Lynn Jenner – Page 24 – Hurricane And Typhoon Updates

Amphan – Northern Indian Ocean

May 18, 2020 – NASA Finds Heavy Water Vapor Concentration Rings Eye of Cyclone Amphan

When NASA’s Aqua satellite passed over the Northern Indian Ocean on May 18, it gathered water vapor data that showed the intensity of powerful Tropical Cyclone Amphan. Amphan is the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Aqua image of Amphan — On May 18 at 3:40 a.m. EST (0740 UTC), NASA’s Aqua satellite passed over Tropical Cyclone Amphan, located in the Northern Indian Ocean. Aqua found highest concentrations of water vapor (brown) and coldest cloud top temperatures were around the clear eye. Credits: NASA/NRL

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 and the stronger the storms.

NASA’s Aqua satellite passed over Tropical Cyclone Amphan on May 18 at 3:40 a.m. EST (0740 UTC), and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument gathered water vapor content and temperature information. The MODIS image showed highest concentrations of water vapor and coldest cloud top temperatures circled the visible eye.

MODIS data showed 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.

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided a visible image of the huge Tropical Cyclone Amphan on May 18, just off the eastern coast of India. The image showed the extent of the storm, which was over open ocean, stretching from just north of Sri Lanka, north, past the Indian states of Tamil Nadu to Andrha Pradesh.

At 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC) on May 18, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) noted that Amphan’s eye was centered near latitude 13.6 degrees north and longitude 86.4 degrees east, about 301 nautical miles southeast of Visakhapatnam, India. Amphan was moving to the north and had maximum sustained winds 140 knots (161 mph/259 kph).

Suomi NPP image of Amphan — NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided a visible image of the huge Tropical Cyclone Amphan on May 18, just off the eastern coast of India. Credit: NASA Worldview

Amphan will move north and is expected to strengthen slightly. JTWC said the storm will then gradually weaken prior to landfall near Kolkata, India in two days.

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.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Arthur (was 90L) – Atlantic Ocean

May 18, 2020 – NASA Finds a Disorganized Tropical Storm Arthur Near North Carolina Coast

Infrared imagery from NASA’s Aqua satellite and radar imagery revealed that Tropical Storm Arthur remains poorly organized. Strongest storms, according to the Aqua data, appeared along and off the southeastern coast of North Carolina.

Aqua image of Arthur — On May 18 at 2:35 a.m. EDT (0635 UTC), the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite showed strongest storms in Tropical Storm Arthur were along the southeastern coast of North Carolina. Those strong storms contained cloud top temperatures were as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 52.7 Celsius). Credit: NASA/NRL

Warnings and Watches

On May 18, a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from Surf City to Duck, North Carolina, and for the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds.

Satellite Imagery

NASA’s Aqua satellite used infrared light to analyze the strength of storms and found the center of circulation was displaced from the bulk of them. Infrared data provides temperature information, and the strongest thunderstorms that reach high into the atmosphere have the coldest cloud top temperatures.

On May 18 at 2:35 a.m. EDT (0635 UTC), the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite showed strongest storms in Tropical Storm Arthur were along the southeastern coast of North Carolina and just off-shore. Those strong storms contained cloud top temperatures were as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 52.7 Celsius). Cloud top temperatures that cold indicate strong storms with the potential to generate heavy rainfall.

MODIS imagery showed the low-level center located near the southwestern edge of a complex of ragged convective bands.

Status on May 18, 2020

At 8 a.m. EDT (1200 UTC), the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported the center of Tropical Storm Arthur was located near latitude 34.5 north, longitude 75.9 west. Arthur was moving toward the north-northeast near 15 mph (24 kph). A turn toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected later today, followed by a turn toward the east on Tuesday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 kph) with higher gusts. While some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, Arthur is likely to lose its tropical characteristics on Tuesday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km) mainly to the east of the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure reported from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is 1001 millibars.

Rip Currents and Life-Threatening Surf Along Coastal Areas

Swells generated by Arthur are affecting portions of the southeast U.S. coast and are expected to spread northward along the U.S. mid-Atlantic coast during the next day or two. NHC cautioned, “These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.”

Arthur’s Forecast Path

At 5 a.m. EDT on May 18, 2020, NOAA’s National Hurricane Center noted that Arthur’s movement is going to be affected by two factors: “A baroclinic trough (elongated area of low pressure) and associated surface front approaching from the west should cause Arthur to turn northeastward during the next several hours. The forecast track shows the center passing near or just offshore of the North Carolina Outer Banks. By Tuesday and Tuesday night, Arthur will be entering the strong mid-latitude Westerlies, which will steer cyclone eastward in a day or two.”

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Amphan – Northern Indian Ocean

May 17, 2020 – NASA Finds Heavy Rain in New Northern Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone Amphan

When the Global Precipitation Measurement mission or GPM core satellite passed over the Northern Indian Ocean early on May 17, it gathered data of rainfall rates occurring on the western side of the newly formed and very large tropical cyclone Amphan.

GPM image of Ampan — The GPM core satellite passed over Tropical Cyclone Amphan in the Northern Indian Ocean on May 17 at 3:36 a.m. EDT (0736 UTC) and found the heaviest rainfall (pink) in in two small areas in large thunderstorm bands west of the center, where it was falling at a rate of over 36 mm (about 1.4 inch) per hour. Most of the rainfall occurring throughout the storm was falling at a rate of 1 inch (25 mm) per hour (yellow). GPM data was overlaid on cloud imagery from Japan’s Himawari-8 satellite. Credit: NASA/JAXA/NRL

Amphan formed on Saturday, May 16 and was designated Tropical Cyclone 01B. Overnight, it quickly strengthened to hurricane force.

The Global Precipitation Measurement Mission or GPM’s core satellite passed over Tropical Cyclone Amphan in the Northern Indian Ocean on May 17 at 3:36 a.m. EDT (0736 UTC). GPM found the heaviest rainfall in in two small areas in large thunderstorm bands west of the center, where it was falling at a rate of over 36 mm (about 1.4 inch) per hour. Most of the rainfall throughout the rest of the storm was falling at a rate of 1 inch (25 mm) per hour.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center or JTWC said that enhanced infrared satellite imagery showed a very large system (over 600 nautical miles)/690 miles/1,111 km) across with a ragged 10 nautical mile (~12 mile/~19 kilometer) wide cloud filled eye and expansive rain bands wrapping tighter toward the center.

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) on May 17, Amphan’s maximum sustained winds had increased to near 75 knots (85 mph/139 kph) making it equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Amphan was located near latitude 12.3 degrees north and longitude 86.4 degrees east. Amphan was located approximately 380 nautical miles south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, India. It is forecast to continue moving in a northerly direction.

JTWC meteorologists forecast Amphan to track north and make landfall on May 20 near the eastern India/western Bangladesh border. The current forecast takes Amphan’s landfall between Kolkata, India and Chittagong, Bangladesh, as a Cyclone.

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Vongfong – Northwestern Pacific Ocean

May 17, 2020 – NASA Finds Vongfong a Depression, Last Advisory Issued

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided a look at the cloud top temperatures of Vongfong, once a typhoon, now weakened to a tropical depression and expected to dissipate by May 17.

Suomi NPP image of Vongfong — On May 17, NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided an infrared image of the storm that showed strongest storms were off shore from Luzon, located northeast and northwest of Luzon, where cloud top temperatures were as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit (red color). Those storms were generating heavy rain. Credit: NASA/NOAA/NRL

At 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC) on Saturday, May 16, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center or JTWC issued the final advisory on Tropical Depression Vongfong. At that time, Tropical Depression Vongfong (Philippines designation Ambo) was located near latitude 19.3 degrees north and longitude 120.5 degrees east, about 101 miles north of Vigan, Philippines. Vongfong was moving northeast. Maximum sustained winds dropped to 25 knots (28.7 mph)

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided an infrared image that showed the strongest storms associated with the depression were located offshore, northeast and northwest of Luzon. In those strongest storms, cloud top temperatures were as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Those storms were generating heavy rain.

On May 16, Philippines warnings were still in effect. They included Tropical cyclone wind signal number 2 for Luzon: Ilocos Norte. In addition, Tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 was in effect for these areas in Luzon: Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northwestern portion of Cagayan.

Vongfong’s center had emerged over water west of Luzon and was dissipating.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

May 16, 2020 – NASA’s IMERG Measures Typhoon Vongfong’s Rainfall

Surface rainfall accumulations (mm) estimated from the NASA IMERG satellite precipitation product from 10 to 17 May 2020 in association with the passage of Typhoon Vongfong. Image from NASA GSFC using IMERG data archived at https://giovanni.gsfc.nasa.gov/giovanni/. This image was produced with the Giovanni online data system, developed and maintained by the NASA GES DISC.

The first typhoon of the season, Vongfong, struck the central Philippines this past week (where it is known as Ambo) as a strong category 2 storm, bringing strong winds and locally heavy rainfall. NASA’s IMERG calculated locally heavy rainfall on the order of 200 mm (~8 inches) or more to the northern half of Samar where it made landfall as well as to southern, far eastern and isolated parts of central Luzon. For the full story: https://gpm.nasa.gov/articles/typhoon-vongfong-hits-philippines

By Steve Lang
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

May 15, 2020 – Look Back: Vongfong Makes Landfall in the Philippines

The first tropical storm in the Western Pacific Ocean in 2020 did not form until May 12. By May 14, it was making landfall in the Philippines with fierce winds and heavy rainfall. Civil authorities worked to evacuate tens to hundreds of thousands of people from coastal and mountainous areas prone to flooding and landslides. For the entire story: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/146719/vongfong-makes-landfall-in-the-philippines/?src=eoa-iotd

By NASA Earth Observatory–image by Joshua Stevens, using VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS/LANCE and GIBS/Worldview and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership. Story by Michael Carlowicz.

Arthur (was 90L) – Atlantic Ocean

May 17, 2020 – NASA Sees Development of Atlantic’s First Tropical Storm

Tropical Storm Arthur formed off the east coast of Florida from a low-pressure system (90L) that developed days before in the Straits of Florida. NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided forecasters with an image of the new storm.

Suomi NPP image of Arthur — On May 16, NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided forecasters with a visible image of Tropical Depression Arthur off the east coast of Florida. Arthur strengthened into a tropical storm soon after Suomi NPP passed overhead. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

On Saturday, forecasters at the National Hurricane Center were closely watching System 90L, an area of low pressure that was located just offshore of the southeast coast of Florida. It continued to produce shower activity and gusty winds from portions of southeast and east-central Florida eastward across the northwestern Bahamas and the adjacent Atlantic waters.

Overnight and early on May 17, that low-pressure system became better defined and organized and it became a tropical storm over the Atlantic waters east of Florida.

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 Arthur late on May 16 when it had been classified as Tropical Depression 1. 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 Arthur and it appeared more circular in nature.

At 5 p.m. EDT (2100 UTC) on May 16, the center of Tropical Depression 1 was located near latitude 28.4 north, longitude 78.6 west, about 505 miles or 810 kilometers south-southwest of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. By 11 p.m. EDT, Tropical Depression 1 strengthened into a tropical storm and was renamed Arthur.

On May 17, a Tropical Storm Warning was in effect from Surf City to Duck, NC and for the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds.

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center said, at 8 a.m. EDT (1200 UTC) on May 17), the center of Tropical Storm Arthur was located near latitude 30.3 north, longitude 77.4 west. Arthur is moving toward the north-northeast near 9 mph (15 kph). Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 kph) with higher gusts. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles (130 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1002 millibars.

Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours. Arthur is likely to lose its tropical characteristics on Tuesday.

A turn toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected during the next 24 to 48 hours. On the forecast track, Arthur will remain well offshore the east coast of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina today, and then move near or just east of the coast of North Carolina on Monday.

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Vongfong – Northwestern Pacific Ocean

May 15, 2020 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Shows a Weaker Tropical Cyclone Vongfong Over the Philippines

After Tropical Cyclone Vongfong made landfall in the Philippines early on May 14 and began tracking through the country, imagery from NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite showed the storm was weakening.

Suomi NPP infrared image of Vongfong — On May 14 at 1:34 p.m. EDT (1734 UTC), NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP infrared satellite imagery showed the eye has now closed and convection has diminished within the eastern semicircle of the system, evident in the warming cloud tops. The diminished convection could also be seen in imagery as compared to yesterday, where convection surrounded the circulation. The darker red indicates colder cloud tops and stronger storms. Credit: NASA/NOAA/UWM-CIMSS, William Straka III

On May 14, 2020, Typhoon Vongfong became the first typhoon of the 2020 West Pacific season. It came ashore as a typhoon and by May 15, it had weakened to a tropical storm.

On May 14, NOAA-20 satellite imagery showed features that one would expect from a tropical system, including overshooting tops and tropospheric gravity waves. On May 14 at 1:34 p.m. EDT (1734 UTC), “NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP infrared satellite imagery showed the eye has now closed and convection has diminished within the eastern semicircle of the system, evident in the warming cloud tops,” said William Straka III of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who created night-time and infrared images. “The diminished convection could also be seen in imagery as compared to yesterday, where convection completely surrounded the circulation.”

The nighttime image also showed a lightning streak on one of the southern feeder bands around Vongfong’s center. The imagery also showed that the circulation was not surrounded by convection (thunderstorms). The surface rain product showed potentially some clear air (no rain) intruding into the circulation. “The 88.0 GHz ATMS imagery from the Suomi-NPP satellite, while at lower resolution, did not show a circulation surrounded by convection. Rather, it showed just cold temperatures in the northeastern part of the storm where the convection was located,” Straka said.

On May 15 at 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC), Tropical storm Vongfong (Philippines designation Ambo) was located near latitude 14.1 degrees north and longitude 121.9 degrees east, about 60 nautical miles east-southeast of Manila, Philippines. Vongfong was moving to the northwest and had maximum sustained winds 60 knots (69 mph/111 kph).

Because of the impacts to the Philippines, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) are also tracking Typhoon Vongfong, which is called Ambo by PAGASA, to assess the impacts on the various islands in the path of the storm.

On May 15, PAGASA still had many warnings in effect, especially for the northern region of the Philippines as Vongfong moves through that area. Tropical cyclone wind signal number 2 is in effect for Luzon: that includes Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, La Union, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Metro Manila, Laguna, the eastern portion of Pangasinan, the western portion of Isabela, Cavite, Quezon including Pollilo Islands, Camarines Norte, western portion of Camarines Sur , Marinduque, and Batangas. Tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 is in effect for Luzon: Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Batanes, the rest of Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Oriental Mindoro, Burias Island, the rest of Camarines Sur, the rest of Isabela, and the northern portion of Albay.

Vongfong will continue to move northwest across the island of Luzon and is forecast to turn northeast and become extra-tropical.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

90L – Atlantic Ocean

May 15, 2020 – NASA Analyzes Developing System 90L in Straits of Florida

A low-pressure area designated as System 90L appears to be developing in the Straits of Florida, located between Southern Florida and Cuba. NASA’s Aqua satellite measured cloud top temperatures within the developing system and found some stronger storms.

Aqua image of 90L — On May 15, 2020 at 3:45 a.m. EDT (0745 UTC), the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite gathered infrared data on 90L. Strongest thunderstorms had cloud top temperatures (yellow) as cold as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 45.5 Celsius) over the Straits of Florida. Credit: NASA/NRL

At 8:50 a.m. EDT on May 15, NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a Special Tropical Weather Outlook issued to discuss the potential for tropical or subtropical development near the northwest Bahamas.

The Outlook stated, “A trough (elongated area) of low pressure located over the Straits of Florida continues to produce disorganized shower activity and gusty winds across the Florida Keys, portions of southeast Florida, and the northwestern Bahamas. Gradual development of this system is expected, and it will likely become a tropical or subtropical storm on Saturday [May 16] when it is located near the northwestern Bahamas. Later in the weekend and early next week, the system is expected to move generally northeastward over the western Atlantic (Ocean).”

NASA’s Aqua satellite provided information to NHC forecasters. One kind of data Aqua provides is 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 May 15 at 3:45 a.m., EDT (0745 UTC) the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite gathered infrared data on 90L. Strongest thunderstorms had cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 45.5 Celsius). As cloud tops continue to cool, they stretch higher into the troposphere. NASA research has shown that when cloud top temperatures drop to minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 56.6 degrees Celsius), storms have the ability to generate heavy rain.

The NHC Outlook stated, “Regardless of development, the disturbance will continue to bring heavy rainfall to portions of the Florida Keys, southeast Florida and the Bahamas through Saturday. Tropical storm-force wind gusts are also possible across portions of the Florida Keys, southeast Florida, and the Bahamas during the next day or so. In addition, hazardous marine conditions are expected along the Florida east coast and in the Bahamas where Gale Warnings are in effect. Dangerous surf conditions and rip currents are possible along portions of the southeast U.S. coast this weekend and early next week.”

The NHC said that the formation chance through 48 hours and out through 5 days is high.

Tropical cyclones 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.

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Vongfong – Northwestern Pacific Ocean

May 14, 2020 – Satellites Eye Typhoon Vongfong Landfall in the Philippines

NASA and NOAA satellites have been providing forecasters with satellite data that showed the strength and extent of Typhoon Vongfong as it made landfall in the Philippines and continued to track through the country. Warnings were in effect throughout several areas of the Philippines on May 14.

JPSS image of Vongfong — The NOAA-20 satellite saw Typhoon Vongfong at 12:03 p.m. EDT (1703 UTC) on May 13. The imagery showed features that’s expected from an intensifying storm, including overshooting tops and tropospheric gravity waves. In addition, a clear eye could be seen as well. Credit: NOAA/William Straka III, Univ. of Wisconsin Madison

The NOAA-20 satellite saw Typhoon Vongfong at 12:03 p.m. EDT (1703 UTC) on May 13. “The imagery showed features that one would expect from an intensifying storm, including overshooting tops and tropospheric gravity waves,” said William Straka III of the University of Wisconsin- Madison, who created the imagery using the satellite data. “In addition, a clear eye could be seen as well.”

The infrared image also showed cloud top temperatures. Coldest cloud top temperatures are indicative of strongest storms because their cloud tops are pushed high into the atmosphere by strong uplift of air. NOAA-20 showed that the colder temperatures (where the convection is located) surrounds the circulation center, a sign of a mature tropical system.

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided a visible image of Typhoon Vongfong as it was making landfall in the east central Philippines on May 14. Vongfong made landfall in Samar. Samar is the third largest island in the Philippines, and is located in eastern Visayas region.

The VIIRS image showed bands of powerful thunderstorms north of the center and tightly around the center of circulation. Visible imagery has revealed that the eye has closed as the storm has started to weaken.

Warnings are posted throughout the Philippines on May 14. Tropical cyclone wind signal number #3 is in effect for Visayas: including Northern Samar and northern parts of eastern Samar and of Samar Luzon: Sorsogon, Albay, Masbate, Ticao Islands, Burias Islands, Catanduanes, southern parts of Camarines Sur. Tropical cyclone wind signal number 2 is also in effect for Visayas: for the northernmost part of Leyte, rest of Samar and rest of eastern Samar. Wind signal 2 is also in effect for Luzon: Camarines Norte, rest of Camarines Sur, southern parts of Quezon and Marinduque. Tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 covers Visayas and Luzon. In Visayas: Wind Signal 1 covers the rest of northern portion of Leyte, northeastern parts of Capiz and of Iloilo, and in Luzon: it covers Aurora, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, rest of Quezon, Romblon, Bataan and Pampanga.

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) on May 14, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) noted that the center of Vongfong was located near latitude 12.5 degrees north and longitude 124.5 degrees east, about 266 nautical miles east-southeast of Manila, Philippines. Vongfong was moving to the northwest and maximum sustained winds had decreased from 100 knots (115 mph/185 kph) to 85 knots (98 mph/157 kph) over the previous six hours.

The forecast from JTWC has Typhoon Vongfong weakening as it moves on a northerly track over the Visayas and Luzon regions of the Philippines, and then finally curving back into the Northwestern Pacific Ocean.

By Rob Gutro/ William Straka III
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/University of Wisconsin Madison/SSEC/CIMSS

Vongfong – Northwestern Pacific Ocean

May 13, 2020 – NASA Finds Vongfong at Typhoon Strength Philippine Warnings Up

NASA’s Terra satellite revealed powerful storms in Vongfong as it ramped up from a tropical storm to a typhoon. Vongfong is known locally in the Philippines as Typhoon Ambo.

Terra image of Vongfong — On May 13 at 9:25 a.m. EDT (1325 UTC), the MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Terra satellite gathered temperature information about Typhoon Vongfong’s cloud tops. MODIS found two large areas of powerful thunderstorms (red) where temperatures were as cold as or colder than minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 56.6 Celsius). Credit: NASA/NRL

NASA’s Terra satellite used infrared light to analyze the strength of storms in Vongfong. Infrared data provides temperature information, and the strongest thunderstorms that reach high into the atmosphere have the coldest cloud top temperatures.

On May 13 at 9:25 a.m. EDT (1325 UTC), the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Terra satellite gathered temperature information about Typhoon Vongfong’s cloud tops. MODIS found two large areas of powerful thunderstorms north and west of the center of circulation 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.

Warnings in the Philippines include Tropical cyclone wind signal number #1 for the Visayas region: northern parts of Samar and northern parts of eastern Samar; and for the Luzon region: Sorsogon, Ticao Island, Catanduanes, southern parts of Albay.

At 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC) on May 13, 2020, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center noted that Vongfong (Ambo) was located near latitude 12.0 degrees north and longitude 128.5 degrees east, about 465 nautical miles east-southeast of Manila, Philippines. Vongfong was moving to the west-northwest and had maximum sustained winds 70 knots (80 mph/130 kph).

Vongfong is strengthening. The storm is expected to peak at 100 knots (115 mph/185 kph) as it passes east of the Visayas islands, and then begin to weaken.

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.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Vongfong – Northwestern Pacific Ocean

May 12, 2020 – NASA Sees Tropical Storm Vongfong Form and Threaten the Philippines

A low-pressure area that formed in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean several days ago has consolidated and organized into a tropical storm. NASA’s Aqua satellite provided forecasters with a visible image of newly formed Tropical Storm Vongfong.

Aqua image of Vongfong — On May 12, 2020, the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of newly developed Tropical Storm Vongfong, known locally in the Philippines as Ambo, in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. Credit: NASA/BRL

Vongfong, known locally as Ambo in the Philippines, threatens that country, according to the forecasts from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center or JTWC. The storm is also the first of tropical cyclone of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean typhoon season.

On May 12, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Vongfong that showed the storm had a more rounded shape than it did the previous day, as it continued to consolidate. A more rounded shape in a tropical cyclone indicates it is becoming a more organized storm. Infrared satellite imagery also indicated cooling cloud top temperatures, which means that cloud tops are extending higher into the troposphere. The higher the cloud top, the stronger the uplift of air in a storm, and usually, the stronger the storm.

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) on May 12, the JTWC noted that Vongfong had maximum sustained winds near 35 knots (40 mph/65 kph) with higher gusts. It was located near latitude 11.4 degrees north and longitude 128.8 degrees east, about 495 miles east-southeast of Manila, Philippines. Vongfong was moving to the north-northwest.

JTWC forecasters expect Vongfong (Ambo) will move west-northwest, and then later northwest before finally turning to the north. The storm is expected to strengthen to typhoon force with maximum sustained winds near 65 knots (75 mph/120 kph) as it passes over the Philippines archipelago.

PAGASA, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the entity that issues forecasts and warnings for the country noted, “Between tonight and tomorrow (13 May) evening, Ambo (Vongfong) will bring scattered light to moderate with at times heavy rain showers during thunderstorms over Mindanao and Eastern Visayas. Between tomorrow evening and Thursday (14 May) evening, Ambo (Vongfong) will bring moderate to heavy rains over Eastern Visayas, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) #1 may be raised over Eastern Samar and the eastern portion of Northern Samar in the next 6 to 12 hours in anticipation of strong winds associated with the approaching tropical storm.”

NASA’s Aqua satellite is one in a fleet of NASA satellites that provide data for hurricane research.

For additional forecasts and updates from PAGASA, visit: http://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center