The lack of morning weather balloons launched across the western and central U.S. is having a real, tangible impact on degrading forecast quality.
We can't look at weather balloon data that doesn't exist. We can't pump nonexistent data into models. We can't rely as heavily on models that don't "know" what's happening above our heads.
Today's severe weather forecast is less certain because we don't have weather balloon data to confirm the strength of jet stream winds aloft.
This is extremely frustrating, and is the result of logistical, organizational, political and budgetary decisions.
@DanielShawAU@NWSWichita@NWSTopeka Just think if we had wind and pressure sensors on each of these cars feeding into one central location to get a complete breakdown of the surrounding atmosphere...at least at the surface.
Severe Potential on Sunday with a 3 out 5 chance for severe weather (Enhanced Risk). A few tornadoes will be possible along with large hail and damaging winds.
I am down to last couple of weeks of graduation stuff so expect more weather information to return in a couple of weeks.
@JustonStrmRider I am a casual chaser here in Northern Plains. What if I happen to capture a video local or national news wants. What are my steps? Do I ask for money? How much do I ask? TED talk should be titled "So You've Been Asked by the Media to Use Your Storm Footage, What Next?"