Eastern Pacific Hurricane Viewed By GPM

Eastern Pacific Hurricane Viewed By GPM

Hurricane Eugene formed on July 7, 2017 in the eastern Pacific Ocean south of the Baja Peninsula. Eugene was intensifying when the GPM core observatory satellite flew over on July 9, 2017 at 0236 UTC. Eugene reached it's peak power later that day with it's maximum sustained wind speeds reaching about 100 kts (115.0 mph). The center of GPM's track passed to the west of Eugene's eye. Data collected by GPM's Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instrument showed that powerful storms in the northwestern quadrant of the hurricane were dropping rain at a rate of over 186 mm (7.3 inches) per hour. GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) also showed that the most intense precipitation was falling on the northwestern side of Eugene's eye.

Eastern Pacific Hurricane Viewed By GPM

This 3-D view of precipitation structure was derived from GPM's radar (DPR Ku Band). Those data showed that storm tops in the northwestern quadrant of the hurricane were reaching heights of about 9 km (5.6 miles).

Hurricane Eugene has weakened since yesterday and is predicted to continue weakening as it moves northwestward over cooler ocean waters. Dry air moving into the center of the hurricane is also expected to contribute to Eugene's weakening trend.

Images and caption by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC)