1 00:00:03,566 --> 00:00:07,133 For nearly a week, NOAA satellites monitored a potent and complex 2 00:00:07,133 --> 00:00:11,200 spring weather pattern responsible for a stretch of severe weather that included two destructive tornado outbreaks. 3 00:00:12,100 --> 00:00:16,400 The first round of severe thunderstorms erupted across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest on May 15, 2025, 4 00:00:16,400 --> 00:00:21,000 producing strong winds and large hail as they moved eastward. 5 00:00:22,033 --> 00:00:26,633 From May 16-17, a more intense and deadly outbreak of severe weather swept through the central and eastern U.S., 6 00:00:26,633 --> 00:00:31,533 killing at least 25 people and causing widespread damage. 7 00:00:31,533 --> 00:00:34,500 On May 16, there were numerous reports of tornadoes including one 8 00:00:34,500 --> 00:00:37,900 that touched down in Clayton, Missouri. 9 00:00:38,066 --> 00:00:41,700 It strengthened as it moved through northern portions of St. Louis, 10 00:00:41,700 --> 00:00:45,866 causing damage and building collapses. 11 00:00:46,500 --> 00:00:50,633 Another, in Kentucky, traveled more than 55 miles between the towns of 12 00:00:50,633 --> 00:00:54,900 Somerset and London, causing EF-4 level damage with winds that reached 170 mph. 13 00:00:55,466 --> 00:00:59,000 High winds from the system also kicked up dust in central Illinois 14 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:02,366 leading to Chicago’s first major dust storm since the 1930s. 15 00:01:02,633 --> 00:01:05,800 The National Weather Service use NOAA satellite data dor advanced warnings, real-time updates 16 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:08,766 and on-site support to emergency managers during the storm. 17 00:01:08,766 --> 00:01:14,166 In some parts of Kentucky, tornado warnings had lead times of up to 40 minutes. 18 00:01:14,233 --> 00:01:18,766 GOES-19 tracked the system in near real-time. 19 00:01:19,433 --> 00:01:22,700 GOES-19 imagery revealed where the storms were most intense and 20 00:01:22,700 --> 00:01:26,066 allowed forecasters to monitor rapidly changing conditions. 21 00:01:26,666 --> 00:01:29,633 The satellite’s lightning mapper detected rapid increases in lightning activity, 22 00:01:29,633 --> 00:01:32,666 indicating intensifying storms. 23 00:01:33,866 --> 00:01:36,833 Forecasters also use GOES data in new AI models that predict the 24 00:01:36,833 --> 00:01:39,800 likelihood that a developing thunderstorm will produce severe weather 25 00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:42,533 or hazardous lightning an hour or more in advance. 26 00:01:43,066 --> 00:01:46,033 High-resolution imagery from JPSS satellites revealed the structure of 27 00:01:46,033 --> 00:01:49,400 the storms as they moved eastward. 28 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:56,733 JPSS measured cloud top heights and moisture in the atmosphere. 29 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:02,933 JPSS imagery also revealed the path of damage caused by the tornadoes. 30 00:02:04,700 --> 00:02:09,300 When severe weather strikes, NOAA satellites will be there helping 31 00:02:09,300 --> 00:02:13,966 to predict storms in advance and monitor hazardous conditions on the ground. 32 00:02:13,966 --> 00:02:15,600 Earth From Orbit: NOAA Satellites Monitor Severe Weather Across the Nation 33 00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:16,700 Probsevere imagery courtesy of CIMSS. 34 00:02:16,700 --> 00:02:17,533 NOAA Logo 35 00:02:17,533 --> 00:02:18,266 NASA Meatball 36 00:02:18,266 --> 00:02:19,033 CIRA Logo