The GPM core observatory satellite flew almost directly over super typhoon Soudelor in the western Pacific Ocean on August 3, 2015 at 1104 UTC. At that time Super Typhoon Soudelor had winds of about 125kts (139 mph) and is predicted by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) to become even more powerful tomorrow while headed toward northern Taiwan.

GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) had a very good view of heavy rainfall associated with Soudelor. GMI showed that the super typhoon had rain falling at a rate of over 58 mm (2.3 inches) per hour in the southern side of Soudelor's well defined eye. Radar Reflectivity values measured by GPM's Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instrument (Ku band) were used to show a 3-D cross section through Soudelor's western side.