Weather enthusiasts the world over, especially those unfortunate souls that found themselves living on a flood plain during the very wet start to 2014 in the UK, will be delighted to learn of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission.
Uniting a constellation of nine Earth-observing satellites, the GPM Mission will create global weather maps every three hours. The Core Observatory will take detailed measurements of rain and snowfall and is equipped with a dual-frequency precipitation radar and a microwave imager, allowing scientists to see inside clouds and measure the rate of precipitation.
All the data being gathered and analysed will naturally serve as more than a fascinating record of how much fell and where. Rather, it will better inform affected territories of thunderstorms, hurricanes, typhoons and tornadoes, ahead of such impending severe weather systems.
Click on the graphic for an expanded view.
Engineering & Technology magazine 