From the ArcaMax Publishing, Science & Technology Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/technology/s-569327-550350
MADISON, Wis. (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say satellite observations of
cloud temperatures might allow severe thunderstorm warnings to be
issued up to 45 minutes earlier than usual.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison said such
temperature measurements would be more accurate and quicker than
relying on traditional radar alone.
Scientists from the university's Cooperative Institute for
Meteorological Satellite Studies developed a way to measure
temperature changes in the tops of clouds to improve forecast times
for rapidly growing storms.
"The value of detecting and analyzing these changes is that we can get
up to a 45-minute jump on radar detection of the same storm system,"
said institute scientist Wayne Feltz.
He said clouds begin cooling long before radar can identify them as
storms. As a warm cumulus cloud grows and expands upward into higher
altitudes, it will rapidly cool. Rapid cloud-top cooling would
indicate a cloud top is rising into the frigid upper reaches of the
atmosphere and can reveal the formation of a severe storm.
Feltz, Kris Bedka and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
scientist Tim Schmit demonstrated the technique during the recent
annual Hazardous Weather Testbed meeting at NOAA's Storm Prediction
Center in Norman, Okla.