Articles tagged with Weather Forecasting
Super Typhoon Soudelor has reached Category 5 status on the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale, with sustained winds of near 155mph and a 12-nautical-mile-wide eye. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicts the storm to maintain its intensity for another 24 hours.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School developed a computer model that can predict flu outbreaks in subtropical climates like Hong Kong with high accuracy. The system forecasted peak timing and magnitude for 44 epidemics caused by specific influenza strains, including seasonal and pandemic outbreaks.
Typhoon Halola's strongest typhoon-force winds were located on the northern half of the storm, stretching from northwest to northeast. The storm intensified and peaked at 95 knots on July 24, with Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecasts predicting weakening after that.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that latent heat release in ascending air masses plays a crucial role in the formation and perpetuation of stable high-pressure systems, also known as 'blocking', which can lead to extreme weather conditions. The research team analyzed massive amounts of climate data from around the wo...
Tropical Storm Nangka caused the evacuation of over 200,000 people in Japan and is moving towards the Sea of Japan. The storm's wind speed decreased to 40 mph as it moved northeastward, with forecasters predicting its dissipation in a day or two.
Typhoon Nangka's ragged eye was captured by NASA's Terra satellite on July 15, revealing a 15-nautical-mile-wide storm surrounded by powerful thunderstorms. The typhoon is expected to make landfall in southern Japan, bringing strong winds and heavy rain.
Typhoon Nangka's strongest typhoon-force winds were located on the northern half of the storm, with speeds up to 129 kph. The storm is moving north and forecast to peak at 115 mph before weakening and making landfall in western Japan.
A post-tropical depression has formed in the Central Pacific Ocean, located northeast of Hawaii. Swells from the system are expected to cause high surf along east-facing shores of the main Hawaiian Islands over the next several days.
Typhoon Chan-Hom's maximum sustained winds were near 100 knots (115.1 mph/185.2 kph) on July 9, with powerful bands of thunderstorms spiraling into its center. The storm is forecast to continue heading for southeastern China and make landfall in the areas of Zhejiang and Fujian by July 10-11.
Researchers predict a severe harmful algal bloom in western Lake Erie, with expected severity index of 8.7, posing risks to swimmers, boaters, and drinking water supply. The bloom will develop from west to east and peak in September, with local weather conditions influencing its impact.
Typhoon Chan-Hom strengthened over three days, peaking as a Category 4 typhoon with maximum sustained winds nearing 130 knots. The storm is forecast to pass between Ishigakjima and Kadena islands on July 9 before making landfall in eastern China.
The National Weather Service is launching new graphics to communicate forecast information more clearly, based on research by a team at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The new icons feature split images and color-coded boxes to convey the existence, timing, and potential severity of upcoming weather threats.
Two University of Oklahoma doctoral students have developed a technique to forecast the orientation behavior of birds as they migrate through the atmosphere at night using the nation's weather radar network. The approach has discovered broad-scale flight orientation of nocturnal migrant birds, offering a promising development for biolo...
The Chesapeake Bay's hypoxic and anoxic zones are caused by excessive nutrient pollution, primarily from human activities. Scientists predict a smaller 'dead zone' this summer, with midsummer volume expected to be approximately 1.37 cubic miles.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Depression Bill's remnants over the central United States on June 18. The storm is expected to bring significant rainfall and flash flooding to the eastern two-thirds of the US, including sections of Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Louisiana, and Texas.
Tropical Storm Bill is expected to bring heavy rain accumulations of 4-8 inches over eastern Texas and eastern Oklahoma, with life-threatening flash floods possible. The storm will weaken over the next two days, becoming a post-tropical low pressure area by Thursday.
The Gulf of Mexico is forecasted to have a large 'dead zone' this year due to nutrient-rich runoff from farming states, with the predicted size ranging from 4,344 to 5,985 sq mi. The region's oxygen levels are expected to drop significantly, affecting commercial and sports fisheries.
Scientists expect this year's Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone to be approximately 5,483 square miles, similar to the last several years. The dead zone affects important commercial and recreational fisheries, threatening the region's economy.
A developing tropical low pressure area in the south-central Gulf of Mexico has a high chance of forming into a tropical depression. The National Hurricane Center warns residents along the northwestern Gulf Coast of potential tropical storm conditions and heavy rainfall.
Tropical Cyclone Ashobaa is expected to make landfall in eastern Oman, bringing tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rainfall. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 40 knots (46 mph) on June 11.
