Local severe storm monitoring and prediction using satellite data

Abstract

This paper addresses using satellite data for nowcasting severe storms and their intensity in the 0-6 hour time frame.  Weather, and weather related phenomena extend across a broad range of scales.  In meteorology the link between the synoptic scale and the mesoscale is many times a key factor in controlling the intensity of local weather.  The only observing tool capable of monitoring weather across those scales (and those scales interactions) is the geostationary satellite!  Just as imagery from polar orbiting satellites helped advance understanding of synoptic scale phenomena, imagery from geostationary satellites is advancing our understanding of the mesoscale.  A number of important discoveries using geostationary satellite imagery have had a dramatic impact on mesoscale meteorology and, in turn, our ability to provide short term forecasts and warnings for disaster related weather events, including: areas of incipient squall line development; location of regions with high probability of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms; mesoscale convective complexes; and, areas with heavy convective rainfall. As exciting as current capabilities are, satellite systems that will come into being during the next several years will provide capabilities well beyond the present ones.