A Nowcasting Algorithm of Severe Weather Events at Local Spatial Scale: The Venezia Case Study

Nowadays, predicting the exact location and timing of severe convective phenomena at small spatial and temporal scales is still a challenge. In this respect, the H2020 SESAR project “Satellite-borne and IN-situ Observations to Predict The Initiation of Convection for ATM” (SINOPTICA) aims to improve the forecast of severe weather events by using the numerical weather prediction model in nowcasting mode and the benefit of assimilating non-conventional observations, such as weather radar, GNSS and lightning to predict the convective cells developing in the vicinity of airports to support air traffic control operations. In this work, we present the results related to the Venice case study pointing out the positive impact of assimilating radar data with lightning and GNSS for a very short-range forecast.