Perhaps you've heard the term "nowcasting." The American Meteorological Society defines this word as "a short-term weather forecast, generally for the next few hours." Pilots from all backgrounds are likely to recognize the immense value of this topic. In this article, we'll talk about some down-to-earth techniques for how to accomplish now-casting, without a lot of complexity and jargon. It's not entirely clear where exactly the term "nowcast" originated. But it began appearing in meteorological literature during the 1960s. New satellite systems, modern radar networks, and improved data communications led to renewed interest in the concept dur- ing the following decade. The growth of severe thunderstorm research and the development of NEXRAD in the 1980s and high-profile events such as the Olympic Games in Atlanta carved out nowcasting as its own special branch of meteorology.
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