Pola (Southern Pacific Ocean)

Feb. 26, 2019 – NASA Finds Heavy Rainfall Potential in New Tropical Cyclone Pola

Tropical Cyclone Pola formed in the South Pacific Ocean on February 26 and the Fiji Meteorological Services quickly heavy rain posted warnings. NASA’s Aqua satellite analyzed cloud top temperatures in the storm which gave an indication of the storm’s strength.

Aqua image of Pola
At 7:30 a.m. EDT (1230 UTC) on Feb. 26, the MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite looked at Tropical Cyclone Pola (16P) in infrared light. MODIS found coldest cloud tops (light green) had temperatures near minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 62.2 degrees Celsius) around the center of the tropical storm. Credit: NASA/NRL

At 7:30 a.m. EDT (1230 UTC) on Feb. 26, the MODIS or Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite looked at Tropical Cyclone Pola, also known as Tropical Cyclone 16P, in infrared light. MODIS found coldest cloud tops had temperatures near minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 62.2 degrees Celsius) around the center of the tropical storm. Storms with temperatures that cold are indicative of strong storms and have been shown to have the capability to generate heavy rainfall.

The Fiji Meteorological Services posted a heavy rain alert for the Lomaiviti group, eastern and interior parts of Viti Levu, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center or JTWC posted at 10 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) on Feb. 26 that Pola was located at 17.4 degrees south latitude and 176.4 degrees west longitude. That’s approximately 283 nautical miles southwest of Avata Samoa. Pola was moving southward and is expected to continue in that general direction over the next several days. Maximum sustained winds were near 40 mph (46 mph/74 kph) and the storm is expected to strengthen to 55 knots (63 mph/102 kph).

JTWC expects that Pola will reach peak strength as a tropical storm on Feb. 27 and then begin transitioning into an extra-tropical storm as it moves away from Fiji.

For updated forecasts, visit: https://www.facebook.com/FijiMetService/

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Wutip (Northwestern Pacific Ocean)

Feb. 26, 2019 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Finds Typhoon Wutip’s Eye Clouded

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed over the Northwestern Pacific Ocean and captured an image of Typhoon Wutip that revealed its eye was clouding over.

Suomi NPP image of Wutip
On Feb. 26, 2019, the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Wutip in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

Wutip weakened rapidly from a super typhoon to a typhoon on February 26 after running into wind shear. Early on Feb 26, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite showed the effects of that weakening in a visible image. The VIIRS image also showed that the once visible 25 nautical-mile wide eye had become cloud-filled as the storm weakened.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center noted the storm is weakening because northerly winds or vertical wind shear is pushing the clouds and stretching the storm. Noted. Whenever a storm is no longer circular and elongates, it is a sign of weakening.

At 10 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) the Joint Typhoon Warning Center or JTWC noted that Wutip’s maximum sustained winds dropped to 105 knots (121 mph/194 kph). By this time, the eye was no longer visible on satellite imagery.

Wutip’s center was located near 15.5 degrees north latitude and 132.1 east longitude, that’s approximately 313 nautical miles west-northwest of Guam. Wutip is moving to the north-northwest.

The wind shear that’s affecting the storm is forecast to increase as Wutip moves into cooler sea surface temperatures, which will enhance weakening of the system. Wutip is forecast to weaken to a depression by February 28 or March 1.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Wutip (Northwestern Pacific Ocean)

Feb. 25, 2019 – Super Typhoon Wutip’s 25 Mile-wide Eye Seen by NASA-NOAA Satellite

Tropical Cyclone Wutip has strengthened into a powerful super typhoon and NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite snapped a visible image of the storm that revealed a clear eye.

Suomi NPP image of Wutip
On Feb. 25, 2019, the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image powerful super typhoon Wutip in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. Credit: NOAA/NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

Wutip strengthened into a super typhoon within 24 hours, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center or JTWC. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image of the storm as it became a super typhoon. The VIIRS image revealed a clear, symmetric eye, about 25 nautical miles wide. The eye was surrounded by powerful thunderstorms. A microwave image showed improved, more organized bands of thunderstorms wrapping into the center.

At 10 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) on Feb. 25, Wutip’s maximum sustained winds were near 140 knots (161 mph/259). That makes Wutip a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Wutip’s center was located near 14.0 degrees north latitude and 140.1 east longitude, that’s approximately 237 nautical miles north of Ulithi. Ulithi is an atoll in the Caroline Islands.

