NASA's TRMM satellite provides time series of powerful Tropical Cyclone Ian

2014-01-15

(Press-News.org) Contact information: Rob Gutro
robert.j.gutro@nasa.gov
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
NASA's TRMM satellite provides time series of powerful Tropical Cyclone Ian

NASA's TRMM satellite passed over Tropical Cyclone Ian three days in a row and captured rainfall and thunderstorm cloud height data about the deadly storm as it strengthened and weakened.

Tropical Cyclone Ian meandered in an area of the Pacific Ocean between Fiji and Tonga as it intensified from a tropical storm with winds of 35 knots/41 mph on January 5, 2014 to a deadly tropical cyclone with winds of 125 knots/144 mph on January 11, 2014. Tropical cyclone Ian caused extensive damage and an unknown number of deaths when it passed through Tonga at the peak of its intensity.

The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission or TRMM satellite provided excellent coverage of Ian with multiple passes directly above the tropical cyclone. Rainfall data collected by TRMM's Microwave Imager (TMI) and Precipitation Radar (PR) instruments with four passes. The first overpass on January 10, 2014 at 01:17 UTC showed Ian located between Fiji and Tonga when maximum sustained winds were estimated at 90 knots/104 mph. The second time TRMM passed over Ian was later in the day at 08:33 UTC/3:33 a.m. EST. Data from that overpass showed that Ian was much larger and better organized with a very well defined eye.

VIDEO: TRMM's Precipitation Radar data was used to create this 3-D flyby animation Ian's well defined eye on January 11, 2014 at 0833 UTC/3:33 a.m. EST. Powerful thunderstorms in Ian's eye...
Click here for more information.

The next day, January 11, TRMM captured data on Ian when the tropical cyclone was passing close to the east of Tonga at 08:33 UTC/3:33 a.m. EST. Ian was then at its most dangerous category four intensity. TRMM data showed rain falling at the rate of over 169 mm/6.7 inches per hour around the nearly circular eye.

On January 12 at 01:05 UTC, TRMM showed a small area of heavy rainfall near Ian's center, with moderate to light rain throughout the rest of the system. By that time, Ian had moved to the southeast of Tonga.

TRMM's Precipitation Radar (PR) instrument collected data used to create a 3-D flyby animation Ian's well defined eye on January 11, 2014 at 0833 UTC/3:33 a.m. EST. Powerful thunderstorms in Ian's eye wall were found reaching heights of about 15 km/9.3 miles.

Ian dissipated in the South Pacific Ocean by January 13, 2014.

INFORMATION:

Text credit: Hal Pierce
SSAI/NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

How fiber prevents diabetes and obesity

2014-01-15

How fiber prevents diabetes and obesity These results, published in the journal Cell on 9 January 2014, also clarify the role of the intestine and its associated microorganisms in maintaining glycaemia. They ...

Narcissism -- to a point -- can make a more effective leader, researchers find

2014-01-15

Narcissism -- to a point -- can make a more effective leader, researchers find CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Although Narcissus himself might not have been able to step away from his reflection in the mirror to get to the office, when it comes to leadership, ...

Research advancements made in diabetes-induced blindness

2014-01-15

Research advancements made in diabetes-induced blindness Corneal blindness affects more than 5 million individuals, many of whom suffer from diabetes LOS ANGELES (January 15, 2014) – Investigators at the Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute have identified ...

Acidification, predators pose double threat to oysters

2014-01-15

Acidification, predators pose double threat to oysters The once-booming, now struggling Olympia oyster native to the West Coast could face a double threat from ocean acidification and invasive predators, according to new research from the University of California, ...

Fast food not the major cause of rising childhood obesity rates

2014-01-15

Fast food not the major cause of rising childhood obesity rates For several years, many have been quick to attribute rising fast-food consumption as the major factor causing rapid increases in childhood obesity. Now researchers at the University ...

NASA sees Tropical Cyclone Colin's final bow

2014-01-15

NASA sees Tropical Cyclone Colin's final bow Tropical Cyclone Colin is becoming an extra-tropical system in the Southern Pacific Ocean and NASA's Aqua satellite captured an image of the transitioning storm. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued their final warning ...

NASA sees system 94S still trying to organize near Darwin

2014-01-15

NASA sees system 94S still trying to organize near Darwin Tropical low pressure area System 94S continues to soak Australia's Northern Territory near Darwin. NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured an image that showed the areas being affected by the developing low. System ...

Cervical screening up to age 69 may prevent cervical cancer in older women

2014-01-15

Cervical screening up to age 69 may prevent cervical cancer in older women A study published this week in PLOS Medicine suggests that screening women for cervical cancer beyond age 50 clearly saves lives, and also that there are benefits for women with normal (negative) ...

Muscle-strengthening and conditioning in women associated with reduced risk of diabetes

2014-01-15

Muscle-strengthening and conditioning in women associated with reduced risk of diabetes Aerobic exercise is known to prevent type 2 diabetes, and muscle-strengthening alone or in combination with aerobic exercise improves diabetic control among those with diabetes. ...

How a scorpion gets its sting

2014-01-15

How a scorpion gets its sting Recent highlights in Molecular Biology and Evolution Defensins, as their name implies, are small proteins found in plants and animals that help ward off viral, bacterial or fungal pests. One fascinating ...