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For nearly a week, NOAA satellites monitored a potent and complex

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spring weather pattern responsible for a stretch of  severe weather that
included two destructive tornado outbreaks.

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The first round of severe thunderstorms erupted across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest on May 15, 2025,

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producing strong winds and large hail as they moved eastward.

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From May 16-17, a more intense and deadly outbreak of severe weather swept through the central and eastern U.S.,

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killing at least 25 people and causing widespread damage.

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On May 16, there were numerous reports of tornadoes including one

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that touched down in Clayton, Missouri.

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It strengthened as it moved through northern portions of St. Louis,

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causing damage and building collapses.

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Another, in Kentucky, traveled more than 55 miles between the towns of

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Somerset and London, causing EF-4 level damage with winds that reached 170 mph.

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High winds from the system also kicked up dust in central Illinois

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leading to Chicago’s first major dust storm since the 1930s.

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The National Weather Service use NOAA satellite data dor advanced warnings, real-time updates

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and on-site support to emergency managers during the storm.

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In some parts of Kentucky, tornado warnings had lead
times of up to 40 minutes.

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GOES-19 tracked the system in near real-time.

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GOES-19 imagery revealed where the storms were most intense and

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allowed forecasters to monitor rapidly changing conditions.

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The satellite’s lightning mapper detected rapid
increases in lightning activity,

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indicating intensifying storms.

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Forecasters also use GOES data in new AI models that predict the

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likelihood that a developing thunderstorm will produce severe weather

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or hazardous lightning an hour or more in advance.

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High-resolution imagery from JPSS satellites revealed the structure of

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the storms as they moved eastward.

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JPSS measured cloud top heights and moisture in the atmosphere.

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JPSS imagery also revealed the path
of damage caused by the tornadoes.

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When severe weather strikes, NOAA satellites will be there helping

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to predict storms in advance and monitor hazardous
conditions on the ground.

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Earth From Orbit:
NOAA Satellites Monitor Severe Weather Across the Nation

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Probsevere imagery courtesy of CIMSS.

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