Saving Lives & Property…
The National Severe Storms Laboratory serves the nation by working to improve the leadtime and accuracy of severe weather warnings and forecasts in order to save lives and reduce property damage. NSSL scientists are committed to their mission to understand the causes of severe weather and explore new ways to use weather information to assist National Weather Service forecasters and federal, university and private sector partners.
At NSSL, our basic and applied research focuses on understanding severe weather processes, developing weather observation technology, and improving forecast tools, with emphasis on:
NSSL News
New Release: Pod-Sized Science Podcast
The NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory is excited to share with you its first podcast! Researchers at NSSL are using Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) to study storm damage in rural areas.
New video: Studying tornado damage with Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
Researchers at the NOAA National Severe Storms Lab are using Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) to study storm damage in rural areas .Learn about the multispectral camera on the UAS, and how it provides important imagery for researchers.
Researchers studying impacts of severe weather threats on community assets, including critical infrastructure
Severe weather hazards such as hail, high wind speeds, and tornadoes, can impact essential community infrastructure. Researchers are studying the impacts of severe weather threats on a range of community assets.
Leader, engineer, and innovator in Doppler radar passes away
Richard “Dick” Doviak, a renowned radar engineer and professor, passed away recently. Research conducted by Doviak and others at the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory helped convince the NOAA National Weather Service of Doppler radar’s…
Researchers developing experimental winter forecasting tools
Last month, millions of people across the United States were impacted by several inches to feet of snow and the coldest temperatures in decades. Thousands lost power and water, and travel was treacherous as multi-vehicle…
New rating system charts a path to improved tornado forecasts
All tornadoes -- whether small or large -- originate from thunderstorms, but not all thunderstorms are the same. Different environments and situations create forecasting challenges.
NSSL Video
Threats in Motion
In nature, hazardous weather is almost always in motion. New research and technology are making it possible to provide more continuous information about the storm and its movement. Threats in Motion (TiM) is the next step in the evolution of how weather information is provided to the public. Learn more →
Advanced Technology Demonstrator
Radar research at the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory has taken another step forward. The Advanced Technology Demonstrator is the first full-scale, S-band, dual-polarization phased array radar built from the ground up and designed specifically for use as a weather radar. Learn more →
