Uploaded April 2023 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
On April 21, 2023, a coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted from the sun, spewing out a burst of plasma that raced toward Earth at nearly two million miles per hour and generated a severe geomagnetic storm (level 4 out of 5 on NOAA’s space weather G- scale) at 3:26 p.m. EDT on April 23.
Credits:
NOAA
NASA/GSFC
CIRA
Music: “Minimized Offering” by Daniel Holter [ASCAP] and FAY M OLLA [ASCAP]; UNDERscore Music Library; Universal Production Music
On April 21, 2023, a coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted from the sun, spewing out a burst of plasma that raced toward Earth at nearly two million miles per hour and generated a severe geomagnetic storm (level 4 out of 5 on NOAA’s space weather G- scale) at 3:26 p.m. EDT on April 23.
Credits:
NOAA
NASA/GSFC
CIRA
Music: “Minimized Offering” by Daniel Holter [ASCAP] and FAY M OLLA [ASCAP]; UNDERscore Music Library; Universal Production Music
![Earth from Orbit: Celebrating Earth Day with NOAA Satellites
Throughout history, humans have wondered what Earth looked like from above.
The advent of satellites changed our perspective dramatically, though early imagery was often blurry and lacked detail.
Today, thanks to decades of technological advancements and innovation, the quality and resolution of satellite imagery has significantly improved.
Satellites from NOAA and other organizations around the world capture vital information that help us stay safe, while also sharing the beauty of our planet from afar. For us, every day is Earth Day!
As we celebrate Earth Day, let us marvel at the wonders of our planet and reflect on our responsibility to cherish and protect it.
Together, let’s ensure that the view from space remains a symbol of hope and inspiration for generations to come.
Credits:
NOAA
NASA
CIRA
Additional imagery courtesy of CIMSS.
Music: “A Serious Man” by Kavin Hoo [ASCAP]; ELIAS Music; Universal Production Music Earth from Orbit: Celebrating Earth Day with NOAA Satellites](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/e_t6X7oBNyM/mqdefault.jpg)
![Extreme Ocean Temperatures Are Affecting Florida’s Coral Reef
Since April 2023, NOAA has been monitoring a steady rise in ocean temperatures, which is resulting in unprecedented heat stress conditions in the Caribbean basin, including waters surrounding Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. On Thursday, August 17, 2023, NOAA scientists provided a briefing on how these record-breaking warm ocean temperatures have stressed, bleached, and in some cases, killed corals within the 3,800 square miles of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Coral reefs are often referred to as the rainforests of the sea, due to their incredible biodiversity and ecological importance. They provide vital benefits as part of marine ecosystems by sustaining habitats for marine life, buffering the harmful impacts of storms on coastal communities, and supporting local economies through tourism and fishing.
Credits:
NOAA
NASA
CIRA
Footage of Corals of the Atlantic, Gulf, Keys, Caribbean courtesy of NOAA Fisheries.
Music: “Manifest” by James Joshua Otto [PRS]; Nova Production Music; Universal Production Music Extreme Ocean Temperatures Are Affecting Florida’s Coral Reef](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fESeN9Ut4Zo/mqdefault.jpg)

![Monumental U.S. Storm Brings Severe Winter Weather Coast to Coast
A massive winter storm recently made its way across the U.S. Parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas were blasted by severe weather and tornadoes while heavy rain and snow blanketed much of California and parts of the West on Monday.
The now well-traveled storm began its journey late last week with an arctic blast in the Pacific Northwest, shutting down much of Oregon’s largest city with almost a foot of snow and paralyzing travel from parts of the Pacific Coast all the way to the northern Plains.
Read more:
https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/news/monumental-us-storm-brings-severe-winter-weather-coast-coast
Credits:
NOAA
NASA
CIRA
Additional imagery courtesy of CIMSS
Music: “Beneath The Surface” by Alexius Tschallener [SUISA], Max Burn [SUISA] & Sarah Tanner [SUISA]; Nuvotone Stratos; Universal Production Music Monumental U.S. Storm Brings Severe Winter Weather Coast to Coast](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fotKmRlb-pA/mqdefault.jpg)
![Hurricane Francine Slams Northern Gulf Coast
NOAA satellites have been closely tracking Tropical Storm Francine since it formed in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico over the weekend. Initially designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone Six on Sept. 8, 2024, it strengthened into a tropical storm the following day, continuing to intensify as it moved north toward Louisiana.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry urged residents to not to panic, but be prepared and follow evacuation orders. In response, people across the region have been filling sandbags, stocking up on essentials, and fueling their vehicles.
By late Tuesday morning, Sept. 10, Francine remained a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center. However, fueled by the Gulf’s exceptionally warm waters—about 87 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius)—Francine intensified into a Category 1 hurricane by 7 p.m. CDT, and by the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 11, the storm had sustained winds of 90 mph. The Gulf’s ocean heat content is currently at record-high levels.
Around 4 p.m. CDT that same day, Francine strengthened further to a Category 2 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph. The storm made landfall roughly an hour later in southern Louisiana in the Parish of Terrebonne, about 30 miles south-southwest of Morgan City, inundating the coastal areas with flash flooding that made many roads impassable and caused power outages that left hundreds of thousands of customers in the dark. As of Thursday morning, over 388,000 utility customers in Louisiana, 52,000 in Mississippi, and 10,000 in Alabama were without power, according to PowerOutage.us.
Credits:
NOAA
NASA
CIRA
Music: “Introspection” by Adam Salkeld [PRS]; Nova Production Music; Universal Production Music Hurricane Francine Slams Northern Gulf Coast](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/g-UMXRpXZFY/mqdefault.jpg)
![GOES-U Mission Overview
NOAA is preparing for a milestone satellite launch in 2024. GOES-U will be the fourth and final satellite in NOAA’s latest generation of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites called the GOES-R Series—the nation’s most advanced weather-observing and environmental monitoring satellite system.
Credits:
NOAA
NASA
GOES imagery courtesy of CIRA and CIMSS.
Music:
“Potential Energy” by Andy Blythe [PRS] and Marten Joustra [PRS]; Flexitracks; Universal Production Music
“Eclipse” by Nate Dodge [ASCAP]; Audio Wax; Universal Production Music
“The Unexplained” by Daniel Burrows [PRS], Daniel Mallender [PRS], and Thomas Richard Hill [PRS]; BBS Production Music; Universal Production Music GOES-U Mission Overview](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/g4nwrVbVUgQ/mqdefault.jpg)




![Earth from Orbit: Mauna Loa Erupts for First Time Since 1984
On Nov. 28, 2022, the world’s largest active volcano began erupting for the first time since 1984. Mauna Loa, located on Hawaii’s Big Island, began spewing ash and debris from its summit around 11:30 p.m. local time after a series of earthquakes. Lava was ejected to heights of up to 148 feet on Nov. 29.
NOAA satellites monitored the ongoing eruption, lava flow, ash plume, and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions. GOES-17 (GOES West) provided one-minute imagery to help NOAA’sNational Weather Service Pacific Region monitor the evolution of the eruption and volcanic plumes in real-time. GOES-18, still undergoing post-launch testing, began collecting 30-second imagery of the eruption on Nov. 30. This rapid-update imagery allowed forecasters to observe the hottest areas of the lava field as well as the constant emission of ash and vapor.
Credits:
NOAA
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
CIRA
Additional imagery from CIMSS.
Mauna Loa eruption footage and historical lava flows map courtesy of USGS.
Music: “Wildflower” by Laurel Violet Lewis [PRS]; Chappell; Universal Production Music Earth from Orbit: Mauna Loa Erupts for First Time Since 1984](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hwC_uxsm_0o/mqdefault.jpg)