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الوسم: cyclone

  • Hurricane Hunters Spot Early Signs of Possible Storm Intensification

    Hurricane Hunters Spot Early Signs of Possible Storm Intensification

    Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensified after forming on October 21, 2025, reaching Category 5 strength by October 27. Credit: NOAA, Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA).

    Scientists have pinpointed several early indicators that can help meteorologists determine when a tropical cyclone is starting to organize and strengthen. Detecting these signs earlier could give communities more lead time to prepare for dangerous storms.

    This new insight is based on nearly 30 years of data collected by NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft.

    The research reveals that a tropical cyclone generally needs to become vertically aligned before it can undergo significant intensification.

    In simple terms, meteorologists describe this process as the storm needing to “stand up straight.”

    A cyclone is a vast rotating system that extends from just below the ocean surface upward into the atmosphere. Ideally, the centers of circulation at different heights are roughly aligned above each other.

    However, strong winds higher in the atmosphere can push the top of the storm away from its center near the surface, causing it to tilt.

    This separation between the lower and middle levels of the storm is called “tilt.” One common cause is vertical wind shear, which happens when wind speeds or directions change with altitude.

    When a storm is tilted, it usually struggles to strengthen. But once its various levels become aligned, environmental conditions become much more conducive to intensification.

    Researchers from the University of Miami and NOAA identified four key characteristics that are common in storms capable of straightening themselves out.

    These storms tend to have a strong, compact circulation close to the ocean surface. Their tilt aligns favorably with the surrounding wind shear. They also exhibit stronger upward-moving air and heavier rainfall near the storm’s lower center. Lastly, they are often situated in favorable environments, with warm ocean waters, abundant moisture, and relatively weak winds at mid-levels.

    The team analyzed data from the TC-RADAR database, which includes 1,510 radar analyses gathered by NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft over 28 hurricane seasons from 1997 to 2024.

    Crucially, storms that eventually straightened out showed noticeable signs about a day earlier. These signs included a more organized and stronger circulation close to the ocean surface and widespread, intense thunderstorms near the low-level center.

    Researchers believe these thunderstorms aren’t just indicators; their vigorous upward air movement might actually help reorient the tilted circulation into a more upright position.

    This discovery can be invaluable for predicting rapid intensification — sudden increases in storm strength over a short period — which often causes significant hazards because coastal areas may have limited warning time to evacuate or prepare.

    Hurricane Hunter aircraft already measure many of these features during routine missions, providing real-time data on whether a storm is becoming better organized.

    The findings could also improve the accuracy of computer models used to forecast hurricane behavior. Recognizing early signs of strengthening a day in advance could offer emergency planners and residents extra time to evacuate or take safety measures during a storm’s intense development phase.

  • Typhoon Dolphin Hits China Amid Flights Canceled and Evacuations

    Typhoon Dolphin Hits China Amid Flights Canceled and Evacuations

    Typhoon Dolphin made landfall in the heavily populated eastern regions of China on Sunday, according to weather officials. The storm caused over 1,000 flight cancellations, evacuations, and prompted the issuance of a top-level alert. Coastal areas along China’s east have been preparing in recent days, with transportation and work disruptions in some regions along the storm’s projected path.

    The storm’s eye crossed the shoreline near Yuhuan City in Zhejiang Province around 5:30 p.m. local time, the China National Meteorological Center reported. Winds at the storm’s center exceeded 150 km/h (94 mph) at the time of landfall, officials confirmed.

    Nearly 1,400 flights in and out of Shanghai’s two main airports were canceled on Sunday, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Meanwhile, Hangzhou’s airport in the nearby Zhejiang province canceled about 270 flights. The impact extended as far as Hong Kong, where the weather authority recorded a record temperature of 36.9°C, driven by warm air influenced by the approaching typhoon.

    The Hong Kong Observatory warned that the outer bands of Dolphin would bring persistently hot weather until Tuesday, as the storm moves into inland Zhejiang. Prior to reaching China, Dolphin brought heavy rain and strong winds to Japan’s Okinawa, resulting in minor injuries for seven people, including an elderly man who was knocked over by gusts and hit his head. Over 5,200 households lost power in Okinawa.

    In Taiwan, over 180 flights were canceled, and many ferry services were suspended as the storm brought heavy rains and strong winds to the northern part of the island. The China Meteorological Center issued a red typhoon alert—its highest warning level—on Sunday morning, forecasting extreme rainfall in central and eastern Zhejiang.

    Heavy downpours are also expected to hit Shanghai and parts of Fujian, Anhui, and Jiangsu provinces through Monday afternoon. As Dolphin weakens after landfall, it continues to move northwest across eastern China. In Fujian, approximately 99,000 people were relocated from areas considered at risk before the storm’s arrival. More than 200 ferry routes in Zhejiang and Fujian have been suspended, and offshore construction has also halted, with nearly 474 vessels returned to port.

