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Music. Music. Music. Music. Music.
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! No sound. Beeping sound. Beeping sound. No sound.