The JTWC noted that gradual weakening is expected due to an imminent eyewall replacement cycle. More significant weakening is expected by February 27 as the storm moves west and vertical wind shear increases and the super typhoon moves into cooler sea surface temperatures.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

 

Oma (Southern Pacific Ocean)

Feb. 22, 2019 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Provides Wide View of Tropical Cyclone Oma

When you look at a Tropical Cyclone Oma from space, you’ll get a sense of its massive size. While orbiting the Earth, NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided a look at the large tropical storm in the Southern Pacific Ocean.

Suomi NPP image of Oma
On Feb. 22, 2019, the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Oma west of New Caledonia in the Southern Pacific Ocean. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

Oma weakened rapidly from a typhoon to a tropical storm, and on Feb 22, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image of Oma. The VIIRS image also showed a long the bulk of clouds and thunderstorms pushed into the storm’s southern quadrant, looking like a large tail. That’s because northeasterly winds, or northeasterly vertical wind shear is pushing the clouds and tearing the storm apart. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center noted that rain bands, bands of thunderstorms that feed into the center, are unraveling, and the storm is elongating. Whenever a storm is no longer circular and elongates, it is a sign of weakening.

At 10 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) the Joint Typhoon Warning Center or JTWC noted that Oma’s maximum sustained winds dropped to 35 knots (40 mph). Oma’s center was located near 27.7 degrees south latitude and 159.9 east longitude, that’s approximately 367 nautical miles east of Brisbane, Australia. Oma has tracked south and is forecast to turn to the north and is expected to dissipate in a day or two.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Wutip (was 02W – Northwestern Pacific Ocean)

Feb. 22, 2019 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Analyzes Typhoon Wutip

Typhoon Wutip was impacting the Federated States of Micronesia in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean when NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed overhead and analyzed the storm in infrared light.

Suomi NPP image of Wutip
NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided an infrared look at Typhoon Wutip on February 21 at 10:52 a.m. EDT (1552 UTC). The satellite showed storms around the center were as cold as or colder than 70 degrees (red) Fahrenheit (minus 56.6 degrees Celsius). Credit: NASA/NOAA/Williams Straka III/UWM/CIMSS

On Feb. 22, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Tiyan, Guam noted that a Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Guam and Rota in the Mariana Islands and for Faraulep in Yap State. A Tropical Storm Watch also remains in effect for Tinian, Saipan, Pagan and Agrihan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided an infrared look at Typhoon Wutip on February 21 at 10:52 a.m. EDT (1552 UTC). William Straka III, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, noted that the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard found Suomi NPP showed an intense cold region in the exact location of the overshooting cloud top observed in infrared, which just happens to be where the lightning streak was observed in other satellite imagery. In addition, it seemed to indicate some wrapping of the colder cloud regions around the inner circulation.

VIIRS showed storms around the center were as cold as or colder than 70 degrees (red) Fahrenheit (minus 56.6 degrees Celsius). NASA research has found that cloud top temperatures as cold as or colder than the 70F/56.6C threshold have the capability to generate heavy rainfall.

At 10 a.m. EDT/1500 UTC on Feb. 22 (1 a.m. CHST local time, Feb. 23) the eye of Typhoon Wutip was located by satellite at Latitude 10.1 degrees North and Longitude 144.7 degrees East and moving northwest at 15 mph. That’s about 105 miles north of Faraulep and about 230 miles south of Guam.

Wutip is expected to continue on a northwest track today and tonight with decreasing forward speed, then turn to a north-northwest course on Sunday and Monday. This track takes Wutip to a closest approach of about 160 miles southwest of Guam this evening. Maximum sustained winds have increased to 120 mph. Wutip is expected to maintain this intensity today, then begin a slow weakening trend tonight and Sunday.

Typhoon force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend out up to 185 miles.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecast said Wutip will continue to track northwestward through February 24, before turning more north.

For updated forecasts, visit: https://www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/cyclone.php

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Wutip (was 02W – Northwestern Pacific Ocean)

Feb. 21, 2019 – NASA Infrared Image Shows Powerful Center of Typhoon Wutip

NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a look at the temperatures in Tropical Cyclone Wutip as it threatens Chuuk and Yap States in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. Wutip has strengthened into a typhoon.

