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Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) of Samoa
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Cyclones in the Pacific
| Title |
Cyclones in the Pacific |
| Description |
Two cyclones, Olaf a powerful Category 4 cyclone and Nancy a weaker but still strong Category 2 cyclone, are together threatening the Cook Islands and the islands of Samoa in the South Pacific. This spectacular image from TRMM, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite, shows Cyclone Olaf in the upper left as it is approaching the islands of Samoa and Cyclone Nancy in the lower right as it heads towards Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. The image was taken at 15:34 UTC on February 15, 2005, and shows the horizontal distribution of rain intensity as seen from above by the TRMM satellite. Rain rates in the center swath are from the TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR), the first and only precipitation radar in space, while rain rates in the outer swath are from the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI). The rain rates are overlaid on infrared (IR) data from the TRMM Visible Infrared Scanner (VIRS). At the time of this image, Olaf was a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds estimated at 120 knots (138 mph) by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center and was in the process of intensifying. Nancy, meanwhile, was a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds estimated at 95 knots (109 mph) and was beginning to weaken. These characterizations are supported by TRMM, which shows that Olaf has much better banding in the rain field as evidenced by the green arcs of moderate rain intensity and a tight, closed eye (green circle). Nancy exhibits no well-defined eye, and the banding is much less evident. When two cyclones come within close proximity and their circulations begin to interact with each other, two possible interactions can occur. One interaction is known as the Fujiwara effect, wherein the cyclones begin circling around each another. The other possibility is that the outflow from one storm impedes the outflow from the other storm, weakening it. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency JAXA. Image produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC). |
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Tropical Cyclone Heta
| Title |
Tropical Cyclone Heta |
| Description |
Heta meandered northwest of Samoa over the weekend before turning south and passing just west of the islands on Monday, January 5, 2004. Winds up to 105 miles per hour buffeted the islands knocking out power, uprooting trees, and causing extensive roof damage. After passing Samoa, Heta continued southeast and intensified with sustained winds estimated at 133 miles per hour and gusts of up to 185 miles per hour as it was headed for the tiny island nation of Niue. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission [ http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] (TRMM) satellite captured these impressive images of Cyclone Heta as it was passing just west of Samoa. The images were taken at 6:08 UTC on January 5, 2004. This image shows a vertical cross section through the eye of the storm from the TRMM PR. It shows areas of heavy rainfall (red areas) extending upwards to midlevels in the eyewalls and in an outer rainband as well as deep convective towers surrounding the eye extending to upper levels (blue areas above red areas). Another image [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=11897 ] shows the horizontal distribution of rain rates as seen from above by the TRMM satellite. TRMM reveals that Heta has a double eyewall structure, which can sometimes occur in mature, intense tropical cyclones. The outer eyewall, the intense band of heavy, 2-inch-per-hour rain rates shown by the dark red circle completely surrounds a partial inner eyewall shown by the smaller dark red semicircle. Tropical cyclones act as large heat engines. When water vapor condenses into the cloud droplets that form the precipitation, heat, known as latent heat, is released and drives the storm. Generally, the more heat that is released, the more powerful the storm will become. This heating is also most effective near the center of the storm as is the case with Heta. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency NASDA. Images produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC) |
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Tropical Cyclone Heta
| Title |
Tropical Cyclone Heta |
| Description |
Heta meandered northwest of Samoa over the weekend before turning south and passing just west of the islands on Monday, January 5, 2004. Winds up to 105 miles per hour buffeted the islands knocking out power, uprooting trees, and causing extensive roof damage. After passing Samoa, Heta continued southeast and intensified with sustained winds estimated at 133 miles per hour and gusts of up to 185 miles per hour as it was headed for the tiny island nation of Niue. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission [ http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] (TRMM) satellite captured these impressive images of Cyclone Heta as it was passing just west of Samoa. The images were taken at 6:08 UTC on January 5, 2004. This image shows the horizontal distribution of rain rates as seen from above by the TRMM satellite. Rain rates in the center swath are from the TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR), the first precipitation radar in space, while rain rates in the outer swath are from the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI). The rain rates are overlaid on infrared (IR) data from the TRMM Visible Infrared Scanner (VIRS). TRMM reveals that Heta has a double eyewall structure, which can sometimes occur in mature, intense tropical cyclones. The outer eyewall, the intense band of heavy, 2-inch-per-hour rain rates shown by the dark red circle completely surrounds a partial inner eyewall shown by the smaller dark red semicircle. Tropical cyclones act as large heat engines. When water vapor condenses into the cloud droplets that form the precipitation, heat, known as latent heat, is released and drives the storm. Generally, the more heat that is released, the more powerful the storm will become. This heating is also most effective near the center of the storm as is the case with Heta. The second image [ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=11898 ] shows a vertical cross section through the eye of the storm from the TRMM PR. TRMM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency NASDA. Images produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC) |
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Tropical Cyclone Percy
| Title |
Tropical Cyclone Percy |
| Description |
Percy, a powerful Category 4 cyclone, is the latest cyclone to threaten the South Pacific. In early February Cyclone Meena hit the Cook Islands, and in mid-February Cyclone Nancy also skirted the Cook Islands while Cyclone Olaf brushed the islands of Samoa and American Samoa. Percy started out as a tropical depression on February 24, 2005, near Tuvalu, just east of the international dateline. The system moved east-southeast staying north of Samoa and steadily increased in strength. It became a cyclone on February 25 and, two days later, grew into a powerful Category 4 cyclone with sustained winds estimated at 115 knots (132 mph) by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Percy then slowed down, weakened slightly and battered the atolls of Nassau and Pukapuka in the northern Cook Islands before turning south on February 28. Percy regained Category 4 strength on March 1, and then further intensified into a powerful Category 5 storm on the 2nd with maximum sustained winds estimated at 140 knots (161 mph). In November of 1997, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, or TRMM satellite, was launched to measure rainfall over the global tropics. TRMM has also turned out to be an excellent observational platform for studying and monitoring tropical cyclones, as shown by this series of images of Cyclone Percy. The top left image, taken at 08:29 UTC on February 28, just as Percy was raking the Nassau and Pukapuka atolls, shows the horizontal distribution of rain intensity. Rain rates in the center swath are from the TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR), the first and only precipitation radar in space, while rain rates in the outer swath are from the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI). The rain rates are overlaid on infrared (IR) data from the TRMM Visible Infrared Scanner (VIRS). TRMM shows an asymmetrical eye with intense rain (dark red area) in the northern part of the eyewall. This rain indicates where heat is being released into the storm. Known as "latent heat," it is the heat released when water vapor condenses into liquid cloud droplets. It is most effective in driving the cyclone's circulation when it is released near the center as is the case shown here by TRMM. The right image was taken at the same time by the TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR), and shows a vertical cross section through the center of the storm looking east. The intense rain (darker red area) is associated with the tallest towers in the northern eyewall. The broad yellow area indicating moderate rain is associated with an outer rainband. At the time of these images, Percy was a Category 3 storm with sustained winds estimated at 105 knots (121 mph). The lower left image was taken at 08:18 UTC on March 2, 2005. At this time Percy was a strong Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds estimated at 130 knots (150 mph). The center of the storm does not fall within the PR swath, which has a higher horizontal resolution than the TMI. However, the TMI is still able to show what appears to a double, eyewall. Mature, intense tropical cyclones undergo what it known as eyewall replacement cycles wherein an outer eyewall forms as a ring surrounding the inner eyewall. The outer eyewall eventually contracts and replaces the inner eyewall. The two eyewalls are evident as the two concentric rings of moderate rain intensity (green areas).TRMM [ http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency JAXA. Images produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC). |
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Tropical Cyclone Percy
| Title |
Tropical Cyclone Percy |
| Description |
Percy, a powerful Category 4 cyclone, is the latest cyclone to threaten the South Pacific. In early February Cyclone Meena hit the Cook Islands, and in mid-February Cyclone Nancy also skirted the Cook Islands while Cyclone Olaf brushed the islands of Samoa and American Samoa. Percy started out as a tropical depression on February 24, 2005, near Tuvalu, just east of the international dateline. The system moved east-southeast staying north of Samoa and steadily increased in strength. It became a cyclone on February 25 and, two days later, grew into a powerful Category 4 cyclone with sustained winds estimated at 115 knots (132 mph) by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Percy then slowed down, weakened slightly and battered the atolls of Nassau and Pukapuka in the northern Cook Islands before turning south on February 28. Percy regained Category 4 strength on March 1, and then further intensified into a powerful Category 5 storm on the 2nd with maximum sustained winds estimated at 140 knots (161 mph). In November of 1997, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, or TRMM satellite, was launched to measure rainfall over the global tropics. TRMM has also turned out to be an excellent observational platform for studying and monitoring tropical cyclones, as shown by this series of images of Cyclone Percy. The top left image, taken at 08:29 UTC on February 28, just as Percy was raking the Nassau and Pukapuka atolls, shows the horizontal distribution of rain intensity. Rain rates in the center swath are from the TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR), the first and only precipitation radar in space, while rain rates in the outer swath are from the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI). The rain rates are overlaid on infrared (IR) data from the TRMM Visible Infrared Scanner (VIRS). TRMM shows an asymmetrical eye with intense rain (dark red area) in the northern part of the eyewall. This rain indicates where heat is being released into the storm. Known as "latent heat," it is the heat released when water vapor condenses into liquid cloud droplets. It is most effective in driving the cyclone's circulation when it is released near the center as is the case shown here by TRMM. The right image was taken at