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Hurricane Dean
| Title |
Hurricane Dean |
| Description |
Hurricane Dean was the first hurricane of the 2007 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The storm system formed off the coast of South America on August 13. It traveled west, building strength from the warm waters as it headed towards the South American coast and the southern arc of the Caribbean Islands. By August 17, it had grown in power to become a Category 3 hurricane, [ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml ] and forecasters were calling for it to potentially gain yet more strength as it passed over the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. Dean was projected to cause major damage. Mexican authorities, according to news sources, were warning residents in the Yucatan Peninsula of the danger of the coming storm, which was projected to strike the peninsula. The storm might also brush against the islands of Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Cuba among others. Some forecasters were concerned about the possibility of Dean developing into super storm in the Gulf of Mexico, where storm surge and waves as well as winds might pose significant dangers to the oil and gas platforms. This data visualization of the hurricane shows observations from the QuikSCAT satellite on August 16, 2007, at 6:55 p.m. local time (21:55 UTC). At this time, Dean was poised to cross the Windward Islands of the Caribbean, while grazing the coast of Venezuela on the South American mainland. Peak winds were around 160 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour, 85 knots) at this time, according to Unisys Weather's Hurricane information page, [ http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/ ] making Dean a Category 2 hurricane. The image depicts wind speed in color and wind direction with small barbs. White barbs point to areas of heavy rain. QuikSCAT measurements of the wind strength of Hurricane Dean and other tropical cyclones can be slower than actual wind speeds. QuikSCAT's scatterometer sends pulses of microwave energy through the atmosphere to the ocean surface and measures the energy that bounces back from the wind-roughened surface. The energy of the microwave pulses changes depending on wind speed and direction. To relate the radar signal to actual wind speed, scientists compare measurements taken from buoys and other ground stations to data the satellite acquired at the same time and place. Because the high wind speeds generated by cyclones are rare, scientists do not have corresponding ground information to know how to translate data from the satellite for wind speeds above 50 knots (about 93 km/hr or 58 mph). Also, the unusually heavy rain found in a cyclone distorts the microwave pulses in a number of ways, making a conversion to exact wind speed difficult. Instead, the scatterometer provides a nice picture of the relative wind speeds within the storm and shows wind direction. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ], and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
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Hurricane Dean
| Title |
Hurricane Dean |
| Description |
Dean may have been the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2007 season, but days after first forming, it was also classified among the strongest hurricanes recorded. Dean became a Category 5 hurricane [ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml ] before coming ashore on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on August 21. Dean began as a wave-like disturbance in the cloud bands off South America, which gathered together to form a storm system on August 13. Fueled by the deep warm waters of the Caribbean, Dean quickly grew into a major hurricane, reaching its peak just before coming ashore. As it traveled across the Caribbean, the storm also caused great damage to Jamaica, Grand Cayman Island, and other Caribbean islands. This data visualization of the hurricane shows observations from the QuikSCAT satellite on August 20, 2007, at 5:31 p.m. local time (23:31 UTC). At this time, Dean was in the Gulf of Mexico between Cuba, Jamaica, and the Central American peninsula heading towards the Yucatan Peninsula. Peak winds were around 250 kilometers per hour (155 miles per hour, 135 knots) at this time, according to Unisys Weather's Hurricane information page. [ http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/ ] With these wind speeds, Dean just reached Category 5 status. The image depicts wind speed in color and wind direction with small barbs. The highest wind speeds, shown in purple, surround the center of the storm. The strongest winds on the north side of the eyewall are depicted in pink. Areas of heavy rain, shown with white barbs, correspond with stronger winds. QuikSCAT measurements of the wind strength of Dean and other tropical cyclones can be slower than actual wind speeds. QuikSCAT's scatterometer sends pulses of microwave energy through the atmosphere to the ocean surface and measures the energy that bounces back from the wind-roughened surface. The energy of the microwave pulses changes depending on wind speed and direction. To relate the radar signal to actual wind speed, scientists compare measurements taken from buoys and other ground stations to data the satellite acquired at the same time and place. Because the high wind speeds generated by cyclones are rare, scientists do not have corresponding ground information to know how to translate data from the satellite for wind speeds above 50 knots (about 93 km/hr or 58 mph). Also, the unusually heavy rain found in a cyclone distorts the microwave pulses in a number of ways, making a conversion to exact wind speed difficult. Instead, the scatterometer provides a nice picture of the relative wind speeds within the storm and shows wind direction. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ], and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
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Hurricane Dean
| Title |
Hurricane Dean |
| Description |
QuikSCAT Science Team [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ], and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory., The 2007 Atlantic hurricane season had three named storms, but no hurricanes until the middle of August, when Tropical Storm Dean formed. By August 20, when the QuikSCAT satellite captured the data used to make this image, Dean was an extremely powerful Category 4 [ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml ] hurricane. The image depicts wind speed in color and wind direction with small barbs. White barbs point to areas of heavy rain. The center of the storm is dominated by purple, indicating high wind speeds. Pale pink circles the eye where winds were off the scale. Dark red and orange areas spread some distance from the eye: Dean was a large and powerful storm. Dean began as a wave-like disturbance in the cloud bands off South America, which gathered together to form a storm system on August 13. By August 18, Dean had grown in power to become a Category 4 hurricane, [ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml ] swirling in the Caribbean Sea. The storm caused great damage to Jamaica and Grand Cayman Island, among other Caribbean islands, and as of August 19, it was forecast to come ashore on the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula not far from the border with Belize. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center [ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml? ] were also expecting the storm to continue to gather power to Category Five strength. When QuikSCAT measured the storm on August 20, 2007, at 8:04 a.m. local time (14:04 UTC), Dean was in the Gulf of Mexico between Cuba, Jamaica, and the Central American peninsula heading towards the Yucatan Peninsula. Peak winds were around 240 kilometers per hour (150 miles per hour, 130 knots) at this time, according to Unisys Weather's Hurricane information, [ http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/ ] making Dean a powerful Category Four hurricane. QuikSCAT measurements of the wind strength of Dean and other tropical cyclones can be slower than actual wind speeds. QuikSCAT's scatterometer sends pulses of microwave energy through the atmosphere to the ocean surface and measures the energy that bounces back from the wind-roughened surface. The energy of the microwave pulses changes depending on wind speed and direction. To relate the radar signal to actual wind speed, scientists compare measurements taken from buoys and other ground stations to data the satellite acquired at the same time and place. Because the high wind speeds generated by cyclones are rare, scientists do not have corresponding ground information to know how to translate data from the satellite for wind speeds above 50 knots (about 93 km/hr or 58 mph). Also, the unusually heavy rain found in a cyclone distorts the microwave pulses in a number of ways, making a conversion to exact wind speed difficult. Instead, the scatterometer provides a nice picture of the relative wind speeds within the storm and shows wind direction. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the |
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Hurricane Henriette
| Title |
Hurricane Henriette |
| Description |
The 2007 eastern Pacific hurricane season had been relatively quiet when Hurricane Henriette formed in late August. Henriette was the first hurricane of the season to make landfall in that basin, skirting the Mexican coastline as it developed between August 30 and September 4, 2007. The National Hurricane Center [ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ ] predicted that the storm would come ashore over Baja California on September 4 as a strengthening Category 1 hurricane before traveling north through Mexico and into the United States. This data visualization of the storm shows observations from the QuikSCAT satellite on September 4, 2007, at 6:57 a.m, local time (12:57 UTC) just as Henriette was starting to come ashore on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. At this time, Henriette was a Category 1 [ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml ] hurricane with peak winds around 110 km/hr (65 mph, 65 knots), matching predictions from the National Hurricane Center. The image depicts wind speed in color and wind direction with small barbs. White barbs point to areas of heavy rain. QuikSCAT measurements of the wind strength of Hurricane Henriette and other tropical cyclones can be slower than actual wind speeds. QuikSCAT's scatterometer sends pulses of microwave energy through the atmosphere to the ocean surface and measures the energy that bounces back from the wind-roughened surface. The energy of the microwave pulses changes depending on wind speed and direction. To relate the radar signal to actual wind speed, scientists compare measurements taken from buoys and other ground stations to data the satellite acquired at the same time and place. Because the high wind speeds generated by cyclones are rare, scientists do not have corresponding ground information to know how to translate data from the satellite for wind speeds above 50 knots (about 93 km/hr or 58 mph). Also, the unusually heavy rain found in a cyclone distorts the microwave pulses in a number of ways, making a conversion to exact wind speed difficult. Instead, the scatterometer provides a nice picture of the relative wind speeds within the storm and shows wind direction. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ], and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
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Fires in Southern California
| Title |
Fires in Southern California |
| Description |
The fires that sprang up in Southern California over the weekend of October 20, 2007, were driven by strong offshore winds, known locally as the Santa Ana Winds. The strength and scope of these winds were observed by NASA's QuikScat satellite at about 7 a.m. local time October 22. The wind speeds are shown in colors and the direction by small white barbs. The dominant direction of the winds is offshore, from the high deserts of the Great Basin southwest toward the Pacific Ocean. QuikScat measures wind speed over the ocean only, by sending radar pulses to the surface and measuring the strength of the signals returned. The strength and direction of the return signal reveal how winds are stirring the surface of the ocean. Santa Ana winds are a California firefighter's nightmare. These blustery, dry, and often hot winds blow out of the high-altitude deserts of the Great Basin and race through canyons and passes in the mountains on their way toward the coast. The air is hot not because it is bringing heat from the desert, but because it is flowing downslope from higher elevations. As fall progresses, cold air begins to sink into the Great Basin deserts to the east of California. As the air piles up at the surface, high pressure builds, and the air begins to flow downslope toward the coast. When winds blow downslope, the air gets compressed, which causes it to warm and dry out. In fact, the air can warm at a rate of 10 degrees Celsius per kilometer of descent (29 degrees Fahrenheit per mile). Canyons and passes funnel the winds, which increases their speed. Not only do the winds spread the fire, but they also dry out vegetation, making it even more flammable. NASA image courtesy the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
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Storms in the Java Sea
| Title |
Storms in the Java Sea |
| Description |
A ferry carrying more than 600 passengers sank in the Java Sea between the islands of Borneo (image center) and Java (to the south-southwest) just before midnight on December 29, 2006, during high winds and rough seas. On January 1, 2007, a plane carrying more than 100 people crashed on its flight over the Java Sea, high winds and turbulent weather are being investigated as possible causes. The origin of surges of deadly wind in this usually relatively calm region are poorly understood, and the area is not well-monitored with traditional weather equipment. Ocean winds data from NASA's QuikScat satellite may help improve monitoring and understanding of unusual weather in the area. Data obtained from QuikScat on December 30 and January 1 shed new insights into the atmospheric conditions at the time of the tragic incidents described above. In this image from January 1, the different colors reveal different wind speeds. White arrows are wind vectors showing both direction and speed. The data from December 30 and January 1 showed that the strong winds in the Java Sea originated from the surge of a strong winter monsoon from the Asian continent. The monsoon winds blew south across the South China Sea and deflected eastward after they crossed the equator due to the rotation of Earth. The winds in the Java Sea remained strong through January 1, 2007. Associated with the eastward winds, twin cyclones were also observed by QuikScat. (A cyclone is any large-scale atmosphere circulation around a region of low air pressure. The systems spin counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.) The stronger cyclone was south of the equator (summer hemisphere) between Java and Australia, and a weaker one was north of the equator (winter hemisphere) west of Borneo. QuikScat measures ocean surface wind speed by sending radar pulses to the surface and measuring the strength of the signals that return to the sensor. The sensor's wide-scale observations make it possible for scientists to interpret local weather events, such as the recent high wind outbreak in the Java Sea region, in the context of the large-scale atmospheric circulation and to confirm connections between the two. QuikScat data are available in near-real time to operational weather forecasting agencies around the world. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team, [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ] and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
