NASA sees Tropical Storm Meari headed for North Korea landfall

NASA's Aqua satellite passed over the western half of Tropical Storm Meari on June 24 at 05:29 UTC (1:29 a.m. EDT). Meari's center was a couple of hundred miles southwest of Kadena Air Base. Most of Meari's heaviest thunderstorms (purple) were over the waters of the South China Sea and stretched west into Luzon, Philippines. Credit: NASA/JPL, Ed Olsen<br>

Tropical Storm Haima has maximum sustained winds near 35 knots (40 mph/65 kmh) making it a minimal tropical storm tracking toward Vietnam. Tropical Storm Meari is a stronger storm, with maximum sustained winds near 55 knots (63 mph/101 kmh). At 1500 UTC (11 a.m. EDT) on June 24 Meari's center was about 250 nautical miles southwest of Kadena Air Base, Japan near 23.9 North and 125.0 East. It was moving northwest near 12 knots (14 mph/22 kmh).

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center noted that this morning, June 24, 2011, Kadena, Futenma, and Naha Okinawa, Japan have reported sustained southeasterly winds greater than 20 knots (23 mph/37 kmh).

NASA's Aqua satellite passed over the western half of Tropical Storm Meari on June 24 at 05:29 UTC (1:29 a.m. EDT) and captured an infrared image of the storm's cloud top temperatures using the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument. AIRS showed that most of Meari's heaviest thunderstorms were over the waters of the South China Sea and stretched west into Luzon, Philippines. The infrared image also revealed thick low-level banding of thunderstorms wrapping around the center of circulation and the strongest convection (rapidly rising air that forms thunderstorms) was located over the northern half of Meari.

Forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center expect Meari to strengthen as much as 10 knots over the next day as wind shear wanes, before it increases and weakens the storm prior to landfall. It is expected to make landfall in southwestern North Korea on June 26 with sustained winds near 40 knots (46 mph/74 kmh).

Coastal areas in western North and South Korea, and eastern China can expect rough surf as Tropical Storm Meari tracks through the Yellow Sea over the next two days. Southwestern North Korea and northwestern South Korea will experience heavy rainfall and possible flooding as Meari comes ashore this weekend.

Media Contact

Rob Gutro EurekAlert!

More Information:

http://www.nasa.gov

All latest news from the category: Earth Sciences

Earth Sciences (also referred to as Geosciences), which deals with basic issues surrounding our planet, plays a vital role in the area of energy and raw materials supply.

Earth Sciences comprises subjects such as geology, geography, geological informatics, paleontology, mineralogy, petrography, crystallography, geophysics, geodesy, glaciology, cartography, photogrammetry, meteorology and seismology, early-warning systems, earthquake research and polar research.

Back to home

Comments (0)

Write a comment

Newest articles

Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance to drive industrial-scale semiconductor work

Known for its ability to withstand extreme environments and high voltages, silicon carbide (SiC) is a semiconducting material made up of silicon and carbon atoms arranged into crystals that is…

New SPECT/CT technique shows impressive biomarker identification

…offers increased access for prostate cancer patients. A novel SPECT/CT acquisition method can accurately detect radiopharmaceutical biodistribution in a convenient manner for prostate cancer patients, opening the door for more…

How 3D printers can give robots a soft touch

Soft skin coverings and touch sensors have emerged as a promising feature for robots that are both safer and more intuitive for human interaction, but they are expensive and difficult…

Partners & Sponsors