    Train services in affected areas have been temporarily suspended to ensure passenger safety. Experts attribute the increasing frequency and severity of such heat events to human-induced climate change. Dolphin’s arrival follows closely behind Typhoon Noul, which struck Guangdong province two weeks earlier and was considered the strongest storm to hit China that year. Noul caused three fatalities and damaged hundreds of homes in the Philippines before reaching China.

  • Sri Lanka Alerts for Landslides as Cyclone Deaths Reach 618

    Sri Lanka Alerts for Landslides as Cyclone Deaths Reach 618

    More than 2 million individuals have been impacted by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, affecting nearly 10% of the population. The death toll has climbed to 618, with 464 of those fatalities occurring in the central mountainous region, known for its tea plantations. Currently, 209 people are still reported missing.

    Landslide warnings have been reissued across the island as heavy rains continue to fall in areas already hard-hit. The monsoons are increasing rainfall and destabilizing slopes, especially in the central highlands and the northwestern midlands. Helicopters and aircraft are actively delivering aid to remote communities cut off by landslides.

    The Sri Lankan Air Force announced they received a shipment of relief supplies from Myanmar on Sunday, marking the latest tranche of international assistance.

    The number of people staying in government-organized refugee camps has decreased from a peak of 225,000 to about 100,000, as floodwaters gradually recede. Over 75,000 homes have been damaged, with nearly 5,000 completely destroyed.

    In response to the disaster, the government unveiled a major compensation plan aimed at rebuilding homes and revitalizing local businesses, which were already struggling in the wake of the country’s recent economic crisis. The recovery efforts are estimated to cost up to $7 billion.

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is considering a request from Sri Lanka for an additional $200 million to aid in rebuilding, supplementing the $347 million installment expected later this month as part of a four-year, $2.9 billion bailout agreement made in 2023.

    President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told parliament that while the economy has shown signs of recovery, it remains too fragile to withstand this new shock. Survivors are set to receive as much as 10 million Sri Lankan rupees (about $33,000) to purchase land in safer areas and construct new homes. Those who lost their lives or are permanently disabled will be compensated with a fixed amount of 1 million LKR.

    The government has not disclosed the total cost of the aid package, raising concerns over funding given the country’s ongoing economic instability. To assist in recovery, the central bank has directed both state-owned and private lenders to reschedule existing loans.

  • Sri Lanka declares emergency amid cyclone death toll reaches 132

    Sri Lanka declares emergency amid cyclone death toll reaches 132

    A man assists a woman stranded inside a partially flooded house amid severe flooding in Wellampitiya, on the outskirts of Colombo, on November 29, 2025.— AFP

    – Over 15,000 homes have been destroyed, displacing 78,000 people who are now in temporary shelters.
    – The military rescued 69 bus passengers, including a German tourist, from floodwaters.
    – The government has called for international aid to help support affected communities.

    Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency Saturday and requested international assistance as fatalities from heavy rains and flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah rose to 132, with 176 people still missing.

    The cyclone has wrecked over 15,000 homes and forced 78,000 residents into government-run shelters, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). President Anura Kumara Dissanayake enacted emergency laws, granting broad powers to manage the crisis after a week of relentless rainfall across the island.

    “It’s confirmed that 132 people have died, and 176 are missing,” said Sampath Kotuwegoda, the DMC Director-General. Relief efforts have been intensified with the deployment of the army, navy, and air force.

    On Saturday, the military rescued 69 bus passengers, including a German tourist, stranded in the Anuradhapura district, after a 24-hour operation involving helicopters and naval vessels. One passenger recounted that navy personnel helped them climb onto a nearby rooftop after using ropes to navigate floodwaters.

    “We were very fortunate,” Shantha said from a local hospital. “While on the roof, part of it collapsed… three women fell into the water, but they were helped back onto the roof.” An initial helicopter rescue was aborted when rotor downdrafts threatened to blow the roof away; they were later rescued by naval boats.

    Roads in Badulla’s central district remain blocked, isolating many villages and preventing relief supplies from reaching residents. Saman Kumara from Maspanna village, one of the worst-hit areas, reported losing two people in his community. Others are sheltering at a temple and a still-standing house.

    “We can’t leave the village, and no one can enter because all roads are blocked by landslides. There’s no food, and clean water is scarce,” he told News Center by phone.

    Officials say about one-third of the country is without electricity and clean water, due to collapsed power lines and overwhelmed water purification stations. Internet access has also been disrupted in many regions.

    Cyclone Ditwah moved away from Sri Lanka Saturday, heading toward northern India. Chennai Airport has canceled 54 flights in anticipation of the cyclone’s approach, which the weather department warns will bring intense rainfall and strong winds over the next 48 hours.

    Landslides have struck Kandy, 115 kilometers east of Colombo, with several main roads submerged. The government is appealing for international support and has urged Sri Lankans abroad to donate cash to aid recovery efforts.

    Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has met with diplomats based in Colombo to update them on the situation and seek assistance. India responded promptly, dispatching two flights of relief supplies and donating rations from an Indian navy ship already stationed in Colombo on a goodwill visit.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences for the lives lost and affirmed India’s readiness to provide more aid. Flooding worsened in low-lying areas on Saturday, prompting evacuation orders along the Kelani River, which flows into the Indian Ocean from Colombo.

