Severe weather is very important to many markets in Broadcast Meteorology. The NOAA Storm Prediction Center uses an array of meteorological parameters in order to forecast severe weather. Much of this information is accessible to the broadcast meteorologist who may use it to help convey severe weather potential to the public.

The NOAA Storm Prediction Center provides two-thirds of the Ready-Set-Go process issuing Severe Weather Outlooks, Mesoscale Discussions and Convective Watches to help broadcast meteorologists convey a heightened awareness to severe weather situations. The NOAA Storm Prediction Center’s Web Page contains many products that the meteorologist can monitor during severe weather situations and use in preparing their viewers for severe weather.

The SPC hourly mesoanalysis page offers numerous severe weather forecasting fields for use by local National Weather Service offices, private weather companies, and local media outlets. Three regional plots are provided, each centered over an area of severe weather potential. There is a detailed description of each parameter, how it is calculated and how valuable it is when it is used. Beyond the value to forecasters, this web page can also be used as a tool to learn about the most recent and cutting-edge severe weather forecasting techniques.

The SPC web site also has a fire weather graphics page containing a large set of charts and analysis of more conventional data. This presentation will illustrate the mesoscale analysis page as well as new details added to the Mesoscale Discussion and Fire Weather pages that can be used to keep viewers informed of severe and adverse weather conditions.