GPM Examines Super Typhoon Maysak

  • Released Wednesday, April 8th, 2015
  • Updated Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 at 1:49PM
  • ID: 4303

Visualization depicting Typhoon Maysak in the Southwest Pacific region as observed by the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Satellite on March 30th, 2015. GPM/GMI precipitation rates are displayed as the camera moves in on the storm. A slicing plane moves across the volume to display precipitation rates throughout the structure of the storm. Shades of green to red represent liquid precipitation extending down to the ground.
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The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Satellite captured a 3-D image of Typhoon Maysak on March 30th as the storm approached the Yap Islands. The storm later intensified to a category 5-equivalent super typhoon with 150-mph sustained winds.

The GPM Core Observatory carries two instruments that show the location and intensity of rain and snow, which defines a crucial part of the storm structure – and how it will behave. The GPM Microwave Imager sees through the tops of clouds to observe how much and where precipitation occurs, and the Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar observes precise details of precipitation in three dimensions.

GPM data is part of the toolbox of satellite data used by forecasters and scientists to understand how storms behave. GPM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Current and future data sets are available with free registration to users from NASA Goddard's Precipitation Processing Center website.

Color bar for liquid precipitation rates (ie, rain rates). Shades of green represent low amounts of liquid precipitation, whereas shades of red represent high amounts of precipitation.

Color bar for liquid precipitation rates (ie, rain rates). Shades of green represent low amounts of liquid precipitation, whereas shades of red represent high amounts of precipitation.

Color bar for frozen precipitation rates (ie, snow rates). Shades of cyan represent low amounts of frozen precipitation, whereas shades of purple represent high amounts of precipitation.

Color bar for frozen precipitation rates (ie, snow rates). Shades of cyan represent low amounts of frozen precipitation, whereas shades of purple represent high amounts of precipitation.

Print resolution still showing Typhoon Maysak forming in the Southern Pacific Ocean

Print resolution still showing Typhoon Maysak forming in the Southern Pacific Ocean

Print resolution still showing GMI and DPR precipitation rates collected by GPM

Print resolution still showing GMI and DPR precipitation rates collected by GPM

Print resolution still showing DPR’s volumetric precipitation rates collected by GPM

Print resolution still showing DPR’s volumetric precipitation rates collected by GPM

Print resolution still of Typhoon Maysak being scanned through the center of the DPR data showing the inner volumetric rain rates

Print resolution still of Typhoon Maysak being scanned through the center of the DPR data showing the inner volumetric rain rates

Print resolution still showing a side view of Typhoon Maysak

Print resolution still showing a side view of Typhoon Maysak

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NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio

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