Last November, a new weather satellite (GOES-R*), was launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida (Fig. 1). This new space dweller is equipped with modern and powerful instruments, opening numerous possibilities for improved weather analysis and forecasting. Today, I would like to focus on a brand-new instrument – The Geostationary
Read DetailsThis feature is about GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) Water Vapor (WV) imagery. This type of satellite imagery (just one of many) is based on a specific band of data within the infrared radiation (IR) spectrum. It is collected from a geostationary satellite positioned roughly 22,000 miles above the Equator
Read DetailsBatten down the hatches (and be prepared to take shelter today and tonight) if you live or are traveling across the southeast U.S. The Storm Prediction has issued a highly unusual severe weather outlook for the region – calling for a moderate to high severe weather risk for South Carolina,
Read DetailsMrs. Claus, wanting to be sure her husband was safe on his Christmas Eve journey, turned to Santa and asked, “What’s the weather forecast?” Santa, in his usual jolly self, replied, “Rain, dear, in many places; only some snow across the western States during my nighttime ride; heavy snow and
Read DetailsOn the afternoon and early evening of Aug. 24, 2016, a significant, albeit localized, tornado outbreak occurred across Indiana and Ohio. By the time the situation calmed down (meteorologically-speaking), 42 tornado reports (Fig. 1) had been logged at the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) web site. During the overnight hours, ABC-7
Read DetailsTake a look at the enhanced (false-colored) infrared satellite image in Fig. 1. See that huge red blob across Kansas? That feature is what meteorologists call an MCS or “Meso-scale Convective System.” By official National Weather Service definition, “An MCS is, “a complex of thunderstorms which becomes organized on a
Read DetailsFor more than a week, computer models have suggested a developing rainy period for south Florida during the first part of June. Now, a tropical weather system may enter the equation. Computer models and National Hurricane Center guidance suggest that a potential tropical low will develop off the Yucatan Peninsula
Read DetailsFollowing torrential and historic Houston area rainfall on Mon., Apr. 18, 2016, Houstonians will need to brace for more rain and flooding. Another thunderstorm outflow boundary (the leading edge of rain-cooled air from a cluster of thunderstorms) is enroute to Houston this morning (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) and will
Read DetailsMarch has been a mostly mild month across much of the U.S. That’s because upper-level and lower-level winds have been blowing primarily from the west, southwest or south across the Nation. Yes, there have been occasional bursts of chillier air, and these come on the heels of winds from northwest,
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