Tropical Cyclone 02S - November 19th, 2008

Tropical Cyclone 02S - enhanced image

Tropical Cyclone 02S, located in the Indian Ocean approximately 185 nautical miles northeast of Cocos Island, has tracked east-southeastward at 12 knots over the past six hours.

Recent imagery depicts a well-consolidated low level circulation center (LLCC) with improving deep convection wrapping into the west and south sides of the circulation.

Although convection has decreased slightly over the past 12 hours, recent imagery shows a resurgence in convective activity with banding becoming tighter and better defined.

The LLCC lies beneath a weakly developing upper-level anticyclone in an area of moderate easterly vertical wind shear.

This, coupled with relatively weak ocean heat content values may serve to limit the maximum intensity of the system.

Maximum sustained surface winds are estimated at 30 to 35 knots, with 30 to 40 knot winds near the center. Maximum significant wave height is 8 feet.

The system is expected to track east-southeastward over the next 48 hours under the influence of low- to mid-level westerly flow equatorward of the system.

Tags: 02S, Cocos Island, Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Ethiopia and Somalia - November 18th, 2008

In this clear image of part of Africa, we can see Ethiopia and Somalia. The Shebelle River (meaning Leopard/Tiger River in the Somali language) runs through those two countries, to the Indian Ocean, visible in the lower right corner.

The Shebelle is 1130 kilometers long, extending for 1000 kilometers inside Ethiopia and 130 inside Somalia. It begins in the highlands of Ethiopia, and then flows southeast into Somalia towards Mogadishu. Near Mogadishu it turns sharply southwest, where it follows the coast.

Below Mogadishu the river becomes seasonal. Most years the river dries up near the mouth of the Jubba River, while in seasons of heavy rainfall the river actually reaches the Jubba and thus the Indian Ocean.

In our image, taken after the end of the rainy season, the river appears to be drying up near the Indian Ocean, though it is still plainly visible further inland.

In the image we can also observe the great diversity of terrain in Ethiopia, from the red deserts on the eastern border, to the green tropical forests to the southwest.

There is a massive highland complex of mountains and dissected plateaus divided by the Great Rift Valley, which runs generally southwest to northeast and is surrounded by lowlands, steppes, or semi-desert.

Tags: Africa, Ethiopia, Great Rift Valley, Indian Ocean, Jubba River, Mogadishu, Shebelle River, Somalia |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Snow in the Alps, Italy - November 16th, 2008

Despite the partial cloud cover in this image, we have a good view of snow covering the Alps in northern Italy.

We can also see a green algal bloom in the Adriatic Sea, off the eastern shoreline of the Veneto Region.

If we compare this image to a similar one taken of the same area in early October (see previous article), we can observe that the amount of snow has increased, as has the size of the algal bloom.

Tags: Adriatic Sea, Algal Bloom, Alps, Veneto |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Convective area near Malaysia - November 18th, 2008

Convective area near Malaysia - enhanced image

An area of convection in the Indian Ocean is located approximately 360 nautical miles west-northwest of Cocos Island.

Imagery shows a rapidly consolidating low level circulation center (LLCC) with deepening convective spiral bands on the west and south sides.

The system lies equatorward of an upper level ridge axis in an area of moderate easterly vertical wind shear, good diffluence aloft and fair poleward outflow enhanced by a mid-latitude trough.

Its maximum sustained surface winds are estimated at 20 to 25 knots. The minimum sea level pressure is estimated to be near 1003mb.

The potential for the development of a significant tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours has been upgraded to fair.

Tags: Area of convection, Cocos Island, Indian Ocean, Malaysia, Tropical Cyclone |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Fire in Southern California - November 16th, 2008

Detail1: Fire in Southern California - November 15th, 2008

In the main image we can see a fire burning in Southern California, in Sylmar (near Los Angeles).

The smoke is blowing out into the Pacific Ocean, partially obscuring the some of the Channel Islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel).

The Sylmar wildfire, caused by strong Santa Ana winds and near-record temperatures and dryness, has burned over 8,000 acres outside Los Angeles.

Over 10,000 people have been asked to evacuate, and some major roads have been closed. Five hundred mobile homes, nine single-family houses and ten commercial buildings were destroyed by the fire and 15 more structures were damaged.

Detail2: Fire in Southern California - November 16th, 2008

The two image details allow us to compare the state of the fire on the 15th of November (first image) and the 16th of November (second image).

In the second image we can also observe another smaller fire further south.

Tags: Anacapa Island, California, Channel Islands, Fires, Los Angeles, Pacific Ocean, San Miguel Island, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Rosa Island, Sylmar |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Tropical Storm 26W - November 17th, 2008

Tropical Storm 26W - enhanced image

A warning has been issued for Tropical Storm 26W (Noul), located approximately 135 nautical miles east-southeast of Nha Trang, Vietnam.

The system has moved westward across the South China Sea at 11knots over the past six hours.

It is expected to continue west across the Mekong Delta in the south of Vietnam, then cross the Malay Peninsula in the south of Thailand, into the Bay of Bengal.

In the main image, the storm is already obscuring the southern part of Vietnam. To the North, however, we can see mainland China, and to the South, parts of Indonesia.

It has maximum sustained winds of 35knots with maximum gusts at 45 knots. Its maximum significant wave height is 11feet.

If the cyclone survives the two land crossings, it is expected to maintain an intensity of about 40knots and then continue strenghthening once it reaches the Bay of Bengal.

Tags: 26W, Bay of Bengal, China, Indonesia, Malay Peninsula, Mekong Delta, Nha Trang, Noul, South China Sea, Thailand, Tropical Storm, Vietnam |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Rivers and reservoirs in Amur Oblast, Russia - November 7th, 2008

In this snow-covered image we can see part of Amur Oblast, in eastern Russia. The large, dark body of water is the Zeyskoye Reservoir. The Gilyuy, Zeya and Tynda Rivers are visible below the reservoir, while the Stanovoy Mountain Range can be seen above it. The land south of this range is the Upper Zeysky Plain, which is primarily marshland with larch and pine forests.

Amur Oblast is an administrative division of Russia (an oblast), situated about 8,000 km east of Moscow on the banks of the Amur and Zeya Rivers. In 2005, official estimates suggested a population of about 887,600 people.

It shares its border with the Sakha Republic in the north, Khabarovsk Krai and the Jewish Autonomous Oblast in the east, People’s Republic of China in the south, and Chita Oblast in the west.

The Stanovoy Range, visible in the image North of the Zeyskoye Reservoir, forms the dividing line between the Sakha Republic and Amur Oblast and spreads across the entire northern border of the territory. Dwarf Siberian pine and alpine tundra grow at higher elevations on these mountains and larch forests with small stands of flat-leaved birch and pine forests grow alongside the river plains.

The Zeya River, 1,242 km long, begins in the mountains of the Stanovoy Range in the northeast. It freezes from November to May.

The middle reaches of this great river were dammed to create the huge Zeyskoye Reservoir, which sprawls over 2,500 km² between the Stanovoy Range and a southern parallel range running across the center of the oblast. It is kept at a regulated depth of 93 m.

Tags: Amur Oblast, Gilyuy River, Russia, Sakha Republic, Stanovoy Range, Tynda River, Zeya River, Zeyskoye Reservoir |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Dust storm in Pakistan continues - November 14th, 2008

Close-up of sands blowing into the sea

Here we can see some sands blowing off the coast of the region of Baluchistan, Pakistan, into the Arabian Sea.

Further offshore, the sands swirl towards the city of Karachi, the Rann of Kutch and the Gulf of Kachchh in India; they then reach southward in several wide bands.

These sands continue to come from the dust storm in Iran and Pakistan that we had begun observing yesterday (see previous article).