the same time by the TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR), and shows a vertical cross section through the center of the storm looking east. The intense rain (darker red area) is associated with the tallest towers in the northern eyewall. The broad yellow area indicating moderate rain is associated with an outer rainband. At the time of these images, Percy was a Category 3 storm with sustained winds estimated at 105 knots (121 mph). The lower left image was taken at 08:18 UTC on March 2, 2005. At this time Percy was a strong Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds estimated at 130 knots (150 mph). The center of the storm does not fall within the PR swath, which has a higher horizontal resolution than the TMI. However, the TMI is still able to show what appears to a double, eyewall. Mature, intense tropical cyclones undergo what it known as eyewall replacement cycles wherein an outer eyewall forms as a ring surrounding the inner eyewall. The outer eyewall eventually contracts and replaces the inner eyewall. The two eyewalls are evident as the two concentric rings of moderate rain intensity (green areas).TRMM [ http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency JAXA. Images produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC). |
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Tropical Cyclone Percy
| Title |
Tropical Cyclone Percy |
| Description |
Percy, a powerful Category 4 cyclone, is the latest cyclone to threaten the South Pacific. In early February Cyclone Meena hit the Cook Islands, and in mid-February Cyclone Nancy also skirted the Cook Islands while Cyclone Olaf brushed the islands of Samoa and American Samoa. Percy started out as a tropical depression on February 24, 2005, near Tuvalu, just east of the international dateline. The system moved east-southeast staying north of Samoa and steadily increased in strength. It became a cyclone on February 25 and, two days later, grew into a powerful Category 4 cyclone with sustained winds estimated at 115 knots (132 mph) by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Percy then slowed down, weakened slightly and battered the atolls of Nassau and Pukapuka in the northern Cook Islands before turning south on February 28. Percy regained Category 4 strength on March 1, and then further intensified into a powerful Category 5 storm on the 2nd with maximum sustained winds estimated at 140 knots (161 mph). In November of 1997, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, or TRMM satellite, was launched to measure rainfall over the global tropics. TRMM has also turned out to be an excellent observational platform for studying and monitoring tropical cyclones, as shown by this series of images of Cyclone Percy. The top left image, taken at 08:29 UTC on February 28, just as Percy was raking the Nassau and Pukapuka atolls, shows the horizontal distribution of rain intensity. Rain rates in the center swath are from the TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR), the first and only precipitation radar in space, while rain rates in the outer swath are from the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI). The rain rates are overlaid on infrared (IR) data from the TRMM Visible Infrared Scanner (VIRS). TRMM shows an asymmetrical eye with intense rain (dark red area) in the northern part of the eyewall. This rain indicates where heat is being released into the storm. Known as "latent heat," it is the heat released when water vapor condenses into liquid cloud droplets. It is most effective in driving the cyclone's circulation when it is released near the center as is the case shown here by TRMM. The right image was taken at the same time by the TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR), and shows a vertical cross section through the center of the storm looking east. The intense rain (darker red area) is associated with the tallest towers in the northern eyewall. The broad yellow area indicating moderate rain is associated with an outer rainband. At the time of these images, Percy was a Category 3 storm with sustained winds estimated at 105 knots (121 mph). The lower left image was taken at 08:18 UTC on March 2, 2005. At this time Percy was a strong Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds estimated at 130 knots (150 mph). The center of the storm does not fall within the PR swath, which has a higher horizontal resolution than the TMI. However, the TMI is still able to show what appears to a double, eyewall. Mature, intense tropical cyclones undergo what it known as eyewall replacement cycles wherein an outer eyewall forms as a ring surrounding the inner eyewall. The outer eyewall eventually contracts and replaces the inner eyewall. The two eyewalls are evident as the two concentric rings of moderate rain intensity (green areas).TRMM [ http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov/ ] is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency JAXA. Images produced by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC) and caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC). |
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Tropical Cyclone Percy: Natu
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
* eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/ima
…
percy_TRM_2005061
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2005-03-02 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
percy_TRM_2005061 |
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Tropical Cyclone Heta: Natur
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Heta meandered northwest of
…
heta_trmm2004005
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2004-01-05 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
heta_trmm2004005 |
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Tropical Cyclone Heta: Natur
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Heta meandered northwest of
…
heta_vertical_trmm2004005
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2004-01-05 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
heta_vertical_trmm2004005 |
|
Cyclones in the Pacific: Nat
…
nasa, nasanaturalhazards
Two cyclones, Olaf a powerfu
…
nancyolaf_TRM_2005015
| mediatype |
IMAGE |
| mediatype |
image |
| date |
2005-02-15 |
| creator |
NASA -- NASA Image Of The Day |
| identifier |
nancyolaf_TRM_2005015 |
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