Weather satellites were still a very new, but rapidly expanding technology in 1966. U.S. Weather Bureau meteorologists in 1966 were using ESSA (Environmental Science Services Administration) polar-orbiting satellites that were the first satellites to be able to transmit more than one image per orbit. This gave forecasters many more cloud pictures, but they still did not stay in one location above the Earth. The NIMBUS II satellite, launched in May, gave meteorologists the first infrared satellite images, meaning satellite data was available at night. But as is always the case, the next levels in technology were already being put into use.

On this date in 1966, the first Applications Technology Satellite was launched by NASA. The mission of the ATS satellites was mainly telecommunications, but there was a camera on board for taking pictures of the Earth. Held in geosynchronous orbit above the Earth’s surface, the ATS satellites provided the first regular photographs of the cloud cover over an entire hemisphere. Images from the satellites’ cameras were beamed to Earth every thirty minutes. Looping these photographs together in the now familiar satellite loop made it possible for meteorologists to study the movement of smaller scale weather phenomena such as thunderstorms and squall lines. Soon the SMS (Synchronous Meteorological Satellites) would join ATS in the sky, providing an even more important geosynchronous visible and infrared view of the Earth. These were important steps to the eventual development of the GOES series of satellites used today.

I have the day off today from teaching children at Hunter Street; the children's choirs are doing a Christmas program today in "Outfitters 252". So, I will basically be doing crowd control.

Having said all of that, we are still looking at a dual flood-severe weather threat during the next 72 hours. Models continue to slow everything down; it might Tuesday afternoon before dry air begins to return.

Latest QPF guidance looks really wet:

http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/d13_fill.gif

That would suggest around 4 inches for Birmingham, which is a very real possibility between now and Tuesday.

I do not think the tornado threat is as serious with this system as the pre-Thanksgiving event, but isolated tornadoes will be possible along with storms that produce damaging winds. I still get the idea we will be burning the midnight oil Monday night, and working the event well into Tuesday.

AND... if you have been watching the video updates over the past week, you know I have been convinced the coldest air so far this season will arrive at mid-month. New guidance still confirms this, and opens the door for lots of mischief over the latter half of the month. The weather here looks very cold and unsettled in the December 13-28 time frame. Anyone dreaming of a white Christmas? I am not saying it will happen, but maybe this will be our best shot at some good late December snow or ice since 1989...