In October 2026, while Hurricane Simon battered the Mexican coastline with fierce winds and flooding, NASA satellites observed an extraordinary phenomenon high above the storm: vast waves rippling through Earth’s upper atmosphere, showcasing the far-reaching impact of powerful hurricanes.
- Hurricane Simon produced rare atmospheric gravity waves detected from space
- Satellite images revealed waves rippling high in Earth’s upper atmosphere
- Ideal dark conditions helped capture faint airglow wave patterns
What happened
Hurricane Simon swept dangerously close to Mexico’s Pacific coast in early October 2026, packing winds as strong as 250 kilometers per hour at its peak. Although it stayed just offshore, the storm caused heavy rainfall, flooding, and mudslide threats along the coastline, particularly near Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta. The Sierra Madre mountains helped weaken the storm’s intensity, but its core still posed a significant threat to nearby communities.
Above the storm, NASA satellites monitored an extraordinary event. Using the VIIRS instrument aboard the Suomi NPP and NOAA-21 satellites, scientists observed massive atmospheric gravity waves emanating from Simon. These waves are caused by strong convective activity within the hurricane’s eyewall, where warm moist air shoots upward, disturbing the atmospheric layers far above the clouds.
Why it feels good
These remarkable observations provide a rare glimpse into how hurricanes affect not just the lower atmosphere but also the distant layers like the stratosphere and mesosphere. The waves recorded by the satellites highlight the complex and powerful interactions between weather systems and Earth’s upper atmospheric environment, deepening our understanding of storm dynamics in new ways.
Capturing atmospheric gravity waves is normally difficult due to the faint nature of the airglow light they disturb and interference from moonlight. But the timing of Hurricane Simon's observation coincided with a nearly moonless night, making the delicate rippling patterns visible. This fortunate timing gives scientists a valuable snapshot of a seldom-seen atmospheric phenomenon, enriching meteorological and atmospheric science.
What to enjoy or watch next
As meteorologists continue tracking Hurricane Simon’s unpredictable path and intensity, satellite monitoring remains crucial for anticipating possible impacts on Mexico’s western and southwestern coastal areas. Future observations like these will help improve forecasts of hurricane behavior and their atmospheric effects, especially as storms grow more complex with changing climate conditions.
For those fascinated by atmospheric science, the stunning images of gravity waves serve as a reminder of the invisible forces at play high above Earth’s surface. Watching for updates from NASA and the National Hurricane Center will provide ongoing insights into Simon's evolution, while new satellite missions promise even clearer views of these delicate atmospheric phenomena during upcoming storm seasons.