Visible Satellite, Radar Precipitation, and Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Convective Initiation Nowcasting for Aviation PI: John R. Mecikalski GOES Satellite-based 0-1 hour forecasts predict convective thunderstorm and first-flash lightning initiation. Used by Flight Control Centers to guide airline traffic. Working to provide enhance lead times of lightning occurrence, for airport operations. New work using European data in preparation for GOES-R (~2016). New Thunderstorm Development: 25 May 2011 1832 UTC 3 July 2011 Number of Satellite Lightning Initiation Fields 4 LI Indicators 1732 UTC 1746 UTC Mobile Radar at 1826 Tallahassee at 1829 miss correct negatives Red – clouds to become storms Blue – clouds not likely to make rain 1850 UTC MSY Visible Satellite, Radar Precipitation, and Cloud-to-Ground Lightning LI