August 2020 – Page 3 – Hurricane And Typhoon Updates

Marco (was TD14) – Atlantic Ocean

Aug. 22, 2020 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Finds Tropical Storm Marco Organizing Between Cuba and Mexico

Nighttime imagery from NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided forecasters a look at the more organized structure of Tropical Storm Marco as it moved toward the Yucatan Straits on a journey to the Gulf of Mexico.

Suomi NPP nighttime image of Marco — NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed the Caribbean Sea in the early morning hours of Aug. 22 and captured a nighttime image of Tropical Storm Marco as it was moving between Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula (left) and Cuba (right). Both countries were lit up by bright city nights. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

Early on Aug. 21, Tropical Depression 14 was getting organized in the Caribbean Sea. It maintained depression status until the end of the day, when it strengthened.

NOAA’s Hurricane Hunter aircraft passed over Tropical Depression 14 at 11 p.m. EDT and reported that deep convection had increased near and to the east of Marco’s center during the past few hours. Although there still was not much evidence of inner-core banding of thunderstorms around the center, the data from the plane indicated that the center of Marco had become better defined since the afternoon and that the minimum pressure has dropped. Thus, the depression was categorized as a tropical storm.

Night Imagery Shows Marco Organizing

During the early morning hours of Aug. 22, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided an infrared image of Tropical Storm Marco. The imagery showed the center of Marco was south of the Yucatan Channel, the body of water between the Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba. A band of thunderstorms north of the center extended over the channel.

By 5 a.m. EDT, U.S. Navy Hurricane Specialist Dave Roberts noted, “The cloud pattern has improved during the past several hours with deep convection developing near the center and spiral bands forming over the eastern portion of cyclone.”

Imagery from NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite was created using the NASA Worldview application at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

Watches and Warnings Now in Effect

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) has posted many watches and warnings for Marco on Aug. 22. A Hurricane Watch is in effect from Punta Herrero to Cancun, Mexico and a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from Punta Herrero to Dzilam, Mexico.

Tropical Storm Marco’s Status on Aug. 22

At 8 a.m. EDT (1200 UTC) on Aug. 22, the center of Tropical Storm Marco was located near latitude 20.2 degrees north and longitude 85.2 degrees west. It was just 110 miles (180 km) east of Cozumel, Mexico. Marco was moving toward the north-northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h). A northwestward motion is expected on Sunday, followed by a turn toward the northwest and west-northwest early next week.

Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated that maximum sustained winds had increased to near 50 mph (85 kph) with higher gusts. The estimated minimum central pressure was 1002 millibars.

Marco’s Forecast Track

On the forecast track, the center of Marco will approach the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico today. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days as the system approaches the Yucatan Peninsula, and Marco could be near hurricane strength when it moves over the central Gulf of Mexico Sunday night and early Monday.

The center will approach the northeastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula by early evening and move over the central Gulf of Mexico toward the northwestern Gulf on Sunday and Monday followed by a track toward the northwestern Gulf coast Tuesday, Aug. 25.

About NASA’s EOSDIS Worldview

NASA’s Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) Worldview application provides the capability to interactively browse over 700 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and then download the underlying data. Many of the available imagery layers are updated within three hours of observation, essentially showing the entire Earth as it looks “right now.”

NASA Researches Earth from Space

For more than five decades, NASA has used the vantage point of space to understand and explore our home planet, improve lives and safeguard our future. NASA brings together technology, science, and unique global Earth observations to provide societal benefits and strengthen our nation. Advancing knowledge of our home planet contributes directly to America’s leadership in space and scientific exploration.

For updated forecasts, visit: www.nhc.noaa.gov

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Laura – Atlantic Ocean

Aug. 22, 2020 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Finds a Disorganized Tropical Storm Laura Approach Puerto Rico

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided forecasters with daytime and nighttime views of Tropical Storm Laura on Aug. 21 and 22, respectively, that showed the storm’s development and movement over the Northern Leeward Islands and approach to Puerto Rico. The nighttime image showed the storm appeared more disorganized.

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP Satellite’s Day and Night Imagery

Suomi NPP image of Laura in the day — On Aug. 21, NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided a visible image of Tropical Storm Laura as it was closing in on the northern Leeward Islands. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

During the afternoon hours on Aug.21, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided a visible image of Tropical Storm Laura as it was closing in on the northern Leeward Islands. In the imagery, Laura had an elongated but still somewhat rounded shape. At the time, a poorly-defined convective band of thunderstorms could be seen over the southeastern portion of the circulation. Overall, the system’s cloud pattern still had a ragged appearance.

Twelve hours later, at about 2 a.m. EDT on Aug. 22, a nighttime image of Tropical Storm Laura showed the structure appeared more elongated. By 5 a.m. EDT, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) Hurricane forecaster Jack Beven noted Laura was regaining organization. “Overall, the system has become a little better organized since the last advisory, with strong convection forming not far from the center to the east and southeast and a somewhat better defined circulation,” Beven said in the NHC Discussion.

Suomi NPP image of Laura at night — NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed the Atlantic Ocean in the early morning hours of Aug. 22 and captured a nighttime image of Tropical Storm Laura as it was approaching Puerto Rico (left) lit up by bright city nights. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

At that time, surface observations and Doppler radar data from Puerto Rico indicated that the center of Laura is currently over the Virgin Islands, eastern Puerto Rico, and the adjacent Caribbean waters.

Imagery from NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite was created using the NASA Worldview application at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

Numerous Watches and Warnings Now in Effect

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) has posted many watches and warnings for Laura on Aug. 22.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebra; the U.S. Virgin Islands; the British Virgin Islands; St. Maarten; St. Martin and St. Barthelemy; the northern coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano to the border with Haiti; the southern coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano to Punta Palenque; the northern coast of Haiti from Le Mole St. Nicholas to the border with the Dominican Republic; the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the central Bahamas.

Tropical Storm Laura’s Status on Aug. 22

At 8 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC), the National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted the center of Tropical Storm Laura was located near latitude 17.7 degrees north and longitude 66.0 degrees west. Laura’s center was just 50 miles (80 km) south of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Laura was moving to the west near 21 mph (33 kph) and a generally west-northwestward motion is expected over the next few days. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 p/h) with higher gusts. Slow strengthening is expected during the next few days. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles (335 km) mainly to the north of the center. The estimated minimum central pressure based on surface observations is 1006 millibars.

Heavy Rainfall, Ocean Swells, Tropical-Storm Force Winds

Despite Laura’s disorganized appearance in satellite imagery Laura is expected to bring heavy rainfall, ocean swells, tropical-storm force winds to Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and Cuba.

NHC cautioned, “Laura is expected to produce 3 to 6 inches of rain over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, the southern Haitian Peninsula and eastern Cuba through Sunday. Maximum amounts up to 8 inches are possible along eastern portions and the southern slopes of Puerto Rico, as well as over Haiti, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba. This heavy rainfall could lead to flash and urban flooding, as well as an increased potential for mudslides with minor river flooding in Puerto Rico.

One to three inches of rain with isolated maximum totals of 5 inches are expected over the northern Leeward Islands, the Turks and Caicos and southeast Bahamas.

Tropical storm conditions are expected within portions of the warning area this morning through Sunday. Tropical storm conditions are possible within portions of the watch area Sunday night.

Swells generated by Laura are affecting portions of the northern Leeward Islands. These swells are expected to spread across the northern coasts of Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and Cuba, and much of the Bahamas during the next few days.”

Laura’s Forecast Track

On the forecast track, the center of Laura is expected to move near or over Hispaniola this afternoon and tonight, and near or over eastern Cuba Sunday and Sunday night, before moving into the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, Aug. 24.

About NASA’s EOSDIS Worldview

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For updated forecasts, visit: www.nhc.noaa.gov

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

TD14 – Atlantic Ocean

Aug. 21, 2020 – NASA’s Terra Satellite Analyzes Caribbean’s Tropical Depression 14

NASA’s Terra satellite gathered infrared data on Tropical Depression 14 as it moves through the Caribbean Sea. Infrared data was used to find the location of the strongest storms.

Terra image of TD14 — On Aug. 21 at 0315 UTC (Aug. 20 at 11:15 p.m. EDT), the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite gathered infrared data on TD14 that showed the strongest storms (yellow) had the coldest cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 51.1 Celsius). Credit: NASA/NRL

NASA’s Terra satellite uses infrared light to analyze the strength of storms by providing temperature information about the system’s clouds. The strongest thunderstorms that reach high into the atmosphere have the coldest cloud top temperatures.

