GPM Views Still Energetic Tropical Depression Karl

GPM Views Still Energetic Tropical Depression Karl

Tropical Depression Karl's strength has fluctuated. Karl formed on September 14th in the eastern Atlantic, strengthened to tropical storm intensity on September 16th and was downgraded to a tropical depression yesterday. The GPM core observatory satellite had an outstanding view of Karl when it passed above today at 1201 UTC (8:01 AM EDT). Data collected by GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instruments uncovered heavy rainfall inside storms within the tropical depression. DPR found that powerful convective storms near Karl's center of circulation were dropping rain at a rate of greater than 183 mm (7.2 inches) per hour.

GPM Views Still Energetic Tropical Depression Karl

A 3D view of Karl at the same time shows that intense rainfall was associated with deep convective towers. Storm tops in these towering storms were measured by GPM's radar (DPR Ku band) reaching altitudes above 16 km (9.9 km).

GPM Views Still Energetic Tropical Depression Karl

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts that tropical depression Karl will strengthen and may be tropical storm intensity when it passes near Bermuda in a couple days. Karl is predicted to become a minimal hurricane with winds of about 70 kts (80.5 mph) after that.

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