We usually take a casual look at the maps from the Storm Prediction Center. In this day of weather specialization, these guys watch for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.
In the past we have been critical of their work in the Northeast where severe weather responds to different stimuli than in the Plains. They do a good job in giving people like me a 'heads up.' We're much better off with them, than without them. More flexibility in issuing watches here would be helpful.
I've watched with great interest over the past few days as they've posted a high risk outlook for severe weather over a large area. 'High risk' and 'large area' are rare and usually mutually exclusive.
The National Hurricane Center's Pasch acknowledged that techniques need to improve.

"We still have to get better -- 90 percent isn't good enough. We have to get to 95 or 98 percent accuracy," he said.
Storm prediction research focus of Darwin conference
Scientists are hoping an international research project under way in northern Australian will help forecasters better predict storms.

More the 100 scientists from around the world have converged on Darwin for a series of experiments on a tropical storm system.

Planes will fly around the unique storm system north of Darwin known as Hector and collect data about its characteristics and influence on the environment and ozone layer.

Bureau of Meteorology scientist Peter May says the information could fill a gap in forecasting.