In April 2026, NASA satellites observed atmospheric gravity waves radiating into the upper atmosphere as Super Typhoon Sinlaku rapidly intensified in the North Pacific Ocean. The typhoon, one of the earliest of such intensity in the region, reached category 5-equivalent status and delivered heavy rain and flooding to the Mariana Islands.
What happened
Super Typhoon Sinlaku intensified rapidly from a category 2 to a category 5 storm within 24 hours in mid-April 2026. During this period, the NOAA-20 satellite’s Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) captured an image showing gravity waves in the mesosphere. These waves appeared as concentric ripples in the airglow—a faint emission of light by atmospheric atoms and molecules excited by sunlight—above the storm. The waves, driven by convective activity near the storm’s eyewall, propagated upward through the troposphere into the stratosphere and mesosphere.
NASA’s Aqua satellite also detected these gravity waves lower in the atmosphere using the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), which revealed thermal emissions from the waves in the stratosphere. Observations continued over multiple days, showing the sustained atmospheric impact of Sinlaku.
Researchers noted that relatively light stratospheric winds at the storm’s latitude in April favored the preservation of the gravity waves to high altitudes. Additionally, the low moonlight during the VIIRS observation improved detection clarity by minimizing reflections that could obscure airglow signals.
Why it matters
Gravity waves generated by tropical cyclones like Sinlaku are important indicators of storm dynamics and intensification. Scientists are investigating the potential to use gravity wave observations as a tool for real-time monitoring of cyclone strengthening, especially over open oceans where direct measurements are limited.
Incorporating these atmospheric waves into weather forecast models is critical, as tropical cyclones significantly influence stratospheric conditions, affecting long-term weather patterns such as Northern Hemisphere winter forecasts. Moreover, gravity waves can extend their effects into space weather by triggering ionospheric disturbances that disrupt satellite signals and radio communications.
Background
Super Typhoon Sinlaku’s rapid intensification and high intensity were notable for their early occurrence in the year in the North Pacific. Gravity waves linked to tropical cyclones have been observed in prior studies and are understood to result from the release of latent heat and strong convection within “hot towers” of towering cumulonimbus clouds.
Research has established that these waves often coincide with periods of storm strengthening and can propagate from the troposphere through upper atmospheric layers. Satellite-based remote sensing technologies such as VIIRS and AIRS enable detailed study of these phenomena, advancing scientific understanding of cyclone behavior and upper atmospheric interactions.
Sources
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