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Super Typhoon Sepat
| Title |
Super Typhoon Sepat |
| Description |
Super Typhoon Sepat came ashore in Taiwan on August 17, 2007, after bringing torrential rain and flooding to the Philippines the day before. Flights to and from Taipei, Taiwan's capital, were canceled, and Chinese authorities were taking emergency measures in anticipation of the powerful typhoon coming ashore on the mainland, said news reports. The typhoon reached Category 5 typhoon, [ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml ] the very top of the scale, with sustained winds of 184 kilometers per hour (114 miles per hour), according to CNN. This data visualization of the storm shows observations from the QuikSCAT satellite on August 17, 2007, at 5:39 p.m. local time (9:39 UTC). At this time, Sepat was poised to come ashore onto Taiwan. Peak winds were around 220 km/hr (130 mph, 120 knots), according to Unisys Weather's Hurricane Information page, [ http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/ ] a Category Four strength typhoon. The image depicts wind speed in color and wind direction with small barbs. White barbs point to areas of heavy rain. QuikSCAT measurements of the wind strength of Sepat and other tropical cyclones can be slower than actual wind speeds. QuikSCAT's scatterometer sends pulses of microwave energy through the atmosphere to the ocean surface and measures the energy that bounces back from the wind-roughened surface. The energy of the microwave pulses changes depending on wind speed and direction. To relate the radar signal to actual wind speed, scientists compare measurements taken from buoys and other ground stations to data the satellite acquired at the same time and place. Because the high wind speeds generated by cyclones are rare, scientists do not have corresponding ground information to know how to translate data from the satellite for wind speeds above 50 knots (about 93 km/hr or 58 mph). Also, the unusually heavy rain found in a cyclone distorts the microwave pulses in a number of ways, making a conversion to exact wind speed difficult. Instead, the scatterometer provides a nice picture of the relative wind speeds within the storm and shows wind direction. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ], and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
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Tropical Cyclone Dora
| Title |
Tropical Cyclone Dora |
| Description |
Powerful winds spiral in towards the calm center of Tropical Cyclone Dora in this image made from data captured on February 5, 2007, by the SeaWinds Scatterometer [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ] on NASA's QuikSCAT satellite. The satellite records wind speed and direction at an altitude of 10 meters above the ocean's surface. Wind speed is represented by color in this image, with the strongest winds in purple, and the calmest areas in blue. The barbs indicate both wind direction and rainfall. Areas of heavy rain are marked with white barbs. Not surprisingly, the strongest winds and heaviest rain surround the eye of the storm, which is an island of blue, indicating light winds, surrounded by the reds and purples of powerful winds. At the time this image was taken (13:20 UTC), Dora was dissipating from a Category 4 cyclone, reported the University of Hawaii's Tropical Storm Information Center. [ http://www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/tropical.html ] The storm formed on January 28 over the central Indian Ocean. As it moved south, the storm intensified until its winds peaked at 213 kilometers per hour (132 mph, 115 knots), making it the equivalent of a weak Category 4 hurricane. By February 5, when QuikSCAT observed the storm, it had winds of 120 kilometers per hour (75 mph, or 65 knots) with gusts to 148 kilometers per hour (92 mph, 80 knots). As of February 6, the storm was expected to disintegrate as it moved south over cooler waters. Dora was not forecast to threaten land, though this image shows the outer edges of the storm over Rodrigues Island. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team, [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ] and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
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Tropical Cyclone Dora
| Title |
Tropical Cyclone Dora |
| Description |
Powerful winds spiral in towards the calm center of Tropical Cyclone Dora in this image made from data captured on February 5, 2007, by the SeaWinds Scatterometer [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ] on NASA's QuikSCAT satellite. The satellite records wind speed and direction at an altitude of 10 meters above the ocean's surface. Wind speed is represented by color in this image, with the strongest winds in purple, and the calmest areas in blue. The barbs indicate both wind direction and rainfall. Areas of heavy rain are marked with white barbs. Not surprisingly, the strongest winds and heaviest rain surround the eye of the storm, which is an island of blue, indicating light winds, surrounded by the reds and purples of powerful winds. At the time this image was taken (13:20 UTC), Dora was dissipating from a Category 4 cyclone, reported the University of Hawaii's Tropical Storm Information Center. [ http://www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/tropical.html ] The storm formed on January 28 over the central Indian Ocean. As it moved south, the storm intensified until its winds peaked at 213 kilometers per hour (132 mph, 115 knots), making it the equivalent of a weak Category 4 hurricane. By February 5, when QuikSCAT observed the storm, it had winds of 120 kilometers per hour (75 mph, or 65 knots) with gusts to 148 kilometers per hour (92 mph, 80 knots). As of February 6, the storm was expected to disintegrate as it moved south over cooler waters. Dora was not forecast to threaten land, though this image shows the outer edges of the storm over Rodrigues Island. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team, [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ] and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
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Tropical Cyclone Favio
| Title |
Tropical Cyclone Favio |
| Description |
Cyclone Favio was closing the gap between Madagascar and mainland Africa on February 21, 2007, preparing to strike Mozambique in coming days. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecast issued at 12:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. Mozambique local time) on February 21 indicated that Favio had sustained wind speeds of 100 knots (about 185 kilometers/hour, 115 miles/hour), with gusts up to 125 knots (about 232 kilometers/hour, 144 miles/hour), which made it a Category 3 storm. The forecast called for the storm to weaken before making landfall within 24 hours, but the impacts were still expected to be severe. The country was already water-logged from heavy rains associated with the onset of the monsoon, and severe flooding along the Zambezi River [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14115 ] in mid-February killed dozens of people and forced more than a hundred thousand people to evacuate, according to reports [ http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/LSGZ-6YMDSC?OpenDocument ] from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies posted online by ReliefWeb. [ http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/dbc.nsf/doc100?OpenForm ] This data visualization shows Cyclone Favio in the middle of the Mozambique Channel between the island of Madagascar and Africa. The data were obtained by NASA's QuikSCAT [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/quikscat/index.cfm ], satellite on February 21, 2007, at 6:38 a.m. local time (3:38 UTC). The image depicts wind speed in color and wind direction with small barbs. White barbs point to areas of heavy rain. Favio appears as a well-formed spiral of winds centered around a strong eye where winds were calmer. This pattern is typical of tropical cyclones. Since the storm is in the Southern Hemisphere, the Coriolos force, which gives all hurricanes and cyclones their spin, turns the storm clockwise, the opposite direction to hurricanes and typhoons which form in the Northern Hemisphere. Measurements of the actual wind strength of cyclones are often higher than those measured by QuikSCAT. QuikSCAT employs a scatterometer, which sends pulses of microwave energy through the atmosphere to the ocean surface, and measures the energy that bounces back from the wind-roughened surface. The energy of the microwave pulses changes depending on wind speed and direction, giving scientists a way to monitor wind around the world. This technique does not work over land, but allows measurements in storms over oceans. Tropical cyclones, however, are difficult to measure. To relate the radar energy returned to the sensor to actual wind speed, scientists compare measurements taken from buoys and other ground stations to data the satellite acquired at the same time and place. Because the high wind speeds generated by cyclones are rare, scientists do not have corresponding ground information to know how to translate data from the satellite for wind speeds above 50 knots (about 93 km/hr or 58 mph). Also, the unusually heavy rain found in a cyclone distorts the microwave pulses in a number of ways, making a conversion to accurate wind speed difficult. Instead, the scatterometer provides a nice picture of the relative wind speeds within the storm and shows wind direction. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ], and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
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Tropical Cyclone Gamede
| Title |
Tropical Cyclone Gamede |
| Description |
Tropical Cyclone Gamede was spinning in the middle of the Indian Ocean on February 21, 2007, when it was observed by NASA's QuikSCAT [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/quikscat/index.cfm ] satellite at 5:03 p.m. local time (13:03 UTC). The nearest land to the storm system was Diego Garcia, several hundred miles north of the storm. This data visualization of QuikSCAT's observations shows Cyclone Gamede and its spiral pattern of winds. The image depicts wind speed in color and wind direction with small barbs. White barbs point to areas of heavy rain. Gamede appears as a well-formed spiral of winds centered around a strong eye with a calmer center. This pattern is typical of tropical cyclones. Since the storm is in the Southern Hemisphere, the Coriolos force, which gives all such storms their spin, turns the storm clockwise, the opposite direction of hurricanes and typhoons that form in the Northern Hemisphere. According to the University of Hawaii's Tropical Storm Information Center, [ http://www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/tropical.html ] Cyclone Gamede had sustained winds around 45 knots (83 kilometers per hour, 52 miles per hour) at the time of the QuikSCAT observations. Measurements of the actual wind strength of cyclones are often higher than those measured by QuikSCAT. QuikSCAT employs a scatterometer, which sends pulses of microwave energy through the atmosphere to the ocean surface, and measures the energy that bounces back from the wind-roughened surface. The energy of the microwave pulses changes depending on wind speed and direction, giving scientists a way to monitor wind around the world. This technique does not work over land, but allows measurements in storms over oceans. Tropical cyclones, however, are difficult to measure. To relate the radar energy that returns to the sensor to actual wind speed, scientists compare measurements taken from buoys and other ground stations to data the satellite acquired at the same time and place. Because the high wind speeds generated by cyclones are rare, scientists do not have corresponding ground information to know how to translate data from the satellite for wind speeds above 50 knots (about 93 km/hr or 58 mph). Also, the unusually heavy rain found in a cyclone distorts the microwave pulses in a number of ways, making a conversion to accurate wind speed difficult. Instead, the scatterometer provides a nice picture of the relative wind speeds within the storm and shows wind direction. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ], and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
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Tropical Cyclone Gamede
| Title |
Tropical Cyclone Gamede |
| Description |
Tropical Cyclone Gamede was off the shore of Madagascar not far from the Mascarene Islands of Réunion and Mauritius on February 23, 2007, when it was observed by NASA's s QuikSCAT [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/quikscat/index.cfm ] satellite at 11:21 p.m. local time (2:21 UTC, February 24). The storm was not passing over any land nor anticipated to do so, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, [ https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc.php ] but it brought storm surge to coastal communities in Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands, and very heavy rain fell in several areas. This data visualization of QuikSCAT's observations shows Cyclone Gamede and its spiral pattern of winds. The image shows wind speed in color and wind direction with small barbs. White barbs point to areas of heavy rain. Gamede was well-formed, with winds spiraling around a distinct, calmer eye. This pattern is typical of tropical cyclones. Since the storm was in the Southern Hemisphere, the Coriolos force, which gives all cyclones their spin, turned Gamede clockwise, the opposite direction to hurricanes and typhoons that form in the Northern Hemisphere. According to the University of Hawaii's Tropical Storm Information Center, [ http://www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/tropical.html ] Cyclone Gamede had sustained winds around 90 knots (165 kilometers per hour, 103 miles per hour) at the time of the QuikSCAT observations. Measurements of the actual wind strength of cyclones measured near the surface or from