Technology developed by Alabama company improves severe weather forecasting

The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that 14 tornadoes touched down across Central Alabama during the severe weather event on March 15. The tornadoes varied in intensity, The most powerful was rated as an EF3. Six were rated as EF2s, four were rated as EF1s, and three were rated as EF0s. 3 people were killed. Hundreds of thousands of people were able to get in their safe places ahead of the storms due to the efforts of the National Weather Service and TV meteorologists.

We have far better tools for tracking, identifying, and warning us of tornadoes than we did previously. A lot of this improvement in tornado technology is due to the work of Bob Baron. The founder of Baron Weather. Baron was a TV meterologist in Huntsville, AL. He was the meteorologist on Nov. 15, 1989, when an F-4 tornado struck Huntsvile. It took many people by surprise. 21 people were killed, 463 people were injured, and 259 homes were destroyed. Many of them had no idea what was about to happen. The only indication Baron had that there might even be a tornado was lightning. The tornado was hid in the thundercloud until it was on the ground killing people.

Economic developer Dr. Nicole J. Wadsworth told the Alabama Gazette, "Those of us living in Huntsville in 1989 remember the devastation of the tornado like it was yesterday."

Baron built his company to improve the weather forecasting systems available to meteorologists. Baron Weather provides weather software and data to television stations across Alabama, including WDHN in Dothan, WKRG in Mobile, WSFA in Montgomery, WHNT and WAFF in Huntsville, and WBMA, WBRC and WIAT in Birmingham.

TV meteorologist James Spann said that Baron "The radar and graphics software developed by Baron" improved their ability to forecast severe weather including tornadoes.

"I am thankful for Bob Baron and his team for taking the aftermath of a tragedy and shaping it into lifesaving technology now utilized throughout our state," said Dr. Jomes Wadsworth. "Baron's company has changed the perception of weather through advancements in street-level storm tracking, radar, and alerts."

Baron's company developed storm tracking capability that integrated lightning, radar and tracking in real time.

This allows meteorologists to identify when and where a tornado is to tell residents of that area to take cover.

Baron's company builds weather radars for commercial customers, TV stations, and governments across the globe, including for the U.S. National Weather Service.

Baron employs about 100 people. Most of them are based in Huntsville.

https://businessalabama.com/bob-baron-built-his-weather-radar-company-to-mitigate-the-tragedy-of-unexpected-storms/