Tropical Storm Hermine (10L) - September 7th, 2010

Track of TS 10L

At 7:00 PM CDT (00:00 UTC), the center of Tropical Depression Hermine (10L) was located near latitude 31.1 North, longitude 99.4 West.

In the main image, a small portion of convection that is part of TD 10L can be observed along the right edge. The full system can be seen in the animated image.

Hermine is moving toward the north-northwest near 20 mph (33 km/hr). A turn to the north and then north-northeast is expected over the next couple of days.

Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 35 mph (55 km/hr) with higher gusts. Continued weakening is forecast as Hermine moves farther inland over central Texas. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1003 mb (29.62 inches).

Hazards affecting land include storm surges, rainfall and tornados. Water levels along the Texas coast will gradually recede but remain above normal for the next day or so.

Hermine is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 4 to 6 inches, with possible isolated maximum amounts of 10 inches, from the middle Texas coast northward through central Texas and over central and eastern Oklahoma.

These rains are expected to spread northeastward across southeastern Kansas and Missouri during the next few days. The heavy rainfall could cause life-threatening flash floods. Isolated tornadoes are also possible over portions of central and southeast Texas this evening.

Pakistan - September 7th, 2010

Fresh flood warnings have been issued in Mehar village, in the Dadu district of Sindh province, Pakistan. The country has been devastated by intense flooding over the last month.

This thumbnail image focuses on a section of the Indus River, appearing tan with sediments and wider than usual due to the floods; the entire stretch of the river in Pakistan can be viewed in the full image.

Over 800,000 Pakistanis are still trapped by floodwaters. More than 17 million people have been affected by the floods, and eight millions of them require immediate life-saving aid.

Pakistani authorities reported that the floods have destroyed or damaged 1.2 million homes. More than one million people are living in tents and at least five million others are in need of emergency shelter.

Italy - August 24th, 2010

This FAPAR image focuses on the country of Italy, showing its vegetation index. The areas with the highest index, brownish red in color, are located in the north of the country, along the lower flanks of the Apennine Range.

Much of the rest of the country is green, indicating good values of photosynthetic activity. The areas of Italy with the lowest index of vegetation, whitish yellow, are present in the south of the country, in the Apulia region (known as Puglia in Italian).

Brazil - September 5th, 2010

Smoke from fires burning in Bolivia continues to blow over neighboring countries. Here, parts of Brazil, mainly in the state of Mato Grosso, are veiled by clouds of smoke.

A state of emergency was declared in Bolivia due to these quickly spreading forest fires. Over 25,000 fires have been registered across the country, hitting mostly Bolivia’s Amazon and eastern regions.

Tropical Storm Hermine (10L) - September 6th, 2010

Enhanced image

Track of TS 10L

A low pressure area in the Gulf of Mexico has organized into a tropical storm (click here for previous article). As of 7:00 PM CDT (00:00 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Hermine was located near latitude 24.8 North, longitude 97.1 West.

Hermine is moving toward the northwest near 14 mph (22 km/hr), and this general motion is expected to continue for the next day or two.

On the forecast track, the center will make landfall on the coast of northeastern Mexico in the warning area Monday night, and move inland over southern Texas on Tuesday and into central Texas on Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph (100 km/hr) with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is possible, and Hermine could approach hurricane strength prior to landfall. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km) from the center. The latest reported minimum central pressure is 991 mb (29.26 inches).

Tropical storm conditions are occurring in the warning area and are expected to continue overnight. A storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 2 to 4 feet above ground level along the immediate coast near and to the north of where the center makes landfall.

Hermine is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches over northeastern Mexico and south Texas with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches possible. These rains could cause life-threatening flash flood and mudslides. Isolated tornadoes are also possible along the lower and middle Texas coast Monday and Tuesday.

Tropical Storm Malou (10W) - September 6th, 2010

Track of TS 10W

Tropical Storm Malou (10W), located approximately 65 nm northwest of Sasebo, Japan, has tracked northeastward at 10 knots over the past six hours.

The main image shows convection associated with Malou to the west of Japan. The entire system can be observed in the animated image.

TS 10W has maximum sustained winds with speeds of 40 knots, and higher gusts of up to 50 knots. Maximum significant wave height is 16 feet.