Remnant moisture from hurricane Blanca will generate scattered thunderstorms over New Mexico, with enhanced chances for rain in the northwest plateau and northern mountains. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected in Albuquerque, with a high near 88.
Tropical Storm Blanca weakened before making landfall in Baja California, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds decreasing to near 40 mph. The storm's eye had disappeared by June 7, and it was expected to degenerate into a remnant low by Tuesday.
Hurricane Blanca rapidly strengthens with a pinhole eye, expected to become major hurricane and potentially impact southern Baja California and mainland Mexico. Swells generated by the storm will cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the coast of southwestern Mexico.
Hurricane Andres has weakened significantly due to unfavorable sea surface temperatures, with maximum sustained winds decreasing to near 105 mph. The storm is expected to become a tropical storm tonight or Wednesday, followed by a turn toward the north and a decrease in forward speed.
Hurricane Andres, a Category 4 hurricane, is affecting surf along Mexico's Baja California coast with life-threatening swells and rip currents. NASA's Aqua satellite provided critical data on the storm's eye structure and cloud top temperatures, helping forecasters predict its weakening trend.
The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has secured funding for two collaborative research centers (CRCs): one focused on wave phenomena in mathematics and the other on enhancing weather forecasting. The CRCs aim to analytically understand, numerically simulate, and manipulate wave propagation under realistic scenarios.
The US and Cuba have formed a groundbreaking meteorological partnership after a 20-year process, enabling the sharing of critical weather data and GPS monitoring equipment. This collaboration marks a significant improvement in forecasting accuracy for hurricanes and tropical storms, benefiting both countries.
The GOES-R satellite has begun environmental testing to simulate the harsh conditions of launch and the space environment. This includes vibration, acoustics, and temperature testing to ensure the satellite is properly protected from electromagnetic phenomena in space.
Researchers will use lab-equipped aircraft, ground-based instruments, and weather balloons to understand nighttime storm formation and evolution. The goal is to improve forecasts of damaging storms and provide insights into atmospheric conditions that lead to storm clustering and organization.
A team of UK scientists studied how changes in the stratosphere affect surface-level jet streams, storm tracks, and weather. The research highlights a series of global weather phenomena resulting from the 'coupling' between the stratosphere and troposphere, such as extreme temperatures over eastern North America.
NASA predicts more severe weather for the Midwest, including tornadoes, flash flooding, and strong winds. The storm system is expected to bring heavy rain and hail, with cold air masses indicating strong convective storms.
Tropical Cyclone Quang strengthened during the early morning hours of April 30, developing an eye and triggering warnings. The storm's sustained surface winds reached speeds of 67 mph, with strongest winds in the southern quadrant.
A University of Arizona team developed a new model that improves seasonal hurricane forecast accuracy for the North Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico by 23 percent. The model incorporates wind force on the ocean and sea surface temperature over the Atlantic, reducing El Niño's impact during warm AMO phases.
Tropical Cyclone Nathan strengthened with powerful thunderstorms known as 'hot towers', indicating a significant increase in intensity. The cyclone made landfall north of Cairns on March 19, bringing heavy rainfall and storm surges to the Cape York Peninsula.
RapidScat instrument captures data on Ex-Tropical Cyclone Pam's winds, revealing sustained tropical-storm-force winds southeast of its center. Winds over 30 meters per second were still occurring east of the center, prompting a Storm Warning for the Chatham Islands.
Tropical Cyclone Nathan is expected to make landfall in Queensland, Australia on March 20, bringing heavy rainfall and strong thunderstorms. NASA's Aqua satellite captured data showing temperatures near -63F/-52C, indicating strong storms with potential for heavy rainfall.
NASA's Aqua satellite and ISS-RapidScat instrument monitored storm Pam's structure and wind speed. The storm transitioned to an extra-tropical cyclone, with maximum sustained winds near 56 mph/90 kph.
Tropical Cyclone Nathan is moving east and will track over warm water, leading to intensification in the next two days. The cyclone has slowed down and continued hugging the eastern coast of Queensland's Cape York Peninsula.
Tropical Cyclone Pam is a powerful storm in the Southern Pacific Ocean, with hurricane-force winds affecting several provinces in Vanuatu. The storm's eye was captured by NASA's Aqua satellite, showing a 15 nautical mile wide eye just east of Vanuatu.
Tropical Cyclone Haliba forms in Madagascar's Southern Indian Ocean, affecting La Reunion and Mauritius islands with heavy rain and gusty winds. The storm is expected to move southeast over the next several days, intensifying before dissipating due to adverse environmental conditions.
The German Meteorological Service sponsors a new professorship to enhance numerical weather forecasting models. Researchers focus on the atmospheric boundary layer, a critical component in predicting extreme weather events like heavy rainfall and near-ground winds for wind farms and solar facilities.
A team of researchers analyzed a significant cold snap in March 2011, which led to unexpected intense snowfalls. By examining the episode, scientists improved short-term predictions and developed a better understanding of how to predict similar events in the future.
A stream of clouds and moisture associated with the 'Pineapple Express' is expected to bring rain and snow to the Pacific Northwest over several days. The system is expected to produce moderate to heavy rainfall totals in coastal areas, with some regions seeing up to 10 inches of rain.
Tropical Cyclone Eunice reached Category 5 status, with the Global Precipitation Measurement satellite capturing intense rainfall and thunderstorms. NASA's RapidScat instrument gathered wind speed data, revealing the strongest winds were on the storm's southwestern quadrant.
Researchers found that geo-stationary satellites can greatly improve air-quality forecasting by providing aerosol optical depth every hour in high resolution. Combining this data with low Earth-orbiting satellite data produces more detailed maps for improved forecasts.
NASA's MODIS instrument captured images of Tropical Cyclone Diamondra and Eunice, combining them to create a single panorama. The storms are intensifying, with Cyclone Eunice expected to peak at 125 knots (143.8 mph) before weakening.
A strong nor'easter is developing in the Atlantic Ocean and will bring snowfall of 1-3 feet or more to parts of the Northeast. The storm system was captured in a NASA movie of NOAA's GOES-East satellite imagery, showing its progression from January 24 through 26.
A Tel Aviv University study prioritizes reasons for forecast failures across different regions, identifying man-made and natural factors such as land-use changes, topography, particles in the atmosphere, and population density. The researchers found unique factors affecting forecasts in various regions, including Europe, North Africa, ...
Tropical Cyclone Niko was spotted moving southeast through the Society Islands by NASA's Aqua satellite on January 21. The storm remains compact but strengthening, with maximum sustained winds near 50 knots on January 22.
The GOES-R satellite will provide enhanced hurricane track and intensity forecasts, increased severe weather warning lead time, and improved solar flare warnings. The new satellite will also offer more frequent images of weather patterns and severe storms, contributing to more accurate and reliable weather forecasts.
A NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center satellite image on January 7, 2015, revealed a blanket of northern snow and lake-effect snow from the Great Lakes. The cold front brought Arctic air as far south as Florida and stretched back over the Gulf of Mexico.
Tropical storm Jangmi has weakened to a tropical depression as it moves into the Sulu Sea, affecting central and northern Philippines. The storm is expected to continue moving toward Palawan before re-strengthening into a tropical storm in the South China Sea.
Tropical Storm Jangmi is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to the Philippines as it moves westward through the Sulu Sea. NASA's Aqua satellite detected the storm on December 29, revealing a tightly wrapped low-level circulation centered near 10.0 north latitude and 124.2 east longitude.
Researchers at the University of Michigan's CYGNSS satellite system will offer improved wind speed and storm intensity forecasts. The system could reduce forecast errors by 9 knots or about 10 mph, which is a significant improvement considering hurricane strength categories increase every 20 mph.
NASA captured a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Bakung's elongated remnants on Dec. 5, showing low-level circulation and poorly defined storm system. The remnants were weakening due to unfavorable conditions with strong vertical wind shear, making redeveloping unlikely.
The University of Exeter has received a £1.1 million grant to fund pioneering research on seasonal weather forecasts across Europe. The team aims to advance current understanding of three key conditions influencing seasonal weather, including the North Atlantic upper-ocean heat content and Arctic sea-ice.
Tropical Depression 21W strengthens into Tropical Storm Sinlaku in the South China Sea, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing an elongated image. Forecasters predict maximum sustained winds of up to 60 knots (69.0 mph/111.1 kph) before weakening.
Tropical Depression 21W made landfall in southern Philippines on Nov 26, with heavy rainfall warnings issued for several provinces. The storm is forecast to track westward along a high-pressure ridge before strengthening in the Sulu Sea.
Tropical Storm Adjali began curving to the southwest in the Southern Indian Ocean, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing visible images of the storm. The storm is expected to weaken due to increased wind shear, cooler sea surface temperatures, and limited outflow.
A team from Los Alamos National Laboratory successfully monitored and forecasted influenza, dengue fever, and tuberculosis outbreaks worldwide. The study demonstrates the potential of using public health data to build an operational disease monitoring system.