NASA | GPM: The Trouble with Irene

The video discusses the impact of Tropical Storm Irene on Vermont, highlighting the severe flooding it caused. It explains the nature of tropical cyclones, including hurricanes and typhoons, and their potential to affect regions outside the tropics. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) is introduced as a tool for collecting global rainfall data, though it has limitations in higher latitudes. The Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (GPM) is presented as an advancement over TRMM, with improved instruments for more accurate storm tracking and prediction, aiding in better safety measures.

What was the significant impact of Tropical Storm Irene on Vermont?

• It led to a drought.

• It resulted in the worst flooding in nearly 75 years.

• It caused a heatwave.

• It caused a snowstorm.

What is a general term for hurricanes, typhoons, and tropical storms?

• Blizzards

• Monsoons

• Tornadoes

• Cyclones

What was a major limitation of the TRMM in monitoring storms?

• It could not measure high rainfall rates.

• It had a narrow coverage area.

• It was too sensitive to low rainfall rates.

• It was unable to detect storms in the tropics.

What is one of the key improvements of the GPM over the TRMM?

• It can measure temperature changes.

• It has a wider coverage area, reaching into southern Canada.

• It can predict earthquakes.

• It is less sensitive to rainfall.

What advanced instrument does the GPM use to capture precipitation intensities?

• Thermal Camera

• Ultraviolet Detector

• Infrared Scanner

• GPM Microwave Imager (GMI)