Extreme Weather News

Today a new tropical storm called Blanka formed in the eastern Pacific Ocean off southwestern Mexico. The GPM core observatory satellite flew over the forming tropical storm on June 1, 2015 at 1031 UTC (5:31 AM CDT). Rainfall data collected by GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instruments are shown The location of Blanka's center of circulation within a large area of convective thunderstorms was clearly outlined by GPM's GMI derived rainfall. A 3-D view derived from DPR's Ku Band radar data shows that several areas of intense rainfall were located east

Tropical storm Andres became the first tropical storm of the the 2015 Eastern Pacific hurricane season today at 1500 UTC (9 AM MDT). The GPM core observatory satellite flew over the intensifying tropical cyclone (TD1E) at 1225 UTC ( 6:25 AM MDT). Rainfall data from GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (Ku Band) instruments are shown overlaid on an enhanced GOES-EAST satellite infrared image received at 1230 UTC (6:30 AM MDT). Rain was found by GMI to be falling at a rate of over 60 mm (2.4 inches) per hour in powerful convective storms near Andres' center. Data

A stagnant upper-air pattern that spread numerous storms and heavy rains from central Texas up into Oklahoma has resulted in record flooding for parts of the Lone Star State. One of the hardest hit areas was in Hays County Texas south of Austin where the Blanco River rose rapidly and set a new record crest at over 40 feet, 13 feet above flood stage, following a night of very heavy rain in the area, with over 12 inches reported locally in a short period of time, in an area already wet from previous storms. The combination of high pressure over the southeastern United States and a persistent

Typhoon Dolphin battered and drenched the islands of Guam and Rota as it passed over the channel between them last Saturday. Luckily for Guam, Dolphin's most powerful winds occurred after passing to the northwest of Guam. By May 16, 2015 Dolphin had winds estimated at 140 kts (161 mph) making it a category five super typhoon on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. The GPM core observatory satellite flew above the weakening typhoon early this morning when winds had dropped to less than 100 kts (115 mph). GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) found that Dolphin was dropping rain over the open waters

Typhoon Dolphin passed through the Northern Marianas today just to the north of Guam with sustained winds estimated at 95 knots (~109 mph) by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. The center passed through the Rota Channel less than about 25 iles from the northern tip of Guam, close enough for the southern half of the eye wall to rake the northern part of the island with powerful winds. A wind gust of 106 mph was reported at Andersen Air Force Base located on the northeast corner of Guam. NASA's GPM Core observatory satellite captured this image of Dolphin just as the center was exiting the Rota