The GOES-R Convective Initiation algorithm being developed by the University of Alabama in Huntsville within the GOES-R Algorithm Working Group Aviation Applications Team. Nowcasting convective initiation is very important to aviation interests for airport operations and airline planning. If there is a good indication that a storm will develop 30 minutes to 1 hour, the airlines can plan for a particular aircraft takeoff/landing route to close causing an airport to reduce capacity for take-offs and landings or shutdown airport operations. The airlines would be able to hold back some aircraft at other airports, preventing a backlog at a particular airport and cause airplane diversions which can be costly.
In addition, knowledge of thunderstorm growth can help airport operators plan for the potential of lightning strikes and clear the ramp preventing any possible injury/deaths from lightning strikes.
There were significant airmass thunderstorm development over Illinois, eastern TN, and over the Atlanta area today. Below is an example of SATCAST over the Atlanta region which is a major Delta and Airtran Airline hub.
SATCAST Nowcast valid 1702 UTC
Radar valid 1709 UTC
Radar valid 1903 UTC
Radar valid 2000 UTC
Below are examples over the Ohio valley. Notice the convection which developed over central Illinois and around the southern eastern KY area.
SATCAST Nowcast valid 1732 UTC
Radar valid 1733 UTC
Radar valid 1811 UTC
Radar valid 1830 UTC
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