Tropical storm hurricane update

See 27 Storms: Arlene to Zeta for a summary of the hurricane season. This visualization focuses on the disperse outer bands northeast of the eye. As Tropical Storm Zeta makes landfall on the U. Gulf Coast, NASA has eyes on the storm with an array of Earth-observing instruments and stands ready to aid affected communities with critical data and analysis.

Zeta is following a path similar to Hurricane Delta, which after crossing the Yucatan Peninsula made its way across the Gulf of Mexico and struck the Louisiana coast as a Category 2 hurricane on October 9. Tropical Storm Zeta is the 27th named storm of , which ties the record with for the most named storms.

The season is also only the second time in recorded history the other being that the Greek alphabet has been used because the number of named storms has exceeded the number of regular names on the list. With several weeks still left in the hurricane season, is expected to surpass this previous record for most named storms in one season. Zeta originated in the western Caribbean from a broad area of low pressure. Originally inhibited by changes in wind speeds and directions — also known as wind shear — the system was slow to develop.

But by the late afternoon of Saturday October 24, the National Hurricane Center NHC reported that a tropical depression had formed, the 28 th of the season. Nine hours later the system was upgraded to a tropical storm and given the name Zeta. Over the next twelve hours, Zeta remained nearly stationary and unable to intensify further. While broad bands of rain circle the storm, GPM shows that the center itself is ragged and the eye of the storm is asymmetric. Warm, moist air rising up through the atmosphere shown by the blue surface indicating the top heights of rain clouds is producing very heavy rainfall shown in dark red and magenta near the center.

These processes release heat near the center of the circulating storm, helping to consolidate it. At the time of the overpass, Zeta was still classified as a weak tropical storm with maximum sustained winds reported at 40 mph by the National Hurricane Center. Zeta began to slowly but steadily strengthen, becoming a strong tropical storm overnight with sustained winds just below hurricane intensity early the next morning.

At this time Zeta was about miles southeast of Cozumel, Mexico and moving northwest. Zeta would go on to make landfall near Tulum at pm CDT as a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds reported at 80 mph by the National Hurricane Center. After crossing the Yucatan Peninsula, Zeta weakened back down to a tropical storm, but re-emerged over the southern Gulf of Mexico. Data captured by the DPR show a symmetric storm, with a clear eye surrounded by tall thunderstorms—an indicator that the storm was strengthening after encountering the Yucatan Peninsula a day earlier.

Shortly after this overpass, the National Hurricane Center reported that Zeta had re-intensified to a Category 1 hurricane, and the NHC currently says Zeta is a Category 2 hurricane as it makes landfall along the southern coast of Louisiana Wednesday evening.

Cameras outside the International Space Station captured dramatic views of Hurricane Zeta at pm ET October 28, as it churned miles south-southwest of New Orleans packing winds of 90 miles an hour. Credit: NASA. The program stands ready to continue to work with these agencies and provide assistance for Hurricane Zeta should the need arise.

Combining multiple datasets and tools allows NASA to see the big picture of a storm and its impacts, and helps answer broader questions about how communities can better prepare for, and recover from, the storms of the future. For Hurricane Zeta, researchers will have a unique opportunity to gauge the vulnerability or resilience of a region that was recently impacted by several destructive storms, and to study their compounding effects.

Attempting to determine what damage was caused by which storm will be a challenging task on its own. However, attempting to answer these tough questions can provide critical guidance to help communities build back better and strengthen them for the disasters and challenges that lie ahead.

Tropical Storm Nangka made landfall south of Haiphong, Vietnam and began to weaken. In the imagery, strong storms continued to circle the center and were in the northern quadrant. Nangka tracked west-northwestward and further inland and was being affected by vertical wind shear.

In general, wind shear is a measure of how the speed and direction of winds change with altitude. Tropical cyclones are like rotating cylinders of winds. Each level needs to be stacked on top each other vertically in order for the storm to maintain strength or intensify. Wind shear occurs when winds at different levels of the atmosphere push against the rotating cylinder of winds, weakening the rotation by pushing it apart at different levels.