aircraft often document sustained winds higher than those estimated by QuikSCAT. QuikSCAT uses a scatterometer, which sends pulses of microwave energy through the atmosphere to the ocean surface and measures the strength of signal that bounces back from the wind-roughened surface. The energy of the microwave pulses changes depending on wind speed and direction, giving scientists a way to monitor wind around the world. This technique does not work over land, but allows measurements in storms over oceans. Tropical cyclones, however, are difficult to measure. To relate the strength of the signal that bounces back to the radar to actual wind speed, scientists compare measurements taken from buoys or other ground stations to data the satellite acquired at the same time and place. Because the high wind speeds generated by cyclones are rare, scientists do not have enough information to know how to translate data from the satellite for wind speeds above 50 knots (about 93 km/hr or 58 mph). Also, the unusually heavy rain found in a cyclone distorts the microwave pulses in a number of ways, making a conversion to exact wind speed difficult. Instead, the scatterometer provides a general picture of the relative wind speeds within the storm and shows wind direction. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team, [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ] and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
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Tropical Cyclone Gonu
| Title |
Tropical Cyclone Gonu |
| Description |
This data visualization shows Tropical Cyclone Gonu and its spiral pattern of winds as recorded by NASA's QuikSCAT [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/quikscat/index.cfm ] satellite on June 4, 2007. Varying wind speeds within the storm form a bull's-eye of color, with the highest wind speeds shown in purple in the center of the storm and gradually decreasing speeds radiating outward. Wind direction is depicted with small barbs. White barbs point to areas of heavy rain. You might expect to see such a well-developed storm hovering over the warm waters of the Caribbean or in the South Pacific, but Tropical Cyclone Gonu showed up in an unusual place. On June 4, 2007, when it was observed by the QuikSCAT satellite, Cyclone Gonu was approaching the northeastern shore of Oman, a region better known for hot desert conditions. Though rare, cyclones like Gonu are not unheard of in the northern Indian Ocean basin. Most cyclones that form in the region form over the Bay of Bengal, east of India. Those that take shape over the Arabian Sea, west of the Indian peninsula, tend to be small and fizzle out before coming ashore. Cyclone Gonu is a rare exception. As of June 4, 2007, the powerful storm had reached a dangerous Category 4 [ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml ] status, and it was forecast to graze Oman's northeastern shore, following the coastline of the Gulf of Oman. According to storm statistics maintained on Unisys Weather, [ http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/ ], the last storm of this size to form over the Arabian Sea was Cyclone 01A, which tracked northwest along the coast of India between May 21 and May 28, 2001. Unlike Gonu's forecasted track, Cyclone 01A's path never brought it ashore. Ground or aircraft-based measurements of the wind strength of Cyclone Gonu would likely show sustained winds significantly higher than those estimated by QuikSCAT. QuikSCAT uses a scatterometer, a device that sends pulses of microwave energy through the atmosphere to the ocean surface and measures the energy that bounces back from the wind-roughened surface. The energy of the microwave pulses changes depending on wind speed and direction, giving scientists a way to monitor wind around the world. This technique does not work over land, but allows measurements in storms over oceans. Wind speeds in trropical cyclones, however, are difficult for QuikSCAT to measure. To relate the radar signal the sensor measures to actual wind speed, scientists compare measurements taken from buoys and other ground stations to data the satellite acquired at the same time and place. Because the high wind speeds generated by cyclones are rare, scientists do not have enough corresponding ground information to know how to translate data from the satellite for wind speeds above 50 knots (about 93 km/hr, or 58 mph). Also, the unusually heavy rain found in a cyclone distorts the microwave pulses in a number of ways, making a conversion to accurate wind speed difficult. Instead, the scatterometer provides a nice picture of the relative wind speeds within the storm and shows wind direction. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ], and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
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Tropical Cyclone Sidr
| Title |
Tropical Cyclone Sidr |
| Description |
Tropical Cyclone Sidr crept steadily north and west over the warm waters of the Bay of Bengal after forming on November 11, 2007. This image shows the storm as observed by NASA's QuikSCAT [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/quikscat/index.cfm ] satellite on November 11, 2007. At the time, the center of the developing storm sat west of the southern edge of the Andaman Islands. The colors chart out the storm's wind speed, and not surprisingly, the strongest winds are in the center of the storm. Small barbs show wind direction, and white barbs point to heavy rainfall. On November 12, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center [ https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc.php ] forecast that Sidr would grow to the equivalent of a Category 2 storm, with sustained winds of 170 kilometers/hour (100 mph or 90 knots) by November 14. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team, [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ] and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
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Tropical Storm Barbara
| Title |
Tropical Storm Barbara |
| Description |
Tropical Storm Barbara, the second named storm of the 2007 Pacific hurricane season, was swirling off the coast of Mexico on May 29, 2007, when it was observed by NASA's QuikSCAT [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/quikscat/index.cfm ] satellite at 5:25 p.m. local time (00:25 UTC on May 30, 2007). According to Mexico's National Meteorological Service (Spanish language site), [ http://smn.cna.gob.mx/ ] Barbara had sustained winds that peaked around 100 kilometers/hour (55 mph) on May 29, but had eased off since then. The U.S. National Hurricane Center [ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ ] predicted (as of May 31) that the storm most likely would not become a hurricane, but could bring heavy rain to the Mexican and Guatemalan Pacific coastal regions. This data visualization of QuikSCAT's observations shows Tropical Storm Barbara and its spiral pattern of winds. The image depicts wind speed in color and wind direction with small barbs. White barbs point to areas of heavy rain. The storm does not have a clear, rain-free center or a tight spiral shape as would be expected of a larger and more powerful storm. QuikSCAT employs a scatterometer, which sends pulses of microwave energy through the atmosphere to the ocean surface, and measures the energy that bounces back from the wind-roughened surface. The energy of the microwave pulses changes depending on wind speed and direction, giving scientists a way to monitor wind around the world. This technique does not work over land, but allows measurements in storms over oceans. The Pacific hurricane season begins on May 15 each year, and in 2007, the season had already registered two named storms by the end of the month, Alvin and Barbara. The U.S. National Hurricane Center has only twice before recorded more than one named storm in the Pacific in May (in 1984 and 1956). Hurricane forecasters have been predicting a busy season for hurricanes in both the Pacific and Atlantic basins in 2007, and the early surge of storms is consistent with this forecast. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ], and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
|
Tropical Storm Dalila
| Title |
Tropical Storm Dalila |
| Description |
Tropical Storm Dalila was already starting to fade on July 26, 2007, when the QuikSCAT satellite captured this image. The image shows wind speed in color and wind direction with barbs. The white barbs point to areas of intense rain. Dalila was never a big storm and was just declining from its peak when the data used to create this image were captured. High wind speeds—red and purple—are north of the calm region, represented by a green spot, that marks the center of the storm. In a well-organized storm, high winds circle a calm eye like a bull's eye. Though the wind direction circles the center in neat bands, the storm itself is spread in a horizontal oval instead of a symmetrical circle. Tropical Storm Dalila was the eighth tropical system to form in the East Pacific during the 2007 season, and the fourth named storm. Dalila formed south of Baja California and arced northwest over cooler waters as it degraded. At the time this image was taken, the storm's winds blew at 74-83 kilometers per hour (40-45 knots or 46-52 miles per hour) said UNISYS Weather. [ http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/e_pacific/2007/DALILA/track.dat ] NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team, [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ] and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
|
Tropical Storm Noel
| Title |
Tropical Storm Noel |
| Description |
Spinning winds around a center of calm defines Tropical Storm Noel in this colorful image, created with data collected by NASA's QuikSCAT satellite. The satellite records wind speed and direction over the ocean by sending radar pulses toward the ocean's surface and measuring the strength of the return signal. By mapping the disturbances on the ocean's surface, scientists can estimate how hard and in which direction the wind is blowing. In this image of Tropical Storm Noel, taken on October 28, 2007, the strongest winds are in the south and west side of the storm and are depicted in purple. A broad area of red points to strong winds, and yellow, green, and blue indicate slower wind speeds. The barbs illustrate wind direction, and white barbs show where rainfall was heaviest. The winds circle around a calm center, depicted in blue. The heaviest rainfall corresponds with the strongest winds in the west side of the storm. Tropical Storm Noel was the sixteenth tropical system to develop in the Atlantic Basin in 2007. Though it was never a strong storm in terms of wind speed, it posed significant danger to the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The slow-moving storm dumped heavy rain on the mountainous Caribbean island that is divided between the two nations. The resulting floods and mudslides killed 25 people in the Dominican Republic with many more still missing, reported CNN on October 30. After striking the Dominican Republic, Noel moved north over Cuba. The National Hurricane Center [ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/refresh/NOEL+shtml/150444.shtml? ] forecast that the storm would continue northeast over the Bahamas, strengthening slightly, and then weaken as it tracked north over cooler waters. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team, [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ] and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
|
Typhoon Fitow
| Title |
Typhoon Fitow |
| Description |
Typhoon Fitow was coming ashore over Honshu, Japan's largest island, at 6:17 p.m. local time (9:17 UTC) on September 6, 2007, when the QuikSCAT satellite captured the data used to make this image. At this time, Fitow was a Category 2 [ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml ] typhoon, with peak winds around 160 kilometers/hour (100 mph, 85 knots). The image depicts wind speed in color and wind direction with small barbs. White barbs point to areas of heavy rain. As might be expected, the highest wind speeds (purple) and heaviest rains surround the eye of the storm. The eye itself is green, indicating calmer winds. Typhoon Fitow became a named storm on August 29, 2007. The storm system gradually built in power as it drew towards the main islands of Japan, briefly reaching Category 2 [ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml ] strength, then weakening to Category 1 before rebuilding again. It was forecast to lose power as it tracked over Honshu. "Fitow" is a Micronesian word for a flower found on the island of Yap. The list of names of western Pacific storms, maintained by the Hong Kong Observatory, draws on Asian languages. QuikSCAT measurements of the wind strength of Typhoon Fitow and other tropical cyclones can be slower than actual wind speeds. QuikSCAT's scatterometer sends pulses of microwave energy through the atmosphere to the ocean surface and measures the energy that bounces back from the wind-roughened surface. The energy of the microwave pulses changes depending on wind speed and direction. To relate the radar signal to actual wind speed, scientists compare measurements taken from buoys and other ground stations to data the satellite acquired at the same time and place. Because the high wind speeds generated by cyclones are rare, scientists do not have corresponding ground information to know how to translate data from the satellite for wind speeds above 50 knots (about 93 km/hr or 58 mph). Also, the unusually heavy rain found in a cyclone distorts the microwave pulses in a number of ways, making a conversion to exact wind speed difficult. Instead, the scatterometer provides a nice picture of the relative wind speeds within the storm and shows wind direction. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ], and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
|
Typhoon Krosa
| Title |
Typhoon Krosa |
| Description |
