NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

› Larger image
AIRS data showed that cloud top temperatures had warmed since the previous day, indicating that cloud tops were not as high as they were on Feb. 9. AIRS data also showed that the strongest convection was disorganized and scattered. Credit: NASA JPL, Ed Olsen Infrared NASA Image Shows Cyclone Haley's Demise

NASA's Aqua satellite captured an infrared image of Cyclone Haley as it was falling apart in the southern Pacific Ocean.

When NASA's Aqua satellite passed over Cyclone Haley on Feb. 10 at 2347 UTC (6:47 p.m. EST) the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument aboard captured an image of cloud top temperatures in the diminishing cyclone.

AIRS data showed that cloud top temperatures had warmed since the previous day, indicating that cloud tops were not as high as they were on Feb. 9. Falling cloud top heights indicate less uplift in the atmosphere to push clouds higher in the troposphere, and weaker storms. AIRS data also showed that the strongest convection (the rising air that form the thunderstorms that make up the tropical cyclone) was disorganized and scattered.

On Feb. 11 at 0300 UTC, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued its final advisory on Tropical Cyclone Haley. At that time, Haley's center was located near 24.8 south latitude and 150.0 west longitude, about 500 nautical miles (575.4 miles/926 km) southeast of Bora Bora, Society Islands. Haley was moving to the southeast at 11 knots (12.6 mph/20.3 kph). As a result of wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures, Haley's maximum sustained winds had already dropped to 35 knots (40.2 mph/64.8 kph). Haley's remnants were dissipating on Feb. 12 over open waters of the south Pacific Ocean.

AIRS provides infrared imagery of tropical cyclones, land and sea surface temperatures to forecasters. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is the organization that forecasts tropical cyclones in the Southern Indian Ocean and has been utilizing the AIRS data.

Text Credit: Rob Gutro
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

---

February 11, 2013

› Larger image
On Feb. 9 at 2020 UTC the MODIS instrument aboard NASA's Terra satellite captured this visible image of Tropical Cyclone Haley (14P) in the South Pacific Ocean. Credit: NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response Team NASA Eyes the Birth of Tropical Cyclone Haley

Tropical Cyclone Haley was forming quickly as NASA's Aqua satellite captured an image of the storm in the South Pacific Ocean.

On Feb. 9 at 2020 UTC (3:20 p.m. EST) the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument aboard NASA's Terra satellite captured a visible image of System 93P (known in Fiji as 14F). The MODIS image showed a circular center of circulation with banding features, two things that indicated that the low pressure area was quickly organizing. The next day, the low became Tropical Storm Haley.

Tropical Cyclone Haley formed on Feb. 10 at 0300 UTC, about 325 nautical miles (374 miles 602 km) south-southwest of Bora Bora, Society Islands, French Polynesia, in the open waters of the South Pacific Ocean. Maximum sustained winds strengthened quickly to 45 knots (51.7 mph/83.3 kph). Soon after Haley intensified, infrared satellite imagery indicated that convection (rising air that forms thunderstorms that make up the storm) were already weakening around the center.

On Feb. 11 at 0300 UTC, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued its final advisory on Tropical Cyclone Haley. At that time, Haley's center was located near 24.8 south latitude and 150.0 west longitude, about 500 nautical miles (575.4 miles/926 km) southeast of Bora Bora, Society Islands. Haley was moving to the southeast at 11 knots (12.6 mph/20.3 kph). As a result of wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures, Haley's maximum sustained winds had already dropped to 35 knots (40.2 mph/64.8 kph).

The forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center expect Haley to continue moving southeast as wind shear increases and sea surface temperatures become even cooler. Both of those factors are expected to dissipate Haley by Tuesday, Feb. 12.

Text Credit: Rob Gutro
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center