Low Pressure Area by Mexico - September 5th, 2010

Enhanced image

Satellite images and radar imagery from Mexico indicate that the broad area of low pressure located over the extreme southwestern Gulf of Mexico has not become better organized over the past few hours.

However, environmental conditions appear favorable for development and a tropical depression could form during the next day or so before the system moves inland. There is a high chance (60 percent) of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours as it moves northwestward at 5 to 10 mph.

Remnant Low of Tropical Storm Gaston (09L) - September 5th, 2010

Enhanced image

Shower and thunderstorm activity has become better organized in association with the remnant low of Tropical Storm Gaston (09L), located about 700 miles east of the Leeward Islands.

Environmental conditions appear conducive for tropical cyclone formation, and the low could redevelop into a tropical depression at any time today as it moves westward near 15 mph.

There is a high chance (80 percent) of this system becoming a tropical cyclone again during the next 48 hours.

Interests in the leeward islands should monitor the progress of this system.  Warnings will likely be required for some of these islands if advisories are re-initiated.

Tropical Storm Earl (07L) - September 5th, 2010

Track of TS 07L

TS 07L by N. American Coast

Some convection associated with Tropical Storm Earl (07L) can be observed here, northeast of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The main image focuses on one large area of convection to the east. The second shows the convection further west, north of Nova Scotia. In the full image, North American Atlantic coastal areas such as Nova Scotia, Canada, and from Massachusetts to North Carolina, USA, can be observed.

On September 2nd, Earl brushed past Cape Hatteras, with conditions being slightly less severe than expected, but still bringing very heavy rain, winds gusting up to hurricane force, and very large waves. Due to strict design requirements of buildings along Cape Hatteras, damage was minimal, with no structural damage reported along the North Carolina coast.

By the following day, the storm had weakened even further to a Category 1 and changed direction to a projected path along the New England coastline. Areas such as the states of New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Southern New York have experienced only minimal impact.

It weakened further to a tropical storm on the 3rd as it passed to the south-southeast of the New England coastline. Again, conditions were much less severe than expected near Cape Cod, with only minor flooding, beach erosion, and winds gusting up to tropical storm force.

The Canadian Maritime Provinces were not so lucky, however, as Earl made landfall twice in Nova Scotia and once in Prince Edward Island (PEI) at hurricane intensity (from strong TS to low Category 1 winds). The city of Halifax and regions of the province, as well as eastern PEI, experienced many uprooted trees and power outages reminiscent of Hurricane Juan in 2003. One death was directly attributable to the storm. Throughout the Caribbean, Hurricane Earl wrought up to $150 million in damage.

Tropical Storm Malou (10W) - September 5th, 2010

Track of TS 10W

Enhanced image

Tropical Storm Malou (10W), located approximately 110 nm south of Cheju Island, has tracked northward at 11 knots over the past six hours. Maximum significant wave height is 21 feet.

Animated infrared satellite (IR) imagery continues to show multiple low level vortices cyclonically rotating into the main area of deep convection.

IR satellite imagery, as well as two microwave passes, reveal a majority of the deep convection is being sheared to the northeast of the main low level circulation center (LLCC).

The current intensity is based on Dvorak estimates ranging from 35 to 45 knots. Upper level analysis shows enhanced poleward outflow associated with a mid-latitude trough to the north of the system.

TS 10W is currently tracking poleward along the western extent of a low-to mid level subtropical steering ridge. It is forecast to track across Cheju Island and intensify slightly due to favorable outflow conditions.

Near TAU 24, Malou will make landfall in southwestern South Korea and weaken as it begins to be absorbed into the baroclinic boundary. By TAU 48, TS 10W is forecast to complete extra-tropical transition.

Canada - September 4th, 2010

The eastern shoreline of Foxe Basin, north of Hudson Bay, in Nunavut, Canada, is lined by yellowish sediments. Also surrounded by sediments on three sides is Air Force Island, an uninhabited island located along the southwestern coast of Baffin Island that measures 1720 km2 in size.

The rest of the land visible in the image belongs to the large Baffin Island, which marks the northern boundary of Foxe Basin. Some areas along the northern coastline are white with snow. The rounded, solid white area due north of Air Force Island, on the left edge of the image, is the Barnes Ice Cap.

Tropical Storm Earl (07L) - September 4th, 2010

Track of TS 07L

Enhanced image

At 8:00 PM EDT (00:00 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Earl (07L) was located near latitude 49.4 North, longitude 60.4 West. Part of the system is visible in the main image, north of New York’s Long Island and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. In the full image, much more of the storm is visible, obscuring most of the Canadian terrain below, while the eastern seaboard of the USA can be observed to the south.

Earl is moving toward the north-northeast near 45 mph (75 km/hr). This motion will bring Earl across extreme southeastern Quebec and Newfoundland tonight.

Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph (100 km/hr) with higher gusts. Earl is forecast to become post-tropical tonight.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 250 miles (400 km) from the center. Estimated minimum central pressure is 966 mb (28.53 inches).

Hazards affecting land include winds and rainfall. Tropical storm conditions are still occurring over extreme eastern Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. These conditions will spread over western Newfoundland tonight. Rains associated with Earl should decrease tonight over the region.

Tropical Storm Malou (10W) - September 4th, 2010

Track of TS 10W

Enhanced image

Tropical Storm Malou (10W) is located approximately 320 nm south of Cheju Island, and has tracked north-northwestward at 15 knots over the past six hours. Maximum significant wave height is 16 feet.

Animated infrared satellite imagery shows increased deep convection developing over the low level circulation center (LLCC) with low level banding wrapping into the system from the northwest and southeast.

The imagery and the convective asymmetry of the system indicate stronger winds along the eastern flank of the system associated with the tight pressure gradient. Current intensity is about 35 knots, with 25 to 30 knot winds at the system center.

Upper level analysis reveals TS10W is in a region of enhanced diffluence aloft associated with its proximity to the diffluent region of the upper level low over Taiwan. The system is currently tracking along the southwestern periphery of a western extension of a low to mid-level steering ridge.

Malou is forecast to continue tracking north-northwestward through TAU 36, then begin to turn poleward as an approaching mid-latitude trough erodes the ridge. The system is forecast to gradually intensify through TAU36, then weaken as it interacts with the mid-latitude westerly flow near TAU 48. The system is expected to make landfall south of Seoul, South Korea, and rapidly weaken as it becomes absorbed into the baroclinic boundary.

Tropical Depression 11E - September 3rd, 2010

Enhanced image

At 8:00 PM PDT (03:00 UTC), the center of Tropical Depression 11E was located near latitude 15.5 North, longitude 95.2 West. The land visible in the upper part of the image is part of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.

The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 6 mph (9 km/hr). This general motion with a turn toward the northwest is expected over the next day or so. On this track, the center of the system is expected to cross the coast of Mexico on Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/hr) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast, and the depression could become a tropical storm before moving inland on Saturday. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb (29.68 inches).

Hazards affecting land include strong winds and rainfall. Tropical storm wind conditions are expected to reach the coast within the warning area early Saturday.

The depression is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 4 to 6 inches over the mexican state of Oaxaca. Isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches are possible in higher elevations, which could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.

Tropical Depression 10E - September 3rd, 2010

Enhanced image

Track of TD 10E

As of 8:00 PM PDT (03:00 UTC), the center of Tropical Depression 10E was located near latitude 20.7 North, longitude 110.9 West. The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 6 mph (9 km/hr). This general motion with an increase in forward speed is expected over the next day or so.

Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 30 mph (45 km/hr) with higher gusts. Additional weakening is expected during the next day or so. The depression could become a remnant low today and then degenerate into a trough by Sunday. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb (29.68 inches).

Tropical Storm Malou (10W) - September 3rd, 2010

Enhanced image

Track of TS 10W

Convection Associated with TS10W

Parts of Japan, China and North Korea will again become the target of a tropical system in the upcoming days. The danger this time is at the hands of Tropical Storm Malou (10W).

Malou is currently a minimal tropical storm churning northwestward through the northern Philippine Sea.

Here, the main image focuses on the eastern part of the storm, south of Japan (visible in the upper part of the full image). The thumbnail image shows convection associated with Malou, to the west of its center, over mainland Asia. The entire system can be observed in the animated image.

Malou will continue on that heading into Friday evening EDT, tracking across Japan’s Ryukyu Islands in the process. Bands of torrential rain and gusty winds will increase today across the Ryukyu Islands as Malou approaches. Tropical storm-force winds will begin howling this afternoon, mainly over the island of Okinawa.

The gusty winds and torrential rain will persist into this evening as Malou passes by. The winds will be of minimal tropical storm force, but they will still be capable of causing some tree damage and power outages. Any loose lawn items would easily be blown around.

Malou will enter the East China Sea on Saturday, but heavy rain will continue to drench the Ryukyu Islands occasionally. Some additional rain could fall on Sunday as moisture wraps into the center of Malou.

The upcoming soaking across the Ryukyu Islands threatens to trigger flooding, especially since the islands where just inundated by Typhoon Kompasu on Tuesday.

After leaving the Ryukyu Islands, Malou will press northwestward through the East China Sea this weekend. The tropical storm should then reach the Yellow Sea early next week. During this time, Malou will strengthen into a stronger tropical storm. It is also possible that Malou will reach minimal typhoon status.

There are concerns that Malou will curve northeastward towards the border of China and North Korea, where landfall may occur by the middle of next week. Strong winds high in the atmosphere, also known as wind shear, should increase across Malou just prior to landfall. That should keep Malou from being a powerful typhoon when it moves inland and could even lead to some weakening. The negative aspect of the wind shear is that it should act to push Malou’s torrential rain onshore well ahead of the storm’s actual landfall. The rain could spread over northeastern China and North Korea as early as Tuesday.

Turkey - August 30th, 2010

White snow and clouds cling to the peaks of two mountain ranges in this image: the Greater Caucasus Range, dividing Russia (above) and Georgia (below), and the Pontic Range, in Turkey.

The Pontic Range range runs roughly east-west through Turkey’s Black Sea Region, parallel and close to the southern coast of the Black Sea, and extends eastward to Georgia.

Access inland from the coast is limited to a few narrow valleys because mountain ridges, with elevations of 1,525 to 1,800 meters in the west and 3,000 to 4,000 meters in the east (in the Pontic Range’s Kaçkar Mountains), form an almost unbroken wall separating the coast from the interior.

Several lakes can also be observed here:  Lake Van, in Turkey, and Lake Urmia, in northwestern Iran. Lake Van is dark blue in color, while Lake Urmia, to its southeast, is reddish and ringed by white salt flats.

Canada - September 1st, 2010

A phytoplankton bloom tinges the waters of the Atlantic Ocean off the east coast of Canada, near the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The bloom has been present near that province, as well as that of Nova Scotia, since July (click here for previous articles).

Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. The Strait of Belle Isle separates the province into two geographical divisions, Labrador and island of Newfoundland. The province also includes over 7,000 tiny islands.

The bloom is located closest to the island of Newfoundland, which is roughly triangular. Each side is approximately 400 km (250 mi), and it has an area of 108,860 km2 (42,030 sq mi).

Low Pressure Area Near Mexico - September 1st, 2010

Track of Low Pressure Area

An area of low pressure in the East Pacific Ocean, located about 200 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, continues to show signs of organization.

Upper-level winds are forecast to become a little more conducive
for development during the next couple of days as the system moves northwestward at about 10 mph. There is a high chance – around 80 percent – of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.

Pakistan - September 1st, 2010

This FAPAR image focuses on the Indus River, which has been causing terrible flooding in Pakistan over the last month. The river and its tributaries appear as thick yellow and grey lines.

More than 17 million people have been affected by the floods, and about 17 million acres of farmland are under water. Amid the crisis, the military has been out front, driving high-profile rescue efforts with some 60,000 Army troops.

Here, the valley surrounding the river is medium to dark green in color, indicating a good vegetation index. Some areas further north, where the monsoon rains most affected the country, are brownish red, indicating a high index. The yellow, white, and bright red areas, on the other hand, show a low to very low index of photosynthetic activity.

Tropical Storm Gaston (09L) - September 1st, 2010

Enhanced image

Track of TS 09L

Another tropical wave emerged off Africa near the end of August. Taking advantage of favorable conditions, it developed into a tropical depression on September 1. It intensified later that day to become Tropical Storm Gaston, the seventh named storm of the season and the fourth tropical storm to form in the last eleven days.

As of 5 p.m. AST (2100 UTC) on September 1st, the center of Tropical Storm Gaston was located near 12.9°N 37.0°W, about 895 miles (1440 km) west-southwest of the Cape Verde islands and about 1635 miles (2635 km) east of the Lesser Antilles.

Maximum sustained winds are estimated at 40 mph (65 km/h), with higher gusts. The minimum central pressure is estimated to be 1005 mbar (hPa, 29.68 inHg) and the storm is moving west at 15 mph (24 km/h).

Tropical Storm Fiona (08L) - September 1st, 2010

Enhanced image

Track of TS 08L

At 5:00 PM AST (21:00 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Fiona was located near latitude 20.2 North, longitude 62.9 West. Fiona is moving toward the northwest near 20 mph (32 km/hr). The cyclone should continue moving in this direction at a slower forward speed during the next two days. In the full animated image, Hurricane Earl (07L) can be seen in the upper left corner.

Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph (95 km/hr) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km) from the center. Estimated minimum central pressure is 997 mb (29.44 inches).

Hazards affecting land are mainly rainfall: Fiona is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 1 to 3 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 5 inches, over portions of the northern Leeward Islands.

]]> http://www.eosnap.com/?feed=rss2&p=17743 0 22.0734310 -70.0781250 http://www.eosnap.com/?p=17743 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EarthSnapshot/~3/t5I-WtV2MC8/ http://www.eosnap.com/?p=17737#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:00:02 +0000 EOsnap http://www.eosnap.com/?p=17737

Hurricane Earl (07L) - September 1st, 2010

Track of TS 07L

At 8:00 PM EDT (00:00 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Earl (07L) was located near latitude 27.2 North, longitude 73.5 West. Earl is moving toward the north-northwest near 18 mph (30 km/hr).

This motion is expected to continue tonight with a turn to the north on Thursday. On the forecast track, the core of the hurricane will approach the North Carolina coast by late Thursday, and move near or over the Outer Banks of that state by Thursday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 135 mph (215 km/hr) with higher gusts.E arl is a category four hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely tonight and Thursday, but a gradual weakening trend is anticipated thereafter.

Earl is a large hurricane. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km) from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 200 miles (325 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 941 mb (27.79 inches).

There are various hazards affecting land. Tropical storm force winds are expected to reach the North Carolina coast within the warning area by Thursday afternoon with hurricane force winds occurring by late Thursday. Tropical storm force winds will likely reach the coast from Virginia northward to New Jersey by late Thursday night or early Friday.

A dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 3 to 5 feet above ground level within the hurricane warning
area and the lower Chesapeake Bay. Elsewhere within the tropical storm warning area, a storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 1 to 3 feet above ground level. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

Rainfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches, are expected over portions of eastern North Carolina including the Outer Banks. With regards to surf, large swells from Earl will continue to affect the Bahamas
and the east coast of the United States through Friday. These swells will likely cause dangerous surf conditions and rip currents.

Tropical Depression 10 - September 1st, 2010

Enhanced image

Late on August 28, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center reported that an area of low pressure system associated with a tropical disturbance had developed about 1000 mi to the southwest of Honolulu in Hawaii, south of Japan, and east of the Philippines.

Isolated thunderstorms were developing in association with the small low-level circulation that was associated with the disturbance. During the next day the disturbance moved towards the west and moved into the western Pacific where the JMA immediately designated it as a tropical depression.

Mexico - August 4th, 2010

The Laguna Madre (meaning “Mother Lagoon” in Spanish), in the upper right corner, appears silvery in color due to sun glint. The lagoon is actually two long, shallow bays along the western coast of the Gulf of Mexico, in  both the USA and Mexico. The two bays are separated by the mouth of the Rio Grande.

An area of green coastal plains can be observed to the west of the lagoon. Further west lies the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range, whose peaks appear darker brown and more marked as one moves southward. Some areas of white and tan arid terrain can be seen further to the west and to the north.