The western Pacific Ocean is a breeding ground for typhoons. On October 2, 2014, the region gave birth to one of the year’s most powerful storms—Typhoon Vongfong. Within days of its formation the storm intensified into a Category 5 typhoon, with maximum sustained wind speeds greater than 160 mph. Multiple NASA satellites, along with astronauts aboard the International Space Station, observed the typhoon as its rotating eye headed north toward Japan. One such satellite, called the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory, provided data on the location and intensity of precipitation falling from inside the storm. The measurements are used by scientists to monitor storms and make improved forecasts. Watch the video to see GPM’s view of Vongfong as it flew over the typhoon on October 9, 2014.
Please give credit for this item to: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Cover image courtesy of NASA/JSC/ISS Aqua satellite image courtesy of NASA/GSFC/MODIS Rapid Response Team
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