EnvirocastTM TV for Friday, September 12, 2003

Space Based NASA TRMM Radar Sees Intense Rainfall in Isabel
NASA's Modis Sensor Orbiting on Terra Sees Extreme Turbulence in Isabel's Eye 

Background

  

Images

The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, a highly successful NASA satellite is measuring the rainfall intensities within Category 5 hurricane Isabel. The images to the right show the radar reflectivity. This is important since there are no other means of detecting rainfall rates since Isabel is still far away from any landmass.


The September 10 & 12 images show an impressive reflectivity region around Isabel's eyewall, as indicated by the high rainfall rates from TRMM. In addition, NASA's Modis sensor has captured in high resolution swirls of vortexes moving through the eye at or near the surface. Hurricane researchers have indicated that this type of vortex may be common in intense hurricanes, such as Andrew in 1992 and Luis in 1995. 

The NOAA satellite images below show Hurricane Isabel at 8:45 a.m. EDT on Sept. 12, 2003. Please credit NOAA if you use the images.

720x486 640x480 720x486 640x480

Environmental Impacts:

  • As of 5 p.m. EDT on Sept. 12:

    • Isabel was located 350 miles northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean Sea.

    • The storm was moving to the west at a speed near 9 mph.

    • Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 160 mph with higher gusts.

    • Isabel is rated as a category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

    • The estimated minimum central pressure is 920 mb, 27.17 inches.  

       

  • The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite (TRMM) has captured intense rainfall surrounding the eye of Isabel. Rainfall rates exceed 2-3 inches per hour.

  • Before Isabel, only 23 Atlantic storms have reached category 5 intensity, and only nine were of category 5 strength at time of landfall.  This includes the updated classification of Andrew in 2002.

  • Only three Category 5 hurricanes have hit the USA:

    • Florida Keys "Labor Day" hurricane (1935)

    • Hurricane Camille (1969)

    • Hurricane Andrew (1992)

  • Isabel is the fourth hurricane and the second major (category 3 or higher) hurricane so far this year in the Atlantic.

The table below outlines the how this year's Atlantic hurricane season compares with an average season, as well as the updated seasonal forecasts made by NOAA and Colorado State University hurricane researcher Dr. Bill Gray:
  Named Storms Hurricanes Major Hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5)
Actual (as of 9/9/03) 9 4 2
Average Season 10 6 2
NOAA Forecast 12-15 7-9 3-4
Dr. Bill Gray's Forecast 14 7 3

 

September 10 TRMM Images:
Image NTSC 720x486 030911_01_tva.jpg shows Hurricane Isabel on Sept. 10, 2003, as seen with the TRMM satellite.
Image NTSC 640x480 030911_01_tva.jpg shows Hurricane Isabel on Sept. 10, 2003, as seen with the TRMM satellite.
September 12 TRMM Images:
Image NTSC 720x486 isabel_12sep0456_utc_enh_72.jpg shows Hurricane Isabel as seen by TRMM on Sept. 12, 2003.
Image NTSC 640x480 isabel_12sep0456_utc_ehn_64.jpg is the same as above, at 640x480
September 12 Hi-Res Zoom Into the Eye:
Image NTSC 720x486 Isabel_eye_091203_720x486.jpg shows a close-up of Isabel's eye on Sept. 12, 2003. Who says the eye is always calm??
Image NTSC 640x480 Isabel_eye_091203_640x480.jpg is the same as above at 640x480. 
September 12 Modis Images of Isabel:
Image NTSC 720x486 Isabel_Modis_091203_720x486.jpg shows Hurricane Isabel on Sept. 12, 2003.
Image NTSC 640x480 Isabel_Modis_091203_640x480.jpg is the same as above, at 640x480.

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