On Aug. 21 at 0315 UTC (Aug. 20 at 11:15 p.m. EDT), the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite gathered infrared data from the depression that found the coldest cloud top temperatures were as cold as or colder than minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 51.1 Celsius). The strongest storms were mostly on the western side of the storm. However, a fragmented band of thunderstorms extending to the southeast also contained strong storms. NASA research has found that cloud top temperatures that cold can generate heavy rainfall. Some of that heavy rain was affecting Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

Several watches and warnings were in effect today, Aug. 21. A Hurricane Watch is in effect from Punta Herrero to Cancun, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Bay Islands of Honduras and from Punta Herrero to Cancun, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for north and west of Cancun to Dzilam, Mexico.

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC), the National Hurricane Center noted that the center of Tropical Depression Fourteen (TD14) was located near latitude 16.6 degrees north and longitude 84.1 degrees west. That is about 165 miles (270 km) east of Roatan, Honduras and about 325 miles (525 km) southeast of Cozumel, Mexico.

The depression is moving toward the northwest near 14 mph (22 kph). A slower northwestward motion is expected over the next couple of days, followed by an increase in speed by Sunday and Monday. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 kph) with higher gusts.

NHC said, “Strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm later today. The system is forecast to be near or at hurricane strength when it reaches the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico late Saturday. Some weakening is expected as it moves over the Yucatan Peninsula Saturday night. Afterward, restrengthening is forecast on Sunday as it moves offshore and enters the southern Gulf of Mexico.

On the forecast track, the center of the depression will move away from the coast of Honduras today and will approach the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico on Saturday. The center will then cross the northeastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula Saturday night and move over the central Gulf of Mexico toward the northwestern Gulf on Sunday and Monday.”

NASA Researches Tropical Cyclones

Hurricanes/tropical cyclones 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.

For updated forecasts. visit: www.nhc.noaa.gov

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Laura – Atlantic Ocean

Aug. 21, 2020 – NASA Nighttime Imagery Finds Tropical Storm Laura Developing

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided forecasters with a nighttime view of Tropical Depression 13 early on Aug. 21. By 11 a.m. EDT, it had strengthened into Tropical Storm Laura.

Suomi NPP image of Laura — NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed the Atlantic Ocean in the early morning hours of Aug. 21 and captured a nighttime image of Tropical Depression 13 that appeared more organized. Hours later, it strengthened into Tropical Storm Laura. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

NASA’s Night-Time View of Tropical Depression 13

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided a nighttime image of Tropical Depression 13 during the early morning hours of Aug. 21. Nighttime imagery showed the structure of Tropical Depression 13 was still somewhat elongated but it had become better organized than it was yesterday although it still lacked well-defined banding features. Nighttime imagery from NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite was created using the NASA Worldview application at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

When NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters flew over the storm later in the morning, they also found that the center of the storm is located somewhat to the south of previous estimates.

Numerous Watches and Warnings Now in Effect

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) has posted many watches and warnings for Laura on Aug. 21. In addition to the U.S., the following governments issued warnings or watches for their islands: Antigua, the Netherlands, France, St. Maarten, Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Tropical Storm Warnings have been issued for Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The government of Antigua has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla, Montserrat, and the British Virgin Islands. The government of the Netherlands has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Saba and St. Eustatius. The government of France has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for St. Martin and St. Barthelemy. The government of St. Maarten has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for St. Maarten. The government of the Dominican Republic has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for northern coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Cabron to the border with Haiti. The government of Haiti has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for northern coast of Haiti from Le Mole St. Nicholas to the border with the Dominican Republic.

Tropical Storm Laura’s Status on Aug. 21

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC), the National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted the center of Tropical Storm Laura was located near latitude 17.0 degrees north and longitude 60.2 degrees west. Laura was about 210 miles (335 km) east-southeast of the Northern Leeward Islands.

Laura was moving toward the west near 18 mph (30 kph) and a generally west-northwestward motion at a faster forward speed is expected over the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds were near 45 mph (75 kph) with higher gusts. Some slow strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km) from the center. The minimum central pressure estimated from NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft observations was 1007 millibars.

Laura’s Forecast Track

NHC Hurricane Forecaster Richard Pasch noted, “Laura is expected to move mainly west-northwestward on the south side of a subtropical high pressure system over the next couple of days. Later in the forecast period, the tropical cyclone should turn toward the northwest as it moves around the western periphery of the high [pressure area].”

On the forecast track, the center of Laura will move near or over the northern Leeward Islands later today, Aug. 21, near or over Puerto Rico Saturday morning, and near the northern coast of Hispaniola late Saturday and early Sunday, Aug. 23.

About NASA’s EOSDIS Worldview

NASA Researches Earth from Space

For updated forecasts, visit: www.nhc.noaa.gov

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Genevieve – Eastern Pacific Ocean

Aug. 21, 2020 – NASA Nighttime Image Shows a Weaker Genevieve Moving Away from Mexico

Nighttime imagery from NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite found the center of now Tropical Storm Genevieve moving along the coast of the Baja California, Mexico peninsula and further away from land. The storm is weakening rapidly from several factors. It is expected to be a remnant low-pressure area by Saturday, Aug. 21.

Suomi NPP image of Genevieve — NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed the Eastern Pacific Ocean overnight on Aug. 20 at 4:14 a.m. EDT (0818 UTC) and captured a nighttime image of Tropical Storm Genevieve. The image showed Genevieve moving northwest along the coast of Baja California, Mexico. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

On Aug. 20, the government of Mexico has discontinued the Tropical Storm Warning for the west coast of the Baja California peninsula.

NASA’s Night-Time View of Genevieve

Hurricane Genevieve weakened to a tropical storm and nighttime satellite imagery showed the structure of the storm had become more disorganized over the previous 24 hours. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP provided a nighttime image of Genevieve during the early morning hours of Aug. 20 at 4:14 a.m. EDT (0818 UTC). Nighttime imagery from NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite was created using the NASA Worldview application at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) Senior Hurricane Specialist Stacy Stewart noted, “The combination of moderate southerly vertical wind shear, cooler sea-surface temperatures near 26 degrees Celsius (78.8 degrees Fahrenheit), and dry mid-level air has caused Genevieve to rapidly weaken over the past 24 hours. Very little deep convection remains, and what convection there is has been displaced well to the northeast of the low-level center.”

Genevieve’s Status on Aug. 21

At 8 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) on Aug. 21, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted the center of Tropical Storm Genevieve was located near latitude 24.6 degrees north and longitude 114.6 degrees west. That is about 145 miles (235 km) west of Cabo San Lazaro, Mexico.

Genevieve was moving toward the west-northwest near 9 mph (15 kph), and this general motion is expected to continue during the next few days. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 45 mph (75 kph) with higher gusts. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1001 millibars.

On the forecast track, the center of Genevieve will move farther away from the Baja California peninsula. Continued weakening is expected, and Genevieve is forecast to degenerate into a post-tropical cyclone later today.

About NASA’s EOSDIS Worldview

NASA Researches Earth from Space

For updated forecasts, visit: www.nhc.noaa.gov

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Genevieve – Eastern Pacific Ocean

Aug. 20, 2020 – NASA Gets a Wide Angle View of Hurricane Genevieve

NASA provided a series of photos of Hurricane Genevieve as it affected Mexico’s southern Baja California peninsula. An astronaut aboard the International Space Station provided wide-angle photos of Genevieve, showing the size of the storm. Warnings and watches are in effect on Aug. 20.

ISS image of Genevieve — International Space Station Astronaut Chris Cassidy snapped photos of the Eastern Pacific Ocean’s Hurricane Genevieve on Aug 19, 2020 at 4 p.m. EDT. Credit: NASA/ISS/Chris Cassidy

International Space Station Astronaut Chris Cassidy snapped photos of the Eastern Pacific Ocean’s Hurricane Genevieve on Aug 19, 2020 at 4 p.m. EDT. The photos revealed a clear eye surrounded by a ring of powerful thunderstorms. At the time of the photo Genevieve’s tropical-storm force winds extended out 280 miles. By Aug. 20 as the storm weakened, its wind field expanded and hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extended outward up to 115 miles (185 km).

On Aug. 20, Genevieve was moving in a northerly direction, paralleling the coast of Baja California Sur.

Warnings and Watches on Aug. 20

On Thursday, August 20, 2020, NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) posted a Tropical Storm Warning for Mexico’s Baja California peninsula from Los Barriles to Cabo San Lazaro. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the east coast of the Baja California peninsula from Los Barriles to La Paz. At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC), the NHC reported, “Tropical storm conditions have already been occurring along the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula since last night, and these conditions continue to spread northward over the Southern Baja California peninsula, especially over higher terrain.”

Genevieve on Thursday, August 20

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Genevieve was located near latitude 23.3 degrees north and longitude 111.4 degrees west. That is about 100 miles (160 km) west-northwest of the southern tip of Baja California and about 120 miles (190 south-southeast of Cabo San Lazaro, Mexico. Genevieve was moving toward the northwest near 12 mph (19 kph) and this motion is expected to continue through Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph (120 kph) with higher gusts. Further gradual weakening is expected today and through the weekend. However, Genevieve is expected to remain a hurricane through much of today while it passes just to the southwest and west of the southern Baja California peninsula. The estimated minimum central pressure is 984 millibars.

Baja California Hazards

NHC noted the Baja is facing strong winds, heavy rainfall, and large ocean swells. “Tropical storm conditions will spread northward within the warning area in the southern Baja California peninsula through today and may linger into tonight. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area through the early afternoon, especially over higher terrain.

Genevieve is expected to produce additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches across southern Baja California Sur, with isolated storm totals of 12 inches across far southern Baja California Sur. This rainfall may lead to life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

Large swells produced by Genevieve are affecting portions of the west-central coast of Mexico and are spreading northward along the coast of the Baja California peninsula. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.”

Genevieve’s Forecast Track

The National Hurricane Center forecast said the center of Genevieve is expected to pass just to the southwest and west of the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula today (Aug. 20), and move away from the peninsula on Friday, Aug. 21.

NASA Researches Tropical Cyclones

For updated forecasts, visit: www.nhc.noaa.gov

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Genevieve – Eastern Pacific Ocean

Aug. 19, 2020 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Provides Overnight Watch on Hurricane Genevieve

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite kept an eye on Hurricane Genevieve overnight and provided infrared imagery to forecasters who were monitoring the storm’s strength, structure and size. Because Genevieve is close to the coast of western Mexico, warnings and watches were still in effect.

NASA’s Night-Time View of Genevieve

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP provided a nighttime image of Hurricane Genevieve on Aug. 18 at 8 p.m. EDT (Aug. 19 at 0000 UTC).The hurricane’s eye was still visible and well defined. It was surrounded by powerful thunderstorms, although deep convection is generally lacking over the southwestern portion of the circulation. The image was created using the NASA Worldview application.

Warnings and Watches on Aug. 19

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center issued a Hurricane Warning for the southern Baja California peninsula from Los Barriles to Todos Santos, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the west coast of the Baja California peninsula from north of Todos Santos to Cabo San Lazaro, and a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the east coast of the Baja California peninsula from Los Barriles to La Paz.

Hurricane Genevieve’s Status on Aug. 19

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Genevieve was located near latitude 20.9 degrees north and longitude 109.7 degrees west. That puts the eye about 140 miles (225 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico. The estimated minimum central pressure is 959 millibars. Genevieve was moving toward the north-northwest near 9 mph (15 kph).

Maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph (185 km/h) with higher gusts. Genevieve is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

The NHC Forecast for Genevieve

NOAA’s NHC forecast noted, “Gradual weakening is forecast over the next couple of days, but Genevieve is expected to remain a strong hurricane while it passes west of the southern Baja California peninsula. A turn toward the northwest is expected this afternoon or tonight, with this motion continuing through Friday night. On the forecast track, the center of Genevieve is expected to move near but just southwest of the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula tonight and Thursday, and move away from the peninsula on Friday.”

About NASA’s EOSDIS Worldview

NASA Researches Earth from Space

For updated forecasts, visit: www.nhc.noaa.gov

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Higos – Northwestern Pacific Ocean

Aug. 19, 2020 – NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP Satellite Snaps Tropical Storm Higos’ Landfall

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided forecasters with a visible image of the landfall of Tropical Storm Higos on Aug. 18.

Suomi NPP Image of Higos — NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided forecasters with a visible image of Tropical Storm Higos as it was making landfall in the Guangdong Province of China on Aug. 19 at 0000 UTC (Aug. 18 at 8 p.m. EDT). Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP captured a visible image of Higos as it was making landfall in the Guangdong Province of China on Aug. 19 at 0000 UTC (Aug. 18 at 8 p.m. EDT). Higos came ashore about 18 miles (30 km) south of Macau City. The VIIRS image showed strong thunderstorms wrapped into the center of circulation, and bands of thunderstorms over the South China Sea at the time of the satellite overpass.

On Aug. 19 at 0300 UTC (Aug. 18 at 11 p.m. EDT), Tropical storm Higos had maximum sustained winds near 40 knots (46 mph/74 kph). It was centered about 67 nautical miles west of Hong Kong, China, near latitude 22.3 degrees north and longitude 113.0 degrees east. Higos was weakening and moving to the northwest.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center expects Higos to dissipate within a day over China.

NASA Researches Tropical Cyclones

Hurricanes/tropical cylcones 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.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Higos – Northwestern Pacific Ocean

Aug. 18, 2020 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Snaps Image of Tropical Storm Higos in South China Sea

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed over the South China Sea and captured a visible image of Tropical Storm Higos. Higos is headed for landfall in southeastern China.

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP provided a visible image of Tropical Storm Higos is it moved in a northwesterly direction and toward a landfall in southeastern China. The VIIRS image revealed deep, persistent convection and developing thunderstorms obscuring a low-level circulation center. The VIIRS image also showed there were bands of thunderstorms wrapping around the northern periphery of the system.

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC), Tropical Storm Higos had maximum sustained winds near 45 knots (52 mph/83 kph). It was located near latitude 21.3 degrees north and longitude 114.3 degrees east, about 82 nautical miles south-southeast of Hong Kong, China.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) expects Higos to continue moving west-northwest until landfall. Warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear will fuel intensification so it expected to peak at 50 knot (58 mph/93 kph) sustained winds before landfall, south of Hong Kong. JTWC noted, “After landfall, the rugged terrain of mainland China, in addition to increasing vertical wind shear (outside winds that blow at different levels of the atmosphere that can weaken a storm), will cause the system to begin dissipating over land and rapidly erode the system to full dissipation over land by 36 hours.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Genevieve – Eastern Pacific Ocean

Aug. 18, 2020 – NASA Satellite Data Helps Identify Genevieve as a Major Hurricane

Very powerful storms with heavy rainmaking capability reach high into the atmosphere and those have very cold cloud top temperatures. Infrared imagery from NASA’s Terra satellite measured those temperatures and found powerful storms in the rapidly intensifying, major Hurricane Genevieve.

Aqua image of Genevieve — On Aug. 18 at 2 a.m. EDT (0600 UTC) the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite revealed the most powerful thunderstorms (yellow) were in Genevieve’s eyewall where cloud top temperatures were as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 62.2 Celsius). Slightly less cold cloud top temperatures in strong storms (red) were north and south of the center and in bands of thunderstorms. Credit: NASA/NRL

On Aug. 18, NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted that Genevieve had intensified into a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. That makes Genevieve a major hurricane, and it is affecting the west coast of Mexico.

Warnings and Watches in Effect for Baja California

On Aug. 18, a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the southern Baja California peninsula from Los Barriles to Todos Santos. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the east coast of the Baja California peninsula from Los Barriles to La Paz and for the west coast of the Baja California peninsula from Todos Santos to Santa Fe.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

NASA’s Infrared Data Reveals Heavy Rainmakers

Tropical cyclones are made of up hundreds of thunderstorms, and infrared data can show where the strongest storms are located. That is because infrared data provides temperature information, and the strongest thunderstorms that reach highest into the atmosphere have the coldest cloud top temperatures.

On Aug. 18 at 2 a.m. EDT (0600 UTC), the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite used infrared light to analyze the strength of storms within Genevieve. MODIS found the most powerful thunderstorms were in the eyewall where cloud top temperatures were as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 62.2 Celsius). NASA research has found that cloud top temperatures that cold indicate strong storms with the potential to generate heavy rainfall.

Strong storms with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 56.6. degrees Celsius) in the northern and southern quadrants and in bands around Genevieve were also dropping large amounts of rain.

At 5 a.m. EDT, National Hurricane Center forecaster Jack Beven utilized data from another NASA satellite, the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM)’s Microwave Imager (GMI) instrument. Beven noted, “Genevieve continues to rapidly intensify this morning. A recent GMI microwave overpass shows a well-defined eye and eyewall present, and the eye is becoming much better defined in conventional infrared imagery.”

Genevieve’s Status on July 26, 2020

At 8 a.m. EDT (1200 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Genevieve was located near latitude 17.7 degrees north and longitude 107.6 degrees west. Genevieve’s eye was about 235 miles (380 km) west-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.

Genevieve was moving toward the northwest near 16 mph (26 kph), and this general motion is expected to continue with a decrease in forward speed through early Thursday. The estimated minimum central pressure is 950 millibars. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 130 mph (210 kph) with higher gusts. Genevieve is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Additional rapid strengthening is possible during the next 12 to 24 hours.

Genevieve’s Forecast from NHC

On the forecast track, the center of Genevieve is expected to move parallel to but well offshore the coast of southwestern Mexico during the next day or so. The center of the hurricane is forecast to move to the southwest of the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula on Wednesday night (Aug. 19) and Thursday (Aug. 20). Rapid weakening is forecast to begin by late Wednesday and should continue through the end of the week.

NASA researches these storms to determine how they rapidly intensify, develop and behave.

Typhoons/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.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center