Esther 2020 – Hurricane And Typhoon Updates

Esther – South Indian Ocean

Mar. 04, 2020 – NASA Tracks Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther Over Northern Territory

NASA’s Aqua satellite continues to provide forecasters with a visible image ex-tropical cyclone Esther’s remnant clouds and storms, now over the Barkly Region of Australia’s Northern Territory.

Aqua image of Esther — On Mar. 4, 2020, the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Esther’s remnant clouds centered over the Barkly area of the Northern Territory. Credit: NASA Worldview

On March 4, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Esther’s remnant clouds that showed the center over the Barkly region of the Northern Territory.

The Barkly Region is located in the west central part of the territory and the region’s main town is Tennant Creek. The region covers an area of 124,600 square miles (322,713 square km). Esther’s clouds stretched into Queensland.

On March 4, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) issued a Flood Watch for the Tanami Desert, Central Desert, MacDonnell Ranges, Barkly, Georgina River and Simpson Desert.

At 10:38 a.m. ACST on Mar. 4 (8:08 p.m. EST on Mar. 3), ABM cautioned that widespread disruption to roads expected to continue in central parts for next few days.

Ex-tropical cyclone Esther is expected to move across the southern Barkly District and into southwestern Queensland later today, Mar. 4.

ABM noted, “During the past 48 hours widespread rainfall totals of 50 to 150 mm (2 to 6 inches) have been recorded in many parts of the southern Northern Territory with some totals even higher, mainly in the Tanami Desert and Barkly. Rainfall is expected to contract east during today with 20 – 50 mm (0.8 to 2 inch) daily totals expected into tomorrow in the upper Georgina River and Simpson Desert.”

Many areas have experienced localized flooding and areas of inundation during the past 48 hours. ABM noted, “Many roads including major transport routes in the flood watch area are expected to continue to be affected and become or remain impassable with some communities and homesteads becoming isolated.”

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

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

For updated forecasts from ABM, visit: http://www.bom.gov.au/

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Esther – South Indian Ocean

Mar. 03, 2020 – NASA Sees Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther Move Back into Northern Territory

NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided forecasters with a visible image ex-tropical cyclone Esther’s remnant clouds that have now moved over Australia’s Northern Territory. The remnants have generated a flood watch including in the Tanami and Central Deserts.

Suomi NPP image of Esther — NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite provided an image on Mar. 3, 2020 that showed the remnant clouds and storms associated with ex-tropical cyclone Esther have blanketed the Northern Territory. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

Visible imagery from satellites help forecasters understand if a storm is organizing or weakening and the extent and movement of the storm. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP provided an image on Mar. 3 that showed the remnant clouds and storms associated with the ex-tropical cyclone have blanketed the Northern Territory. The center of ex-tropical cyclone Esther is located over the northern Tanami District.

On March 3, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (ABM), Northern Territory issued a Flood Watch for the Tanami Desert, Central Desert, MacDonnell Ranges, Barkly, Georgina River and Simpson Desert. A flood warning was in effect for Sturt Creek District in Western Australia.

ABM noted widespread rainfall totals of 50 to 100 mm (~2 to 4 inches) have been recorded throughout the northern Tanami Desert. Some isolated areas received as much as 190 mm (7.5 inches).

ABM said, “Rainfall is expected to increase in the Central Desert and southeastern Tanami Desert from today with widespread falls of 70 to120 mm (2.8 to 4.7 inches) expected. Isolated falls of 180 mm (7 inches) could also be possible in places. Rainfall is also expected to increase in the MacDonnell Ranges and southern Barkly during today with 40 to 100 mm (1.6 to 4 inches) daily totals expected into tomorrow. Rainfall extends to the upper Georgina River and Simpson Desert during tomorrow with daily rainfall totals 20 to 80 mm (0.8 to 3.1 inches) expected in many areas.”

Esther is forecast to move southeast across the southern Barkly area to the Simpson District by Mar. 4.

Many roads including major transport routes in the flood watch area will continue to be affected and become or remain impassable with some communities and homesteads becoming isolated.

For updated forecasts from ABM, visit: http://www.bom.gov.au/

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Esther – South Indian Ocean

March 02, 2020 – NASA Finds Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther Moving Back Inland

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther just won’t give up. The storm formed in the South Pacific Ocean, tracked across Australia’s Northern Territory and reached the Kimberley coast of Western Australia, and has now turned around. NASA’s Aqua satellite provided forecasters with a visible image of the storm turning back into Western Australia on March 2.

On March 2, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Esther’s remnant clouds that showed the storm moved back inland and away from the coast.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) issued a Flood Watch for the Tanami Desert, Central Desert, MacDonnell Ranges, Barkly, Georgina River and Simpson Desert on March 2. A flood warning is current for Sturt Creek District in Western Australia.

At 10:48 a.m. ACST on Monday, March 2, the ABM forecast said, “Rainfall is expected to increase from today with widespread daily totals of 50 – 80 mm [2 to 3.1 inches] and isolated falls of 150 mm [5.9 inches] expected for the northern Tanami Desert. Rainfall into Tuesday is expected to increase with widespread falls of 70 – 120 mm [2.8 to 4.7 inches] expected in the Central Desert and southeastern Tanami Desert. Isolated falls of 180 mm [7.0 inches] could also be possible in places.

Rainfall is expected to increase in the MacDonnell Ranges and southern Barkly during Tuesday with 40 – 100 mm [1.6 to 3.9 inches] daily totals expected into Wednesday. Rainfall extends to the upper Georgina River and Simpson Desert during Wednesday with daily rainfall totals 20 – 80 mm [0.8 to 3.14 inches] expected in many areas.”

Many roads including major transportation routes in the flood watch area can expect to be affected on Mar. 2 and become impassable with some communities and homesteads becoming isolated.

Later today, ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther is expected to move into the northern Tanami District from the west as a strong arc of tropical low pressure.

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

For updated forecasts from ABM, visit: http://www.bom.gov.au/

By Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Esther – South Indian Ocean

Feb. 28, 2020 – NASA Finds Ex-Esther Soaking Australia’s Kimberley Coast

Infrared imagery from NASA’s Terra satellite showed strong storms were soaking parts of Australia’s Kimberley coast on Feb. 28.

The Australia Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) issued a Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds and heavy rainfall for people in parts of Kimberley district. Locations which may be affected include Kununurra, Wyndham, Lake Argyle, Warmun, Mitchell Plateau, Troughton Island and Mount Burnett. ABM cautioned that widespread daily rainfall totals of 50 to 150mm (~2 to 6 inches) with isolated falls 250 to 300mm (~10 to 12 inches) are possible. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther may cause damaging winds, averaging 35 to 45 kph (22 to 28 mph) with wind gusts potentially reaching 90 kph (56 mph).

grid with land outlines, half painted with red and green hurricane data — On Feb. 28 at 12:55 a.m. EST (0555 UTC) the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite found coldest cloud top temperatures (yellow) in two areas around Esther’s center of circulation. They were as cold as or colder than minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 62.2 Celsius). One area of strong storms were off the coast and over the Southern Indian Ocean. That area stretched from Kalumburu in the northeast, southwest to off the coast of Prince Regent National Park. The second area of strongest storms were over land, from Prince Regent National Park stretching east to Drysdale River National Park. Credit: NASA/NRL

A Flood Watch has also been issued for parts of the Kimberley District. For further details please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au/wa/warnings/.

Tropical cyclones are made of up hundreds of thunderstorms, and infrared data can show where the strongest storms are located. They can do that because infrared data provides temperature information, and the strongest thunderstorms that reach highest into the atmosphere have the coldest cloud top temperatures. Convection is rising air that condenses and forms the thunderstorms that make up a tropical cyclone. When it is strong, it pushes clouds higher into the troposphere (the layer of atmosphere closest to Earth’s surface). The higher you go in the troposphere, the colder the air temperature gets, so colder cloud tops indicate stronger, higher storm cloud tops.

On Feb. 28 at 12:55 a.m. EST (0555 UTC) the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Terra satellite found coldest cloud top temperatures in two areas around Esther’s center of circulation. They were as cold as or colder than minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 62.2 Celsius). NASA research has found that cloud top temperatures that cold indicate strong storms with the potential to generate heavy rainfall.

One area of strong storms were off the coast and over the Southern Indian Ocean. That area stretched from Kalumburu in the northeast, southwest to off the coast of Prince Regent National Park. The second area of strongest storms were over land, from Prince Regent National Park stretching east to Drysdale River National Park.

At 3 a.m. EST (4 p.m. AWST) on Feb. 28, the center of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther was located about 78 miles (125 km) west of Wyndham. Esther was moving towards the west at about 9 miles per hour (15 kph).

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther is expected to continue moving in a westerly direction, through the northern Kimberley during Friday, Feb. 28.

ABM noted that the Severe Weather Warning is likely to extend further to the west and south later on Saturday, Feb. 29 as the Esther moves in a general southwesterly direction through the Kimberley.

Tropical cyclones are the most powerful weather event on Earth. NASA researches these storms to determine how they rapidly intensify, develop and behave. NASA’s expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as hurricane weather forecasting.

Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

Esther – Southern Pacific Ocean

Feb. 27, 2020 – NASA Follows Ex-Tropical Storm Esther’s Slow Trek

NASA’s Aqua satellite has been tracking the life of now Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther since it developed in the Gulf of Carpentaria and made landfall on the eastern side of the Northern Territory on Feb. 24. Aqua continues to provide forecasters with imagery of the storm’s slow westerly movement through the Northern Territory.

On Feb. 27, the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Esther that showed the storm’s center of circulation was nearing the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and the border between the Northern Territory and Western Australia (NT/WA). Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther’s strongest storms were in the western part of the Northern Territory where it has triggered a flood watch. However, Esther is a large system, so its clouds extended across the entire territory.

On Feb. 27, 2020, the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Ex-Tropical Storm Esther tracking slowly through Australia’s Northern Territory. Credit: NASA Worldview

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) reported at 7 a.m. EST/9:30 p.m. ACST, Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther was located over land about 68 miles/110 km west-northwest of Timber Creek and 70 km/43 miles east of the NT/WA border, moving west at about kph/6.2 mph.

ABM said, “The system is expected to continue moving west into the eastern Kimberley region on Friday [Feb. 28] morning. The low is expected to strengthen overnight as it draws in moisture from the Timor Sea.”

ABM cautions heavy rainfall may cause flash flooding over the Gregory and Daly Districts tonight [Feb.27] and Friday morning. Widespread rainfall of 50 to 150 mm/ ~2 to 6 inches with isolated amounts up to 200 mm/7.8 inches are expected, with the heaviest rainfall likely to develop tonight and tomorrow morning. “Damaging winds averaging 50 to 60 kph/31 to 37 mph with peak gusts of around 90 kph/56 mph are possible with thunderstorms in the western Gregory and southwest Daly District.

Areas of heavy rainfall and damaging winds are expected to contract westwards during Friday.”

A Flood Watch is in effect for the Carpentaria, Bonaparte and North West Coastal Rivers. Locations which may be affected include Darwin, Palmerston, Wadeye, Nauiyu, Kalkarindji and Pine Creek.

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

Tropical cyclones 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 from ABM, visit: http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/warnings/

Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

Esther – Southern Pacific Ocean

Feb. 26, 2020 – NASA Tracking Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther’s March

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther continues to march west through Australia’s Northern Territory and NASA’s Aqua satellite provided forecasters with a visible image of the low-pressure system.

On Feb. 26, the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Esther’s clouds. The image showed that as the system weakened it has expanded over the Northern Territory. Clouds extend from the Gulf of Carpentaria in the east, almost reaching the western border shared with Western Australia.

On Feb. 26, 2020, the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Ex-tropical cyclone Esther’s clouds moving through the Northern Territory of Australia. Credit: NASA Worldview

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) noted 9:30 p.m. CST (7 a.m. EST) on Feb. 26, Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther was located about 100 kilometers (62 miles) east northeast of Victoria River Downs, moving west northwest at about 15 kph (9 mph). The system is expected to continue moving west, moving across the Gregory District during Thursday as a deep tropical low-pressure area.

ABM forecasts heavy rainfall, which may lead to flash flooding to develop over the Gregory and southwest Daly Districts during Thursday. “The risk of widespread heavy rainfall has eased in the Carpentaria and Barkly Districts but isolated thunderstorms are expected to continue.” In addition, ABM noted “Damaging winds are possible with thunderstorms in the western Gregory and southwest Daly District. Locations which may be affected include Wadeye, Kalkarindji, Timber Creek, Daguragu, Palumpa and Peppimenarti.”

