The MODIS instrument aboard NASAS's Aqua satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Storm Claudia on Dec. 12 at 3:34 a.m. EST and revealed the eye had disappeared and the storm has elongated as it begins transitioning into an extra-tropical storm. Credit: NASA/NRL
NASA Sees Cyclone Claudia Winding Down
Tropical Cyclone Claudia appears to be "winding down" in the Southern Indian Ocean on NASA satellite imagery today, Dec. 12.
Claudia weakened to a tropical storm today as wind shear and cooler waters continue to take their toll on the storm. When NASA's Aqua satellite passed overhead at 0834 UTC (3:34 a.m. EST/U.S.) the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument captured a visible image of the storm that revealed Claudia's eye had disappeared and the storm has elongated. According to forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, "Strong upper level winds are noticeably impacting the northwestern quadrant of the low level circulation center with high vertical wind shear near 30 knots (34.5 mph/55.5 kph).
At 1500 UTC (10 a.m. EST) on Dec. 12, Claudia's maximum sustained winds were near 40 knots (46 mph/74 kph). It was centered near 25.8 south latitude and 74.3 east longitude, about 1,065 nautical miles (1,226 miles/1,972 km) south of Diego Garcia. Claudia is moving south-southeastward at 17 knots (19.5 mph/31.4 kph).
As Claudia moves further south, the wind shear is expected to increase and push the upper level strong convection (rising air that forms the thunderstorms that make up a tropical cyclone) away from the low-level center. Basically, when the top of the storm is no longer over the bottom of the storm, it falls apart.
Claudia is changing into an extra-tropical storm as it continues tracking southeast in cooler waters which will help bring about its dissipation in a couple of days.
Text Credit: Rob Gutro
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
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