Ga. Trying for Quicker Twister Warnings
Technologies designed to improve tornado-warning times for Georgia citizens are operating in three Atlanta locations.
Technologies designed to improve tornado-warning times for Georgia citizens
are operating in three Atlanta locations.
The Severe Storms Research Center at Georgia Tech University was established
last spring after a recommendation from a governmental task force. The Georgia
Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the
Georgia General Assembly and a grant from Bell South Business Systems fund
the center.
Systems testing began in northern Georgia recently to coincide with
the state's Severe Weather Awareness Week, said GEMA director Gary McConnell.
"The work of this research center in studying Georgia-specific weather conditions
and exploring new technologies will have a major impact in reducing the
deaths and serious injuries caused by severe weather," McConnell.
Three Warning Decision Support Systems funded by the SSRC, two at the
Georgia Tech Research Institute and the other at the Peachtree City National
Weather Service office, are being used to determine if tornado recognition
logic can be better used to predict storms in the Southeast.
The technology being used includes advanced image processing, artificial
intelligence, and Doppler radar data, which has increased warning times
in the Great Plains states.
After the technology has been tested in the northern part of the state,
it will be exported to southern Georgia if money is available, SSRC director
Gene Greneker said.
"If we are successful, these technologies could complement the Doppler
radars operated by the National Weather Service," Greneker said.
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