NASA analyzed the winds of Tropical Storm Ana
Scientists used NASA's ISS-RapidScat to measure the winds of Tropical Storm Ana in May 2015. The instrument provided accurate data on wind speed and direction near the ocean surface.
Wind Speed
Articles tagged with Wind Speed
Shifting winds: An early warning for reduced energy
Researchers found that Chinook winds precede significant shifts in wind power output, allowing grid operators to better manage energy supply. The study's findings have implications for wind energy's success on a massive scale.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateMay 12, 2015
NASA satellite sees Tropical Cyclone Quang making landfall in Western Australia
Tropical Cyclone Quang made landfall near Learmonth, Western Australia, as observed by NASA's Aqua satellite. The cyclone exhibited weakening trends due to increased vertical wind shear and interaction with the region's topography, leading to its expected dissipation within a day.
NASA's ISS-RapidScat sees Typhoon Maysak's stronger winds become more uniform
Typhoon Maysak strengthened with its strongest winds expanding and spreading from the northern quadrant to other quadrants. NASA's ISS-RapidScat instrument gathered surface wind data, revealing more uniform wind speeds around the entire center of circulation by March 29.
NASA sees Extra-Tropical Storm Pam moving away from New Zealand
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.
Giving shape to black holes' intense winds
Researchers detected a nearly spherical stream of highly ionized gas streaming out of the quasar PDS 456, measuring the strength of ultra-fast black hole winds. The discovery reveals that these powerful winds can transfer energy back to their host galaxies and affect star formation.
NASA measured nor'easter's powerful winds from space
The ISS-RapidScat instrument provided forecasters with wind speed data on the hurricane-force nor'easter. The storm brought heavy snow and blizzard conditions to the Northeast region, with sustained winds reaching up to 35 meters per second (78.2 mph/126 kph).
University of Tennessee research offers explanation for Titan dune puzzle
Research led by Devon Burr shows that Titan's winds must blow faster than previously thought to move sand, explaining the formation of massive dunes. The discovery validates older models for thin atmospheres like comets and asteroids.
NASA eyes Post-Tropical Storm Nuri's winds, now to affect Alaska
NASA's ISS-RapidScat tracked the winds of post-tropical cyclone Nuri as it moved parallel to Japan. The storm is now expected to bring strong winds and rough seas to Alaska's Aleutian Islands.
Light pollution contributing to fledgling 'fallout'
A 15-year study found thousands of birds are attracted to artificial lights during their first flights, leading to high mortality rates. Turning street lights off decreased the number of grounded fledglings, suggesting a link between light pollution and bird deaths.
NASA sees a weaker Typhoon Vongfong near Amami Oshima
NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP and Aqua satellites monitored Typhoon Vongfong's weakening, showing strongest thunderstorms in the northern quadrant. The storm is now forecasted to spread out and become an extra-tropical storm, tracking over Japan's islands.
NASA's GPM satellite's find before Hurricane Simon was caught rapidly intensifying
The Global Precipitation Measurement satellite captured an unusual compact eyewall in Hurricane Simon, which later intensified rapidly. The satellite's radar detected a powerful convective cell with unusually high radar-reflectivity signals.
NREL software tool a boon for wind industry
The Simulator for Wind Farm Applications (SOWFA) tool simulates complex variables to optimize wind farm energy production. It enables developers to improve individual turbine performance and reduce wake losses, potentially cutting costs by billions of dollars.
Research offers new way to predict hurricane strength, destruction
A new statistical model complements hurricane forecasting by showing the size of storms, not just wind speed. This metric allows forecasters to better assess the risk of hurricanes that make landfall.
Water, water -- not everywhere: Mapping water trends for African maize
Researchers mapped water trends in African maize-growing areas between 1979 and 2010, finding increases in water availability during the growing season. However, some regions experienced declines due to decreased evaporative demand and changing rainfall patterns.
Low back pain? Don't blame the weather
Researchers found a slight increase in lower back pain risk with higher wind speed but it was not clinically significant. This contradicts previous studies that linked cold or humid weather to increased symptoms.
