November 2018 – Page 2 – Hurricane And Typhoon Updates

33W (Northwestern Pacific Ocean)

November 20, 2018 – NASA Sees Tropical Depression 33W Affecting Philippines

Visible imagery from NASA’s Terra satellite revealed the extent of Tropical Depression 33W showed the tropical low pressure system moving into the central part of the Philippines on Nov. 20.

Terra image of 33W — On Nov. 20 a visible image from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Terra satellite showed Tropical Depression 33W, a large disorganized storm moving over the south-central Philippines. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

Tropical Depression 33W (33W), known locally in the Philippines as Tropical Cyclone Samuel has triggered many warnings and watches.

Storm Signal 1 was in effect in three regions of the Philippines.In Luzon, Signal 1 was in effect for Masbate, Ticao Island, Romblon, southern Oriental and southern Occidental Mindoro, northern Palawan including Cuyo Island and the Calamian group of islands. In Visayas, Signal 1 was in effect for Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Negros Oriental and Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklana and Antique. In Mindanao, Signal 1 was in effect for Surigao del Norte and Sur, Agusan del Norte and Sur, Dinagat Islands, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin

On Nov. 20 a visible image from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Terra satellite showed a large disorganized storm moving through the central Philippines.

AT 10 a.m. EST (1500 UTC) On Nov. 20, Tropical depression 33W, (Philippines designation Samuel) was located near 10.9 degrees north latitude and 126.3 degrees east longitude, about 381 miles southeast of Manila, Philippines. 33W was moving to the west-northwest and had maximum sustained winds near 25 knots (28.7 mph)

33W will move generally west and cross the south-central Philippines. It is then forecast to move into the South China Sea and strengthen. The system will make a final landfall in central Vietnam and dissipate there.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Man-yi (Northwestern Pacific Ocean )

November 20, 2018 – NASA Sees Tropical Depression Man-yi, Warnings Triggered

Tropical depression Man-yi for med in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean and NASA captured an image of the storm. Yap state is already under watches and warnings.

Suomi NPP image of 34W — NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided a visible image of newly formed Tropical Depression Man-yi affecting the Federated States of Micronesia (top left). Warnings are already in effect for Yap State. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Tiyan, Guam has issued a typhoon watch and Tropical Storm warning on Nov. 20. A Typhoon Watch remains in effect for Faraulep in Yap State and for Puluwat in Chuuk State. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Chuuk Lagoon, Lukunor, Losap, Fananu, Ulul, and Puluwat in Chuuk State and for Satawal in Yap State. A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Guam and Rota.

Tropical Depression Man-yi formed on Nov. 20 and NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed overhead. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided a visible image of the storm. Man-yi is a large area of low pressure. The image showed powerful thunderstorms around the center of circulation and a large, thick band of thunderstorms feeding into the center from the west were bringing gusty winds and rainfall to the Federated States of Micronesia.

On Nov. 20 at 7 a.m. EST (1200 UTC/10 p.m. CHST local time), the center of Tropical Depression Man-yi was located near Latitude 4.8 degrees north and longitude 154.2 degrees east. Man-yi is moving west at 10 mph. It is expected to make a slight turn toward the west-northwest with an increase in forward speed through Thursday. NWS in Guam said that maximum sustained winds remain at 30 mph. Man-yi is forecast to intensify through Friday possibly becoming a tropical storm Wednesday.

For updated forecasts, visit: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/cyclone.php

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Bouchra (Southern Indian Ocean)

November 19, 2018 – Satellite Finds Tropical Cyclone Bouchra Reborn in Southern Indian Ocean

Tropical Cyclone 04S, known as Bouchra formed in the Southern Indian Ocean during the week of Nov. 12 and by the end of the week it had become a remnant low pressure area. Over the weekend of Nov. 17 and 18 it regenerated into a tropical cyclone and the NOAA-20 satellite passed overhead and captured a visible image of the storm.

