What do meteorologists use

Doppler radar detects all types of precipitation, the rotation of thunderstorm clouds, airborne tornado debris, and wind strength and direction. Learn more about radar. Weather Satellites monitor Earth from space, collecting observational data our scientists analyze.

NOAA operates three types of weather satellites. Polar orbiting satellites orbit the Earth close to the surface, taking six or seven detailed images a day. Geostationary satellites stay over the same location on Earth high above the surface taking images of the entire Earth as frequently as every 30 seconds.

Deep space satellites face the sun to monitor powerful solar storms and space weather. NOAA also uses data from satellites operated by other agencies and countries. Radiosondes are our primary source of upper-air data. NWS pic. It serves as the primary surface weather observing network of the US with over stations across the country.

ASOS is designed to report data about the sky conditions, surface visibility, precipitation, temperature, and wind. It is designed to support weather forecast activities and aviation operations. When it's close to zero and snowing. Run everything at once! NOAA's Advanced Weather Information Processing System AWIPS is a technologically advanced computer processing system that integrates all meteorological and hydrological data with satellite and radar imagery that the forecasters use to analyze data, and prepare and issue weather forecasts.

AWIPS generates weather graphics and hazardous weather watches and warnings after meteorologists prepare the forecasts. Meteorologists use Doppler Radar systems in observing severe storms that might happen. There are a total of Doppler radar towers across the United States. According to Science Daily , the Doppler Radar systems use the Doppler effect to measure the radial velocity of targets in the directional beam of the antenna.

It can detect all types of airborne tornado debris, precipitation, rotation of the thunderstorm clouds, and wind strength and direction. Measuring weather events sometimes involves the smallest equipment. Meteorologists also use satellites to observe cloud patterns around the world, and radar is used to measure precipitation. All of this data is then plugged into super computers, which use numerical forecast equations to create forecast models of the atmosphere. These forecast models can be both correct and incorrect, so meteorologists must be careful and determine whether they agree with the model or not.

If the meteorologists disagree with the model, then they must determine a different outlook for their forecast. Image courtesy of WrightWeather. Monitoring the data from all of these tools allows meteorologists to track changes in the weather through time.

Based on what you observed in the past, what do you think you will be doing in the future, specifically on October 31st? In other words, Halloween may occur on October 31st every year, but you may not necessarily wear the same costume or choose the same route to trick-or-treat.

A snow storm may set up a similar pattern to one in the past, but produce a different amount of snow in a different part of the state. A meteorologist must monitor the current conditions during a weather event, and use their knowledge of weather similarities and differences to discern what is going to happen.

That was an excellent question, and I hope my answer inspired you to study the weather, too! Predicting the weather is certainly a tricky task, and all meteorologists strive to do the best job they can. In the meantime, happy storm spotting! Meteorologist Steve Nelson explains the different parameters that meteorologists look for when predicting winter weather.