Aqua image of Wutip
At 10:25 a.m. EDT (1525 UTC) on Feb. 21, the MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite looked at Tropical Cyclone Wutip in infrared light. MODIS found coldest cloud tops (light green) had temperatures near minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 62.2 degrees Celsius) around the center of circulation. Credit: NASA/NRL

Infrared imagery provides scientists with a look at cloud top temperatures in tropical cyclones, and the colder the clouds, the higher up in the atmosphere and stronger the storms tend to be.

Infrared satellite data of Wutip was captured at 10:25 a.m. EDT (1525 UTC) on Feb. 21 from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite. MODIS data revealed powerful thunderstorms with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 62.2 degrees Celsius) circling the center. Storms with temperatures that cold are indicative of strong storms and have been shown to have the capability to generate heavy rainfall.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Tiyan, Guam noted that a Typhoon Warning remains in effect for Satawal in Yap State and for Puluwat in Chuuk State. A Tropical Storm Warning and Typhoon Watch remain in effect for Faraulep in Yap State. A Tropical Storm Warning remain in effect for Ulul in Chuuk State. A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan in the Mariana Islands and Woleai in Yap State.

At 10 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) on Feb. 21 (1 a.m. CHST local time on Feb. 22) the center of Typhoon Wutip was located near Latitude 7.4 degrees North and Longitude 148.3 degrees East. Wutip is moving west-northwest at 8 mph. Wutip is expected to make a slight turn toward the northwest with an increase in forward speed over the next 24 hours. It is expected to pass southwest of the Mariana Islands late Saturday night [Feb. 23] and early Sunday morning [Feb. 24]. Maximum sustained winds have increased to 100 mph. Wutip is forecast to intensify through Saturday. Typhoon force winds extend outward from the center up to 35 miles. Tropical storm force winds extend outward from the center up to 150 miles.

Wutip is forecast to move in a northwesterly direction and its center is forecast to pass just northeast of the island of Faraulep by 7 p.m. EDT (2200 UTC) on Feb. 21 (10 a.m. CHST local time on Feb. 22) and continue tracking to the northwest.

For updated forecasts, visit:  https://www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/cyclone.php

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Oma (Southern Pacific Ocean)

Feb. 21, 2019 – NASA Takes an Infrared Analysis of Tropical Cyclone Oma

An infrared look by NASA’s Aqua satellite revealed where the strongest storms were located within the Southern Pacific Ocean’s Tropical Cyclone Oma.

Aqua image of Oma
On Feb. 20 at 9:53 p.m. EDT (0253 UTC, Feb. 21) the AIRS instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite analyzed cloud top temperatures of Tropical Cyclone Oma in infrared light. AIRS found cloud top temperatures of strongest thunderstorms were as cold as or colder than minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 53 degrees Celsius). Credit: NASA JPL/Heidar Thrastarson

On Feb. 20 at 9:53 p.m. EDT (0253 UTC on Feb. 21) the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder or AIRS instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite analyzed cloud top temperatures of Tropical Cyclone Oma in infrared light. AIRS found cloud top temperatures of strongest thunderstorms as cold as or colder than minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 53 degrees Celsius) circling the center. Cloud top temperatures that cold indicate strong storms that have the capability to create heavy rain. Cloud top temperatures over the bands of thunderstorms feeding into the low-level center have warmed. That’s indicative of a weakening storm. The higher in the atmosphere, the colder the cloud top. When cloud tops warm, it means the uplift of air that pushes them, has weakened.

On Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. EST (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Cyclone Oma was located near latitude 24.1 degrees south and longitude 159.7 degrees east. That’s about 418 nautical miles east-northeast of Brisbane, Australia. Oma was moving to the south. Maximum sustained winds were near 45 knots (52 mph/83 kph).

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center expects Oma to become slow moving and dissipate after two or three days because of increasing wind shear and movement over cooler sea surface temperatures.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Wutip (was 02W – Northwestern Pacific Ocean)

Feb. 20, 2019 – NASA Finds Tropical Cyclone Wutip Organizing

Tropical Depression 02W has organized and strengthened into a tropical storm.

Suomi NPP image of Wutip
On Feb. 20, 2019, the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Wutip in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image of the storm that showed bands of thunderstorms wrapping into a more organized center of circulation. 02W has been renamed Wutip.

On Feb. 20, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Wutip.  VIIRS revealed that bands of thunderstorms were wrapping into the low-level center of circulation.

