From Pioneers to Practitioners: A Short History of Severe Thunderstorm Research and Forecasting in Canada†

Abstract

The science of understanding severe thunderstorms and developing techniques for their prediction is relatively young, with most fundamental research having been carried out only during the last 75 years. Though it is not widely known, Canada has played an important role in such research and development, and some of Canada’s atmospheric scientists have been pioneers globally in a number of areas. This brief review attempts to describe the full breadth of the Canadian contribution, with sections dedicated to radar meteorology, field studies, laboratory work, and forecasting. Key areas requiring further investment in order to improve our understanding and predictive skill are also identified.