Extreme Weather

A tropical cyclone may be forming in the northwestern Pacific Ocean near Chichi-Jima, Japan. The GPM core observatory satellite flew directly above very strong convective storms in this potential tropical cyclone on July 13, 2017 at 0834 UTC. Rainfall in the area was analyzed using data collected by GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instruments. One area of extremely intense storms was measured by GPM's radar (DPR Ku Band) dropping rain at a rate of over 198mm (7.8 inches) per hour. Data from the GPM satellite's radar (DPR Ku band) was also used to

The GPM core observatory satellite had another excellent view of Eastern Pacific tropical storm Eugene on July 11, 2017 at 0231 UTC. Eugene was weakening as it traveled toward the northwest over progressively cooler waters. The only remaining strong convective activity was seen in Eugene's northwestern quadrant. GPM's Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) data revealed that some of these convective storms northwest of Eugene's center of circulation were dropping rain at a rate of more than 70 mm (2.8 inches) per hour. A 3-D view of the dissipating tropical storm was developed using GPM's

Hurricane Eugene formed on July 7, 2017 in the eastern Pacific Ocean south of the Baja Peninsula. Eugene was intensifying when the GPM core observatory satellite flew over on July 9, 2017 at 0236 UTC. Eugene reached it's peak power later that day with it's maximum sustained wind speeds reaching about 100 kts (115.0 mph). The center of GPM's track passed to the west of Eugene's eye. Data collected by GPM's Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instrument showed that powerful storms in the northwestern quadrant of the hurricane were dropping rain at a rate of over 186 mm (7.3 inches) per hour

A low pressure system in the Atlantic Ocean west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands is being closely monitored for possible development into a tropical depression. The GPM core observatory satellite flew over this area on July 5, 2017 at 5:47 AM EDT (0947 UTC). GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) showed that heavy showers were located in this area. GPM's GMI data indicated that rain was coming down at a rate of greater than 44.2 mm (1.74 inches) per hour in one cluster of storms. GPM's radar (DPR Ku band) measured precipitation falling at rate of over

The GPM core observatory satellite flew above tropical storm NANMADOL on July 2, 2017 at 2306 UTC. The intensifying tropical storm was located just northeast of Taiwan and had maximum winds estimated at 45 kts (51.8 mph). The GPM Core Observatory carries the first space-borne Ku/Ka-band Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) and a multi-channel GPM Microwave Imager (GMI). Rainfall within NANMADOL was derived from data collected by GPM's GMI and DPR instruments. Those data indicated that rain was falling at a rate of greater that 184 mm (7.2 inches) per in powerful storms northeast of the

Tropical storm Cindy was downgraded to a tropical depression after moving onshore near the Texas and Louisiana Border on Thursday June 22, 2017. Flooding was reported along the the Gulf Coast even before Cindy made landfall. The rainfall around tropical storm Cindy was asymmetrical. The majority of heavy rainfall with the tropical cyclone was located east of Cindy's center in the states along the Gulf Coast from Louisiana through the Florida Panhandle. The tropical depression continued to spread heavy rain and occasionally severe thunderstorms after it came ashore. Severe thunderstorms spawned

The GPM core observatory satellite passed above as tropical storm Cindy was approaching the western Louisiana coast on June 22, 2017 at 1:21 AM CDT (0621 UTC). Cindy had maximum sustained winds of about 40 kts (46 mph) at that time. A red tropical storm symbol shows Cindy's approximate location. Rainfall derived from Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) measurements showed that there was very little rainfall near Cindy's center of circulation but bands of moderate to heavy showers are shown moving into the states along the Gulf Coast. GPM's Radar (DPR Ku Band)

A couple weeks after the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season the tropical Atlantic Ocean is starting to show potential tropical cyclone development. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has indicated that potential tropical cyclone 02L, located east-southeast of Trinidad, will likely become a tropical storm within the next five days. The GPM core observatory satellite flew above 02L on June 19, 2017 at 00:16 AM EDT (0416 UTC). Data collected by Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instruments showed that the potential tropical cyclone contained some

At least 156 people in Bangladesh were killed during the past week by landslides and floods caused by heavy rainfall. Monsoon rainfall has been especially heavy over this area that includes southeastern Bangladesh, northeastern India and western Burma (Myanmar). This disaster follows quickly on the heels of deadly cyclone Mora which hit the same area a couple weeks ago. This rainfall analysis was made at Goddard Space Flight Center using NASA's near-real time Integrated Multi-satelliE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) data. Those IMERG data were assembled during the period from June 12-14, 2017. The

Tropical storm MERBOK formed in the South China Sea west of the Philippines on June 11, 2017. The GPM core observatory satellite flew above MERBOK on June 10, 2017 at 0631 UTC when the tropical storm was forming. GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) showed that the future tropical storm was starting to get organized. Feeder bands were shown converging into the center of the circulation located in the South China Sea west of Luzon. GPM passed over the western side of tropical storm MERBOK again on June 12, 2017 at 0621 UTC when it's maximum sustained winds