3-dimensional maps of storm structure help scientists determine how hurricanes and other storms intensify
Tropical Storm Isaac's rainfall rate dramatically increased early Friday, an early indicator that it was beginning to gain strength and become better organized. Data from NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, or TRMM, satellite provided a unique view of the storm's growth.
Two images developed using instruments on the satellite were featured Friday on NASA's Earth Observatory web site.
The first image shows the increased intensity of rainfall, with rates of more than 3.5 inches per hour occurring in several strong convective storms positioned around Isaac's low pressure center.
The second image is a three-dimensional view of Isaac's internal thunderstorm structure, created using data from TRMM's precipitation radar. This view shows that several thunderstorm towers near Isaac's center have grown to heights of 10 miles.
The precipitation radar is the first space-borne instrument aimed at providing three-dimensional maps of storm structure, which assist scientists in determining how hurricanes and other storms intensify. how rain is distributed throughout the storm, and differing types of rain.
The instrument also can estimate the heat released into the atmosphere at different heights, which also can be used to improve the computer models used to predict storm intensity.
The TRMM satellite is a joint mission of NASA and JAXA, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency.