Tropical Cyclone Esami formed in the Southern Indian Ocean and just three days later, visible imagery from NASA’s Aqua satellite confirmed the storm had dissipated.
On January 27 at 4:05 a.m. EST (0905 UTC), the MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of the remnant clouds of former Tropical Cyclone Esami in the Southern Indian Ocean. Credit: NASA/NRL
Tropical Cyclone Esami formed on January 24 at 4 p.m. EST (2100 UTC) about 764 miles east-southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius. Esami’s maximum sustained winds peaked the next day on Jan. 25 at 45 knots (52 mph/83 kph).
On January 26 at 4 p.m. EST (2100 UTC), the Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued their final warning on Tropical Cyclone Esami. At that time, Esami had weakened to a depression with maximum sustained winds near 30 knots (34.5 mph/55.5 kph). It was located near latitude 29.8 degrees south and longitude 77.9 degrees west, about 1,260 miles east-southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius. The depression was moving to the south-southeast and was dissipating.
When NASA’s Aqua satellite passed over the Southern Indian Ocean on Jan. 27 at 4:05 a.m. EST (0905 UTC), the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument provided a visible image that revealed the remnants of Esami were dissipating.
Typhoons and hurricanes are the most powerful weather events on Earth. NASA’s expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as hurricane weather forecasting.
Tropical Cyclone Diane formed late on January 24 and by the next day it was reduced to a remnant low-pressure system in the Southern Indian Ocean. NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a look at its remnants on Jan. 27.
On Jan. 27 at 4 a.m. EST (0900 UTC) the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Diane that showed wind shear had blown the bulk of clouds southwest of its center and was causing the storm to dissipate. Credit: NASA/NRL
On Jan. 24 by 4 p.m. EST (2100 UTC), Diane formed just 38 nautical miles northwest of Port Louis, Mauritius. On Jan. 25, Diane reached maximum sustained winds near 45 knots (52 mph/83 kph) and that strength was maintained until early on Jan. 26.
At 4 p.m. EST (2100 UTC) on Jan. 26, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued the final warning on Diane. At that time, Diane was located near latitude 23.8 degrees south and longitude 70.1 degrees east, about 746 nautical miles east-southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius. Maximum sustained winds dropped to 40 knots (46 mph/74 kph) and were weakening because of vertical wind shear.
In general, wind shear is a measure of how the speed and direction of winds change with altitude. Tropical cyclones are like rotating cylinders of winds. Each level needs to be stacked on top each other vertically in order for the storm to maintain strength or intensify. Wind shear occurs when winds at different levels of the atmosphere push against the rotating cylinder of winds, weakening the rotation by pushing it apart at different levels. Wind shear from the northeast was pushing against Diane, sending the bulk of clouds southwest of the center.
On Jan. 27 at 4 a.m. EST (0900 UTC) the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Diane that showed wind shear had taken a final toll on the storm. The MODIS image revealed that the bulk of clouds associated with the former tropical storm had been blown to the southeast of the weak center of circulation and Diane was dissipating.
NASA’s Aqua satellite is one in a fleet of NASA satellites that provide data for hurricane research.
Tropical cyclones/hurricanes are the most powerful weather events on Earth. NASA’s expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as hurricane weather forecasting.
Jan. 27, 2020 – NASA Catches the Dying Remnants of Tropical Cyclone 12P
Tropical Cyclone 12P formed in the Southern Pacific Ocean on January 25 and two days later, NASA’s Aqua satellite observed the storm’s demise.
On January 27 at 6:50 a.m. EST (1150 UTC), the MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite gathered temperature information about Tropical Depression 12P’s cloud tops. MODIS found one small area of powerful thunderstorms (red) where temperatures were as cold as or colder than minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 56.6 Celsius). The storm was dissipating. Credit: NASA/NRL
Tropical Cyclone 12P formed on January 25 at 10 a.m. EST (1500 UTC) about 142 nautical miles southeast of Niue. That was the peak for 12P, as maximum sustained winds reached 35 knots (40 mph).
On January 26, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued their final warning on Tropical cyclone 12P at 10 a.m. EST (1500 UTC). At that time, 12P had weakened to a depression with maximum sustained winds near 25 knots. It was located near latitude 22.4 degrees south and longitude 166.4 degrees west, about 279 miles southeast of Niue. The depression was moving southeast and weakening to a remnant low pressure area.
By January 27, the remnants of 12P were dissipating under adverse conditions. NASA’s Aqua satellite passed over the Southern Pacific Ocean and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument provided an infrared view of the depression at 6:50 a.m. EST (1150 UTC). MODIS found one small area of powerful thunderstorms remained where temperatures were as cold as or colder than minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 56.6 Celsius). NASA research has shown storms with cloud top temperatures that cold (and high in the troposphere) have the ability to generate heavy rainfall. That area of heavy rainfall was quickly dissipating. 12P’s remnants are expected to dissipate later in the day.
Typhoons and hurricanes are the most powerful weather events on Earth. NASA’s expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as hurricane weather forecasting.
Jan. 23, 2020 – NASA Finds Wind Shear Affected New Tropical Cyclone 09S
Tropical Cyclone 09S formed on Jan. 22 in the Southern Indian Ocean despite being affected by vertical wind shear, and one day later wind shear caused its demise. The end of 09S was caught by NASA’s Aqua satellite.
On Jan. 23, 2020 at 4:35 a.m., EST (0935 UTC) the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Tropical Storm 09S in the Southern Indian Ocean. Credit: NASA Worldview
On Jan. 23 at 4:35 a.m. EST (0935 UTC), the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of 09S. Forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) noted that satellite imagery shows “The system has severely degraded as the central convection collapsed and sheared eastward, exposing a ragged and weak low level circulation.”
In general, wind shear is a measure of how the speed and direction of winds change with altitude. Tropical cyclones are like rotating cylinders of winds. Each level needs to be stacked on top each other vertically in order for the storm to maintain strength or intensify. Wind shear occurs when winds at different levels of the atmosphere push against the rotating cylinder of winds, weakening the rotation by pushing it apart at different levels. Wind shear pushing from the west against Tropical Cyclone 09S is moving the bulk of clouds and showers east of the center.
On Jan. 23 at 0300 UTC (Jan. 22 at 10 p.m. EST) JTWC noted that Tropical Cyclone 09S was located near latitude 22.3 degrees south and longitude 71.0 degrees east, about 449 nautical miles south-southeast of Mauritius. Maximum sustained winds 35 knots (40 mph).
The final warning on 09S came at 10 a.m. EST (1500 UTC), when maximum sustained winds had dropped to 25 knots making it a depression. At that time, 09S was located near 25.5 degrees south latitude and 71.9 degrees east longitude. That is about 845 nautical miles south-southeast of Mauritius.
Forecasters at the JTWC said the storm had rapidly deteriorated because of the increasing wind shear and movement into cooler waters.
NASA’s Aqua satellite is one in a fleet of NASA satellites that provide data for hurricane research.
Tropical cyclones/hurricanes are the most powerful weather events on Earth. NASA’s expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as hurricane weather forecasting.
Jan. 17, 2020 – NASA Water Vapor Imagery Shows Tino’s Heavy Rain Potential Over Fiji
When NASA’s Aqua satellite passed over the Southern Pacific Ocean it gathered water vapor data that provided information about the intensity of Tropical Cyclone Tino.
NASA’s Aqua satellite passed over Tropical Cyclone Tino in the Southern Pacific Ocean on Jan. 17 at 7:50 a.m. EST (12:50 UTC) and highest concentrations of water vapor (brown) and coldest cloud top temperatures were around the center of circulation and over Fiji and surrounding islands. Credits: NASA/NRL
Tropical Cyclone Tino formed near Fiji in the Southern Pacific Ocean and NASA’s Aqua satellite provided meteorologists with a look at the water vapor content of the storm showing potential for heavy rain.
On January 17, 2020, many warnings and watches were in effect from the Fiji Meteorological Service. A tropical cyclone warning is in force for Cikobia, Vanua Levu, Taveuni; and nearby smaller islands, Yasawa, Lau and Lomaiviti Group. A tropical cyclone alert remains in force for the eastern half of Viti levu. A storm warning is in force for Lakeba, Cicia, Tuvuca, Nayau, Oneata, Moce, Komo, Kabara, Namuka-1-Lau, Fulaga and Ogea. A gale warning remain in force for Cikobia, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, eastern half of Viti Levu, Yasawa, the rest of Lau and Lomaiviti group. A strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of the Fiji Group.
On Jan. 17 at 7:50 a.m. EST (12:50 UTC), the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite gathered water vapor content and temperature information on Tropical Storm Tino. The MODIS image showed highest concentrations of water vapor and coldest cloud top temperatures were around the center of circulation and over Fiji and surrounding islands. Coldest cloud top temperatures were as cold as or colder than minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 56.6 degrees Celsius) in those storms. Storms with cloud top temperatures that cold have the capability to produce heavy rainfall.
Water vapor analysis of tropical cyclones tells forecasters how much potential a storm has to develop. Water vapor releases latent heat as it condenses into liquid. That liquid becomes clouds and thunderstorms that make up a tropical cyclone. Temperature is important when trying to understand how strong storms can be. The higher the cloud tops, the colder the cloud tops and the stronger the storms.
On Jan. 17 EST (0900 UTC), Tropical Storm Tino was located near latitude 16.3 degrees south and longitude 179.4 degrees east, about 178 nautical miles north-northeast of Suva, Fiji. Tino is moving to the southeast with maximum sustained winds near 55 knots (62 mph/102 kph).
Tino is forecast to move southeast while strengthening to 60 knots (69 mph/111 kph). After a day or two, the storm will become extra-tropical while weakening.
NASA’s Aqua satellite is one in a fleet of NASA satellites that provide data for hurricane research.
Tropical cyclones/hurricanes are the most powerful weather events on Earth. NASA’s expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as hurricane weather forecasting.
Jan. 16, 2020 – NASA Catches the Dissipation of Tropical Cyclone Claudia
Tropical Cyclone Claudia was dissipating in the Southern Indian Ocean when NASA’s Terra satellite captured a visible image of storm as it flew overhead in its orbit around the Earth.
On Jan. 16, 2020, the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite provided a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Claudia as it was dissipating in the Southern Indian Ocean. Credit: NASA Worldview
On Jan. 15 at 4 p.m. EST (2100 UTC) the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) noted in their final warning that Tropical Cyclone Claudia’s maximum sustained winds were down to 35 knots (40 mph/65 kph). Claudia was far from land, near latitude 21.4 degrees south and longitude 104.8 degrees east, about 521 nautical miles west of Learmonth, Australia.
On Jan. 16, 2020, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite provided a visible image of Claudia that showed the storm was dissipating. Strong northeasterly wind shear had pushed the bulk of clouds to the southwest of the center of circulation. The center appeared exposed and surrounded by a wispy circle of clouds in the Terra satellite image.
The JTWC forecast said Claudia remnants are expected to continue moving in a southwest direction and dissipate later today, Jan. 16.
NASA’s Terra satellite is one in a fleet of NASA satellites that provide data for hurricane research.
Tropical cyclones/hurricanes are the most powerful weather events on Earth. NASA’s expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as hurricane weather forecasting.
Jan. 15, 2020 – NASA Infrared Data Analyzes Cloud top Temperatures in Tropical Cyclone Claudia
Satellite data of Tropical Cyclone Claudia’s cloud top temperatures revealed that the storm was weakening.
On Jan. 14 at 1:23 EST (0623 UTC) NASA’s Aqua satellite analyzed Tropical Storm Claudia using the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder or AIRS instrument. AIRS found coldest cloud top temperatures as cold as or colder than (purple) minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 53 degrees Celsius) north and east of Imelda’s center. Credit: NASA JPL/Heidar Thrastarson
One of the ways NASA researches tropical cyclones is using infrared data that provides temperature information. The AIRS instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite captured a look at those temperatures in Claudia’s cloud tops and got insight into the storm’s strength.
Cloud top temperatures provide information to forecasters about where the strongest storms are located within a tropical cyclone. Tropical cyclones do not always have uniform strength, and some sides have stronger sides than others. The stronger the storms, the higher they extend into the troposphere, and the colder the cloud temperatures.
On Jan. 14 at 1:23 EST (0623 UTC) NASA’s Aqua satellite analyzed the storm using the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder or AIRS instrument. AIRS found the coldest cloud top temperatures were getting warmer. That is an indication that the uplift of air in the storm is not as strong as it was before. AIRS found temperatures as cold as or colder than minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 53 degrees Celsius) around Claudia’s center. NASA research has shown that cloud top temperatures that cold indicate strong storms that have the capability to create heavy rain.
On Jan. 15, satellite imagery showed strongest storms within Claudia were separated well to the west of the low level center, indicating wind shear from the east was tearing the storm apart. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center noted, “Central convection has begun to unravel and elongate as convective tops warmed.” Claudia is expected to weaken further as it moves over cooler waters.
At 7:55 a.m. EST (8:55 p.m. AWST) on Jan. 15, the Australia Bureau of Meteorology noted that Claudia has maximum sustained winds near 40 mph (65 kph) and weakening. It was located near latitude 20.7 degrees south and longitude 105.8 degrees east.
Tropical Cyclone Claudia continues to move towards the southwest, well away from the Western Australia coast. It is expected to become a depression by Jan. 16 and weaken to a remnant low-pressure area.
Typhoons and hurricanes are the most powerful weather event on Earth. NASA’s expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as hurricane weather forecasting.
The AIRS instrument is one of six instruments flying on board NASA’s Aqua satellite, launched on May 4, 2002.
Tropical Storm Claudia now has two factors against it: wind shear and dry air. NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided forecasters with an image of the storm on January 14 as it continued to weaken and move further away from Western Australia.
NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided forecasters with a visible image of a weaker Tropical Storm Claudia on Jan. 14 as it continued moving in a southwesterly direction in the Southern Indian Ocean. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)
Visible imagery from NASA satellites help forecasters understand if a storm is organizing or weakening. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided a visible image of Claudia that showed the storm continued to appear elongated. The shape of a tropical cyclone provides forecasters with an idea of its organization and strength. Usually, the more circular a storm appears, the stronger the rotation. When storms become less symmetrical, they tend to weaken. Suomi NPP’s imagery showed Claudia continued to appear elongated from west to east.
In addition to the visible imagery, microwave and other satellite imagery shows diminishing thunderstorms northwest of the center of circulation and the strongest thunderstorms, located in the southern quadrant of Claudia, have weakened. The southern quadrant storms have weakened because of dry air moving into the system and sapping thunderstorm development. In addition, easterly wind shear continues to batter the storm.
At 7:46 a.m. EST (8:46 pm WST) on Monday, January 14, 2020 the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) noted that Tropical Cyclone Claudia continued to move far from Western Australia. At that time it was located near latitude 18.3 degrees south and longitude 109.32 east, about 404 miles (650 km) northwest of Exmouth. It was moving to the west-southwest at 11 miles (18 kilometers) per hour. Maximum sustained winds had dropped to 47 mph (75 kph).
Tropical Cyclone Claudia is expected to continue to track towards the west southwest and slowly weaken.
Tropical cyclones/hurricanes are the most powerful weather events on Earth. NASA’s expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as hurricane weather forecasting.
Tropical Storm Claudia is battling wind shear as it continues moving away from Western Australia and through the Southern Indian Ocean. NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided forecasters with an image of the storm on January 13.
NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided forecasters with a visible image of Tropical Storm Claudia on Jan. 13 as it continued moving in a westerly direction in the Southern Indian Ocean. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)
Visible imagery from NASA satellites help forecasters understand if a storm is organizing or weakening. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP provided a visible image of Claudia that showed the storm appeared elongated.
The shape of a tropical cyclone provides forecasters with an idea of its organization and strength, and NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided a visible image of the landfall of the storm to forecasters. The storm appeared elongated from west to east. The imagery shows that Claudia is under strong vertical wind shear from the northwest to southeast. The low-level center now appears to the east of the main convection (rising air that creates the thunderstorms that make up the tropical cyclone).
In general, wind shear is a measure of how the speed and direction of winds change with altitude. Tropical cyclones are like rotating cylinders of winds. Each level needs to be stacked on top each other vertically in order for the storm to maintain strength or intensify. Wind shear occurs when winds at different levels of the atmosphere push against the rotating cylinder of winds, weakening the rotation by pushing it apart at different levels.
At 7:43 a.m. EST (8:43 pm WST) on Monday, January 13, 2020 the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) noted that “Severe Tropical Cyclone Claudia (Category 3) was located latitude 17.3 degrees south and longitude 114.1 east, about 298 miles (480 km) northwest of Karratha and 320 miles (515 km) north of Exmouth. Claudia is moving west-southwest at 18 miles (29 kilometers) per hour. Maximum sustained winds were near 80 knots (92 mph/148 kph).”
Claudia is expected to continue to track towards the west-southwest and remain over open waters, well north of the Pilbara.
Tropical cyclones/hurricanes are the most powerful weather events on Earth. NASA’s expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as hurricane weather forecasting.
Jan. 10, 2020 – NASA Satellite Sees Blake’s Remnants Bringing Desert Rain to Western Australia
NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a look at the remnant clouds and storms associated with Ex-tropical Cyclone Blake as it continues to move through Western Australia and generate rainfall over desert areas. Blake’s rainfall has triggered four area flood warnings in some parts of southeastern Western Australia. The remnants have dropped over 10 inches of rain in the Sandy Desert.
On Jan. 10, 2020, the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Ex-tropical storm Blake covering part of Western Australia and still generating enough precipitation to call for warnings. Credit: NASA Worldview
Slow moving ex-Tropical Cyclone Blake is continuing to track south southeast and is expected to weaken sometime on Friday.
On January 10, 2020, the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Blake. The MODIS image revealed the elongated shape of the remnants that stretched from the central part of Western Australia to the southeastern corner of the region.
The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) in Western Australia issued several flood warnings at 10:47 a.m. WST on Friday Jan. 10. Flood Warnings were in effect for four areas. There is a Major Flood Warning for the De Grey River Catchment and a Flood Warning for the Fortescue River, Salt Lakes District Rivers, and southwestern parts the Sandy Desert Catchment.
ABM said, “Major flooding is occurring in the Nullagine River in the De Grey river catchment. Most upstream locations have now peaked with minor to moderate flooding expected to continue during Friday before flooding starts to ease throughout the area over the weekend. Heavy rainfall from ex-Tropical Cyclone Blake has resulted in in rapid river level rises, and areas of flooding throughout the De Grey river catchment. Flooding has adversely impacted road conditions particularly at floodways resulting in multiple road closures.”
Rainfall totals over 24 hours in the De Grey catchment indicated 1.30 inches (33 mm) at Nullagine.
On Jan. 10, areas of flooding were occurring in the Fortescue River upstream of Roy Hill. Twenty-four hour rainfall totals recorded over Fortescue River catchment include 0.4 inches (9.4 mm) at Newman Airport and at Upper Portland. ABM expects flooding to continue in the Fortescue River catchment during Friday. Flooding could adversely affect road conditions particularly at floodways. Some roads may become impassable and some communities may become isolated.
Flooding in the southwestern parts of the Sandy Desert Catchment is expected to affect road conditions. In the 24 hours to 9 a.m. WST today, Jan. 10, rainfall totals recorded over the Sandy Desert Catchment include 10.6 inches (270 mm) at Carnegie, 5.8 inches (148 mm) at Prenit Downs and 5.6 inches (142 mm) and 2.8 inches (71 mm) at Gruyere mine Airport.
In the Salt Lakes District, ABM issued a Flood Warning for the Salt Lakes District Rivers as flooding is occurring due to heavy rainfall. ABM’s forecast calls for rainfall for the next 24 hours is 0.4 to 1.2 inches (10-30 mm) in the central and southern part of the district, with the possibility of isolated totals of 2 inches (50 mm). Flooding is expected to continue in the Salt Lakes District during Friday.
Blake is continuing to track slowly south-southeast over the Salt Lakes District and is expected weaken during the day.
NASA’s Aqua satellite is one in a fleet of NASA satellites that provide data for hurricane research.
Tropical cyclones/hurricanes are the most powerful weather events on Earth. NASA’s expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as hurricane weather forecasting.
