NASA Aqua Satellite sees powerful Cyclone Yasi make landfall in Queensland, Australia

At 03:29 UTC /1:29 p.m. Australia local time on Febr. 2 (10:29 p.m. EST, Feb. 1), the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument captured an infrared image of Cyclone Yasi as its center was just southeast of Willis Island. The infrared image showed powerful thunderstorms with strong convection and heavy rainfall (purple) surrounding a large area around a very clear eye. Credit: NASA JPL, Ed Olsen

NASA’s Aqua satellite captured visible and infrared imagery of powerful Cyclone Yasi as it was making landfall in Queensland. The center of the monster cyclone Yasi made landfall on Australia’s northeastern coast early Thursday (Australia local time) bringing heavy rainfall, severe winds and storm surge.