Nangka is forecast to move further inland while dissipating over the mountainous terrain of northwest Vietnam and northern Laos over the next day and a half.

Norbert has been meandering around in the Eastern Pacific Ocean for several days as a tropical depression. A NASA satellite rainfall product that incorporates data from satellites and observations revealed that Norbert has regained tropical storm status after showing increased organization and deep convection. On Oct. Rainfall throughout most of the storm was occurring between 5 and 15 mm 0. EDT on Oct.

At that time, the National Hurricane Center noted that Norbert had increased in organization during the evening hours and satellite data showed a tightly curved band of convection wrapping about halfway around the low-level center. Norbert is moving toward the northwest near 15 mph 24 kph. A northwestward motion with a gradual decrease in forward speed is expected through tonight. Maximum sustained winds remain near 40 mph 65 kph with higher gusts.

Little change in strength is expected this morning, but the tropical storm is forecast to begin weakening by later today. Norbert is forecast to become a remnant low tonight or early Thursday, and dissipate by Thursday night. The National Hurricane Center noted that the exact location has been difficult to pinpoint in the area of deep convection. Rainfall throughout most of the storm was estimated as falling at a rate between 5 and 15 mm 0.

At the U. Naval Laboratory in Washington, D. By combining NASA precipitation estimates with other data sources, we can gain a greater understanding of major storms that affect our planet. For more than five decades, NASA has used the vantage point of space to understand and explore our home planet, improve lives and safeguard our future.

NASA brings together technology, science, and unique global Earth observations to provide societal benefits and strengthen our nation. For forecast updates on hurricanes, visit: www. The storm still appeared circular in imagery. At the time, it was centered over northern Alabama.

At the time Terra passed overhead, Delta had weakened to a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds near 25 mph 35 kph. The animation showed the landfall and movement of Tropical Storm Delta. Delta dissipated over the southeastern U. EDT with estimated maximum sustained winds of mph kph. Evacuate immediately if told to do so. Storm Surge Warning: There is a danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline somewhere within the specified area, generally within 36 hours.

If you are under a storm surge warning, check for evacuation orders from your local officials. Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions sustained winds of 74 mph or greater are expected somewhere within the specified area. NHC issues a hurricane warning 36 hours in advance of tropical storm-force winds to give you time to complete your preparations. All preparations should be complete. Evacuate immediately if so ordered. Tropical Storm Warning: Tropical storm conditions sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are expected within your area within 36 hours.

Extreme Wind Warning: Extreme sustained winds of a major hurricane mph or greater , usually associated with the eyewall, are expected to begin within an hour. Take immediate shelter in the interior portion of a well-built structure.

Storm Surge Watch: There is a possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline somewhere within the specified area, generally within 48 hours. Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions sustained winds of 74 mph or greater are possible within your area. Because it may not be safe to prepare for a hurricane once winds reach tropical storm force, The NHC issues hurricane watches 48 hours before it anticipates tropical storm-force winds.

Tropical Storm Watch: Tropical storm conditions sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are possible within the specified area within 48 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Public Advisory: The Tropical Cyclone Public Advisory contains a list of all current coastal watches and warnings associated with an ongoing or potential tropical cyclone, a post-tropical cyclone, or a subtropical cyclone. It also provides the cyclone position, maximum sustained winds, current motion, and a description of the hazards associated with the storm.

Tropical Cyclone Track Forecast Cone: This graphic shows areas under tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings, the current position of the center of the storm, and its predicted track.

Remember, the effects of a tropical cyclone can span hundreds of miles. Areas well outside of the cone often experience hazards such as tornadoes or inland flooding from heavy rain.

Hurricane Local Statement: Local NWS offices in areas affected by a tropical cyclone issue Hurricane Local Statements to keep the public, local decision makers, and the media current on potential storm impacts in their area. The Hurricane Local Statement contains a succinct overview of the event and a generalized summary of potential impacts and preparedness information.