We can eliminate the major tornado threat in Tornado Alley
Researchers propose building three east-west great walls to eliminate the major tornado threat in Tornado Alley. The walls, inspired by Jiang-Huai Hills in China, can be built locally at high-risk areas and gradually extended to cover the entire region.
Swiftly moving gas streamer eclipses supermassive black hole
Researchers detected a clumpy gas stream flowing quickly outwards and blocking X-rays emitted by the supermassive black hole. The discovery provides direct evidence for the shielding process that accelerates powerful gas streams, offering insights into how black holes interact with their host galaxies.
Swiftly moving gas streamer eclipses supermassive black hole
Researchers have discovered a rapidly moving gas streamer blocking X-rays from the galaxy's nucleus, indicating a significant decrease in radiation. This phenomenon may regulate the growth of both the supermassive black hole and its host galaxy.
Swiftly moving gas streamer eclipses supermassive black hole
An international team of astronomers discovered a clumpy gas stream flowing quickly outward and blocking 90 percent of the X-rays emitted by the supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy NGC 5548. The researchers believe this activity provides new insights into the interaction of supermassive black holes and their host galaxies.
Environmental conditions may impact bird migration
Wind speeds on migration predicted annual survival, male arrival date, female egg laying, and productivity of yellow warblers. Higher westerly wind speeds associated with lower apparent annual survival due to increased in-flight mortality risk.
Unmanned air vehicle flow separation control using dielectric barrier discharge plasma at high wind
A novel plasma actuator improves plasma authority at high wind speeds, suppressing boundary layer separation and reducing model vibration on a UAV. The study demonstrates an important role of plasma actuators in real applications.
Antennae help flies 'cruise' in gusty winds
A recent study by Caltech researchers found that fruit flies use their antennae to quickly sense changes in wind speed, helping them maintain a steady groundspeed. The findings suggest the antennae are responsible for initial deceleration in headwinds and provide critical information to help the fly regain its original speed.
SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 10, 2014
NASA catches Gillian as a super-cyclone before quickly dissipating
Tropical Cyclone Gillian reached Category 5 hurricane status with winds of over 140 knots when NASA's TRMM satellite passed overhead on March 23. Data analysis revealed intense storms and heavy rainfall, but the storm weakened to a tropical storm by March 26.
New satellite movie shows massive Eastern US cool down
A powerful storm system brought drastic temperature changes to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern US, with Washington D.C. experiencing a 40-degree drop in daytime temperatures and Buffalo, NY receiving 13.8 inches of snow.
Offshore wind farms could tame hurricanes before they reach land, Stanford-led study says
A Stanford-led study found that large arrays of offshore wind turbines can disrupt hurricanes enough to reduce peak wind speeds by up to 92 mph. The turbines' energy extraction also decreases storm surge by up to 79 percent.
Traffic jams lend insight into emperor penguin huddle
A mathematical model recreated the positions and movements of individual emperor penguins in a huddle, showing that an individual penguin only needs to move 2 cm for its neighbor to react. The model revealed how travelling waves propagate through the entire huddle, keeping it dense and protecting the birds from the cold.
NASA HS3 mission reveals Tropical Storm Humberto's hybrid core
The NASA HS3 mission has revealed that Tropical Storm Humberto had a hybrid core structure, characterized by both warm and cold cores at different levels. This discovery provides new insights into the processes underlying hurricane formation and intensity change in the Atlantic Ocean basin.
NASA 3-D image clearly shows wind shear's effect on Tropical Storm Gabrielle
Wind shear significantly altered the rainfall pattern of Tropical Storm Gabrielle, with intense storms southeast of Bermuda receiving heavy rain. The storm is expected to weaken due to continued wind shear, which disrupts the heat engine and tilts the circulation center.
Around the world in 4 days: NASA tracks Chelyabinsk meteor plume
Scientists tracked the Chelyabinsk meteor plume using NASA satellite data, observing its formation of a thin stratospheric dust belt. The plume evolved as it moved around the Northern Hemisphere, with different particles experiencing varying wind speeds.
Distorted GPS signals reveal hurricane wind speeds
Scientists have developed a new technique to calculate wind speeds of hurricanes using distorted GPS satellite signals, providing valuable information at little additional cost. The method offers a broader view of wind speeds than traditional dropsonde measurements, which are expensive and only available over large bodies of water.
NASA sees Tropical Storm Yagi spinning in Western Pacific Ocean
Tropical Storm Yagi developed over the weekend of June 8 and 9 in the Western North Pacific. The storm's heaviest rain fell south of its center, with rates reaching up to 1.2 inches per hour.
NASA sees heavy rainfall as Cyclone Mahasen made landfall
Cyclone Mahasen brought heavy rainfall to southern Bangladesh, with the TRMM satellite capturing areas of intense thunderstorms north of the storm's center. The cyclone is expected to weaken and move across northeastern India due to rugged terrain and strong wind shear.
Using fluctuating wind power
Researchers propose a new strategy to optimize power-generation efficiency in fluctuating wind conditions by predicting maximum turbine generation capacity and incorporating various factors. The approach shows promise in improving power-generation efficiency, but further refinement is needed based on local conditions.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateMar 25, 2013
Social ties help drive user content generation that leads to online ad revenue growth
A study found that social ties have a stronger effect on content generation than the reverse, leading to a self-reinforcing cycle of network growth. Researchers suggest that incentivizing user connections through better tools can increase ad revenue.
Wind speeds in southern New England declining inland, remaining steady on coast
Researchers found average wind speeds declined by 15% inland while remaining steady on the coast. Climate change and urbanization are potential factors contributing to this trend.
NASA sees many things happening in Tropical Storm Ewiniar
Tropical Storm Ewiniar's clouds revealed a partially exposed low-level circulation center, open to outside winds that can affect its trajectory. Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, with the strongest on the eastern quadrant, were observed around the storm.
NASA sees Hurricane Lane punched in the eye
Hurricane Lane's eye has become cloud-filled, resembling being punched in the eye, due to powerful thunderstorms surrounding it. Cooler waters and increased wind shear are forecast to weaken the storm further, leading to its eventual dissipation by Wednesday.
Wind could meet many times world's total power demand by 2030, researchers say
A new study suggests that wind power has plenty of potential to meet half the world's power demand by 2030, with a capacity to exceed demand by several times. Researchers used a sophisticated climate model to calculate the theoretical maximum wind power potential on Earth.
SourceStanford University School of Engineering·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 10, 2012
Usain Bolt could break his own record with the help of altitude and the wind
Researchers studied the effects of wind speed, altitude, and other environmental factors on athletic performance. They found that a tailwind of 2 meters per second and racing at an altitude of 999 meters could improve Usain Bolt's record time to 9.48 seconds.
SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalEuropean Journal of Sport Science·DateAug 2, 2012
NASA's TRMM satellite eyeing Tropical Storm Khanun's rainfall
Tropical Storm Khanun is expected to increase in power and affect South and North Korea as it moves northward through the Yellow Sea. The TRMM satellite provided a 3-D view of Khanun's rainfall structure, showing powerful convective storms near the center pushing to heights of about 17 kilometers.
NASA satellites examine powerful summer derecho
A powerful summer derecho moved from Illinois to the Mid-Atlantic states, bringing destruction and wind gusts of up to 90 mph. NASA satellites captured the event's progression and aftermath, including extensive power outages and massive blackouts.
Wind turbines that learn like humans
Researchers developed a biologically inspired control system that uses memory of past control experiences and outcomes to generate new actions. This approach shows promise for enhancing wind power conversion efficiency, outperforming traditional methods in simulations.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateMar 27, 2012
Launch madness at Wallops in March - '5 in 5'
Scientists will gather data on the high-altitude jet stream, which affects satellite and radio communications, using chemical tracers and instrumented payloads. The mission will help better understand the process responsible for this phenomenon, located 60-65 miles above the Earth's surface.