NOAA-20 image of Bouchra — At 3:24 a.m. EDT (0824 UTC) on Nov. 19, the VIIRS instrument aboard NOAA’s NOAA-20 satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Bouchra in the Southern Indian Ocean. Credit: NASA/NRL

At 3:24 a.m. EDT (0824 UTC) on Nov. 19the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard the NOAA-20 polar orbiting satellite saw the elongated storm. The VIIRS image revealed that the storm appeared to stretch from northwest to southeast. That’s an indication that winds or wind shear was affecting the storm and elongating its circulation center, weakening the storm (again).

In general, wind shear is a measure of how the speed and direction of winds change with altitude. Wind shear can tear a tropical cyclone apart or weaken it.

On Nov. 19 at 10 a.m. EST (1500 UTC) Bouchra’s maximum sustained winds were near 50 knots (57 mph/92 mph) making it a tropical storm. It was located approximately 672 nautical miles southeast of Diego Garcia near 15.2 south latitude and 80.4 east longitude. Bouchra was moving southwestward and is expected to maintain intensity over the next several days before weakening.

Bouchra is expected to dissipate by Nov. 22.

NOAA-20 is the first in the JPSS series of satellites. JPSS is a collaborative program between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its acquisition agent, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NOAA is responsible for managing and operating the JPSS program, and developing portions of the ground segment, while NASA is responsible for developing and building the JPSS instruments, spacecraft, and portions of the ground segment and providing launch services.

For more information about the JPSS series of satellites, visit: https://www.jpss.noaa.gov/

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

33W (Northwestern Pacific Ocean)

November 19, 2018 – GPM Satellite Sees Light Rain Occurring in Tropical Depression 33W’s Eastern Side

The Global Precipitation Measurement mission or GPM core satellite is providing data on rain rates within Tropical Cyclone 33W as it moves over the Philippines on Nov. 19.

GPM image of 33W — The GPM core observatory satellite measured that rainfall rates in the eastern half of Tropical Depression 33W on Nov. 19 at 3:06 a.m. EST (0806 UTC) and found that the heaviest rainfall was occurring around the center at a rate of 1.2 inches per hour (red) while light rain was occurring throughout much of the eastern half of the storm. The bulk of the storm appears to be in the western quadrant. Credit: NASA/JAXA/NRL

Tropical Depression 33W is about to traverse the south-central Philippines. In the Philippines, 33W is designated “Samuel.”

The GPM satellite passed over the eastern half of Tropical Depression 33W on Nov. 19 at 3:06 a.m. EST (0806 UTC) and measured the rainfall rates. The heaviest rainfall was occurring around the center at a rate of 1.2 inches per hour while light rain was occurring throughout much of the eastern half of the storm. The bulk of the clouds and showers associated with 33W are located in the storm’s western quadrant.

GPM is a joint satellite mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency called JAXA.

At 10 a.m. EST (1500 UTC), the center of 33W was located near latitude 9.1 degrees north and longitude 129.7 degrees east. 33W is moving toward the west-northwest and has maximum sustained winds near 30 knots (34.5 mph/55.5 kph)

Philippines storm signal 1 has been placed in effect for Luzon that includes Masbate, and for the Visayas region that includes Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Negros Oriental and Occidental. In the Mindanao region, Signal 1 is in effect for Surigao del Norte and Sur, Agusan del Norte and Sur, Dinagat Islands, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin

33W will move west-northwest, later west and into the South China Sea.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Gaja (Southern Indian Ocean)

November 16, 2018 – NASA Catches Tropical Cyclone Gaja’s Landfall

Caught in the act of landfall, Tropical Cyclone Gaja was seen by NASA’s Aqua satellite as it passed overhead and collected temperature information.

AIRS image of Gaja — NASA’s Aqua satellite provided an infrared picture of Tropical Cyclone Gaja’s cloud top temperatures from Nov. 15 at 3:29 p.m. EDT (2029 UTC). Gaja’s center was making landfall along the coast of southeastern India. Coldest clouds tops and strongest storms appear in purple. Credit: NASA JPL, Heidar Thrastarson

The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder or AIRS instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite passed over Tropical Cyclone Gaja on Nov. 15 at 3:29 p.m. EDT (2029 UTC) and analyzed the storm in infrared light. Infrared light provides temperature data and that’s important when trying to understand how strong storms can be. The higher the cloud tops, the colder and the stronger they are.