The National Weather Service in Tiyan, Guam noted that a Typhoon Warning remains in effect for Satawal in Yap State and for Puluwat in Chuuk State. A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Fananu, Ulul, Lukunor, Losap and Chuuk in Chuuk State.

A Typhoon Watch remains in effect for Faraulep in Yap State. Residents of the Marianas should carefully monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Wutip.

At 10 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) on Feb. 20 (1 a.m. CHST on Feb. 21) the center of Tropical Storm Wutip was located near Latitude 5.5 degrees North and Longitude 152.0 degrees East. Wutip is moving west at 13 mph. It is expected to make a slight turn toward the west-northwest with little change in forward speed over the next 24 hours. Maximum sustained winds have increased to 65 mph. Tropical storm force winds extend outward from the center up to 185 miles to the southwest and up to 150 miles elsewhere.

Wutip is forecast to intensify through Saturday possibly becoming a typhoon later today.

Wutip is forecast to pass southwest of Chuuk and Fananu and move toward Guam.

For updated forecasts, visit: https://www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/cyclone.php

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Oma (Southern Pacific Ocean)

Feb. 20, 2019 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Looks at Large-Eyed Tropical Cyclone Oma

Tropical Cyclone Oma is a large hurricane with a big eye. The storm appeared well-organized on satellite imagery as it moved through the Southern Pacific Ocean.

Suomi NPP image of Oma
On Feb. 20, 2019, the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Oma west of New Caledonia in the Southern Pacific Ocean. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

On Feb.20, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Oma.  VIIRS revealed a large eye surrounded by powerful thunderstorms. The JTWC noted that the system is struggling to intensify due to the large size of the eye.

The VIIRS image also showed a long band of thunderstorms wrapping into Oma’s low level center from the southern quadrant, giving the impression of a long tail. Oma is located west of New Caledonia and east of Queensland, Australia.

JTWC stated that “Animated enhanced infrared satellite imagery depicts a decaying system with limited deep convective banding over the western semicircle [and a] microwave image depicts convective banding wrapping around a broad, defined low-level circulation center.”

At 10 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) the Joint Typhoon Warning Center or JTWC noted that Oma’s center was located near 22.1 degrees south latitude and 160.6 east longitude, that’s approximately 545 nautical miles northeast of Brisbane, Australia. Oma has tracked south-southwestward. Oma is forecast to turn to the west-northwest on Feb. 24 and pass near Cato Island.

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

02W (Northwestern Pacific Ocean)

Feb. 19, 2019 – A NASA Infrared Look at Tropical Depression 02W, Warnings Posted

Tropical Depression 02W formed in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean on February 19 and the National Weather Service in Guam has issued warnings for Pohnpei, Chuuk and Yap States. NASA’s Aqua satellite found three strongest storms around the depression’s center when it passed overhead.

Aqua image of 02W
At 10:40 a.m. EDT (1540 UTC) on Feb. 19, the MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite looked at Tropical Depression Two in infrared light. MODIS found coldest cloud tops (light green) had temperatures near minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 62.2 degrees Celsius) in several areas of the depression. Credit: NASA/NRL

Infrared satellite data of Tropical Depression Two (02W) was captured on Feb. 19 at 10:40 a.m. EDT (1540 UTC) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite. MODIS data revealed several areas in the depression where cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 62.2 degrees Celsius). Several of those storms appeared in a fragmented band of thunderstorms wrapping into the center from the northern quadrant.  Storms with temperatures that cold are indicative of strong storms and have been shown to have the capability to generate heavy rainfall.

The National Weather Service in Tiyan, Guam noted that a Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Nukuoro in Pohnpei State and Lukunor, Losap and Chuuk in Chuuk State. A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Fananu, Puluwat and Ulul in Chuuk State and Satawal in Yap State. Residents of the Marianas should carefully monitor the progress of Tropical Depression Two.

At 1 a.m. CHST on Feb. 20 (10 a.m. EDT/1500 UTC on Feb. 19) the center of 02W was located near Latitude 4.4 degrees North and Longitude 156.4 degrees East. 02W is moving west at 15 mph. It is expected to make a slight turn toward the west-northwest with a slight decrease in forward speed over the next 24 hours. Maximum sustained winds remain at 35 mph (56 kph).

02W is forecast to intensify through Thursday possibly becoming a tropical storm later today.

For updated forecasts, visit: https://www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/cyclone.php

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center