A Geostationary Imager View of the 1974 Super Outbreak

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the “Super Outbreak” of April 1974. The event was unique for the number of tornado touchdowns, the number of F5 tornadoes, and the conditions that fostered their formation. Also unique is that the University of Wisconsin-Madison Space Science and Engineering Center recently digitized over 66,000 Applications Technology Satellite (ATS)-1 and -3 images from the late 1960s to early 1970s. These include ATS-3 visible images from April 3, 1974 that clearly show the development of the squall lines. ATS were experimental NASA geostationary satellites that carried the Spin Scan Cloud Camera. The camera, developed at SSEC, allowed for nearly continuous viewing (approximately every 15 to 30 minutes) of weather systems, like the Super Outbreak. Much work remains to prepare the larger dataset for use, including adding day/time stamps, quality control and earth-locating the images.