NASA satellites see Tropical Storm Irina getting loopy

Irina is making a cyclonic loop, something that a tropical cyclone does on occasion whenever there are a couple of weather systems that push it in different directions.

On March 5, 2012, Irina's maximum sustained winds had increased to near 50 knots (57.5 mph/92.6 kph), , up from 40 knots (46 mph/74 kph) over the last several days. Forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center expect Irina to strengthen more at sea over the next day, and then begin to weaken.

CURRENT LOCATION

Irina is still centered at sea, and parallel to the middle of South Africa on March 5. Irina's center is about 315 nautical miles south-southeast of Maputo, Mozambique, and it was moving to the southeast, but is expected to start curving to the northeast and then northwest as it continues making a loop that will take it back toward a landfall in extreme northeastern South Africa.

What's making it loop? Weather systems in the area are pushing past Irina, acting as guides for the storm to follow. The last weather system that will turn it back to the north is a ridge (elongated area) of high pressure that's strengthening over South Africa will turn Irina to the northwest.

SATELLITE DATA

Infrared data from Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument on NASA's Aqua satellite showed on March 5, that most of the strongest thunderstorms and heaviest rainfall are occurring in the southern half of the storm. The strongest thunderstorms usually have the highest, and coldest cloud top temperatures, which is what AIRS infrared data reads. When cloud tops exceed the AIRS threshold of -63 Fahrenheit (-52.7 Celsius), the cloud tops are considered strong thunderstorms, and usually they have heavy rainfall. On the northern side of the storm, it's a different story, however, as sinking air on the northern side is preventing thunderstorm development.

NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite passed over Irina on March 5, 2012 at 0023 UTC (2:23 a.m. local time/South Africa / 7:23 p.m. EST on March 4, EST). A rainfall analysis from TRMM's Microwave Imager (TMI) and Precipitation Radar (PR) instruments showed areas of heavy rainfall in several areas, mostly south of the center of circulation. Areas with heavy rain were spotted by the TRMM satellite in the southwestern and eastern quadrants of the storm, and rain was falling at a rate of over 50mm/hr (~2 inches).

LANDFALL

Cyclone Irina is now expected to make landfall in extreme northeastern South Africa, south of the Mozambique border late on March 9, but the forecast could again change as Irina has been slowed by various weather factors. There are several parks located near where landfall is currently forecast. Tembe Elephant Park and the Ndumo Game Reserve are located near the Mozambique border and the Isimangaliso Wetland Park is located to the south. These areas are likely to feel the strongest winds from Irina when it makes landfall.

As Irina nears landfall by the end of the week, cold waters stirred up from below the surface are causing sea surface temperatures near the coast to cool, which will reduce any energy going into Irina as it nears the coast for landfall. Once Irina makes landfall, the forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning center expect Irina to dissipate quickly. Meanwhile residents of eastern South Africa, Swaziland and southeastern Mozambique can expect more clouds, showers, gusty winds and rough surf in coastal areas as Irina loops back toward land.