When Aqua passed over the Indian Ocean, Gaja’s center was making landfall along the coast of southeastern India. The AIRS instrument found coldest cloud top temperatures in thunderstorms around the center, where temperatures were as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 53 degrees Celsius). Storms with cloud top temperatures that cold have the capability to produce heavy rainfall.

At 10 a.m. EST (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Cyclone Gaja was located near latitude 9.7 degrees north and longitude 75.9 degrees west. Gaja was moving toward west-southwest. Maximum sustained winds are near 46 mph (40 knots/74 kph) with higher gusts.

Gaja was exiting the southwestern coast of India on Nov. 16 at 7 a.m. EST (1200 UTC) and was moving into the Arabian Sea where it is expected to maintain strength and travel in a westerly direction over the next several days.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Gaja (Southern Indian Ocean)

Nov. 15, 2018 – NASA Finds a Cloud-Filled Eye in Tropical Cyclone Gaja

Tropical Cyclone Gaja continued to organize in the Bay of Bengal as it made its approach to southeastern India when NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed overhead and captured an image. The image revealed that Gaja had developed a cloud-filled eye.

Suomi NPP image of Gaja — On Nov. 15, the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Storm Gaja in the Bay of Bengal approaching southern India (left). Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

The Bay of Bengal is in the Northern Indian Ocean basin, east of India.

On Nov. 15, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite took a visible light image of Tropical Storm Gaja. It revealed what appeared to be a cloud-filled eye. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center confirmed that “animated multispectral satellite imagery shows a more compact system with a dimple feature on the central convection – indicative of a formative eye.”

On Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) Gaja’s maximum sustained winds were near 55 knots (63 mph/102 kph), but weakening is expected as it nears the coast of southeastern India. Gaja was located near 10.8 degrees north latitude 80.7 east longitude. It was about 145 nautical miles south-southeast of Chennai, India.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center or JWTC noted that Gaja will move west-southwest and is approaching landfall near Cuddalore before Nov. 16 at 4 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC). After crossing southern India, the storm will re-strengthen in the Arabian Sea, before dissipating after 5 days.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Gaja (Southern Indian Ocean)

Nov. 14, 2018 – Tropical Cyclone Gaja Approaching Southeastern India

Tropical Cyclone Gaja continued to track toward a landfall in southeastern India when NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite flew over the Bay of Bengal and provided a visible image of the storm.

Suomi NPP passed over Gaja on Nov. 14 at 2:36 a.m. EDT (0736 UTC) and the VIIRS instrument provided a visible image. The VIIRS image showed Gaja appeared more organized than the previous day as powerful thunderstorms circled the center. A thick band of thunderstorms wrapped into the low level center from the eastern quadrant.

At 4 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC) Tropical Cyclone Gaja was located near 12.6 degrees north latitude and 84.5 degrees east longitude. That’s about 623 nautical miles south-southwest of Calcutta, India. Gaja is moving to the west-southwest and has maximum sustained winds near 45 knots (52 mph/83 kph).

The Regional Specialized Meteorological Center for Tropical Cyclones over the Northern Indian Ocean or RSMC has issued a tropical storm warning for southern India. For updates visit: http://www.rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/index.php?lang=en

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center or JTWC forecasters expect Gaja to track over the southern Indian Peninsula, where may likely hold together and reach the Arabian Sea.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Gaja (Southern Indian Ocean)

Nov. 13, 2018 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Finds a Large Tropical Cyclone Gaja

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed over the Bay of Bengal, Northern Indian Ocean and captured a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Gaja.

Gaja formed on Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. EST (2100 UTC) as tropical cyclone 07B, about 569 miles south-southwest of Chittagong, Bangladesh. It strengthened into a tropical storm and was renamed Gaja.

On Nov. 13, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite gathered data on Tropical Cyclone Gaja. Gaja appeared somewhat elongated and had bands of thunderstorms wrapping into the center. Gaja appeared to extend over much of the Bay of Bengal in satellite imagery.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center or JTWC noted “animated multispectral satellite imagery shows expansive but disorganized and fragmented rain bands loosely wrapping into an obscured low level circulation with the deep central convection sheared northeastward.”

On Nov., 13 at 10 a.m. EST (1500 UTC) Gaja’s maximum sustained winds were near 40 mph (35 knots/62 kph). It was located approximately 320 nautical miles east of Chennai, India near 13.4 degrees north latitude and 85.6 degrees east longitude. Gaja was moving west-southwest.

JTWC forecasters expect a slow intensification, peaking at 50 knots (57.5 mph/92.6 kph) by landfall in southern India just south of Chennai on Nov. 15.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Bouchra (Southern Indian Ocean)

Nov. 13, 2018 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Catches Short-Lived Tropical Cyclone Bouchra

Tropical Cyclone Bouchra formed on Nov. 10 in the Southern Indian Ocean and was already on its way to dissipation when NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed overhead on Nov. 13.

Suomi NPP Image of Bouchra — On Nov.13, the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Bouchra in the Southern Indian Ocean. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

Bouchra formed on Nov. 10 around 4 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC) about 220 miles northwest of Cocos Island, near 5.5 degrees south latitude and 90.7 east longitude. It was the fourth tropical cyclone of the Southern Indian Ocean cyclone season.

On Nov. 13, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite analyzed Tropical Depression Bouchra showed a disorganized storm. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center noted the storm appeared to have “shallow disorganized central convection sheared eastward, partly exposing a weak and ragged low level circulation.”

Wind shear was stretching the storm out from west to east. In general, wind shear is a measure of how the speed and direction of winds change with altitude. Winds at different levels of the atmosphere pushed against the cylindrical circulation center and skewed it, weakening the rotation.

On Nov., 13 at 4 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC) Bouchra’s maximum sustained winds had dropped to 34.5 mph (30 knots/55.5 kph). It was located approximately 495 nautical miles northwest of Cocos Island near 7.2 degrees south latitude and 90.3 degrees east longitude. Bouchra was moving southeastward, and will dissipate later in the day.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Alcide (Southern Indian Ocean)

Nov. 13, 2018 – NASA Analyzed Tropical Cyclone Alcide’s Rainfall Before Dissipation

Tropical Cyclone Alcide dissipated over the weekend of Nov. 11 and 12 in the Southern Indian Ocean.

GPM image of Alcide — On Nov. 8, when Tropical Cyclone Alcide was at peak intensify, Data collected by the GPM core satellite revealed that the powerful tropical cyclone was producing extremely heavy rainfall. GPM’s radar (DPR Ku Band) indicated that tall convective storms in the northwestern side of Alcide’s eyewall were dropping rain at a rate of more than 255 mm (10 inches) per hour. In tropical cyclone Alcide’s western eye wall. A few of these tall storms were found by GPM to reach heights above 16.0 km (9.92 miles). Credit: NASA/JAXA, Hal Pierce

However, when it was near peak intensity, the Global Precipitation Measurement mission or GPM core satellite provided a look at the rain falling within.

The GPM core observatory satellite, a joint mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, had an excellent view of tropical cyclone Alcide on November 8, 2018 at 10:59 a.m. EDT (1559 UTC) after it had moved to a location northeast of Madagascar. At that time Alcide had reached its peak intensity with winds of about 95 knots (109 mph) making it the equivalent of a strong category two hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.

Data collected by GPM’s Microwave Imager (GMI) and GPM’s Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instruments revealed that the powerful tropical cyclone was producing extremely heavy rainfall. GPM’s radar (DPR Ku Band) indicated that tall convective storms in the northwestern side of Alcide’s eyewall were dropping rain at a rate of more than 255 mm (10 inches) per hour.

GPM’s radar data (DPR Ku Band) were used to create an image to probe the 3D structure of precipitation within tropical cyclone Alcide. The well-defined eye of the powerful tropical cyclone is revealed with this simulated view from the southwest. GPM’s DPR found that the most powerful convective storms were located in tropical cyclone Alcide’s western eye wall. A few of these tall storms were found by GPM to reach heights above 16.0 km (9.92 miles).

On Nov. 11, Tropical cyclone Alcide dissipated near 12.3 south latitude and 51.9 east longitude, about 529 miles north-northwest of St Denis, La Reunion.

By Rob Gutro / Hal Pierce
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center