Mar. 17, 2020 – Tropical Cyclone Herold’s Eye Opens Further on NASA Satellite Imagery
As Tropical Cyclone Herold intensified, its eye appeared more defined in imagery taken by NASA’s Terra satellite.
On March 17, the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite took this image of Tropical Cyclone Herold and showed a well-developed hurricane which is maintaining a clearer eye. Credit: NASA Worldview
A Tropical Cyclone Warning class 3 was in force for Rodrigues Island on March 17. Rodrigues is an autonomous outer island of the Republic of Mauritius in the Southern Indian Ocean. It is about 42 square miles (108 square kilometers). Rodrigues Island is located about 350 miles (560 kilometers) east of Mauritius.
On March 17 at 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC), forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) noted “Infrared satellite imagery indicates a sharp intensification trend over the past 12 hours as the system formed an irregular 13-nautical mile wide eye.”
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite confirmed that intensification. MODIS provided forecasters with a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Herold that revealed a much clearer eye than on March 16. The eye was no longer obscured by high clouds, and the Terra view was able to see down to the ocean’s surface through the eye. Powerful bands of thunderstorms circled the eye.
At 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC) on March 17, the center of Tropical Cyclone Herold was located near latitude 19.1 degrees south and longitude 60.4 degrees east, about 185 nautical miles east-southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius. Maximum sustained winds had increased to 100 knots (115 mph/185 kph).
The JTWC noted that Herold is moving southeast and is at peak intensity, while it is passing just west of Rodrigues. The storm is now expected to begin weakening before it becomes subtropical.
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.
Mar. 17, 2020 – NASA Finds Ex-Tropical Cyclone Gretel’s Center North of New Zealand
NASA’s Terra Satellite passed over the Southern Pacific Ocean and provided forecasters with a visible image of ex-Tropical Cyclone Gretel although north of New Zealand, it was still large enough to continue causing warnings.
NASA’s Terra satellite found ex-tropical cyclone Gretel’s center north of New Zealand. The storm was still large enough to trigger warnings. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)
On March 17 at 6:51 a.m. New Zealand local time (March 16 at 6:51 p.m. EDT/2251 UTC), the Meteorological Service of New Zealand (MSNZ) reported that the convection associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Gretel dissipated early this morning (local time), over the relatively cool seas to the northeast of New Zealand. As a result, Gretel is no longer a tropical cyclone and has been reclassified as an extra-tropical low-pressure system.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Gretel’s center was located near latitude 31.2 degrees south and longitude 178.4 east, about 550 kilometers (342 miles) northeast of Northland, moving southeast. The Northland region of New Zealand extends from Auckland to the very top of New Zealand.
MSNZ noted that “Severe gales possible for eastern Bay of Plenty and parts of Gisborne. A deep low (ex-Tropical Cyclone Gretel) lying to the northeast of the North Island Tuesday afternoon is forecast to continue moving east-southeast Tuesday night. This system continues to bring southerly gales to parts of eastern Bay of Plenty and Gisborne, possibly approaching severe gale strength at times until early Wednesday morning.”
Early on March 17, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument aboard Terra provided a visible image of ex-Tropical Cyclone Gretel that showed the center devoid of thunderstorms and precipitation. In the MODIS image, the layers of clouds around the low-level center appear like a wall of threaded clouds. The largest area of clouds associated with the system were in the southern quadrant and extended over northern New Zealand.
Gretel is expected to move southeast over waters to the north and east of New Zealand over the next few days, while remaining a deep extra-tropical low-pressure area.
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.
Mar. 16, 2020 – NASA Sees Tropical Cyclone Herold’s Eye
NASA’s Aqua satellite passed over the Southern Indian Ocean and captured an image of a well-developed Tropical Cyclone Herold at hurricane strength, east of Madagascar.
On March 16, the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite took this image of Tropical Cyclone Herold and showed a well-developed hurricane with a visible eye. Credit: NASA Worldview
Herold formed on March 13 as Tropical Cyclone 22S and once it intensified into a tropical storm, it was renamed Herold. Herold continued to strengthen and is now at hurricane-force.
On March 16, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided forecasters with a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Herold and showed a well-developed hurricane with a visible eye, although slightly obscured by high clouds. Powerful bands of thunderstorms circled the eye.
At 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC) on March 16, the center of Tropical Cyclone Herold was located near latitude 15.7 degrees south and longitude 54.2 degrees east, about 295 nautical miles north-northwest of St. Denis, La Reunion Island. Maximum sustained winds were near 80 knots (92 mph/148 kph).
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center or JTWC noted that Herold is forecast to turn to the southeast, passing just west of Rodrigues. The storm will strengthen to 90 knots (104 mph/167 kph) later today before becoming subtropical.
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.
Mar. 13, 2020 – NASA’s Terra Satellite Observes Development of Tropical Storm 22S
NASA’s Terra satellite passed over the Southern Indian Ocean and provided forecasters with a visible image of newly formed Tropical Storm 22S, located near northeastern Madagascar.
NASA’s Terra satellite captured the formation of Tropical Storm 22S near northeastern Madagascar on March 13, 2020. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument aboard Terra provided a visible image of Tropical Cyclone 22S that revealed strong thunderstorms had circled the center of circulation and western quadrant. A banding of thunderstorms on the western side were bringing rainfall and gusty winds to northeastern Madagascar. Satellite imagery also shows the storm consolidating.
At 0900 UTC, (5 a.m. EDT) Tropical Cyclone 22S was located near latitude 14.3 degrees south and longitude 52.4 degrees east, about 447 nautical miles north-northwest of Port Louis, Mauritius. 22S was moving to the west-southwest and had maximum sustained winds near 35 knots (40 mph/65 kph).
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) expects 22S to curve to the southeast and pass between Mauritius and Rodrigues. The storm will strengthen to 90 knots (104 mph/167 kph) before becoming subtropical.
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.
Mar. 12, 2020 – NASA Finds Ex-Tropical Cyclone 21S Affecting Australia’s Pilbara Coast
NASA’s Terra satellite passed over the Southern Indian Ocean and provided forecasters with a visible image of Ex-Tropical Cyclone 21S. Although no longer a tropical cyclone, the system has triggered warnings for heavy rainfall and winds.
On Mar. 12, 2020, the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite provided a visible image of Ex-Tropical Cyclone 21S, affecting Western Australia’s Pilbara coast. Credit: NASA Worldview
Tropical cyclone 21S was along the Pilbara coast. The Pilbara Coast is also known as the northwest coast of Western Australia.
The final warning from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) on 21S as a tropical system came on Mar. 11 at 5 p.m. EDT (2100 UTC). At the time, it had maximum sustained winds near 35 knots (64 kph/40 mph) and was moving to the southwest and toward the coast of Western Australia.
On March 12, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite provided a visible image of 21S that showed the storm affecting the states of Gascoyne and Pilbara. The image showed the low-level circulation center still offshore and the bulk of clouds and precipitation over Western Australia.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) issued warnings. ABM said, “Severe Weather events are forecast to affect Exmouth, Onslow, Barrow Island and Coral Bay. Along the northwest Pilbara coast between Mardie and Coral Bay, sustained gales are possible from late this evening until Friday morning. The weather system may also cause damaging wind gusts to 100 kilometers per hour that could result in damage to homes and property in or near thunderstorms. Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is possible with isolated falls of 50 to 100mm [`2 to 4 inches].”
At 4:00 p.m. AWST (4 a.m. EST) on Mar. 12, the ABM said ex-tropical cyclone 21S was located about 150 km (93 miles) north of Onslow, moving south southwest. ABM forecasters indicated the low-pressure area is expected to reach the coast later on Thursday or early Friday and may travel parallel to the Gascoyne coast. The tropical low-pressure area is not expected to intensify into a tropical cyclone but is likely to cause a period of heavy rainfall and squally winds.
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.
Mar. 11, 2020 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Catches Development of Tropical Storm 21S
NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed over the Southern Indian Ocean and provided forecasters with a visible image of newly formed Tropical Storm 21S.
NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed over the Southern Indian Ocean and captured a visible image of newly formed Tropical Storm 21S off the coast of Western Australia. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP provided a visible image of Tropical Cyclone 21S that revealed strong thunderstorms circling the center of circulation. Strong storms were also in the southeastern quadrant of the storm which extended to the coast of Western Australia.
At 0900 UTC, (5 a.m. EDT) Tropical Cyclone 21S was located near latitude 16.4 degrees south and longitude 116.9 degrees east, about 253 nautical miles north-northwest of Port Hedland, Australia. 21S was moving to the south and had maximum sustained winds near 35 knots (40 mph/65 kph). The storm is not expected to strengthen much before it makes landfall in Western Australia.
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) expects 21S to move south-southeast and pass over Exmouth as a tropical storm. Exmouth is a town located on the tip of the North West Cape in Western Australia. JTWC forecasters expect that 21S will dissipate after two days.
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.
Mar. 04, 2020 – NASA Tracks Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther Over Northern Territory
NASA’s Aqua satellite continues to provide forecasters with a visible image ex-tropical cyclone Esther’s remnant clouds and storms, now over the Barkly Region of Australia’s Northern Territory.
On Mar. 4, 2020, the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Esther’s remnant clouds centered over the Barkly area of the Northern Territory. Credit: NASA Worldview
On March 4, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Esther’s remnant clouds that showed the center over the Barkly region of the Northern Territory.
The Barkly Region is located in the west central part of the territory and the region’s main town is Tennant Creek. The region covers an area of 124,600 square miles (322,713 square km). Esther’s clouds stretched into Queensland.
On March 4, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) issued a Flood Watch for the Tanami Desert, Central Desert, MacDonnell Ranges, Barkly, Georgina River and Simpson Desert.
At 10:38 a.m. ACST on Mar. 4 (8:08 p.m. EST on Mar. 3), ABM cautioned that widespread disruption to roads expected to continue in central parts for next few days.
Ex-tropical cyclone Esther is expected to move across the southern Barkly District and into southwestern Queensland later today, Mar. 4.
ABM noted, “During the past 48 hours widespread rainfall totals of 50 to 150 mm (2 to 6 inches) have been recorded in many parts of the southern Northern Territory with some totals even higher, mainly in the Tanami Desert and Barkly. Rainfall is expected to contract east during today with 20 – 50 mm (0.8 to 2 inch) daily totals expected into tomorrow in the upper Georgina River and Simpson Desert.”
Many areas have experienced localized flooding and areas of inundation during the past 48 hours. ABM noted, “Many roads including major transport routes in the flood watch area are expected to continue to be affected and become or remain impassable with some communities and homesteads becoming isolated.”
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.
Mar. 03, 2020 – NASA Sees Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther Move Back into Northern Territory
NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided forecasters with a visible image ex-tropical cyclone Esther’s remnant clouds that have now moved over Australia’s Northern Territory. The remnants have generated a flood watch including in the Tanami and Central Deserts.
NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided an image on Mar. 3, 2020 that showed the remnant clouds and storms associated with ex-tropical cyclone Esther have blanketed the Northern Territory. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)
Visible imagery from satellites help forecasters understand if a storm is organizing or weakening and the extent and movement of the storm. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP provided an image on Mar. 3 that showed the remnant clouds and storms associated with the ex-tropical cyclone have blanketed the Northern Territory. The center of ex-tropical cyclone Esther is located over the northern Tanami District.
On March 3, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (ABM), Northern Territory issued a Flood Watch for the Tanami Desert, Central Desert, MacDonnell Ranges, Barkly, Georgina River and Simpson Desert. A flood warning was in effect for Sturt Creek District in Western Australia.
ABM noted widespread rainfall totals of 50 to 100 mm (~2 to 4 inches) have been recorded throughout the northern Tanami Desert. Some isolated areas received as much as 190 mm (7.5 inches).
ABM said, “Rainfall is expected to increase in the Central Desert and southeastern Tanami Desert from today with widespread falls of 70 to120 mm (2.8 to 4.7 inches) expected. Isolated falls of 180 mm (7 inches) could also be possible in places. Rainfall is also expected to increase in the MacDonnell Ranges and southern Barkly during today with 40 to 100 mm (1.6 to 4 inches) daily totals expected into tomorrow. Rainfall extends to the upper Georgina River and Simpson Desert during tomorrow with daily rainfall totals 20 to 80 mm (0.8 to 3.1 inches) expected in many areas.”
Esther is forecast to move southeast across the southern Barkly area to the Simpson District by Mar. 4.
Many roads including major transport routes in the flood watch area will continue to be affected and become or remain impassable with some communities and homesteads becoming isolated.
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.
March 02, 2020 – NASA Finds Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther Moving Back Inland
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther just won’t give up. The storm formed in the South Pacific Ocean, tracked across Australia’s Northern Territory and reached the Kimberley coast of Western Australia, and has now turned around. NASA’s Aqua satellite provided forecasters with a visible image of the storm turning back into Western Australia on March 2.
On Mar. 2, 2020, the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Esther’s remnant clouds that showed the storm moved back inland and away from the coast. Credit: NASA Worldview
On March 2, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Esther’s remnant clouds that showed the storm moved back inland and away from the coast.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) issued a Flood Watch for the Tanami Desert, Central Desert, MacDonnell Ranges, Barkly, Georgina River and Simpson Desert on March 2. A flood warning is current for Sturt Creek District in Western Australia.
At 10:48 a.m. ACST on Monday, March 2, the ABM forecast said, “Rainfall is expected to increase from today with widespread daily totals of 50 – 80 mm [2 to 3.1 inches] and isolated falls of 150 mm [5.9 inches] expected for the northern Tanami Desert. Rainfall into Tuesday is expected to increase with widespread falls of 70 – 120 mm [2.8 to 4.7 inches] expected in the Central Desert and southeastern Tanami Desert. Isolated falls of 180 mm [7.0 inches] could also be possible in places.
Rainfall is expected to increase in the MacDonnell Ranges and southern Barkly during Tuesday with 40 – 100 mm [1.6 to 3.9 inches] daily totals expected into Wednesday. Rainfall extends to the upper Georgina River and Simpson Desert during Wednesday with daily rainfall totals 20 – 80 mm [0.8 to 3.14 inches] expected in many areas.”
Many roads including major transportation routes in the flood watch area can expect to be affected on Mar. 2 and become impassable with some communities and homesteads becoming isolated.
Later today, ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther is expected to move into the northern Tanami District from the west as a strong arc of tropical low pressure.
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.
Infrared imagery from NASA’s Terra satellite showed strong storms were soaking parts of Australia’s Kimberley coast on Feb. 28.
The Australia Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) issued a Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds and heavy rainfall for people in parts of Kimberley district. Locations which may be affected include Kununurra, Wyndham, Lake Argyle, Warmun, Mitchell Plateau, Troughton Island and Mount Burnett. ABM cautioned that widespread daily rainfall totals of 50 to 150mm (~2 to 6 inches) with isolated falls 250 to 300mm (~10 to 12 inches) are possible. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther may cause damaging winds, averaging 35 to 45 kph (22 to 28 mph) with wind gusts potentially reaching 90 kph (56 mph).
On Feb. 28 at 12:55 a.m. EST (0555 UTC) the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite found coldest cloud top temperatures (yellow) in two areas around Esther’s center of circulation. They were as cold as or colder than minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 62.2 Celsius). One area of strong storms were off the coast and over the Southern Indian Ocean. That area stretched from Kalumburu in the northeast, southwest to off the coast of Prince Regent National Park. The second area of strongest storms were over land, from Prince Regent National Park stretching east to Drysdale River National Park. Credit: NASA/NRL
A Flood Watch has also been issued for parts of the Kimberley District. For further details please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au/wa/warnings/.
Tropical cyclones are made of up hundreds of thunderstorms, and infrared data can show where the strongest storms are located. They can do that because infrared data provides temperature information, and the strongest thunderstorms that reach highest into the atmosphere have the coldest cloud top temperatures. Convection is rising air that condenses and forms the thunderstorms that make up a tropical cyclone. When it is strong, it pushes clouds higher into the troposphere (the layer of atmosphere closest to Earth’s surface). The higher you go in the troposphere, the colder the air temperature gets, so colder cloud tops indicate stronger, higher storm cloud tops.
On Feb. 28 at 12:55 a.m. EST (0555 UTC) the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite found coldest cloud top temperatures in two areas around Esther’s center of circulation. They were as cold as or colder than 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.
One area of strong storms were off the coast and over the Southern Indian Ocean. That area stretched from Kalumburu in the northeast, southwest to off the coast of Prince Regent National Park. The second area of strongest storms were over land, from Prince Regent National Park stretching east to Drysdale River National Park.
At 3 a.m. EST (4 p.m. AWST) on Feb. 28, the center of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther was located about 78 miles (125 km) west of Wyndham. Esther was moving towards the west at about 9 miles per hour (15 kph).
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther is expected to continue moving in a westerly direction, through the northern Kimberley during Friday, Feb. 28.
ABM noted that the Severe Weather Warning is likely to extend further to the west and south later on Saturday, Feb. 29 as the Esther moves in a general southwesterly direction through the Kimberley.
Tropical cyclones are the most powerful weather event on Earth. NASA researches these storms to determine how they rapidly intensify, develop and behave. 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.
