The life-saving technology of weather radar is amazing.
Channel-8's Doppler 8000 can show you a tornado threat on a street to street basis.
But that may only be the start, of what hi-tech forecasting may be able to accomplish.
Work is now underway to help feed the world, with micro-forecasting for individual farms and ranches.
IBM Environmental Scientist Lloyd Treinish says they are doing research, that combines modern radar with computer models, satellite information, and ground sensors.
By creating specific forecasts for specific farms and ranches, they can help farmers schedule their operations for the greatest efficiency.
Everything from planting and irrigation, to fertilizing and harvesting can be done with the changing weather in mind
For example, it doesn't make sense to irrigate or harvest, if there's a big storm just over the horizon.
In the end the forecasting will help farmers save on production costs and get more of their crops to market.
That will pay off with better profits for their businesses and better prices for the consumer.
Plus, agriculture is only one application of the new forecasting.
It can also be used to help power companies plan for storm repairs and cities to plan for snow removal.
The long-term options are almost unlimited.
