Powerful Tropical Cyclone Enawo Threatens Madagascar

Tropical cyclone Enawo has continued to intensify while moving toward Madagascar. Enawo had winds of about 90 kts (103.5 mph) when the GPM core observatory satellite flew over on March 6, 2017 at 0306 UTC (0606 AM local time). These powerful winds make Enawo the equivalent of a category two hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane wind scale. GPM revealed that the tropical cyclone had heavy rainfall in distinct feeder bands on the western side and in the northeastern side of the eyewall. Precipitation was measured by GPM's DPR falling at a rate of over 220 mm (8.7 inches) per hour in intense downpours. 

Powerful Tropical Cyclone Enawo Threatens Madagascar

GPM's radar (DPR Ku Band) data were used to perform a 3-D inspection of storms in the feeder bands on the western side of the tropical cyclone. This evaluation showed that many of these storms were reaching altitudes above 16 km (9.9 miles).

Intensifying tropical cyclone Enawo continues to be steered toward northeastern Madagascar. The tropical cyclone's winds are expected to reach 100 kts (115 mph) before hitting Madagascar's coast early on March 7, 2017. Ewano is then predicted to gradually weaken to tropical storm force while moving southward over Madagascar.

Powerful Tropical Cyclone Enawo Threatens Madagascar

Images and caption by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC)
Interactive visualization by Matt Lammers (KBRwyle / NASA GSFC)