This colorful image reveals the wind structure within the quickly developing Typhoon Krosa. NASA's QuikSCAT [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/quikscat/index.cfm ] satellite captured the data used to make this image. Wind speeds are depicted in a rainbow of colors, with the highest speeds in purple and the slowest speeds in blue. The barbs show wind direction, and white barbs depict areas of heavy rain. Though Krosa was a weak storm when QuikSCAT observed it at 9:48 UTC on October 2, 2007, its strengthening winds still have the classic bull's eye shape observed in a strong storm. Sustained winds in the center of the storm ranged between 110 kilometers per hour (70 miles per hour or 60 knots) and 120 km/hr (75 mph or 65 knots), said the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. These wind speeds put the storm on the border between a tropical storm and a Category 1 typhoon. In this image, the strongest winds are depicted in purple and surround concentric rings of calm air where an eye has clearly formed. The strong wind fields aren't perfectly symmetric, and that is a sign that the storm was still forming. Krosa initially formed over the western Pacific Ocean on October 1. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicted that the storm would grow into a powerful typhoon as it moved towards the China coast. Measurements of the actual wind strength of cyclones are often higher than those measured by QuikSCAT. QuikSCAT employs a scatterometer, which sends pulses of microwave energy through the atmosphere to the ocean surface, and measures the energy that bounces back from the wind-roughened surface. The energy of the microwave pulses changes depending on wind speed and direction, giving scientists a way to monitor wind around the world. This technique does not work over land, but allows measurements in storms over oceans. Tropical cyclones, however, are difficult to measure. To relate the radar energy that returns to the sensor to actual wind speed, scientists compare measurements taken from buoys and other ground stations to data the satellite acquired at the same time and place. Because the high wind speeds generated by cyclones are rare, scientists do not have corresponding ground information to know how to translate data from the satellite for wind speeds above 50 knots (about 93 km/hr or 58 mph). Also, the unusually heavy rain found in a cyclone distorts the microwave pulses in a number of ways, making a conversion to accurate wind speed difficult. Instead, the scatterometer provides a nice picture of the relative wind speeds within the storm and shows wind direction. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ], and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
|
Typhoon Man-Yi
| Title |
Typhoon Man-Yi |
| Description |
Typhoon Man-yi formed as a tropical depression in the western Pacific on July 8, 2007, among the islands of Micronesia. The storm gradually built power to typhoon status on July 10. As of July 11, forecasters were calling for Man-Yi to strengthen to Category 4 (Super Typhoon) status, with sustained winds in the storm's core predicted to reach at least 210 kilometer per hour (131 miles per hour). This data visualization of the storm shows observations from the QuikSCAT satellite on July 9, 2007, at 20:58 UTC (8:58 a.m. local time, July 10). At this time, Man-Yi appeared as a well-developed storm system, but had not yet reached typhoon status, its peak winds were around 110 km/hr (65 mph, 60 knots). The image depicts wind speed in color and wind direction with small barbs. White barbs point to areas of heavy rain. QuikSCAT measurements of the wind strength of Man-Yi and other tropical cyclones can be slower than actual wind speeds. QuikSCAT's scatterometer sends pulses of microwave energy through the atmosphere to the ocean surface and measures the energy that bounces back from the wind-roughened surface. The energy of the microwave pulses changes depending on wind speed and direction. To relate the radar signal to actual wind speed, scientists compare measurements taken from buoys and other ground stations to data the satellite acquired at the same time and place. Because the high wind speeds generated by cyclones are rare, scientists do not have corresponding ground information to know how to translate data from the satellite for wind speeds above 50 knots (about 93 km/hr or 58 mph). Also, the unusually heavy rain found in a cyclone distorts the microwave pulses in a number of ways, making a conversion to exact wind speed difficult. Instead, the scatterometer provides a nice picture of the relative wind speeds within the storm and shows wind direction. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team, [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ] and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
|
Typhoon Man-Yi
| Title |
Typhoon Man-Yi |
| Description |
Typhoon Man-yi was the fourth named storm of the western Pacific's typhoon season. Man-yi started as a tropical depression in the western Pacific on July 8, 2007, among the islands of Micronesia. The storm gradually built power to typhoon status on July 10. As of July 11, forecasters were calling for Man-Yi to strengthen to Category 4 (Super Typhoon) status, [ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml ] with sustained winds in the storm's core predicted to reach at least 210 kilometers per hour (131 miles per hour). This data visualization of the storm shows observations from the QuikSCAT satellite on July 11, 2007, at 09:00 UTC (7:00 p.m. local time). At this time, Man-Yi appeared as a well-developed typhoon, its peak winds were around 165 km/hr (110 mph, 95 knots). The image depicts wind speed in color and wind direction with small barbs. White barbs point to areas of heavy rain. QuikSCAT measurements of the wind strength of Man-Yi and other tropical cyclones can be slower than actual wind speeds. QuikSCAT's scatterometer sends pulses of microwave energy through the atmosphere to the ocean and measures the energy that bounces back from the wind-roughened surface. The energy of the microwave pulses changes depending on wind speed and direction. To relate the radar signal to actual wind speed, scientists compare measurements taken from buoys and other ground stations to data the satellite acquired at the same time and place. Because the high wind speeds generated by cyclones are rare, scientists do not have corresponding ground information to know how to translate data from the satellite for wind speeds above 50 knots (about 93 km/hr or 58 mph). Also, the unusually heavy rain found in a cyclone distorts the microwave pulses in a number of ways, making a conversion to exact wind speed difficult. Instead, the scatterometer provides a nice picture of the relative wind speeds within the storm and shows wind direction. NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the QuikSCAT Science Team [ http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ ], and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
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Tropical Cyclone Gamede: Nat
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Tropical Cyclone Gamede was
…
gamede_qsc_2007052
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-02-21 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
gamede_qsc_2007052 |
|
Typhoon Man-Yi: Natural Haza
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Typhoon Man-yi formed as a t
…
manyi_qsc_2007190
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-07-09 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
manyi_qsc_2007190 |
|
Typhoon Krosa: Natural Hazar
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
This colorful image reveals
…
krosa_qsc_2007275
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-10-02 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
krosa_qsc_2007275 |
|
Typhoon Fitow: Natural Hazar
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Typhoon Fitow was coming ash
…
fitow_qsc_2007249
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-09-06 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
fitow_qsc_2007249 |
|
Tropical Cyclone Sidr: Natur
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Tropical Cyclone Sidr crept
…
Sidr_QST_2007315
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-11-11 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
Sidr_QST_2007315 |
|
Tropical Storm Noel: Natural
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Spinning winds around a cent
…
Noel_QST_2007301
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-10-28 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
