The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) is a joint mission
between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
(JAXA) designed to monitor and study tropical rainfall.
Tuesday March 12, 2013 Tropical Cyclone Sandra Brushing New Caledonia
On March 11, 2013 the TRMM satellite twice flew above weakening tropical cyclone Sandra as it was passing to the west of New Caledonia in the southern Pacific Ocean. TRMM's Precipitation Radar (PR) had a very good view of Sandra as it passed directly above the tropical cyclone
on March 11, 2013 at 1312 UTC. TRMM PR measured rainfall at the extreme rate of over 206 mm/hr (~8 inches) in an area southwest of Sandra's eye. Those TRMM PR data also showed that
very little rain was occurring north of the weakening tropical cyclone's eye.
Click here to see a simulated Flyby over Sandra using 3-D TRMM PR data from this TRMM pass.
TRMM's Microwave Imager (TMI) data were used in the next image to show rainfall near Sandra again on March 11, 2013 at 2124 UTC. This TRMM pass showed that New Caledonia was escaping the heaviest precipitation that was occurring as Sandra was moving past. Sandra's previous and forecast locations are shown overlaid in white on this rainfall analysis.
Monday March 11, 2013 Tropical Cyclone Sandra Nearing New Caledonia
Tropical cyclone Sandra formed in the Coral Sea south off the Solomon Islands on March 7, 2013.
Sandra intensified over the open waters of the Coral Sea and became a very powerful tropical cyclone with winds of about 110 kts (~127 mph). Sandra has started weakening
but is predicted to buffet northern New Caledonia with tropical storm force winds on
March 12, 2013. Sandra's approximate past and forecast locations are shown overlaid in white.
The TRMM satellite passed above Sandra on March 10, 2013 at 2219 UTC. A rainfall analysis using data captured by TRMM's Microwave Imager (TMI) instrument is shown. The rainfall analysis was overlaid on a visible and infrared image from TRMM's Visible and InfraRed Scanner (VIRS). This rainfall analysis reveals that Sandra contained a large area of rainfall with precipitation falling at a rate of over 50mm/hr (~2 inches) in an area south of Sandra's center of circulation.
