GPM Dissects Typhoon Hagupit

On December 5, 2014 (1032 UTC) the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission's Core Observatory flew over Typhoon Hagupit as it headed towards the Philippines. A few hours later at 1500 UTC (10 a.m. EST), Super Typhoon Hagupit's maximum sustained winds were near 130 knots (149.6 mph/241 kph), down from 150 knots (172 mph/277.8 kph). Typhoon-force winds extend out 40 nautical miles (46 miles/74 km) from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds extend out to 120 miles (138 miles/222 km).

The GPM Core Observatory carries two instruments that show the location and intensity of rain and snow, which defines a crucial part of the storm structure and how it will behave. The GPM Microwave Imager (GMI) sees through the tops of clouds to observe how much and where precipitation occurs, and the Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar observes precise details of precipitation in three dimensions.

Visualization revealing a swath, or strip, GMI precipitation rate data over Typhoon Hagupit. As the camera moves in on the storm, DPR's volumetric view of the storm is revealed. A slicing plane moves across the volume to display precipitation rates throughout the storm. Shades of green
to red represent liquid precipitation extending down to the ground.

GPM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. All GPM data products can be found at NASA Goddard's Precipitat
ion Processing Center website http://pps.gsfc.nasa.gov/.

Visualizers: Kel Elkins (lead), Alex Kekesi

For more information or to download this public domain video, go to https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4248#20658.