Extreme Weather

The GPM satellite flew above storms in the southwestern United States this morning (March 9, 2016) at 1011 UTC (5:11 CST). Severe weather has been moving slowly through this area for the past couple days. Two tornadoes developed in north central Texas yesterday morning (March 8, 2016). This morning rain was measured by GPM's Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instrument falling at the extreme rate of over 148 mm (5.8 inches) in one powerful storm over eastern Texas. GPM's radar (DPR Ku Band) found that a few thunderstorm tops in this area were reaching altitudes above 13.7 km (8.5 miles)

After a break in February, El Nino fueled storms have started pounding California as they move in from the Pacific Ocean. Northern California has been especially hard hit with heavy rainfall and strong winds being reported. Heavy rainfall north of Sacramento caused flooding that killed a woman in Olivehurst, California. Rain and snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountains may help to alleviate the long lasting California drought. An analysis of total precipitation from February 29 to March 7, 1016 was accomplished using data collected by NASA's Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG). This

Heavy rainfall recently caused flooding, landslides and power cuts in some areas of Peru. Thousands were made homeless and at least two people were reportedly killed. Extremely heavy rainfall was reported in northern Peru on February 26 and February 27, 2016. In some areas the Peruvian army was sent to help those affected by flooding. The strong El Niño was partially blamed for the abnormally high rainfall in this area. NASA's Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) data collected from February 23-29, 2016 were used to estimate rainfall totals over this area of South America. The highest

The GPM core observatory satellite flew over an area of disturbed weather in the South Pacific near Bora Bora early today where a tropical cyclone may be forming. On February 29, 2016 at 0456 UTC GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) saw rain falling at an estimated rate of almost 48 mm (1.9 inches) per hour in an area of deep convection south of a tropical low. GPM's Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instrument measured cloud top heights at an altitude of over 10.5 km (6.5 miles) in rain showers between Bora Bora and Tahiti.

The GPM core observatory satellite flew directly above tropical cyclone Winston on February 20, 2016 at 0941 UTC. Tropical cyclone Winston had sustained winds estimated at 155 kts (178 mph) at that time. A rainfall analysis derived from data collected by GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instruments found that in addition to powerful winds Winston was dropping rain at a rate of over 169 mm (6.7 inches) per hour in the western side of the eye. Tropical cyclone WINSTON is the most powerful storm to hit Fiji. At least one fatality has already occurred. The

Both yesterday and today the GPM core observatory satellite had excellent views of tropical cyclone Uriah in the South Indian Ocean. Uriah was intensifying with winds of about 115 kts (132 mph) on February 17, 2016 at 1651 UTC when the GPM satellite passed above. A rainfall analysis derived from GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) data collected with that pass revealed that Uriah had a well defined circular eye. Rain was measured by DPR falling at a rate of over 179 mm (7 inches) per hour on the southern side of Uriah's eye wall. GPM passed over again on

Over the past view days the GPM core observatory satellite has had good looks at tropical cyclone URIAH in the South Indian Ocean west of Australia. On February 15, 2016 at 1706 UTC GPM flew directly over the center of the tropical cyclone and measured rainfall in a well defined circulation. GPM's Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instrument discovered that rain was falling at a rate of over 127 mm (5 inches) per hour in a band of intense storms south of the cyclone's center. When GPM's Radar sliced through tropical storm URIAH on February 15, 2016 it also found that the intense

Tropical cyclone activity has recently increased in the South Pacific Ocean. Four tropical cyclones have formed in this area in 2016. The GPM core observatory satellite had an excellent view of tropical cyclone Winston on February 11, 2016 at 1253 UTC. Winston was located east of Vanuatu with tropical storm force winds of about 55 kts when GPM passed over head. Winston's rainfall was measured by GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instruments. GPM's radar data revealed that Winston was dropping rain at a rate of over 60 mm (2.4 inches) per hour on the

The GPM core observatory satellite flew over a forming tropical cyclone in the South Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Reunion on February 8, 2016 at 2137 UTC. Low vertical wind shear will assist in the evolution of the tropical low as it moves slowly toward the southwest. Rainfall derived from GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) data revealed that powerful convective storms near Madagascar's eastern coast were found to be dropping rain at a rate of over 94 mm (3.7 inches) per hour. 3-D measurements were made of convective storm tops with GPM's radar

On February 8, 2016 at 0800 UTC (3 AM EST) the GPM core observatory satellite flew above an intensifying storm in the Atlantic Ocean off the United State's East Coast. This storm is forecast by the National Weather Service (NWS) to bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, and coastal flooding to the Carolina's. Although the center of the storm is well off the coast, bands of precipitation from the storm are also expected to bring heavy snow to eastern New England. A rainfall analysis derived from data collected by GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instruments