Month: September 2020

Nana – Atlantic Ocean

Sep. 02, 2020 – NASA Finds New Tropical Storm Nana Strengthening in the Caribbean

The storm was a potential tropical depression on Sept. 1, but by Sept. 2, the area of low pressure in the Caribbean Sea strengthened into a tropical storm and was named Nana.

NASA’s Terra satellite provided forecasters with a look at the strength of the thunderstorms that make up Nana by analyzing cloud top temperatures.

Terra image of Nana
On Sept. 1 at 11:35 p.m. EDT (Sept. 2 at 335 UTC), the MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Terra satellite gathered temperature information about Tropical Storm Nana’s cloud tops. MODIS found the most powerful thunderstorms (yellow) were around the center of the storm, where temperatures were as cold as or colder than minus 80 degrees (minus 62.2 degrees Fahrenheit). That area was surrounded by slightly less powerful storms (red) where cloud top temperatures were as cold as or colder than minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 56.6 Celsius). Credit: NASA/NRL

Potential Tropical Depression 16 developed into a tropical storm by 12:05 p.m. EDT on Sept. 1, south of Jamaica. Tropical Storm Nana is the 14th named tropical storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.

Warnings and Watches Now in Effect

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) posted watches and warnings on Sept. 2 for areas in Central America, as Nana is forecast to move on a westerly path through the Caribbean Sea.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the entire coast of Belize. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Yucatan, Mexico from Puerto Costa Maya to Chetumal, Mexico and for the entire coast of Belize.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the northern coast of Honduras from Punta Patuca westward to the Guatemala border, for Roatan Island and the Bay Islands of Honduras and for the Caribbean Sea coast of Guatemala.

Infrared Data Reveals Nana Strengthening

On Sept. 1 at 11:35 p.m. EDT (Sept. 2 at 335 UTC), the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Terra satellite gathered temperature information about Tropical Storm Nana’s cloud tops. Strongest storms were around the center of the storm, where temperatures were as cold as or colder than minus 80 degrees (minus 62.2 degrees Fahrenheit). That area was surrounded by large area of slightly less powerful storms where cloud top temperatures were as cold as or colder than minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 56.6 Celsius).

“Nana’s Central Dense Overcast has become a little better defined, with cloud tops to minus 80 degrees Celsius [minus 112 degrees Fahrenheit] or colder.  Upper-level outflow continues to be somewhat inhibited over the northern portion of the circulation.  SFMR-observed surface winds and adjusted flight-level winds from an Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated an intensity of 50 knots.  Although northerly [wind] shear is likely to limit intensification, the environment is conducive enough for Nana to strengthen into a hurricane later today,” Dr. Richard Pasch wrote in the 5 a.m. EDT Nana Discussion. Pasch is a senior hurricane specialist at NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida.

Nana’s Status on Sept. 2

At 8 a.m. EDT (1200 UTC) on Sept. 2, the center of Tropical Storm Nana was located near latitude 17.1 degrees north and longitude 83.7 degrees west. It was centered about 150 miles (240 km) northeast of Limon, Honduras and 305 miles (490 km) east of Belize City, Belize.

Nana was moving toward the west near 18 mph (30 kph), and this general motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected today. Maximum sustained winds were near 60 mph (95 kph) with higher gusts. The minimum central pressure estimated from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft observations is 996 millibars.

Nana Forecast Toward Belize

The NHC forecast expects a westward or west-southwestward motion tonight and Thursday. Strengthening is expected, and Nana is forecast to become a hurricane later today or tonight before it reaches the coast of Belize. On the forecast track, Nana will be moving near but north of the coast of Honduras today and likely be approaching the coast of Belize tonight and early Thursday.

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.

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Omar (was TD15) – Atlantic Ocean

Sep. 02, 2020 – NASA Catches Formation of Atlantic’s Record-breaking 15th Tropical Storm

Tropical Depression 15 strengthened into a tropical storm late on Sept. 1 and was renamed Omar. Visible imagery from NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite was compiled into an animation that showed the system’s formation and strengthening. NASA’s Terra satellite also provided temperature data on Omar that revealed wind shear was affecting the storm.

Terra image of Omar
On Sept. 1 at 10 p.m. EDT (Sept. 2 at 0200 UTC) the MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Terra satellite gathered temperature information about Tropical Storm Omar’s cloud tops. MODIS found the most powerful thunderstorms (red) were on the southeastern side of the storm, where temperatures were as cold as or colder than minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 56.6 Celsius). Credit: NASA/NRL

Another Record-Breaker

Omar is the 15th named storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, and is the earliest 15th storm on record, besting the previous mark by about a week from Ophelia of 2005.

NASA Animates Omar’s Development

At NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. using the NASA Worldview platform an animation of satellite imagery was created to show Omar over three days. Using visible imagery from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite, an animation shows the development, organization and movement of Tropical Depression 15 from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 off the coast of North Carolina. On Sept. 2, it became Tropical Storm Omar.


This animation of visible imagery from the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite shows the organization and movement of Tropical Depression 15 from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 off the coast of North Carolina. On Sept. 2, it became Tropical Storm Omar. Courtesy: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS).

Infrared Data Reveals Wind Shear Battering Omar

Strong upper-level winds are battering Omar and pushing the strongest storms to the southeastern quadrant. Those northwesterly winds are not expected to let up, putting Omar on a weakening trend. NASA’s infrared data showed how those outside winds were displacing the strongest storms in Omar’s circulation.

On Sept. 1 at 10 p.m. EDT (Sept. 2 at 0200 UTC), the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Terra satellite gathered temperature information about Tropical Storm Omar’s cloud tops. MODIS found the most powerful thunderstorms were on the southeastern side of the storm, where temperatures were as cold as or colder than minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 56.6 Celsius). Cloud top temperatures that cold indicate strong storms with the potential to generate heavy rainfall.

“Satellite images show that the system remains sheared with a bursting pattern on satellite, occasionally exposing the center, and a large area of curved bands in the southeastern quadrant of the circulation,” Eric Blake wrote in the 5 a.m. EDT Omar Discussion. Blake is a senior hurricane specialist at NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida.

Omar’s Status on Sept. 2

At 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC), NOAA’s NHC noted the center of Tropical Storm Omar was located near latitude 36.2 degrees north and longitude 68.7 degrees west. Omar was centered about 350 miles (560 km) northwest of Bermuda. The storm is moving toward the east-northeast near 14 mph (22 kph), and this general motion is expected to continue through this afternoon.  Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected through tonight.  The estimated minimum central pressure is 1003 millibars.

Omar’s Bleak Forecast

The NHC forecast calls for Omar to turn toward the east during the evening hours on Sept. 2, with a reduction in forward speed occurring through Friday, Sept. 4. Weakening should begin by Thursday, Sept. 3, with Omar likely to become a remnant low-pressure area by Thursday night.

About NASA’s 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.”

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.

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Maysak – Northwestern Pacific Ocean

Sep. 01, 2020 – NASA Sees Typhoon Maysak’s Eye Reopen 

NASA’s Terra satellite obtained visible imagery of Typhoon Maysak is it continued moving north though the East China Sea. The imagery revealed the eye of the storm had reappeared.

Terra image of Maysak
NASA’s Terra satellite provided a visible image to forecasters of Typhoon Maysak moving north through the East China Sea toward a landfall in southern South Korea. Image Courtesy: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS).

NASA Satellite View: Maysak’s Organization

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Storm Maysak on Sept. 1. In the image, the eye was again visible after being obscured by clouds during the previous day, Aug. 31. Satellite imagery depicts deep convection and spiral banding of thunderstorms wrapping tightly into a low-level circulation center.

Satellite imagery was created using NASA’s Worldview product at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

Maysak on Sept. 1

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) on Sept. 1, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) in Honolulu, Hawaii noted that Typhoon Maysak was located about 427 nautical miles south-southwest of Busan, South Korea near latitude 28.4 degrees north and longitude 126.3 degrees east. Maysak was moving to the north with maximum sustained winds of 120 knots (138 mph/222 kph).

Maysak is forecast to make landfall to the west of Busan on Sept. 2. Then it is expected to weaken rapidly as it passes over the length of the Korean peninsula, and will dissipate over northeastern China.

About NASA’s Worldview and Terra Satellite

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’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.

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

15L – Atlantic Ocean

Sep. 01, 2020 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Provides a Nighttime View of New Atlantic Tropical Depression

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided a nighttime view of the Atlantic Ocean hurricane season’s latest tropical cyclone off the coast of North Carolina. Ocean swells from the depression are affecting coastal North Carolina today, Sept. 1.

Suomi NPP image of 15L
NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed the Atlantic Ocean during the early morning hours of Sept. 1 and obtained an infrared view of Tropical Depression 15. TD15 is located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of North Carolina. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

Tropical Depression 15 formed by 5 p.m. EDT off the coast of North Carolina and showed organized convection (rising air that forms the thunderstorms that make up a tropical cyclone). The storm has been battling vertical wind shear since its formation, which has kept it from intensifying into a tropical storm.

NASA’s Night-Time View  

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP provided a nighttime image of 15 during the early morning hours of Sept 1 when it flew over the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. Infrared data showed the most powerful thunderstorms east of center where cloud top temperatures were as cold as or colder than minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Deep convection remains displaced to the east and southeast of the depression’s low-level center due to increasing west-northwesterly wind shear.

The image was created using the NASA Worldview application at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

TD15’s Status

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC), NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported the center of Tropical Depression 15 (TD 15) was located near latitude 34.7 degrees north and longitude 73.1 degrees west. TD 15 is centered about 140 miles (225 km) east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.  The depression is moving toward the east-northeast near 14 mph (22 kph). This general motion is forecast today, followed by a turn toward the east by Thursday.  On the forecast track, the center of the depression will continue to move away from the North Carolina coast today.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 35 mph (55 kph) with higher gusts.  The depression could become a tropical storm later today or tonight. Gradual weakening is anticipated by late Wednesday. The system is forecast to become a remnant low on Thursday.

TD15’s Effects Along the U.S. Coast

Although the depression is off the coast of North Carolina it is generating ocean swells that are affecting the U.S. coast. NHC said, “Swells generated by the depression will continue to affect portions of the Outer Banks of North Carolina through this evening, causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.” There are no other watches or warnings in effect and the storm is forecast to move away from the coast.

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