Eye-popping satellite photo shows Tropical Storm Kay over Southern California
A satellite image captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite provides a stunning and eye-popping view of California, as seen from space. The image was captured at 12:45 local time on Aug. 7, 2009, over southern California. As the storm is now moving through parts of Kern County, CA, the image shows intense, dry-looking thunderstorms. Tropical downpours and heavy rainfall in the storm area are shown here, along with an unusually high amount of lightning, and an area of deep red cloud cover. This is one of the most colorful composite images to be published in the MODIS archive.
A satellite image captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite shows the storm known as Tropical Storm Kay, over Southern California. The photo was taken on Aug. 8, 2009, at 04:45 a.m. PDT (07:45 a.m. EDT) from a location 35.2 miles (56.4 kilometers) south of Los Angeles. The storm is moving through parts of Kern County, Calif., and into the Los Angeles area today.
‘Tropical Storm Kay’
Tropical Storm Kay, which is located over Southern California, is one of the two southernmost storms of the upcoming hurricane season. Kay is centered about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Los Angeles.
The storm is moving over the Santa Ana mountain range and through parts of the Santa Ana National Forests, as well as the Imperial Valley. The National Weather Service issued a “Storm Watch” for the entire Los Angeles Basin and for the south coastal Los Angeles area. The storm is due to arrive at mid-century.
In the past, the storm has produced very strong wind gusts and heavy rainfall which can cause widespread travel disruptions. In some cases, this has led to power outages, water shutoffs, and road closures. The storm is forecast to bring with it heavy rainfall in the coastal Los Angeles area, with accumulations reaching