The low-pressure area is expected to strengthen further from Thursday afternoon as it draws in moisture from the Timor Sea.

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

For updated forecasts from ABM, visit: http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/warnings/

Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center , Greenbelt, Md.

Esther – Southern Pacific Ocean

Feb. 25, 2020 – NASA-NOAA Satellite Tracks Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther in Northern Territory

The north central interior area of Australia’s Northern Territory is under warnings for heavy rainfall and gusty winds as Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther moves on a westerly path. NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed over Australia’s Northern Territory and found the remnants of former Tropical Cyclone Esther moving through the north central part of the territory and was blanketing the Carpentaria, Gregory and Barkley regions.

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard Suomi NPP provided a visible image of Esther’s remnants that showed clouds extend from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the east, and stretch to the Gregory district in the central part of the Northern Territory. NPP showed that strong thunderstorms circle the low-level center of circulation and bands of thunderstorms were still feeding into the center from the north and from the east, generating heavy rainfall as the system moves over land.

On Feb. 25, NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite passed over Australia’s Northern Territory and found the remnants of former Tropical Cyclone Esther moving through the north central part of the territory. Credit: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

At 7 a.m. EST/U.S. (9:30 p.m. CST Australia local time) on Feb. 25, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) noted, “Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther was located about 90 kilometers [55 miles] northeast of Elliott, moving west northwest. The system is expected to continue moving west through the northern Barkly District or southern Carpentaria District overnight and move into the eastern parts of the Gregory District on Wednesday morning as a deep tropical low. Squally thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are likely, particularly close to the system center.”

ABM said that damaging winds are expected over southern Carpentaria District and northern Barkly District tonight, extending to the eastern Gregory District on Wednesday morning. The strongest winds are likely to be associated with squally showers and thunderstorms. In addition, heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding over the southern Carpentaria and northern Barkly Districts tonight, extending to the eastern Gregory District early on Wednesday. The heaviest rainfalls are likely to be associated with squally showers and thunderstorms. Locations which may be affected include Elliott, Kalkarindji, Larrimah, Daly Waters, Top Springs and Carpentaria District.

For updated forecasts from the ABM, visit: http://www.bom.gov.au

Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

Esther – Southern Pacific Ocean

Feb. 24, 2020 – NASA Aqua Satellite Catches Tropical Storm Esther’s Landfall

NASA’s Aqua satellite provided forecasters with a visible image of the Tropical Cyclone Esther making landfall on the southeastern coast of Australia’s Northern Territory.

Esther formed in the Gulf of Carpentaria on Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. EST (1500 UTC) as a tropical storm, and was designated Tropical Cyclone 19P. At 4 p.m. EST (2100 UTC), 19P was renamed as Esther and triggered warnings as it neared the southeastern coast of the Northern Territory. Early on Feb. 24, Esther passed over the Pellew Islands and made landfall near Borrololla.

On Feb. 24, 2020, the MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Esther as it was making landfall on the eastern coast of Australia’s Northern Territory. Credit: NASA Worldview

On Feb. 24 at 4 a.m. EST (0900 UTC), the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued the final warning on Esther. At that time, had maximum sustained winds near 50 knots (58 mph/93 kph). At that time, it was located near 16.7 degrees south latitude and 137.0 degrees east longitude about 454 nautical miles southeast of Darwin, Australia. Esther was moving to the west.

On Feb. 24 at 4 a.m., EST (0900 UTC), the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Esther that showed strong bands of thunderstorms wrapping into the low-level center.

Microwave satellite imagery showed the center was well defined and that the structure had consolidated as it moved over land.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology noted on Feb. 24, “Ex-tropical cyclone Esther has transitioned to a vigorous tropical low, and will continue moving westward through the Northern Territory, bringing heavy rain, damaging wind gusts and abnormally high tides.”

The JTWC noted, “This system is forecast to maintain tropical depression strength as it tracks across Northern Australia and is expected to track back over water 4 to 5 days. The system is expected to regenerate quickly over water.”

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

Rob Gutro
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.