In a normal year 30% of the total rainfall near the Philippines (northwestern Pacific Ocean) is caused by tropical cyclones. The most notable tropical cyclone this year was deadly super typhoon HAIYAN that devastated the central Philippines in November 2013. The TRMM-based, near-real time Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center was used to analyze only rainfall near tropical cyclones passing close to or over the the Philippines in 2013. The TMPA analysis above shows the estimated total rainfall contributed by named tropical cyclones this year. Red

Following arrival in a cleanroom at the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan, the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) core observatory was attached to a custom-designed satellite mount which allowed the NASA team on-site to perform preliminary inspections and evaluations of the spacecraft. Image Credit: NASA/Michael Starobin Following the Global Precipitation Measurement Core Observatory’s arrival at the Tangashema Space Center in Japan, efforts by the NASA and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency team will now focus on final checkouts and preparation for launch in early 2014. After the