Tags: Arabian Sea, Baluchistan, Dust Storm, Gulf of Kachchh, India, Iran, Karachi, Pakistan, Rann of Kutch |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Comments (1)

Smoke from fires in India - November 12th, 2008

Here we can observe smoke in northern India and northeastern Pakistan. The smoke comes from fires burning further south in India, and has blown along the river and become blocked at the base of the Himalayas.

These fires are intentional, part of the annual agricultural fire season in the states of Punjab (near Pakistan) and Haryana (to the southeast) in the beginning of November. Farmers set the fires in order to clear fields for new plantings.

Even though the fires usually are not a direct threat, the widespread burning can have a strong impact on weather, climate, human health, and natural resources.

Tags: Fires, Haryana, Himalayas, India, Pakistan, Punjab, Smoke |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Area of convection near the Philippines - November 14th, 2008

Area of convection - enhanced image

The area of convection previously located near 7.5N 129.9E
is now located near 7.3N 127.1E, approximately 90 nautical miles east of Davao, Philippines.

The disturbance seems to have reduced and fragmented convective banding as it approaches Mindanao.

It has a broad circulation with winds of 10 to 15 knots. Upper level analysis shows a Tutt cell to the east providing good equatorward outflow although the vertical wind shear is 10 to 20 knots.

Maximum sustained surface winds are estimated at 12 to 18 knots. Minimum sea level pressure is estimated to be near 1006mb.

The system is expected to cross into a lower vertical wind shear environment in the Sulu Sea. The potential for the development of a significant tropical cyclone remains fair.

Tags: Area of convection, Davao, Mindanao, Philippines, Sulu Sea, Tropical Cyclone |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Tropical Cyclone 5B in the Indian Ocean - November 14th, 2008

Tropical Cyclone 5B - enhanced image

An area of convection in the Indian Ocean has intensified to cyclone status and been designated Tropical Cyclone 05B.

The storm, located approximately 280 nautical miles east of Madras, India, has moved northward at 5knots over the past six hours.

The cyclone shows good outflow and improved convective banding.

Upper level analysis indicates a favorable environment for further strengthening before the system reaches land.

The cyclone’s maximum significant wave height is 11feet.

Tags: 05B, Area of convection, India, Indian Ocean, Madras, Tropical Cyclone |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Dust Storm in Pakistan and Iran - November 13th, 2008

Close-up of sand blowing out to sea

In this image we can see sands from the Baluchistan region of Pakistan blowing across the border into Iran and off the coast into the Gulf of Oman.

Though the densest plumes are visible near the shoreline, we can observe that the dust has spread all the way south along the coast of Oman and into the Arabian Sea.

Tags: Arabian Sea, Baluchistan, Dust Storm, Gulf of Oman, Iran, Oman, Pakistan |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Area of convection in the Andaman Sea - November 13th, 2008

Enhanced image of area of convection in Andaman Sea

The area of convection in the Andaman Sea is now located 430 nautical miles East of Madras, India.

Recent imagery shows deep convection, that was previously confined to the peripheries of the circulation, developing near the center of the slowly consolidating low level circulation center (LLCC).

This disturbance lies near an upper-level anti-cyclone axis, in an area of low to moderate vertical wind shear and favorable poleward diffluence aloft.

Maximum sustained surface winds are estimated at 20 to 25 knots. Minimum sea level pressure is estimated to be near 1003mb.

Due to the consolidating deep convection, the potential for the development of a significant tropical cyclone in the next 24 hours is upgraded to fair.

Tags: Andaman Sea, Area of convection, India, Madras, Tropical Cyclone |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Area of convection near the Philippines - November 13th, 2008

The area of convection in the South China Sea has continued to strenghthen, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center has issued a tropical cyclone formation alert for the next 6 to 24 hours.

Winds in the area are estimated to be 18 to 23 knots, and the system is moving southwestward at 9 knots.

This area of convection, associated with the remnants of 24W is now located approximately 345 nautical miles southwest of Manila, Philippines.

Deep convection continues to persist over the low level circulation center (LLCC) and convective banding is evident in satellite imagery. The LLCC appears to be improving, with 15 to 20 knot winds.

Upper level analysis indicates an improved upper level environment with light to moderate vertical wind shear and favorable diffluence aloft.

Vertical wind shear values have decreased and are expected to continue to decrease as the mid-tatitude trough to the North moves eastward.

Maximum sustained surface winds are estimated at 18 to 23 knots. Minimum sea level pressure is estimated to be near 1005mb.

Due to the increase in deep convection over the LLCC and lower vertical wind shear, the potential for the development of a significant tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours is good.

Tags: 24W, Area of convection, Manila, Philippines, South China Sea, Tropical Cyclone |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Coastline of Namibia and South Africa - November 9th, 2008

Close-up of the Namib Desert, Namibia

In our main image we have the coastline of Namibia and South Africa. The Orange River, below the Namibian Desert, marks the border with South Africa.

Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country in southern Africa on the Atlantic coast. It shares borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east, and South Africa (from which it became independent in 1990) to the south.

Namibia’s capital city is Windhoek. With an estimated population 1,820,916, it is the second most sparsely populated country in the world after Mongolia.

Our first image detail focuses on the Namib Desert, for which Namibia was given its name.

The Namib Desert is a desert in Namibia and southwest Angola which forms part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The desert is Africa’s second largest.

Dunes in the Namib Desert © Bjørn Christian Tørrissen

The desert occupies an area of around 80 900 km² (31 200 square miles), stretching about 1000 miles (1,600 km) along the Atlantic Ocean coast of Namibia.

The area is considered to be one of the oldest deserts in the world. It has less than 10 mm (0.4 inches) of rain annually and is almost completely barren.

The interaction between the water-laden air coming from the sea via southerly winds, some of the strongest of any coastal desert, and the dry air of the desert causes immense fogs and strong currents, causing sailors to lose their way or to become shipwrecked. Such a fog cloud is visible off the coast in our image.

Phytoplankton off the shore of South Africa

The Republic of South Africa, on the other hand, is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa. The South African coast stretches 2,798 kilometres (1,739 mi) and borders both the Atlantic and Indian oceans. As of midyear 2007, the South African population was estimated at 47.9 million.

In this close-up image we can see a phytoplankton bloom off the Atlantic Coast of South Africa, to the northwest of the Cape of Good Hope. The city of Cape Town is also visible.

This region has a dramatically different climate from that of the desertous region of Namibia we were observing previously: the Cape Peninsula has a Mediterranean climate with well-defined seasons. In winter, which lasts from May to September, large cold fronts come across from the Atlantic Ocean with heavy precipitation and strong north-westerly winds. Most of the city’s annual rainfall occurs in wintertime. Summer, which lasts from November to March, is warm and dry.

Tags: Angola, Cape of Good Hope, Cape Town, Namib Desert, Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia, Orange River, South Africa |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Area of convection, South China Sea - November 12th, 2008

Area of convection - enhanced image

An area of convection associated with the remnats of 24W, located approximately 537km (334mi) west-southwest of Manila, Philippines, between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea, has become more persistent over the last 12 hours.

The existing low level circulation center (LLCC) has become better organized, with winds at 28 to 37km/h (17 to 23mph), and weak banding has developed. Upper level analysis indicates a marginal environment with light to moderate vertical wind shear and favorable diffluence aloft. Vertical wind shear values have decreased and are expected to continue to decrease as the mid-latitude trough to the North moves eastward.

Maximum sustained surface winds are estimated at 28 to 37km/h (17 to 23mph). Minimum sea level pressure is estimated to be near 1006mb.

Due to an improved convective signature and lower vertical wind shear, the potential for the development of a significant tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours is fair.

Tags: Area of convection, Manila, Philippines, South China Sea, Sulu Sea, Tropical Cyclone |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Islands in Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia - October 30th, 2008

Close-up of Groote Eylandt

In our main image we can see various clusters of islands and an algal bloom near the western coast of Australia’s Gulf of Carpentaria.

The largest island, featured in the first close-up, is called Groote Eylandt. It is the biggest island in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Groote Eylandt lies approximately 50 km from the Northern Territory mainland and eastern coast of Arnhem Land (approximately 630 km from Darwin). The island measures approximately 50 km from east to west and 60 km north—south, a total area of some 2,260 km². It is generally quite low-lying, with an average height above sea level of 15 m.

This island is the homeland of, and is owned by, the Anindilyakwa people (who still speak the isolated Anindilyakwa language). It is part of the Arnhem Land Aboriginal Reserve. The island has until recently been open to the public only with permission. There is, however, a large manganese mine near the community of Angurugu, which produces more than 3.8 million tonnes annually (about 25 percent of the world’s total).

Close-up of algal bloom along the coast, Gulf of Carpentaria

The island between Groote Eylandt and the Australian mainland is Bickerton Island. It is situated 13 km west of Groote Eylandt and 8 km east of mainland Australia, in the Northern Territory. A small aboriginal community of about 140 people lives on this island.

Other islands around Groote Eylandt and Bickerton Island include Winchelsea Island, Connexion Island, Hawknest Island, Nicol Island and North Point Island.

Moving southeast along the coastline, there is another cluster of islands, known as the Sir Edward Pellew Group. The largest of these is Vanderlin Island, with an area of 264 km². The others in the group are East Island, Centre Island and West Island.

In the second close-up, we can see an algal bloom off the southern coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, near Maria Island, as well as sediments flowing into the gulf from the Roper River, which marks the southern limit of the rugged region known as Arnhem Land. The Roper River drains an area of 23,500 square miles (60,860 square km). Its flow increases greatly during the summer.

Tags: Algal Bloom, Arnhem Land, Australia, Bickerton Island, Connexion Island, Groote Eylandt, Gulf of Carpentaria, Hawknest Island, Nicol Island, North Point Island, Roper River, Sir Edward Pellew Group, Vanderlin Island, Winchelsea Island |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Area of convection in the Andaman Sea

Enhanced image - area of convection

In these images we can observe a tropical depression in the Andaman Sea (part of the Indian Ocean), south of the Bay of Bengal. It is located approximately 1482km (921mi) east-southeast of Madras, India.

Please click on the main image thumbnail to open the full image showing the system south of the Ganges River, the Bay of Bengal, and the Himalayas.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center has reported that the area shows limited deep convection developing near an elongated low level circulation center (LLCC).

The disturbance lies slightly equatorward of an upper level ridge axis in an area of low vertical wind shear and favorable westward diffluence aloft.

Its maximum sustained surface winds are estimated at 28 to 37km/h (17 to 23mph), and minimum sea level pressure is estimated at 1008mb.

Due to the elongated LLCC and disorganized associated convection, the potential for the development of a significant cyclone in the next 24 hours remains poor.

Tags: Andaman Sea, Bay of Bengal, Ganges River, Himalayas, India, Indian Ocean, Madras, Tropical Depression |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Area of convection in the South China Sea - November 11th, 2008

Enhanced image of the area of convection

In this image we can see an area of convection located in the South China Sea, about 648km (403mi) south of Okinawa Japan.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center reports that the area has a circulation ahead of a deepening mid-latitude trough, and weak banding along the eastern periphery of the low level circulation center.

Upper level analysis indicates an unfavorable enrivonment with strong vertical wind shear north of an anticyclone and under strong southwesterly flow.

The maximum sustained surface winds are estimated at 22 to 33km/h (14 to 21mph). The minimum sea level pressure is estimated to be near 1007mb.

The potential for the development of a significant tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours remains poor.

Tags: Area of convection, Okinawa, South China Sea, Tropical Cyclone |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment