Hurricanes – Page 42 – Hurricane And Typhoon Updates

Lorenzo – Atlantic Ocean

Oct. 02, 2019 – NASA Examines Extra-tropical Large Lorenzo’s Rainfall

Lorenzo is still at hurricane force in the eastern North Atlantic has now transitioned to an extra-tropical cyclone and has grown in size. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission or GPM core satellite provided a look at the rainfall occurring within this strong system. The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and the Atmosphere has discontinued all warnings for the Azores, and now Ireland and the United Kingdom are on watch for Lorenzo’s approach.

NASA Looks at Lorenzo’s Rainfall, Extra-Tropical Transition

GPM image of Lorenzo — The GPM’s core satellite passed over Lorenzo on Oct. 2 at 4:31 a.m. EDT (0831 UTC). GPM found the heaviest rainfall occurring north of the center, where it was falling at a rate of more than 1 inch (25 mm) per hour (red). Credit: NASA/JAXA/NRL

The GPM’s core satellite passed over Lorenzo on Oct. 2 at 4:31 a.m. EDT (0831 UTC). GPM found the heaviest rainfall occurring north of the center, where it was falling at a rate of more than 1 inch (25 mm) per hour. Scattered light rain falling at less than 0.2 inches (less than 5 millimeters) per hour circled the rest of the storm. Forecasters at NOAA’s National Hurricane Center or NHC incorporate the NASA rainfall data into their forecasts.

Satellite data showed that Lorenzo had become extra-tropical. That means that a tropical cyclone has lost its “tropical” characteristics. NHC defines “extra-tropical” as a transition that implies both poleward displacement (meaning it moves toward the north or south pole) of the cyclone and the conversion of the cyclone’s primary energy source from the release of latent heat of condensation to baroclinic (the temperature contrast between warm and cold air masses) processes. It is important to note that cyclones that become extratropical can still retain winds of hurricane or tropical storm force.

Status of Lorenzo on Oct. 2

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) on Oct. 2, NHC issued its last public advisory on this system. The center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Lorenzo was located near latitude 44.4 degrees north and longitude 25.8 degrees west. That is about 945 miles (1,525 km) west-southwest of Cork, Ireland, and about 970 miles (1,565 km) west-southwest of Galway, Ireland. The post-tropical cyclone is moving toward the northeast near 43 mph (69 kph). A continued fast motion toward the northeast is expected through Thursday morning.

Maximum sustained winds are near 80 mph (130 kph) with higher gusts. Only slow weakening is forecast during the next day or so, and the system is expected to be a strong extratropical cyclone when it approaches Ireland Thursday afternoon and evening. A faster rate of weakening is expected when the cyclone moves over Ireland and England.

Lorenzo is a very large cyclone. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km) from the center and tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 390 miles (630 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 962 millibars.

Lorenzo’s Forecast Path

Lorenzo is expected to bring strong winds and rainfall to Ireland and portions of the United Kingdom.

The cyclone is forecast to slow down and turn eastward and then southeastward Thursday night and Friday. On the forecast track, the center of post-tropical Lorenzo will move near western Ireland on Thursday, then pass over Ireland and England on Thursday night and Friday.

Ireland Braces for Lorenzo

On Oct. 2, Met Eireann, the Irish Meteorological Service issued this forecast about Lorenzo’s approach and effects: “Turning wet and windy on Thursday as the outer rainbands associated with Storm Lorenzo track across Ireland. Southeast winds will be strong and gusty with some damaging gusts. Very high seas are expected along the Atlantic coast. Feeling increasingly humid with temperatures of 13 to 17 degrees Celsius [55.4 to 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit]. During Thursday evening [Oct. 3] the centre of Storm Lorenzo will move closer to the northwest coast. Southerly winds will veer west to southwest, with gales and severe damaging gusts, especially along Atlantic coasts. Intense falls of thundery rain will move into the west, too.”

Interests in Ireland should monitor products issued by Met Eireann, and interests in the United Kingdom should monitor products issued by the U.K. Met Office.

Lorenzo’s Ocean Effects Over Large Area

NHC forecasters noted that swells generated by Lorenzo have spread across much of the North Atlantic basin, and are affecting the east coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada, the Bahamas, portions of the Greater and Lesser Antilles, the Azores, and portions of the coast of Europe. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

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.

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

Local forecasts and warnings for Ireland can be found on the website of Met Eireann, the Irish Meteorological Service, at http://www.met.ie

Additional information on this system can be found at: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialist-forecasts/coast-and-sea/high-seas-forecast

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Narda – Eastern Pacific

Oct. 01, 2019 – NASA Finds Narda’s Remnants Bringing Rain to Mexico, Headed to Southwestern U.S.

The remnant low pressure area that was formerly known as tropical cyclone Narda is still generating rainfall as it moves toward the southwestern U.S. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission or GPM satellite provided a look at the rainfall occurring on the eastern side of the system.

GPM image of Narda — The GPM’s core satellite passed over Narda’s remnants on Oct. 1 at 12:16 a.m. EDT (0416 UTC). GPM found scattered light rain (light blue) from the remnant clouds falling at around 0.2 inches (5 millimeters) per hour. NOAA’s GOES-West satellite provided the cloud imagery. Credit: NASA/NRL

The GPM’s core satellite passed over the eastern side of Narda’s remnants on Oct. 1 at 12:16 a.m. EDT (0416 UTC). GPM found scattered light rain from the remnant clouds falling at around 0.2 inches (5 millimeters) per hour. Forecasters at NOAA’s National Hurricane Center or NHC incorporated that rainfall data into their forecast.

NHC said, “Narda is expected to produce additional rainfall of up to 2 inches across portions of Chihuahua and Sonora. Moisture from Narda will spread northeastward across portions of the U.S. Southern Plains for the next couple of days, enhancing rainfall and the threat of flash flooding in those areas.”

On Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC), the remnants of Narda were located near latitude 27.3 degrees north and longitude 110.3 degrees west. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 30 mph (45 kph) and are weakening. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 millibars.

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

For additional information, please see excessive rainfall products issued by the NOAA Weather Prediction Center at: https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/excess_rain.shtml

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Mitag – Northwestern Pacific Ocean

Oct. 01, 2019 – NASA Satellite Shows Typhoon Mitag’s Large Reach Over East China Sea

The bulk of Typhoon Mitag’s clouds and precipitation has been pushed north of its center, extending its reach over the East China Sea. Mitag was centered just off the coast of China’s Zhejiang province when NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed overhead, but the bulk of the clouds were pushed north of center to the Korean Peninsula and southern Japan.

Suomi NPP image of Mitag — NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed over Typhoon Mitag in the East China Sea just off the coast of China’s Zhejiang province. The image showed Mitag’s northern reach extended to the Korean peninsula and southern Japan. 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 Mitag on Oct. 1, showing its eye was just off the coast of China’s Zhejiang province in the East China Sea. The VIIRS image revealed some bands of thunderstorms wrapped around the partially-exposed, ragged low-level center of circulation off the China coast.

The main area of deep convection (rising air that forms thunderstorms that make up a tropical cyclone) and thunderstorms is located north of center and had decoupled from the center. That decoupled area of storms extended northeast to the Korean Peninsula and to Kyushu, the southwestern most of Japan’s main islands.

Visible imagery from NASA satellites helps forecasters understand if a storm is organizing or weakening. The shape of a tropical cyclone provides forecasters with an idea of its organization and strength. The more circular a storm appears, the stronger it can be. Because the bulk of Mitag’s clouds and showers are pushed north of the center, it appears to be weakening. The image was created by the NASA Worldview Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

On Oct. 1, the China Meteorological Administration posted several warnings including Typhoon Warning, and warnings for heavy rain. Those warnings can be found at: http://www.cma.gov.cn/en2014/weather/Warnings/WarningSignals/201409/t20140919_261777.html

At 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC) on Oct. 1, Typhoon Mitag had maximum sustained winds near 65 knots (75 mph/120 kph). It was centered near 28.7 degrees north latitude and 122.3 degrees east longitude, about 156 nautical miles south-southeast of Shanghai, China. Mitag is moving north. Forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center expect Mitag will turn to the northeast and pass over South Korea while weakening. It is expected to become extra-tropical in the Sea of Japan.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Lorenzo – Atlantic Ocean

Oct. 01, 2019 – NASA Satellite Sees a Large Hurricane Lorenzo Headed toward Azores

Hurricane Lorenzo was heading toward the Azores Islands when NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided forecasters with an image of the storm. Satellite imagery revealed the large extent of the storm.

Suomi NPP image of Lorenzo — NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed over Hurricane Lorenzo twice in the Northeastern Atlantic Ocean to obtain a full picture, stitched together, of the large storm. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

Visible imagery from NASA satellites help forecasters understand if a storm is organizing or weakening. The shape of a tropical cyclone provides forecasters with an idea of its organization and strength. The more circular a storm appears, the stronger it can be. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP provided a visible image of Lorenzo on Sept. 30 and revealed that Lorenzo has grown in size. In fact, it took two orbits of NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite to capture the entire storm. Those two images were stitched together using the NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

In the VIIRS imagery, Lorenzo’s eye had become less distinct on satellite images over Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, but the system remains very well organized with tightly curved convective bands.

Lorenzo is a very large tropical cyclone. NOAA’s National Hurricane Center or NHC noted that hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km) from the center and tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 345 miles (555 km).

On Oct. 1, a Hurricane Warning was in effect for islands in the Azores that included Flores, Corvo, Faial, Pico, Sao Jorge, Graciosa, and Terceira. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Sao Miguel, Santa Maria.

At 8 am EDT (1200 UTC) on Oct. 1, the center of Hurricane Lorenzo was located near latitude 34.3 degrees north and longitude 29.0 degrees west. It was centered about 555 miles (895 km) southwest of Flores in the Western Azores Islands. Lorenzo is moving toward the northeast near 22 mph (35 kph). Maximum sustained winds are near 100 mph (155 kph) with higher gusts. Only slow weakening is expected during the next two days. The estimated minimum central pressure is 962 millibars.

On the forecast track, the center of Lorenzo is expected to pass near the western Azores early on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Mitag – Northwestern Pacific Ocean

Sep. 30, 2019 – NASA Finds Typhoon Mitag’s Eye East of Taiwan

NASA’s Terra satellite captured an image of Typhoon Mitag’s cloud-filled eye, located east of Taiwan.

Terra image of Mitag — On Sept. 30, the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite provided a visible image of Typhoon Mitag just east of Taiwan. Credit: NASA Worldview

On Sept. 30, the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite provided a visible image of Mitag. The MODIS image showed the cyclone continues to produce strong thunderstorms around its cloud-filled eye. Mitag’s western quadrant had already spread clouds and precipitation over Taiwan. Powerful bands of thunderstorms were swirling into the low-level center from the eastern side of the storm.

On Sept. 30, warnings remain in effect for the Philippines as Mitag, known locally as Onyok, continues to move north and away from the country. Philippines warnings still in effect include wind signal #1 for the Luzon provinces of Batanes and Babuyan Islands.

At 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC), Typhoon Mitag had maximum sustained winds near 75 knots. It was located near 22.8 degrees north latitude and 123.0 degrees east longitude, about 161 nautical miles south-southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.

Mitag is moving north, close to the east coast of Taiwan and forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center noted that Mitag is at peak intensity. The storm is forecast to graze the east coast of China, south of Shanghai, and then turn northeast.

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

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Narda – Eastern Pacific

Sep. 30, 2019 – NASA Finds Tropical Storm Narda Bringing Heavy Rainfall to Western Mexico

NASA’s Aqua satellite captured an image of Tropical Storm Narda along Mexico’s west coast in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Satellite data revealed the potential for heavy rainfall within Narda, and warnings are in effect for portions of western Mexico.

Aqua image of Narda — On Sept. 29 the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Tropical Storm Narda along Mexico’s western coast. Credit: NASA Worldview

Narda formed as Tropical Depression 16E on Saturday, Sept. 28 and intensified into a tropical storm late in the day. When it became a tropical storm it was renamed “Narda.”

On Sept. 30, the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Narda. The MODIS image showed the cyclone continues to produce a large area of deep convection near and to the west of its center. Earlier in the day, at 5 a.m. EDT, infrared satellite data showed that Narda continued to produce very intense deep convection (strong thunderstorms) with cloud tops colder than minus 80 degrees Celsius (minus 112 degrees Fahrenheit). NASA research has shown that storms with cloud top temperatures that cold can produce heavy rainfall.

That heavy rainfall potential is incorporated into the forecast for Sept. 30 from NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC). Narda is expected to produce the following rainfall accumulations through Tuesday: Nayarit, Sinaloa…Additional 3 to 6 inches, isolated storm totals 10 to 15 inches. Jalisco, Colima, Michoacan…Additional 1 to 3 inches, isolated storm totals 10 to 15 inches. Chihuahua…1 to 3 inches. Baja California Sur, Sonora…1 to 2 inches.

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC), a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from San Blas to Guaymas, and Islas Marias, Mexico.

The center of Tropical Storm Narda was located near latitude 22.5 degrees north and longitude 106.4 degrees west. That’s about 50 miles (80 km) south of Mazatlan, Mexico. NHC said recent microwave data and surface observations from Mexico indicate that the center of Narda is located just offshore of the west coast of mainland Mexico, north of Islas Marias.

Narda is moving toward the northwest near 15 mph (24 kph), and this general motion is expected to continue with some decrease in forward speed during the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 kph) with higher gusts. Some slight strengthening is possible today. Weakening should begin by Tuesday as Narda interacts with the mountains of western Mexico. Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center. A wind gust to 44 mph (70 kph) was recently reported at San Blas, Mexico. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1000 millibars.

On the forecast track, the center of Narda will move over the Gulf of California near the coast of northwestern mainland Mexico through Tuesday, Oct. 1.

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

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Lorenzo – Atlantic Ocean

Sep. 30, 2019 – NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP Analyzes Record-Setting Hurricane Lorenzo

Over the weekend of Sept. 28 and 29, Hurricane Lorenzo attained Category 5 strength briefly, becoming the strongest hurricane on record in the eastern-most Atlantic Ocean. Lorenzo has also attained and contributed to some other significant statistics. NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided infrared data over two days provided forecasters with changes in the storm’s eye, powerful thunderstorms and gravity waves it was creating.

Record Setting

On Saturday, Sept. 28, when Lorenzo attained Category 5 (Cat 5) strength on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale it was in a place more than 600 miles east-northeast of the previous record Cat 5 storm. It also had the lowest air pressure east of 50 degrees west longitude when the pressure dropped to 925 millibars.

There have been 26 Category 5 storms since 1960 with Lorenzo being the latest. Over the past 3 years, six storms attained that level of intensity. The others include Dorian, Michael, Maria, Irma and Matthew. Earlier this year Dorian reached Category 5 strength, so this year joins only six other years that contained more than one Cat 5 storm since records began. Other years with more than one Cat 5 storm include 1932, 1933, 1961, 2005, 2007 and 2017.

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP Satellite Views

The Suomi NPP satellite passed over the eastern Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 29, after Lorenzo’s peak when it weakened back to a Category 4 hurricane. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP provided infrared data on Lorenzo.

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.

“As with other strong hurricanes, the eye was well defined along with mesovortices seen,” said William Straka III, a researcher who created some Suomi NPP images at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC), Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS). The strength of the storm also was producing mesospheric gravity waves. Straka said, “Something interesting to note is that the mesospheric gravity waves from Lorenzo could be seen up to 1,180 km (733 miles) away. This isn’t that unheard of, but still worth noting.”

Mesovortices are small-scale rotational features found in convective storms, such as found in the eyewall of tropical cyclones. They can be as big as tens of miles in diameter or smaller such as a mile or less, and can be immensely intense.

NOAA defines a gravity wave as a wave created by the action of gravity on density variations in the stratified atmosphere. A generic classification for lee waves, mountains waves, and many other waves that form in the atmosphere.

At 0300Z on September 30 (11 p.m. EDT on Sept. 29), the National Hurricane Center or NHC Public advisory stated that Hurricane Lorenzo had winds of 110 mph, making it just barely a Category 3 hurricane. Three hours later at 2 a.m. EDT (0600 UTC) on Sept. 30, Lorenzo had weakened to a Category 2 hurricane as wind had decreased to 105 mph. When NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed over Lorenzo, it analyzed the storm again in infrared light. NPP imagery showed mesospheric gravity waves quite possibly due to the energy being released as the storm weakened. NPP also showed a cloud-filled eye with clouds expanding to the northern quadrant. Both of these observations support the NHC Forecast Discussion at 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC).

Hurricane Lorenzo on Sept 30

On Sept. 30, 2019 at 8 a.m. EDT (1200 UTC), NOAA’s National Hurricane Center issued watches for the Azores Islands. The Azores is a self-governing region of Portugal. The Azores consist of nine inhabited islands. All of them are under a watch from Lorenzo. NHC posted a Hurricane Watch for Flores, Corvo, Faial, Pico, Sao Jorge, Graciosa, Terceira, and a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Sao Miguel, Santa Maria.

At that time, the center of Hurricane Lorenzo was located near latitude 29.4 degrees north and longitude 42.9 degrees west. Lorenzo is moving toward the north-northeast near 14 mph (20 kph). Maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph (165 kph) with higher gusts. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 255 miles (405 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 957 millibars.

Lorenzo’s Track

On the forecast track, the center of Lorenzo is expected to pass near the western Azores early on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Some weakening is forecast over the next two day, but Lorenzo is forecast to remain a large and powerful hurricane while it passes near the Azores.

In addition to threatening the Azores, Lorenzo is having quite the impact in the North Atlantic, despite being in the Eastern North Atlantic. NHC said, “Large swells spreading across much of the northern Atlantic basin. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.”

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

19W – Northwestern Pacific Ocean

Sep. 27, 2019 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Sees Tropical Depression 19W Organizing

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed over the Northwestern Pacific Ocean and provided forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center with a view of Tropical Depression 19W’s structure that helped confirm it is now a depression.

Suomi NPP image of 19W — On Sept. 27, NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed over newly developed Tropical Depression 19W in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. The Philippines are seen to the far west of the storm in this image. Credit: NASA/NOAA/NRL

On Sept. 27, 2019, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP provided a visible image of newly developed Tropical Depression 19W. The VIIRS image showed the storm had already developed some strong thunderstorms around its center with a band of strong storms feeding into the center from the southeast. The VIIRS imagery helped confirm that the storm is now a depression and appears to be strengthening toward tropical storm status.

On Sept. 27 at 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC), Tropical Depression 19W had maximum sustained winds near 25 knots (29 mph)/46 kph). 19W was centered near 14.4 degrees north latitude and 136.2 degrees east longitude. That puts the center approximately 908 nautical miles southeast of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa Island, Japan. The storm was moving to the west.

Forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center expect 19W will move west-northwest and strengthen, then turn north and move east of Taiwan.

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Karen – Atlantic Ocean

Sep. 27, 2019 – NASA Satellite Finds Karen Holding onto Tropical Storm Status through Cloud Heights, Temperatures

NASA’s Terra Satellite provides a variety of data on tropical cyclones including cloud heights and cloud top temperatures. Terra examined those factors in Tropical Storm Karen in the North Atlantic Ocean and data showed Karen holding onto tropical storm status.

Terra image of Karen — On Sept. 26, the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra provided an image of cloud top temperatures and heights of Tropical Storm Karen. 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 and 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 an uplift or rising air in the storm.

On Sept. 26, the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite measured clouds heights and temperatures. The imagery showed the highest cloud tops, higher than 12,000 meters (7.65 miles) were located around the center of circulation.

Terra 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) in those storms. NASA research has shown that cloud top temperatures that cold have the capability to generate heavy rainfall.

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center or NHC said at 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Karen was located near latitude 28.3 degrees north and longitude 61.2 degrees west. Karen is moving toward the northeast at near 8 mph (13 kph). This general motion is forecast to continue this morning, but Karen is forecast to become nearly stationary by tonight or early Saturday. A westward motion is then anticipated by the end of the weekend. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 kph) with higher gusts.

Karen is forecast to degenerate into a remnant low by Saturday.

The Terra 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

Lorenzo – Atlantic Ocean

Sep. 27, 2019 – NASA Data Stares into the Eye of Powerful Hurricane Lorenzo

Satellite data has confirmed that Lorenzo is a major hurricane in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean with an impressive structure. NASA’s Terra Satellite provided a visible image of Lorenzo that revealed a clear eye and a solid structure of thunderstorms around the eye.

Terra image of Lorenzo — On Sept. 26, the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra provided a visible image of Hurricane Lorenzo moving through the eastern North Atlantic Ocean. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS).

On Sept. 26, the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite provided a visible image of Lorenzo as a major hurricane. The image and other satellite images showed a well-defined eye. The MODIS image revealed powerful thunderstorms around the eyewall, extending high into the troposphere. The circular shape of the storm indicated an organized and powerful storm.

At 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC), on Sept. 27 the center of Hurricane Lorenzo was located near latitude 18.6 degrees north and longitude 42.1 degrees west. Lorenzo is moving toward the north-northwest near 14 mph (22 km/h), and this general motion is forecast to continue today. A turn toward the north is expected on Saturday, followed by a turn toward the northeast on Sunday. Maximum sustained winds remain near 145 mph (230 kph) with higher gusts. Lorenzo is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in strength are possible today. Slow weakening is forecast to begin by the weekend.

Lorenzo is a large hurricane. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 265 miles (425 km).

Lorenzo, as a Category 4 hurricane has a long reach with ocean swells. Swells generated by Lorenzo are affecting portions of the northeastern coast of South America and will affect portions of the Windward Islands beginning today.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 937 mb (27.67 inches).

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

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center