Noel_QST_2007301 |
|
Hurricane Henriette: Natural
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
The 2007 eastern Pacific hur
…
henriette_qsc_2007246
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-09-04 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
henriette_qsc_2007246 |
|
Fires in Southern California
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
The fires that sprang up in
…
quick_calif_2007oct22
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-10-22 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
quick_calif_2007oct22 |
|
Super Typhoon Sepat: Natural
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Super Typhoon Sepat came ash
…
sepat_qsc_2007229
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-08-17 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
sepat_qsc_2007229 |
|
Tropical Storm Dalila: Natur
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Tropical Storm Dalila was al
…
DALILA_QST_2007207
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-07-26 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
DALILA_QST_2007207 |
|
Typhoon Man-Yi: Natural Haza
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Typhoon Man-yi was the fourt
…
manya_qsc_2007192
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-07-11 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
manya_qsc_2007192 |
|
Tropical Cyclone Gamede: Nat
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Tropical Cyclone Gamede was
…
gamede_qsct_2007055
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-02-24 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
gamede_qsct_2007055 |
|
Tropical Storm Barbara: Natu
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Tropical Storm Barbara, the
…
barbara_qsc_2007150
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-05-30 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
barbara_qsc_2007150 |
|
Tropical Cyclone Favio: Natu
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Cyclone Favio was closing th
…
favio_qsc_2007052
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-02-21 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
favio_qsc_2007052 |
|
Tropical Cyclone Gonu: Natur
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
This data visualization show
…
gonu_qsc_2007155
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-06-04 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
gonu_qsc_2007155 |
|
Tropical Cyclone Dora: Image
…
nasa, nasaimageofthedaygalle
…
Powerful winds spiral in tow
…
Dora_QST_2007036
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-02-05 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA image courtesy of David Long, Brigham Young University, on the winds.jpl.nasa.gov/ QuikSCAT Science Team, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. |
| identifier |
Dora_QST_2007036 |
|
Hurricane Dean: Natural Haza
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
The 2007 Atlantic hurricane
…
dean_qsc_2007232
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-08-20 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
dean_qsc_2007232 |
|
Hurricane Dean: Natural Haza
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Hurricane Dean was the first
…
dean_qsc_2007228
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-08-16 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
dean_qsc_2007228 |
|
Storms in the Java Sea: Natu
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
A ferry carrying more than 6
…
indonesia_qsct_2007001
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-01-01 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
indonesia_qsct_2007001 |
|
Hurricane Dean: Natural Haza
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Dean may have been the first
…
dean_qsc_20072322331
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2007-08-20 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
dean_qsc_20072322331 |
|
QuikScat Shows Rough Seas/At
…
PIA09110
Sol (our sun)
SeaWinds Scatterometer
| Title |
QuikScat Shows Rough Seas/Atmospheric Conditions at Time of Two Java Sea Disasters |
| Original Caption Released with Image |
. QuikScat is managed for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington, DC, by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA. JPL also built the SeaWinds radar instrument and is providing ground science processing systems. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, managed development of the satellite, designed and built by Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., Boulder, CO. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has contributed support to ground systems processing and related activities., A ferry carrying more than 600 passengers sank in the Java Sea between the island of Java and Borneo just before midnight on December 29, 2006, during high winds and rough seas. On January 1, 2007, a plane carrying more than 100 people crashed on its flight over the Java Sea, high winds and turbulent weather are being investigated as possible causes. The origin of surges of deadly winds in this usually relatively calm region is poorly monitored and understood. However, ocean winds data from NASA's QuikScat satellite show potential for helping alleviate such deficiencies. Data obtained from QuikScat on December 30 and January 1 shed new insights into the atmospheric conditions at the time of these incidents. QuikScat data are available in near real time to operational weather forecasting agencies around the world. The data from December 30 and January 1 observed that the strong winds in the Java Sea originated from the surge of a strong winter monsoon from the Asian continent. The monsoon winds blew south across the South China Sea and deflected eastward after they crossed the equator due to the rotation of Earth. The winds strengthened as they were channeled through the land masses of Indonesia. The winds in the Java Sea remained strong through January 1, 2007. Associated with the eastward winds, twin cyclones (a counter-clockwise circulation in the Northern Hemisphere and a clockwise circulation in the Southern Hemisphere) were also observed by QuikScat, the stronger one was south of the equator (summer hemisphere) between Java and Australia, and a weaker one was north of the equator (winter hemisphere) west of Borneo. In this image from January 1, the different colors denote different wind speeds. White arrows are wind vectors showing both direction and speed. The large-scale, broad and simultaneous observations by QuikScat make it possible to put the local weather into the context of the large-scale circulation, and confirm one of the assumptions that links the cold surge of the Asian monsoon with tropical cyclones in the western Pacific. QuikScat, managed by JPL, measures ocean surface wind/stress by sending radar pulses to the surface and measuring the strength of the signals returned. "QuikScat Background" NASA's Quick Scatterometer (QuikScat) spacecraft was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California on June 19, 1999. QuikScat carries the SeaWinds scatterometer, a specialized microwave radar that measures near-surface wind speed and direction under all weather and cloud conditions over the Earth's oceans. More information about the QuikScat mission and observations is available at http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov [ http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA09110 http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov ] |
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