Infrared imagery from NASA's Aqua satellite revealed that Tropical Storm Lan was getting stronger as it moved through the Northwestern Pacific Ocean.
Infrared imagery from NASA's Aqua satellite revealed that Tropical Storm Lan was getting stronger as it moved through the Northwestern Pacific Ocean.
NASA's Aqua satellite passed over Maria on Oct. 17 at 12:17 a.m. EDT (0417 UTC) and analyzed the storm in infrared light. Infrared light provides temperature data and that's important when trying to understand how strong storms can be. The higher the cloud tops, the colder and the stronger they are.
AIRS data showed coldest cloud top temperatures in thunderstorms around Lan's center. Those cooler temperatures were as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 53 degrees Celsius). Storms with cloud top temperatures that cold have the capability to produce heavy rainfall. The AIRS data showed broad banding of thunderstorms with deep flaring central convection and developing thunderstorms.
Continue reading at NASA / Goddard Space Flight Center
Image: NASA's Aqua satellite passed over Tropical Storm Lan on Oct. 17 at 12:17 a.m. EDT (0417 UTC) and saw coldest cloud top temperatures (purple) around the storm's center.
Credits: NASA JPL/Ed Olsen
