NASA discovers the great and powerful hurricane Florence

NASA's Aqua satellite provided an infrared survey of the large and powerful hurricane Florence on September 13, indicating that wind shear was temporarily affecting the south side of the storm.

The National Hurricane Center or NHC noted that hurricane force winds extend outward up to 80 miles (130 km) from the center and that the storm force winds are tropical extend to 195 miles (315 km).

Infrared and microwave satellite images reveal

At the beginning of September 13th, infrared data from NASA's Aqua satellite showed that the clouds in the southern quadrant of Hurricane Florence seemed warmer than the storms in the rest of Florence. This means that cloud peaks are lower in the atmosphere and storms are not so powerful. This is because the vertical wind shear, the change of wind speed and direction with altitude have weighed on the south side of Florence and have prevented the development of stronger and stronger thunderstorm in this part of the storm.

NOAA's National Hurricane Center (NHC) stated that "the passage of microwaves indicated that convection on the south and southeast portions of the storm was still disrupted and that the eye wall was open to the south. The global models suggest that this shear will relax today as Florence moves on warm waters, but given the structure of the current storm, there is little change in force at this time. approach to the coast. "

At 1420 EDT (0230 UTC) on 13 September, the medium-resolution Imagine spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument aboard NASA's Aqua satellite analyzed Hurricane Florence under infrared light. MODIS found the coldest cloud top temperatures in a narrow band around the eyewall (thunderstorms surrounding the open eye), as cold or cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit (minus) 112 degrees Celsius (C ). Around the eye, there were thick rings of powerful storms with summits of clouds as cold or cold as less 70F (minus 56.6 ° C).

NASA research has shown that maximum cloud temperatures, as cold or cold as 70F / 56.6C, can generate heavy precipitation.

Watches and warnings already in effect

NHC reported that the surge warning is in effect for the South Santee River, South Carolina, in Duck, North Carolina, and for the sounds of Albemarle and Pamlico, including the rivers Neuse and Pamlico. A storm watch is in effect for Edisto Beach, South Carolina, up to South Santee River, South Carolina, and north of Duck, North Carolina, up to the border between the North Carolina and Virginia. A hurricane warning is in effect for the South Santee River, South Carolina, until Duck, North Carolina, and the sounds of Albemarle and Pamlico. Hurricane monitoring is in effect for Edisto Beach, South Carolina, up to South Santee River, South Carolina. A tropical storm warning is in effect from North Duck, North Carolina to Cape Charles Light Virginia and Chesapeake Bay south of New Point Comfort.

Florence at 8:00 am EDT September 13, 2018

At 8:00 am EDT (1200 UTC), the center of Hurricane Florence's eye was located near 33.1 degrees north latitude and 75.1 degrees west longitude.

Florence moves more slowly to the northwest at about 12 mph (20 km / h). This general move, accompanied by a further decrease in speed ahead, is expected to continue until today. A turn to the west-northwest and west at an even slower speed is expected tonight and Friday, and a slow west-southwest movement is expected Friday evening and Saturday

Maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph (175 km / h) with higher gusts. Little force change is expected before the center reaches the coast, with a weakening expected after the center has moved inland.

Forecast Track of Florence

On the forecast trail, the center of Florence will approach the coast of North Carolina and South Carolina later, then move to or on the south coast of North Carolina and eastern Carolina. South. A slow move east of South Carolina is expected Friday night until Saturday evening.

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NASA-NOAA satellite analyzes Hurricane Florence