GPM Examines Super Typhoon Maysak

Visualization depicting Typhoon Maysak in the Southwest Pacific region as observed by the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Satellite on March 30, 2015.  GPM Microwave Imager (GMI) precipitation rates are displayed first, then a slicing place moves across the volume to display precipitation rates throughout the structure of the storm.  Shades of green to red represent liquid precipitation extending down to the ground.

The storm later intensified to a category 5-equivalent super typhoon with 150-mph sustained winds.

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 GMI sees through the tops of clouds to observe how much and where precipitation occurs, and the Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) observes precise details of precipitation in three dimensions.

GPM data is part of the toolbox of satellite data used by forecasters and scientists to understand how storms behave. GPM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Current and future data sets are available with free registration to users from NASA Goddard's Precipitation Processing Center website, http://pps.gsfc.nasa.gov/.

Visualizers: Kel Elkins (lead), Alex Kekesi, Horace Mitchell, Greg Shirah

For more information or to download this public domain video, go to https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4303#21415.