrestrial origin. Researchers propose that a 'rain' of comets and meteorites may have deposited precious metals such as platinum and rhodium in the rock portion of the Earth, challenging internal geological processes.
Tropical Storm Parma is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall to Vietnam before and after landfall. The storm has already caused significant damage and loss of life in China, with reports of three fatalities and over 35,000 people evacuated.
Typhoon Melor underwent rapid intensification before reaching Category 4 intensity, but later weakened due to wind shear. TRMM captured detailed images of the storm's eyewall structure and rain distribution, shedding light on its behavior as it approached Japan.