Extreme Weather

The GPM core observatory satellite's Microwave Imager (GMI) instrument had a fairly good view of tropical cyclone GITA on February 2018 at 0316 UTC. GPM's Dual Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) swath only scanned the area west of GITA's main area of precipitation. The weakening tropical cyclone was passing the southeastern tip of New Caledonia. Although weakening, GITA still had winds estimated at over 90 kts (104 mph). Rainfall derived from GMI data showed that the heaviest precipitation, falling at rate of about 51 mm (2 inches) per hour, was shown west of GITA's low level circulation

Tropical cyclone GITA recently battered and drenched first Samoa and then Tonga as it passed close to both island groups. GITA was a tropical storm with winds of about 40 kts (46 mph) when it passed to the south of Samoa but still caused widespread destruction and flooding. The president of the United States approved a disaster declaration for Samoa. The tropical cyclone's winds had increased to about 125 kts (144 mph) when it battered Tonga as the equivalent of a category four hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. Destructive winds were the main cause of destruction but heavy

Recently formed tropical cyclone GITA was drenching Samo when the GPM core observatory satellite passed above on February 9, 2018 at 1426 UTC. Data collected by GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instruments showed the area and intensity of precipitation associated with the tropical cyclone. The area covered by GPM's radar swath is shown in lighter shades. GITA was producing heavy rainfall over a large area that included the islands. The center of the intensifying tropical cyclone was located just to the south of the islands. Rainfall in that area was

The GPM core observatory satellite passed above weakening tropical cyclone CEBILE on February 6, 2018 at 1151 UTC. CEBILE's maximum sustained winds had decreased to about 40 kts (46 mph). The satellite showed that most of the convective rainfall in the sheared tropical cyclone was southeast of CEBILE's center of circulation. Dual Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) data received by GPM with this pass showed that the northeastern side of the eye wall was eroding while continuous heavy precipitation was found by GPM in the southeastern quadrant of the storm. The area scanned by GPM's DPR is

Tropical Cyclone CEBILE formed four days ago in the southwest Indian Ocean southeast of Diego Garcia. Today CEBILE became the most powerful tropical cyclone to form in the southern hemisphere this year. Maximum sustained wind speeds within CEBILE were estimated at 120kts (138 mph) early today making CEBILE the equivalent of a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. The GPM core observatory satellite passed directly above the well defined circular eye of tropical cyclone CEBILE on January 31, 2018 at 0034 UTC. Rainfall intensity and coverage within CEBILE were revealed

The GPM core observatory satellite flew tropical cyclone FEHI on January 30, 2018 at 0831 UTC. GPM revealed that precipitation was only located around the southern side of FEHI's circulation. Strong vertical wind shear had caused the surface center of circulation (shown with a red symbol) to be displaced well to the north of the heaviest rainfall. The satellite found that some convective storms on the southern side of the tropical cyclone were still producing very heavy precipitation. GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instruments revealed rainfall in a

Tropical cyclone BERGUITTA was moving very close to the eastern side of the island of Mauritius when the GPM core observatory satellite passed above on January 18, 2018 at 0528Z (9:28 AM local time). This meant that the most destructive section of tropical cyclone BERGUITTA was passing very close to the eastern side of Mauritius. For this reason the eastern side of Mauritius would be expected to have had the highest winds, seas, and storm surge from BERGUITTA. The tropical cyclone was passing a little farther to the east of the island of Reunion. Data collected by GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI)

The GPM core observatory satellite passed over the southwest Indian Ocean on January 16, 2018 at 1856 UTC. GPM showed that heavy rainfall within tropical cyclone BERGUITTA was moving closer to the islands of Reunion and Mauritius. GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instruments found that powerful storms northeast of Mauritius were dropping rain at a rate greater than 54 mm (2.1 inches) per hour. A 3-D view of Storm top heights within tropical cyclone BERGUITTA was made possible with GPM's radar (DPR ku Band). Those 3-D scans through the eastern side of

Tropical cyclone BERGUITTA formed in the southwestern Indian Ocean northeast of the islands of La Reunion and Mauritius on January 12, 2018. BERGUITTA is now moving toward the southwest and threatening the islands. Early on January 16,2018 BERGUITTA had maximum sustained winds estimated at 100 kts (115 mph). This means that BERGUITTA was the equivalent of a category three hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. Later in the day BERGUITTA's maximum sustained wind speeds were estimated at 85 kts (98 mph) with gust to 105 kts (121 mph). On January 16, 2018 at 1200Z tropical cyclone

Winter rains falling on recently burned ground triggered deadly mudslides near Santa Barbara, California on the 9th of January. The potential for landslides is shown above. It was generated by the global Landslide Hazard Assessment for Situational Awareness (LHASA) model, a model that combines GPM precipitation data with a global landslide susceptibility map. LHASA gives a broad overview of landslide hazard in nearly real time, but site-specific information should be obtained prior to emergency operations or building projects. At least 15 residents of southern California have been killed by