    While most of the country has seen eased rainfall, the northern regions continue to experience showers due to residual effects of Cyclone Ditwah. This storm marks Sri Lanka’s deadliest natural disaster since 2017, when flooding and landslides claimed over 200 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands. The most catastrophic flooding in recent memories occurred in June 2003, resulting in 254 deaths.

  • Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s fiercest storm, veers toward Cuba

    Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s fiercest storm, veers toward Cuba

    A man herds cattle along the shoreline in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, on October 28, 2025, as Hurricane Melissa approaches landfall. — Reuters

    – The storm has left hundreds of thousands of Jamaicans without power.
    – Some areas in western Jamaica have been submerged underwater, according to officials.
    – Hurricane Melissa follows last year’s Beryl, which heavily impacted Jamaica.

    Hurricane Melissa advanced toward Cuba’s second-largest city as a formidable Category 4 hurricane early Tuesday, just hours after making landfall in Jamaica—marking the strongest cyclone ever recorded to hit the island nation.

    Melissa made landfall near New Hope in southwestern Jamaica, with sustained winds reaching 185 mph (295 kph), according to the US National Hurricane Center. This wind speed exceeds the 157 mph (252 kph) threshold required for a Category 5 classification—the highest category on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

    In Jamaica’s St. Elizabeth parish, floodwaters overtook the area, and over 500,000 residents lost their power. Prime Minister Andrew Holness reported to CNN that damage includes destruction of hospitals, significant harm to homes and businesses, and damage to road infrastructure. While no confirmed storm-related deaths have been reported, Holness cautioned that, given Melissa’s force and destruction, some loss of life is anticipated.

    Winds have decreased slightly to 145 mph (233 kph) as Melissa drifts over the mountainous terrain of Jamaica, threatening landslides and flooding in highland communities. The storm is expected to veer northeast toward Santiago de Cuba, Cuba’s second most populous city.

    Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel issued a warning, stating, “We should already feel the cyclone’s main impact this afternoon and evening,” and urged residents to follow evacuation orders. Cuba has instructed approximately 500,000 people to relocate to higher ground. Meanwhile, in the Bahamas, officials ordered evacuations in southern regions as Melissa’s path takes it northeast. Some parts of Hispaniola, shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic, have experienced days of intense rainfall, causing at least four fatalities.

    There have been reports of at least three deaths in Jamaica during storm preparations, and a disaster management official suffered a stroke during the storm’s onset and was hospitalized. Many areas remain isolated as of late Tuesday.

    Jamaica, no stranger to hurricanes, had never before been directly hit by such a powerful Category 4 or 5 storm, prompting the government to call for international aid even as they prepared for Melissa’s arrival.

    Meteorologists from AccuWeather ranked Melissa as the third most intense hurricane in the Caribbean after Wilma (2005) and Gilbert (1988)—the last major landfall storm in Jamaica. Anne-Claire Fontan, a tropical cyclone expert with the World Meteorological Organization, described the situation as “catastrophic,” warning of storm surges reaching up to four meters high. She referred to Melissa as “the storm of the century” for Jamaica.

    Aid worker Colin Bogle, based near Kingston, reported hearing a loud explosion before losing power and witnessing trees violently tossed by the storm. He described the experience as “like a roaring lion,” filled with fear and frustration over ongoing climate crises affecting Jamaica, which is often hit by such devastating weather events.

    Climate scientists warn that hurricanes are growing stronger and more frequent due to rising ocean temperatures. Many Caribbean leaders have urged wealthy nations to provide reparations, including aid and debt relief, to help these island nations cope with climate-related disasters.

    Melissa’s size and intensity increased over the unusually warm Caribbean waters, while its slow movement has the potential for significant destruction. Relief efforts will require urgent food aid, equipment, transportation parts, and seeds for farmers, especially since Melissa crossed some of Jamaica’s most productive agricultural zones, similar to last year’s Beryl.

    Prime Minister Holness stated Monday that the government has set aside a $33 million emergency budget, along with insurance and credit facilities, prepared to cover damages exceeding those caused by Beryl.

    Melissa first made landfall in southwestern Jamaica, near the boundary between Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth, regions severely affected by Beryl. Floodwaters inundated St. Elizabeth, and its sole public hospital lost power and sustained severe damage. Rescue teams managed to reach stranded families, including those with infants.

    In Portland Cottage, about 150 km (94 miles) from the epicenter, 64-year-old retiree Collin Henry McDonald reported heavy rain and winds but noted his concrete roof held firm. He described the storm as “like a roaring lion, really mad.”

    By late Tuesday, approximately 15,000 Jamaicans were in emergency shelters, with the government ordering mandatory evacuations for 28,000 residents—many reluctant to leave their homes. The Red Cross estimates that up to 1.5 million Jamaicans could be directly affected.