GPM Sees Powerful Storms With Advancing Monsoon

GPM Sees Powerful Storms With Advancing Monsoon

The GPM core observatory satellite passed over the Bay Of Bengal on May 23, 2017 at 0251 UTC. GPM flew almost directly above very strong convective storms that were located east of Sri Lanka. These powerful storms were associated with the approaching South-West monsoon. The amount and timing of monsoon rainfall is very important to the economy of India. GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instruments collected data that showed the location and intensity of rainfall in the southern Bay Of Bengal. Very heavy rainfall was detected within this cluster of powerful storms. GPM's Radar (DPR Ku Band) measured rain falling at a rate of over 108 mm (4.3 inches) per hour in some storms. 

GPM Sees Powerful Storms With Advancing Monsoon

The GPM satellite's radar (DPR Ku Band) data were used to show a 3-D cross section of precipitation in the storms. DPR revealed that many storm tops in the area were reaching heights above 16 km (9.9 miles).

GPM Sees Powerful Storms With Advancing Monsoon

Images and caption by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC)