Tropical Depression 03W In The Pacific Examined By GPM

Tropical Depression 03W In The Pacific Examined By GPM

Tropical Depression 03W formed in the Pacific Ocean west of Guam on April 24, 2017. The GPM core observatory satellite had an excellent view of TD03W when it flew over on April 14, 2017 at 1901 UTC. The GPM satellite found that the newly formed tropical depression contained some very powerful convective storms. Intense storms in the middle of the organizing convective cluster were dropping precipitation at extreme rates. GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instruments unveiled tall convective storm towers on the eastern side of this cluster of storms that were dropping rain at a rate of over 215 mm (8.5 inches) per hour.

Tropical Depression 03W In The Pacific Examined By GPM

A 3-D examination of organizing TD03W's rainfall structure was constructed by using GPM's Radar (DPR Ku Band). Those data showed that tall convective storm tops on the left side of the cluster were reaching altitudes greater than 17.8 km (11.0 miles). Intense downpours in some of these storms were returning radar reflectivity values exceeding 59.7 dBZ to the satellite.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) predicts that TD03W will become slightly more powerful. Sustained maximum wind speeds are expected to reach about 45 kts (~52 mph) before vertical wind shear dampens further intensification. TD03 is predicted to dissipate on about April 28, 2017.

Tropical Depression 03W In The Pacific Examined By GPM

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