Category 3 Tropical Cyclone Evan

Category 3 Tropical Cyclone Evan

Intensifying tropical cyclone Evan devastated the Samoan Islands when it passed over the islands on December 13, 2012. The TRMM satellite flew directly above Evan today (December 14, 2012) at 0659 UTC when the tropical cyclone was a category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale with winds of 100kts (115 mph). TRMM's Microwave Imager (TMI) and Precipitation Radar (PR) data were used in the rainfall analysis on the first image. TRMM's Precipitation Radar (PR) showed that very intense storms in Evan's eye wall were dropping rain at a rate of up to 147mm/hr (~5.8 inches). The strongest radar reflectivity value of over 57dBZ was found in powerful storms located in the eastern side of Evan's eye. TRMM PR also revealed that these violent storms were reaching heights of at least 16km (~9.9 miles).
 

Category 3 Tropical Cyclone Evan