Earth – Page 54 – Hurricane And Typhoon Updates

Krosa – Northwestern Pacific Ocean

Aug. 06, 2019 – NASA Finds Heavy Rain in New Tropical Storm Krosa

Tropical Storm Krosa had recently developed into a tropical storm when the GPM satellite passed overhead and found heavy rainfall. Fortunately, the storm was over open waters.

GPM image of Krosa — The GPM core satellite passed over Tropical Storm Krosa at 10:21 a.m. EDT (1421 UTC) on August 6, 2019. GPM found the heaviest rainfall (pink) was east of the center of circulation falling at a rate of 50 mm (about 2 inches) per hour. Credit: NASA/JAXA/NRL

Krosa formed on August 5 as the eleventh tropical depression of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean typhoon season. On August 6 by 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC) it had become a tropical storm and was re-named Krosa.

The Global Precipitation Measurement mission or GPM core satellite passed over Tropical Storm Krosa at 10:21 a.m. EDT (1421 UTC) on August 6, 2019. GPM found the heaviest rainfall was east of the center of circulation falling at a rate of 50 mm (about 2 inches) per hour, over open ocean GPM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA.

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) Tropical storm Krosa was located near19.0 degrees north latitude and 142.3 east longitude, about 352 miles south of Iwo To Island, Japan. Krosa was moving to the northwest and had maximum sustained winds near 40 knots (46 mph/74 kph).

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center noted that Krosa will move northwest, then later north and strengthen to a typhoon with maximum sustained winds near 75 knots (86 mph/139 kph).

Krosa is expected to pass very near the island of Iwo To on August 9 and move north.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Lekima – Northwestern Pacific Ocean

Aug. 06, 2019 – NASA Satellite Finds Strong Storms Circling Lekima’s Center

NASA’s Aqua satellite passed over the Northwestern Pacific Ocean and captured a visible image of strengthening Tropical Storm Lekima.

Aqua image of Lekima — On Aug. 6, 2019, the MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Tropical Storm Lekima in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. Credit: NASA/NRL

On Aug. 6, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Lekima that showed a ring of strong thunderstorms around its center of circulation.

At 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC), the center of Lekima was located near latitude 19.1 degrees north and longitude 129.0 degrees east. Lekima was about 449 nautical miles south of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. Lekima was moving to the north-northwest and had maximum sustained winds near 50 knots (57 mph/92 kph).

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center expects Lekima to move northwest and strengthen into a typhoon. After 3 days, it will pass over Taiwan and turn northeast just off the east coast of China, where it is expected to dissipate.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Flossie – Central Pacific Ocean

Aug. 06, 2019 – NASA Sees Flossie Now a Remnant Low Pressure Area

Former Hurricane Flossie was nothing more than a remnant low pressure area early on Tuesday, August 6. Infrared imagery from NASA’s Aqua satellite found just a few scattered areas of cold clouds in thunderstorms in the remnants northeast of the Hawaiian Islands.

Aqua image of Flossie — On August 6 at 4:40 a.m. EDT (0840 UTC), the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite showed strongest thunderstorms in the remnants of Flossie were fragmented northeast of the Hawaiian Islands. There cloud top temperatures were as cold as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 45.5 Celsius). Credit: NASA/NRL

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

On August 6 at 4:40 a.m. EDT (0840 UTC), the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite gathered infrared data on Flossie.

MODIS found just a few scattered areas of cold clouds in thunderstorms in the remnants, northeast of the Hawaiian Islands. Those thunderstorms had cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 45.5 Celsius).

The NHC issued the final advisory on Flossie at 11 p.m. EDT on Aug. 5 (0300 UTC on Aug. 6). At that time, center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Flossie was located near latitude 20.8 degrees North and longitude 154.6 degrees West. That’s about 85 miles (135 km) north-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii. The post-tropical cyclone is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph (19 kph). A gradual turn toward the north-northwest is expected until dissipation on Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 kph) with higher gusts.

Flossie is expected to gradually degenerate over the next day or so and dissipate by Wednesday.

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Francisco – Northwestern Pacific Ocean

Aug. 05, 2019 – NASA Catches Tropical Storm Francisco’s Approach to Landfall in Southern Japan

Infrared imagery from NASA’s Aqua satellite shows that Tropical Storm Francisco had powerful thunderstorms with heavy rain capabilities around the center of circulation as it moves toward landfall in southern Japan.

Terra image of Francisco — On Aug. 5 at 9 a.m. EDT (1300 UTC) the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite showed strongest storms (red) in Tropical Storm Francisco circled the center. There, cloud top temperatures were as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 56.6 Celsius). Credit: NASA/NRL

On Aug. 5, 2019, the Japan Meteorological Agency has issued warnings for the Amami, Kyushu and Shikoku. Advisories are in effect for Chugoku, Kinki Ogasawara, Okinawa and Tokai.

NASA’s Aqua satellite used infrared light to analyze the strength of storms in Tropical Storm Francisco and found strongest storms circling the center. Infrared data provides temperature information, and the strongest thunderstorms that reach high into the atmosphere have the coldest cloud top temperatures.

On Aug. 5 at 9 a.m. EDT (1300 UTC), the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite found strongest thunderstorms had cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 56.6 Celsius). Cloud top temperatures that cold indicate strong storms with the potential to generate heavy rainfall.

Microwave satellite imagery revealed an eye had formed in the center of those powerful thunderstorms.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center or JTWC noted at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) that Francisco had maximum sustained winds near 60 knots (60 mph/111kph). Francisco was centered near 31.6 degrees north latitude and 132.4 degrees east longitude. Tropical storm Francisco was located approximately 203 nautical miles east-southeast of Sasebo, Japan. Francisco has tracked westward.

After the storm makes landfall in Kyushu, Japan, it is forecast to pass into the south of the Korean peninsula, and turn to the northeast as it becomes extra-tropical over the Sea of Japan.

For updated warnings from the Japan Meteorological Agency, visit: https://www.jma.go.jp/en/warn/

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Lekima – Northwestern Pacific Ocean

Aug. 05, 2019 – NASA Gazes into Tropical Storm Lekima in Philippine Sea

NASA’s Aqua satellite gazed into Tropical Storm Lekima as it moved through the Philippine Sea on August 5 and the AIRS instrument aboard took the temperature of its cloud tops to estimate storm strength.

AIRS image of Lekima — On Aug. 5, at 0105 a.m. EDT (0505 UTC) the AIRS instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite analyzed cloud top temperatures of Tropical Storm Lekima in infrared light. AIRS found coldest cloud top temperatures (purple) of strongest thunderstorms were as cold as or colder than minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 53 degrees Celsius). Credit: NASA JPL/Heidar Thrastarson

Lekima formed early on Aug. 4 as Tropical Depression 10W and strengthened into a tropical storm on Aug. 5, when it was renamed Lekima.

NASA’s Aqua satellite passed over Lekima on Aug. 5, at 0105 a.m. EDT (0505 UTC). The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder or AIRS instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite analyzed Lekima in infrared light and found cloud top temperatures of strongest thunderstorms as cold as or colder than minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 53 degrees Celsius) were wrapping into the low-level center from the south. Cloud top temperatures that cold indicate strong storms that have the capability to create heavy rain.

Strongest storms extend high into the troposphere and have very cold cloud top temperatures as cold as or colder than minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 53 degrees Celsius).

At 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Lekima was located near latitude 19.2 degrees north and 129.5 degrees east longitude. Lekima’s center is about 456 nautical miles south-southeast of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa Island, Japan. It was moving to the northwest and had maximum sustained winds near 35 knots (40 mph/64 kph). In the Philippines, Lekima is called Hanna.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecasts that Lekima will move northwest and make landfall over northern Taiwan on Aug. 9, then make a final landfall in mainland China.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Gil – Eastern Pacific Ocean

Aug. 05, 2019 – Short-Lived Tropical Storm Gil Gives a Kick on NASA Imagery

Tropical Storm Gil was a two day tropical cyclone in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. It formed on Saturday, August 3, and by the end of the day on August 4, it was already a remnant low pressure area. On August 5, though, NASA’s Terra satellite found a couple of small areas of strong storms left in the remnants of Gil.

Terra image of Gil — On Aug. 5 at 2:20 a.m. EDT (0620 UTC), the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite showed a couple of small area of strong storms remaining (yellow) in the remnants of Tropical Storm Gil. Cloud top temperatures in those areas were as cold as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 45.5 Celsius). Credit: NASA/NRL

Tropical Depression 8E formed on Aug. 3 around 11 a.m. EDT, about 930 miles (1,495 km) southwest of the southernmost tip of Baja California, Mexico. By 5 p.m. EDT, it strengthened into a tropical storm and was re-named Gil. Gil peaked 6 hours later when maximum sustained winds reached 40 mph (65 kph). It weakened quickly after that time.

It was just the next day, that NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted that Gil had degenerated into a remnant low pressure area. At that time, Gil was located about 1,255 miles (2,020 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.

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

On Aug. 5 at 2:20 a.m. EDT (0620 UTC), the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite gathered infrared data on Gil’s remnants. There were a couple of small areas of strong storms where thunderstorms had cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 45.5 Celsius), but Gil is not expected to regenerate.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Flossie – Central Pacific Ocean

Aug. 05, 2019 – NASA Finds One Small Area of Strong Storms Left in Fading Flossie

NASA’s Terra satellite found one small area of strong storms left in Tropical Depression Flossie on August 5 as it neared Hawaii.

Terra image of Flossie — On Aug. 5 at 4 a.m. EDT (0800 UTC), the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite showed one small area of strong storms remaining (yellow) in Tropical Depression Flossie northeast of the center. Cloud top temperatures in those areas were as cold as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 45.5 Celsius). Credit: NASA/NRL

Although Flossie is not expected to make landfall, its center will stay over the Central Pacific and pass close enough to the Hawaiian Island chain to bring ocean swells and rainfall. NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) said, “Swells generated by Flossie will continue to affect portions of the main Hawaiian Islands during the next day or two, producing dangerous surf conditions along east and southeast facing shores.”

In addition, moisture associated with Flossie will spread over portions of the main Hawaiian Islands on Monday, bringing the potential for heavy rainfall. Total rainfall amounts of 1 to 4 inches are expected, with localized higher amounts.

On Aug. 5 at 4 a.m. EDT (0800 UTC), the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite gathered infrared data on Flossie, now weakened to a depression. The one small area of strong storms was northeast of the center where thunderstorms had cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 45.5 Celsius).

At 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC), the center of Tropical Depression Flossie was located near latitude 19.4 degrees north and longitude 151.3 degrees west. The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph (24 kph). Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 kph) with higher gusts. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1009 millibars.

NHC said, “Weakening is forecast during the next couple days, with Flossie becoming a post-tropical remnant low Monday or Monday night, and dissipating on Tuesday, August 6.”

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Francisco – Northwestern Pacific Ocean

Aug. 02, 2019 – NASA Catches Birth of Northwestern Pacific’s Tropical Storm Francisco

Soon after Tropical Storm Francisco developed in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean NASA’s Terra satellite passed overhead.

NASA’s Terra satellite used infrared light to gather temperature information from newly developed Tropical Storm Francisco. The strongest thunderstorms reach high into the atmosphere and have the coldest cloud top temperatures.

On August 2 at 8:20 a.m. EDT (1220 UTC) the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite found coldest cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 62.2 Celsius). Cloud top temperatures that cold indicate strong storms with the potential to generate heavy rainfall. Those strongest storms were seen around the center and in fragmented bands of thunderstorms circling the center. Those temperatures were also found in a large band of thunderstorms feeding into the center from the east.

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Francisco was located near latitude 21.7 degrees north and longitude 151.2 degrees east. That’s about 576 nautical miles east-southeast of Iwo To island, Japan. Francisco is moving toward the northwest. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 knots (46 mph/74 kph) with higher gusts.

On the forecast track, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecasts Francisco to move northwest toward southwestern Japan. Francisco is expected to strengthen to 85 knots (98 mph/157 kph) before landfall in Kyushu by August 6, and a second landfall the next day in South Korea.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Wipha – South China Sea

Aug. 02, 2019 – NASA Satellite Finds Tropical Storm Wipha Blankets the Gulf of Tonkin

Visible satellite imagery from NASA’s Aqua satellite showed the clouds from Tropical Storm Wipha blanketing the Gulf of Tonkin.

Aqua image of Wipha — On Aug. 2, 2019, the MODIS instrument aboard Aqua captured a visible image of Tropical Storm Wipha in the Gulf of Tonkin, South China Sea, headed for landfall in northern Vietnam. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

The Gulf of Tonkin is a body of water located in the northern part of the South China Sea. It is located off the coast of northern Vietnam and southern China.

On Aug. 2, 2019, a Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for coastal areas in northeastern Vietnam. The Vietnam National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHF) expects Wipha to track along the southern China coast and move into Vietnam tracking to the southwest. NCHF expects Wipha’s center to pass just south of Hanoi.

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) on Aug. 2, Wipha had maximum sustained winds near 35 knots (40 mph/64 kph). It was centered near 21.6 degrees north latitude and 108.5 degrees east longitude, about 150 nautical miles east-northeast of Hanoi, Vietnam. Wipha was moving to the west.

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument aboard Aqua captured a visible image of Wipha on August 2. The MODIS image showed that clouds associated with Wipha filled up the Gulf of Tonkin. Satellite data showed that bands of thunderstorms were wrapping into a defined low-level circulation center.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center said that Wipha is expected to make landfall by 11 p.m. EDT on Aug. 2 (0300 UTC on Aug. 3) in northern Vietnam. Then it will weaken as it moves to the west-southwest and over north Vietnam, where it will dissipate.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Flossie – Eastern Pacific Ocean

Aug. 02, 2019 – NASA Sees Tropical Storm Flossie Headed to Central Pacific Ocean

Tropical Storm Flossie continues tracking in a westward direction through the Eastern Pacific Ocean and is expected to move into the Central Pacific Ocean later today, August 2.

NASA’s Aqua satellite used infrared light to provide temperature information of clouds and sea surface. The strongest thunderstorms that reach high into the atmosphere have the coldest cloud top temperatures. Cloud top temperatures that cold indicate strong storms with the potential to generate heavy rainfall.

On August 2 at 6:10 a.m. EDT (1010 UTC), the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite found those strongest storms around the center and in fragmented bands of thunderstorms circling the center, where cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 62.2 Celsius).

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said, “Tropical Storm Flossie is a little more symmetric than it was last night. The center of the tropical storm appears to be more embedded within its central dense overcast.”

At 11 a.m. EDT (5 a.m. HST/1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Flossie was located near latitude 17.1 degrees north and longitude 137.8 degrees west. That’s about 1,145 miles (1.845 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii. Flossie is moving toward the west-northwest near 17 mph (28 kph), and this general heading with a slight decrease in forward speed is expected through early next week. Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph (110 kph) with higher gusts. The estimated minimum central pressure is 993 millibars.

On the forecast track, Flossie is forecast to cross into the central Pacific basin later today.

Gradual weakening is anticipated over the weekend and will likely continue through early next week.

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center