NASA examined Tropical Storm Colin's heavy rainfall from space

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Credits: NASA/JAXA/SSAI, Hal Pierce

Data from NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) were used to estimate rainfall from Tropical Storm Colin over a two day period before it dissipated. Earlier in the week of June 6, 2016 the Governor of Florida declared a state of emergency as Tropical Storm Colin moved over the state. In just a few days heavy rainfall from the tropical storm spread from Florida's Gulf Coast through Georgia to the North Carolina coastline. Street flooding was common in Florida. Severe flooding was not reported but over 250 mm (10 inches) of rain was reported in some areas. Two tornadoes and a water spout reported in Florida on Monday June 6, 2016 were an example of the unstable weather accompanying the tropical storm.

At NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) data were used to estimate Colin's rainfall. GPM is the Global Precipitation Measurement or GPM mission satellite. GPM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency, JAXA.

The analysis showed rainfall totals beginning with the time when Colin formed in the Gulf of Mexico on June 6, 2016. The analysis ended on Wednesday June 8, 2016 after Colin transitioned to an extra-tropical cyclone and dissipated.

Some rainfall on the analysis was caused by a frontal system moving through the area and pushing Colin out to sea. This IMERG analysis indicated that Colin's heaviest precipitation occurred over central Florida. Extreme rainfall amounts of over 280 mm (11 inches) were measured during this period where Tropical Storm Colin formed in the Gulf of Mexico.

For Tropical Cyclone Colin's complete history on the NASA Hurricane page, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2016/colin

Source: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center