Earth – Page 42 – Hurricane And Typhoon Updates

Lorenzo – Atlantic Ocean

Sep. 26, 2019 – Lorenzo Now a More Organized and Powerful Hurricane on NASA Satellite Imagery

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided a full visible image of a strengthening Hurricane Lorenzo in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean. On Sept. 26, Lorenzo attained status as a major hurricane.

Suomi NPP image of Lorenzo — On Sept. 25, the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided a visible image of Hurricane Lorenzo in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean. The African continent is east (right) in the image. Credit: NASA/NRL

A major hurricane is one that is a Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP provided a visible image of the storm on Sept. 25. The VIIRS image showed powerful thunderstorms circling the center of Lorenzo with thick bands of thunderstorms wrapping into the low-level center from the south and east of center. The satellite imagery revealed that Lorenzo was getting better organized as it was strengthening. By 11 p.m. EDT, infrared imagery showed a small eye had been appearing intermittently.

The shape of the storm is a clue to forecasters that a storm is either strengthening or weakening. If a storm takes on a more rounded shape it is getting more organized and strengthening. Conversely, if it becomes less rounded or elongated, it is a sign the storm is weakening.

On Sept. 26, shortly after 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC), the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Lorenzo’s eye quickly and drastically became more apparent in conventional satellite imagery. The slightly ragged but clearing eye of the hurricane is surrounded by very cold cloud tops, and it has become clear that Lorenzo is rapidly intensifying.

By 6 a.m. EDT (1000 UTC), the center of Hurricane Lorenzo had maximum sustained winds have rapidly increased to near 125 mph (205 kph) with higher gusts. Lorenzo is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Lorenzo was located near latitude 15.2 degrees north and longitude 39.3 degrees west. That puts Lorenzo’s eye about 995 miles (1,600 km) west of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands.

The hurricane is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph (24 kph). Lorenzo is forecast to turn toward the northwest and begin moving at a slightly slower speed later today. A turn toward the north is then anticipated on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Additional strengthening is possible today. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles (335 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 955 millibars.

Hurricanes are the most powerful weather event on Earth. NASA’s expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as hurricane weather forecasting.

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Karen – Atlantic Ocean

Sep. 25, 2019 – NASA Finds Tropical Storm Karen Bringing Heavy Rain to Puerto Rico

Tropical Storm Karen has crossed over Puerto Rico and into the western Atlantic Ocean. Early on Sept. 25 when Global Precipitation Measurement mission or GPM core satellite passed overhead, the satellite found heavy rain occurring over the territory.

GPM image of Karen — The GPM’s core satellite passed over Tropical Storm Karen on Sept. 25 at 0316 UTC (Sept. 24 at 11:16 p.m. EDT ). GPM found heavy rain falling at a rate of greater than 1.6 inches (40 millimeters) southwest of Karen’s center over the Atlantic Ocean and just north of central Puerto Rico. Heavy rain was also (dark blue and orange) falling a more than 1 inch (25 mm) per hour over Puerto Rico and extended far to the north of Karen’s center into the Atlantic. Credit: NASA/NRL

The GPM’s core satellite passed over Tropical Storm Karen on Sept. 25 at 0316 UTC (Sept. 24 at 11:16 p.m. EDT). GPM found heavy rain falling at a rate greater than 1.6 inches (40 millimeters) southwest of Karen’s center over the Atlantic Ocean and just north of central Puerto Rico. Heavy rain was also falling at more than 1 inch (25 mm) per hour over much of Puerto Rico and extended far to the north of Karen’s center into the Atlantic.

Forecasters at NOAA’s National Hurricane Center or NHC incorporate the rainfall data into their forecasts. At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC), NHC noted “Karen is expected to produce additional rainfall accumulations of 1 to 2 inches across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, with isolated storm totals of 8 inches.”

The center of Tropical Storm Karen was located near latitude 21.7 degrees north and longitude 64.9 degrees west. Karen’s center had moved further away from Puerto Rico since the GPM image was collected and was located about 240 miles (385 km) north-northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Karen was moving toward the north near 15 mph (24 kph). Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 kph) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1003 millibars.

NHC said, “A north-northeastward to northeastward motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected through early Friday. Karen is then expected to slow down and make a clockwise loop over the southwestern Atlantic into the weekend.”

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

For updated forecasts on Karen from NHC, Visit: www.nhc.noaa.gov

For local forecasts from the National Weather Service in Puerto Rico, Visit: https://www.weather.gov/sju/

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Lorenzo – Atlantic Ocean

Sep. 25, 2019 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Sees Hurricane Lorenzo Strengthening

Dropping cloud top temperatures from NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite indicated Hurricane Lorenzo was getting stronger in the North Atlantic Ocean.

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP provided an infrared image of the storm. Infrared imagery reveals cloud top temperatures, and the higher the cloud top, the colder it is, and the stronger the storm. On Sept. 25 at 0312 UTC (Sept. 24 at 11:12 p.m. EDT) a large area of powerful thunderstorms circled the eye where cloud top temperatures were as cold as minus 121 Fahrenheit (minus 85 degrees Celsius). NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasters cited that data in their Discussion at that time.

NASA research has shown that storms with cloud tops that cold have been found to generate heavy rainfall.

Later in the day, at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Lorenzo was located near latitude 14.1 degrees north and longitude 35.1 degrees west. That is about 715 miles (1,155 km) west of the southernmost Cabo Verde islands. Lorenzo is moving toward the west-northwest near 17 mph (28 kph), and this motion is expected to continue through Thursday.

A turn toward the northwest is expected late Thursday. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 85 mph (140 kph) with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Lorenzo is forecast to become a major hurricane by Thursday [Sept. 26]. The estimated minimum central pressure is 983 millibars.

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Jerry – North Atlantic Ocean

Sep. 25, 2019 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Finds Jerry Now a Post-Tropical Storm

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed over Jerry and provided forecasters with a view of its structure that helped confirm it is now post-tropical.

Suomi NPP Image of Jerry — On Sept. 24 at 2:06 p.m. EDT (1806 UTC) NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed over Post-Tropical Cyclone Jerry and it appeared as a swirl of clouds in the Atlantic Ocean. Credit: NASA/NOAA/NRL

On Sept. 25 at 12:48 p.m. EDT (1806 UTC), the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP provided a visible image of Jerry. The VIIRS image showed the storm as swirls of clouds with no organized deep convection developing strong thunderstorms. NOAA’s National Hurricane Center or NHC said since around 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) yesterday [Sept. 24], that there was a lack of strong thunderstorms which had been seen in earlier satellite imagery, including from NASA’s Aqua and Terra satellites. As a result, Jerry was designated as a post-tropical cyclone.

A Post-Tropical Storm is a generic term for a former tropical cyclone that no longer possesses sufficient tropical characteristics to be considered a tropical cyclone. Former tropical cyclones can become fully extratropical, subtropical, or remnant lows which are three classes of post-tropical cyclones. In any case, they no longer possesses sufficient tropical characteristics to be considered a tropical cyclone. However, post-tropical cyclones can continue carrying heavy rains and high winds.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Bermuda for Sept. 25. At 8 a.m. EDT (1200 UTC), the center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Jerry was located near latitude 32.0 degrees north and longitude 67.4 degrees west. The post-tropical cyclone is moving toward the northeast at near 7 mph (11 kph). Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts.

On the forecast track, the center of Jerry is expected to pass near Bermuda later today. Jerry is expected to produce 1 inch or less of rainfall across Bermuda through tonight. Swells generated by Jerry will continue to affect Bermuda during the next few days. Gradual weakening is expected during the next few days.

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Kiko – Eastern Pacific Ocean

Sep. 25, 2019 – NASA Finds Light Rain in Former Hurricane Kiko’s Remnants

Former Hurricane Kiko is now just a remnant low pressure area that has slid into the Central Pacific Ocean. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission or GPM satellite provided a look at the rainfall occurring within the low.

GPM image of Kiko — The GPM’s core satellite passed over Kiko’s remnants on Sept. 25 at 3:51 a.m. EDT (0751 UTC). GPM found scattered light rain (light blue) from the remnant clouds falling at less than 0.2 inches (less than 5 millimeters) per hour. Credit: NASA/NRL

Kiko weakened to a remnant low pressure area by 11 p.m. EDT on Sept. 24. At the time, it was about 950 miles (1.530 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii, near 19.2 degrees north latitude and 140.5 degrees west longitude. Maximum sustained winds at the time were near 35 mph (55 kph) and weakening. That also marked the last advisory from NOAA’s National Hurricane Center.

The GPM’s core satellite passed over Kiko’s remnants on Sept. 25 at 3:51 a.m. EDT (0751 UTC). GPM found scattered light rain from the remnant clouds falling at less than 0.2 inches (less than 5 millimeters) per hour. Forecasters at NOAA’s National Hurricane Center or NHC incorporate the rainfall data into their forecasts.

On Sept. 25, 2019, the Tropical Weather Discussion from NHC at 6:05 a.m. EDT (10:05 UTC) noted that Post-Tropical Cyclone Kiko is west of 140 degrees west longitude and in the Central Pacific Ocean. Kiko continues to move west.

The air-pressure gradient created between Kiko (a low pressure area) and high pressure north of the area is supporting moderate to fresh trade winds. Kiko’s remnants are producing a large area of ocean swells to 8 feet. Those ocean swells are expected to lessen as Kiko’s remnants dissipate.

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Hikaa – Northern Indian Ocean

Sep. 24, 2019 – Cyclone Hikaa Hits Oman (Earth Observatory update)

A few tropical cyclones spin into the northwestern reaches of the Arabian Sea each, and some bring damaging winds and rain into the Arabian Peninsula. That was the case on September 24, 2019, when Tropical Cyclone Hikaa made landfall over Oman.

Hikaa hitting Oman — NASA Earth Observatory image by Joshua Stevens, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS/LANCE and GIBS/Worldvie

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired this image at 10:45 a.m. Gulf Standard Time (06:45 Universal Time) as the storm’s outer bands moved over Oman. Later that day, the India Meteorological Department reported maximum winds between 120-130 kilometers (75-80 miles) per hour. That’s the equivalent of a category 1 storm on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale.

After encountering the coast of Oman and the dry air over the peninsula, the storm continued moving westward and weakened. Forecasters predicted heavy rainfall in some coastal areas, and officials advised people to stay away from low-lying areas. They also warned that rough seas could be dangerous for fishing boats.

Of all tropical cyclones that occur around the planet each year, only 7 percent are in the North Indian Ocean. They infrequently brush the Arabian Peninsula, and the region can go years without a storm. That said, 2018 brought more storms than usual, with three significant cyclones—Sagar, Mekunu, and Luban—bringing damaging wind and rain to Yemen and Oman. Cyclones tend to occur here in spring and autumn, so the final count for 2019 remains to be seen.

NASA Earth Observatory image by Joshua Stevens, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS/LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Story by Kathryn Hansen.

For additional information and resources visit: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/145645/cyclone-hikaa-hits-oman?src=eoa-iotd

Hikaa – Northern Indian Ocean

Sep. 24, 2019 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Finds Cyclone Hikaa at Oman’s Coast

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed over the Arabian Sea in the Northern Indian Ocean and provided forecasters with a view of Cyclone Hikaa’s structure. Hikaa is at hurricane strength along Oman’s coast.

Suomi NPP image of Hikaa — On Sept. 24 at 5:30 a.m. EDT (0930 UTC), NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Storm Hikaa along the coast of Oman in the Northern Indian Ocean. Credit: NASA/NOAA/NRL

On Sept. 24 at 5:30 a.m. EDT (0930 UTC), the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP provided a visible image of Cyclone Hikaa. The VIIRS image showed that the storm was close to the eastern coast of Oman and its center was just south of Masirah Island. Hikaa’s western quadrant was over the coast bringing gusty winds and heavy rainfall.

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) on Sept. 24, the center of Cyclone Hikaa was located near latitude 19.9 degrees north and longitude 58.4 degrees east. That puts Hikaa’s center just 38 nautical miles southwest of Masirah Island. Hikaa was moving to the west and maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 knots (86 mph/139 kph) with higher gusts.

Hikaa is approaching landfall in Oman near Duqm. The storm will dissipate inland.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Kiko – Eastern Pacific Ocean

Sep. 24, 2019 – NASA Satellite Looks at Tropical Storm Kiko’s Cloud Heights, Temperatures

NASA’s Aqua Satellite provides a variety of data on tropical cyclones including cloud heights and cloud top temperatures. Aqua examined those factors in Tropical Storm Kiko before wind shear began to affect it and weaken the storm.

Aqua image of Kiko — On Sept. 23, the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua provided an image of cloud top temperatures and heights of Tropical Storm Kiko. Purple indicates the highest cloud tops with the coldest temperatures. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS).

Tropical cyclones are made up of hundreds of thunderstorms. By analyzing the heights of thunderstorms the their cloud top temperatures, forecasters can tell if a storm is strengthening or weakening. The higher the cloud tops, the stronger the uplift in a storm. That rising air helps thunderstorms develop. As storms go higher, it is an indication that the storm is strengthening. Conversely, if over a period of time, satellite data shows cloud tops falling and warming, it is an indication the storm is weakening because there’s not as strong as an uplift or rising air in the storm.

On Sept. 23, the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite measured clouds heights and temperatures. Imagery showed the initial presence of an eye developing and strong thunderstorms developing around the southern quadrant. The imagery showed the highest cloud tops, higher than 12,000 meters (7.65 miles) were located around the developing eye and mostly south of the center. As the day progressed, high cirrus clouds covered the eye-like feature.

Aqua data also found that cloud top temperatures were as cold as or colder than 200 Kelvin (minus 99.6 degrees Fahrenheit/minus 73.1 degrees Celsius) around in those storms. NASA research has shown that cloud top temperatures that cold have the capability to generate heavy rainfall.

On Sept. 24, strong southwesterly wind shear between 40 and 45 knots caused Kiko’s convection and developing thunderstorms to become displaced from the low-level center by about 70 nautical miles. That has weakened the storm. The speed of that wind shear is expected to increase as Kiko moves westward, and that means the storm will weaken.

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center or NHC said at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) on Sept. 24 the center of Tropical Storm Kiko was located near latitude 17.9 degrees north and 138.9 degrees west longitude. That puts the center about 1,065 miles (1,715 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii. Kiko is moving toward the northwest at near 10 mph (17 kph), and this motion is expected to continue through the day. Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 kph) with higher gusts. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1004 millibars.

On the forecast track, Kiko will move into the central Pacific basin later in the day on Sept. 24. Additional weakening is forecast, and Kiko is likely to become a tropical depression by tonight. It should then degenerate into a remnant low on Wednesday. Sept. 25.

The Aqua satellite cloud height and temperature data was provided by NASA’s Worldview product at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Jerry – North Atlantic Ocean

Sep. 24, 2019 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Finds Wind Shear Taking a Toll on Tropical Storm Jerry

Tropical Storm Jerry continued to weaken as warnings were in effect for Bermuda on Sept. 24. Jerry appeared less organized on visible imagery from NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite because wind shear was taking its toll on the storm.

In general, wind shear is a measure of how the speed and direction of winds change with altitude. Tropical cyclones are like rotating cylinders of winds. Each level needs to be stacked on top each other vertically in order for the storm to maintain strength or intensify. Wind shear occurs when winds at different levels of the atmosphere push against the rotating cylinder of winds, weakening the rotation by pushing it apart at different levels.

There are a couple of factors that are causing Tropical Storm Jerry to weaken. NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that strong vertical wind shear and an intruding dry, stable atmosphere associated with a high amplitude mid- to upper-level area of elongated low pressure moving off of the east coast of the U.S. is finally taking its toll on Jerry.

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP provided a visible image of Jerry on Sept. 24. The VIIRS image showed Jerry’s cloud pattern has begun to deteriorate. Strong thunderstorm development is now only occurring on the northern quadrant of the tropical cyclone. The VIIRS image showed that the bulk of clouds and precipitation were being pushed northeast of Jerry’s center as a result of wind shear.

On Sept. 24, a Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Bermuda. At 8 a.m. EDT (1200 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Jerry was located near latitude 30.5 degrees north and longitude 68.9 degrees west. Jerry was 275 miles (440 km) west-southwest of Bermuda and moving toward the north at near 8 mph (13 kph). Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph (95 kph) with higher gusts. The estimated minimum central pressure is 993 millibars.

Gradual weakening is forecast during the next few days. A turn to the northeast is expected by tonight, followed by a turn to the east-northeast on Wednesday, Sept. 25. On the forecast track, the center of Jerry is expected to pass near Bermuda on Wednesday.

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Lorenzo – Atlantic Ocean

Sep. 24, 2019 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Find Tropical Storm Lorenzo Organizing

Tropical Storm Lorenzo continued to strengthen and appeared more organized on visible imagery from NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite.

On Sept. 24, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP provided a visible image of Lorenzo and showed it had become more organized over the previous 24 hours. The VIIRS image showed that many curved bands of thunderstorms have formed around the low-level center and there is a newly formed central dense overcast. A microwave image taken in the overnight hours showed that Lorenzo already had a very small central core.

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center or NHC said Lorenzo is located near latitude 12.0 degrees north and longitude 28.0 degrees west. Lorenzo is centered about 301 miles (500 km) southwest of the southwestern most Cabo Verde Islands. Lorenzo is moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph (26 kph). This general motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected for the next couple of days, followed by a turn to the northwest on Thursday. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph (100 kph) with higher gusts. The estimated minimum central pressure is 999 millibars.

Conditions seem to be ripe for further intensification because Lorenzo is moving over warm waters, is surrounded by humid mid-level air, and is only dealing with weak to moderate wind shear (outside winds that if strong enough can weaken a storm). Lorenzo is forecast to become a hurricane later today, Sept. 24. NHC forecasters said that Lorenzo could become a major hurricane on Thursday, Sept. 26.

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center