NASA satellite sees tropical storm Cyril a strong, compact storm
Tropical Storm Cyril has strengthened since February 6, maintaining a compact shape with maximum sustained winds near 45 knots. The storm is moving southeast at 28 knots, forecast to dissipate in two days due to cooler sea surface temperatures.
Power generation is blowing in the wind
Researchers found that power generated at a set wind speed is higher under stable conditions and lower under strongly unsteady conditions. Wind shear plays an important role in assessing turbine efficiency. The team's study provides valuable insights for better estimating power generation, especially when including atmospheric stabilit...
SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJan 17, 2012
New energy in search for future wind
A new study from CSIRO Australia has found that Australia's average wind speed is increasing, contrary to recent international studies showing a decrease. The research provides valuable insights into the causes of variations in near-surface wind and long-term wind speed trends over Australia.
Climate change threatens many tree species, say Hebrew U. researchers
Researchers at Hebrew U. warn that climate change may cause many tree species with wind-dispersed seeds to become extinct due to reduced wind speed and increased seed production. This could lead to a slower spread of trees than expected, making them vulnerable to extinction.
Measuring air-sea exchange of carbon dioxide in the open ocean
Researchers measured carbon dioxide fluxes in the North Atlantic using an autonomous system, making nearly 4,000 flux measurements. The study found that formation of bubbles in breaking waves may increase gas transfer at high wind speeds.
Global warming reduces available wind energy
A study by Diandong Ren finds that rising global temperatures decrease wind speeds, reducing the power output of wind turbines. This means that more wind turbines are needed to achieve the same amount of energy production, highlighting the need for a switch to renewable energy sources earlier.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateNov 9, 2010
Slight change in wind turbine speed significantly reduces bat mortality
A study published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment found that raising wind turbine cut-in speeds to 11 mph reduces bat fatalities by 44-93% and annual power loss by less than 1%. This change limits turbines to operating only during higher wind speeds, minimizing bat collisions.
Category 4 Cyclone Giri hits Burma, NASA satellite sees heavy 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.
Hurricane watches up in Canada as the GOES-13 Satellite sees Hurricane Igor still expanding
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.
Windy cities: Researchers invent new tool to calculate hurricane risk
Researchers developed a Hurricane Risk Calculator to estimate extreme wind speeds at specific locations in Florida. The calculator found that cities like Miami are more vulnerable to strong winds due to their geography and location.
SourceFlorida State University·JournalJournal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology·DateAug 2, 2010
Sensing wind speed with kites
Scientists at the University of Reading in the UK have created a kite-based system to measure wind speed with high accuracy. By attaching a strain gauge to a kite's tether line, researchers found that the tension in the line is linearly related to wind speed, making it a potential tool for atmospheric research.
Flag has ladies all of a flutter
Scientists at the University of Manchester have discovered how male common snipes use their outer tail feathers to produce a highly seductive drumming sound. By observing deformations in the feathers as they produce the sound, researchers found that the feathers flutter like flags in the wind.
17P is now a fading depression
Tropical cyclone 17P has weakened and is now a fading depression due to moderate to strong westerly vertical wind shear. The storm's organization and ability to produce thunderstorms are limited by the wind shear, leading to its expected dissipation in the next few days.
ARPA-E grant aims to reduce cost and expand use of wind turbines for generating electricity
A new technology could increase wind turbine efficiency by up to 30-40% at lower wind speeds, opening up new geographic areas for wind power. The circulation control aerodynamic technique will be applied to wind turbine blades, allowing for simpler designs and increased power production.
Warmer means windier on world's biggest lake
Researchers found a significant increase in wind speed and current strength on Lake Superior, but a decrease in chlorophyll levels due to temperature stratification. This affects the lake's ecosystem and may impact airborne pollutants and nearby communities.
NASA satellites make a movie and get rainfall, wind info on Ida
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.