News Release

NASA tracks soggy System 94S over Western Australia

Peer-Reviewed Publication

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

MODIS Image of 94S

image: The MODIS instrument aboard NASA's Terra satellite captured this image that showed System 94S still holding together inland as it moves west into Western Australia on Jan. 17 at 01:35 UTC. view more 

Credit: Image Credit: NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response

NASA's Terra satellite saw the System 94S, a tropical low, still holding together as it continued moving inland from the Northern Territory into Western Australia today, January 17.

The tropical low pressure system known as System 94S took a more southern route than previously expected and moved into Western Australia today, January 17. System 94S is now expected to continue moving in a southerly direction according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology or ABM.

The MODIS or Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument aboard NASA's Terra satellite captured a visible image that showed System 94S still holding together inland as it continued west on Jan. 17 at 01:35 UTC/Jan. 16 at 8:35 p.m. EST. The low continued to show good organization

The ABM of Western Australia issued flood warnings and watches on Jan. 17 Eastern Time/U.S. (12:18 a.m. local time, January 18) as System 94S moves through, dropping heavy rainfall. There are flood warnings in effect for the Interior District and the Ord River Catchment. The ABM reported that rainfall totals exceeded 50 mm at Sturt Creek in the Interior Region. ABM has predicted rainfall totals between 50mm to 100mm (approx. 2 to 4 inches) with isolated rainfall totals exceeding 150mm (6 inches).

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In addition there is a Flood Watch for the Kimberley. For current warnings and watches in Western Australia, visit: http://www.bom.gov.au/wa/warnings/.

System 94S is expected to continue moving in a southerly direction over the next several days, and ABM noted it will continue impacting the central Interior District.

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


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