GOES

Many sophisticated tools are utilized in order to forecast the occurrence of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Satellite photographs allow forecasters to see the development of clouds that grow into thunderstorms and to monitor the changes in larger scale weather patterns that make the atmosphere more conducive to severe thunderstorm development. GOES: The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite is located approximately 23,000 miles above the equator and revolves at the same speed that the earth rotates so that it remains stationary above the same point. (NOAA/NWS)