Tropical Cyclone Rusty's Flooding Rainfall

Tropical Cyclone Rusty's Flooding Rainfall

 

In addition to high winds tropical cyclone Rusty's heavy rainfall caused flooding in north-western Australia.
 
The TRMM satellite's main purpose is the accurate measurement of tropical rainfall around the globe. TRMM is also used to calibrate rainfall estimates from other satellites. The TRMM-based, near-real time Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center provides estimates of rainfall over the global Tropics. TMPA rainfall totals in association with tropical cyclone Rusty are shown for the period from February 21-28, 2013. Rusty's approximate 0000Z and 1200Z positions are shown overlaid in white.
 
This analysis indicates that the heaviest rainfall of close to 600mm (~23.6 inches) fell in the Indian Ocean off the Australian Coast but rainfall totals of over 500mm (~19.7 inches) are also shown along the coastal area where Rusty made landfall. This analysis shows that Rusty also spread rainfall totaling over 50mm (~2 inches) far inland from the center of the tropical cyclone's circulation.