GPM Sees Possible Tropical Cyclone Forming

GPM Sees Possible Tropical Cyclone Forming

A low pressure system in the Atlantic Ocean west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands is being closely monitored for possible development into a tropical depression. The GPM core observatory satellite flew over this area on July 5, 2017 at 5:47 AM EDT (0947 UTC). GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) showed that heavy showers were located in this area. GPM's GMI data indicated that rain was coming down at a rate of greater than 44.2 mm (1.74 inches) per hour in one cluster of storms. GPM's radar (DPR Ku band) measured precipitation falling at rate of over 116mm (4.6 inches) per hour in a line of thunderstorms southwest of that cluster. The next tropical storm to form in the Atlantic Ocean will be called Don.

GPM Sees Possible Tropical Cyclone Forming

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