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Dr. Kathryn Sullivan: On the research front, we are working continually
to better understand the actual physics, the science of
how severe storms become tornadic; what conditions make that happen.
Another part of the problem of course is to be alert and aware, and tracking
these things and able to monitor them and generate the forecast and warnings.
For that we are working very closely with our partners at NASA. We've got an important new
satellite asset called GOES-R. This satellite will sit about 22,000
miles above the Earth. It will be able to take a picture of the entire face of the Earth
at once, see the entire country in a single view.
When you have a severe storm mass develop, a big convective lump,
one of the really important things to do is monitor the top of that, where you
can really see the symptoms, see the bubbles literally of the boiling thunder storm
masses in the atmosphere. Geostationary satellites are ideal for that. They can
watch the entire country at once. When a big massive convective activity gets
developed, it can zoom in and scan that more rapidly.
Tim Samaras: Having GOES satellite visible imagery at least for myself operationally
in the field is very important. In fact I use it exclusively
trying to find thunderstorm initiation. Because boiling
seen from space is the best sign of instability. So GOES
satellite gives us a heads up even before radar sees it. Dr. Kathryn Sullivan: Very
importantly today's satellite that does that, takes about 30 minutes to
take one of those complete pictures. Our new satellite, GOES-R, will be able to take
one of those pictures in five minutes. For forecasters on the professional desks,
that will be tremendously valuable, helping them track where are they moving,
how fast are they moving, which ones do I need to scan more closely with radar
and watch for the conditions that tell me I should put out a tornado watch or warning.
Really important for queuing, for triggering, for alerting both
our forecasters and the communities that they serve.
Unfortunately,
it is not the case that one outbreak is a clue for
exactly what's happening next in the season or in any particular area.
We do know we are heading towards the heart of the season for 2012
even if we can't know those specifics. So, what that really tells all of us
living in this country, is pay attention, here comes the heavy season. Get your
plan out, dust it off, make sure you are ready to take timely action if you
got severe storms in your area. Tim Samaras: Having a plan of action when you
hear a tornado warning, practice with your family, take cover,
know what to do, I think is the most important thing. Dr. Kathryn Sullivan: This very summer
in our central region, five of our forecast offices are experimenting with
different ways of communicating, almost more like text message. Cut to the chase,
tag something right away, tornado, tornado siting on radar,
tornado damage potential significant, that really signals more abruptly to
people. This is important, get out of the way!
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