Extreme Weather

Extreme weather news and updates.

GPM Finds Intense Rainfall In Matthew Rainband

Matthew rapidly intensified Thursday evening and winds increased to 100 kts (115 mph) by Friday September 30, 2016. The GPM core observatory satellite flew over Hurricane Matthew on September 20, 2016 at 0946Z (5:46 AM EDT). A rainfall analysis from GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) showed that the Matthew had heavy rainfall in the northern side of the newly formed eye wall. GPM’s radar area of coverage (shown in a higher shade) included a very intense feeder band on the southeastern side of the hurricane. DPR measured rain falling at a rate of greater

Tropical Storm Matthew Forms Over the Windward Isles, Enters the Caribbean

A fairly strong tropical wave that had been making its way westward across the Central Atlantic over the past several days has now finally organized itself into a tropical storm, Tropical Storm Matthew, the 13th named storm of the season, while passing through the Windward Islands. The storm is poised to intensify as it enters the eastern Caribbean. The tropical wave leading to Matthew's formation emerged off of the coast of Africa back on the 23rd of September. However, despite having a robust level of convective thunderstorm activity, the wave did not acquire a closed low-level circulation
GPM Provides a Closer Look at the Louisiana Floods
Twice on August 12, 2016 GPM flew over a massive rainstorm that flooded large portions of Louisiana. The flooding was some of the worst ever in the state, resulting in a state of emergency. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes in the wake of this unprecedented event. Throughout the course of August 12 (UTC) GPM captured the internal structure of the storm twice and GPM IMERG measured the rainfall accumulation on the ground. NASA's GPM satellite is designed to measure rainfall using both passive microwave (GMI) and radar (DPR) instruments. DPR can observe 3D structures of...

GPM Finds Heavy Rain In Tropical Storm Ulika

The GPM core observatory satellite had a good early morning look at newly formed tropical storm Ulika on September 27, 2016 at 5:26 AM HST (1526 UTC). Ulika was located in the central Pacific Ocean less than 975 nautical miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. GPM found that Ulika contained some very powerful convective storms and a well defined center of circulation. GPM's Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) discovered that some strong convective storms inside the tropical storm were dropping precipitation at a rate of over 187 mm (7.4 inches) per hour. A GPM radar slice through the center

Typhoon Megi Hits Taiwan

Three typhoons have battered Taiwan in the past few weeks. Super Typhoon MERANTI, the strongest typhoon of the year, caused havoc as it passed to the south of Taiwan on September 14, 2016. Typhoon Malakas clipped northeastern Taiwan a few days later. Typhoon Megi has now caused injuries, deaths and destruction as it passes over northeastern Taiwan. The GPM core observatory satellite passed over on September 26, 2016 at 2231 UTC when typhoon Megi was approaching Taiwan from the Philippine Sea. Megi was intensifying with maximum sustained wind speeds estimated at 100kts (115 mph). The typhoon's

GPM Views Still Energetic Tropical Depression Karl

Tropical Depression Karl's strength has fluctuated. Karl formed on September 14th in the eastern Atlantic, strengthened to tropical storm intensity on September 16th and was downgraded to a tropical depression yesterday. The GPM core observatory satellite had an outstanding view of Karl when it passed above today at 1201 UTC (8:01 AM EDT). Data collected by GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instruments uncovered heavy rainfall inside storms within the tropical depression. DPR found that powerful convective storms near Karl's center of circulation were

Remnants Of Post Tropical Storm Julia Checked By GPM

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued the last advisory on post tropical storm Julia on September 19, 2016 but the remnants have persisted off the Southeast coast. The remnants of the low are interacting with a slow moving frontal system and are now dropping rain over eastern North Carolina and Virginia. The GPM core observatory satellite flew over this area on Tuesday September 20, 2016 at 7:31 PM EDT (2331 UTC). The satellite's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instruments showed the location and intensity of heavy rainfall within this area of low

GPM Sees Typhoon Malakas Starting To Batter Japan

September 19, 2016 0046 UTC September 19, 2016 1031 UTC After causing high winds and heavy rainfall over northern Taiwan, typhoon Malakas is now starting to batter the islands of southern Japan. The GPM core observatory satellite passed above typhoon Malakas twice on September 19, 2016. The first time was at 0046 UTC when the typhoon was starting to cause light to moderate rainfall over the island of Kyushu. At 1031 UTC GPM showed that moderate to heavy rainfall was moving over Kyushu and the typhoon's appearance had changed significantly. The change in appearance was credited to increased

3D Precipitation Structure Within Hurricane Orlene Examined By GPM Satellite

Orlene, the 9th hurricane of the 2016 eastern Pacific season has weakened to a tropical storm. The GPM core observatory satellite flew over on September 15, 2016 at 1801 UTC when Orlene was still a hurricane with winds reaching about 70 kts (81 mph). Hurricane Orlene's rainfall was examined in 3-D using data collected by the GPM satellite's Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR). This digital "CAT scan" like view inside hurricane Orlene shows the locations of the most intense rainfall. An area of heavy downpours was uncovered near the center of Orlene's center of circulation. Radar

GPM Observes Weakening Tropical Storm Julia

Tropical storm Julia was recently downgraded to a tropical depression. The GPM core observatory satellite had an excellent view of tropical storm Julia on September 14, 2016 at 9:36 PM EDT ( September 15, 2016 0136 UTC). Julia was barely a tropical storm at that time with maximum sustained winds of about 40 mph ( 35 kts). Over the past few days Julia has dropped heavy rain along the Atlantic coastline from northeastern Florida to North Carolina. Some areas have received over 8 inches (203 inches) during the past few days. The GPM satellite measured Julia's rainfall and found that intense