Doppler weather radar was part of a wider modernization of forecast offices nationwide lasting nearly a decade.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

After the deployment of Doppler weather radar, lead times for tornadoes were nearly doubled, from less than five minutes to around 10 to 13 minutes.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

In the early 1990s, Doppler Weather Radar, or as it was more commonly known, Next Generation Weather Radar, was deployed at local National Weather Service forecast offices nationwide.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Although tornado forecasting has remarkably improved over the last two decades with advanced forecasting techniques, weather satellites, numerical forecast models and Doppler weather radar, there is much about tornado forecasting that still remains a mystery.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS