Tornado and Lightning

I have had many ideas, but one really stands out. I have had this particular idea for many years. I want to build a better tornado detection system that would reduce the warning lag time down to around 4-5 minutes down from the current 10-15 minutes. Although I think tornado science has fizzled down these last few years do to technology short comings, I have noted something of interest in a different field altogether; and a most unlike source at that. Paranormal researchers have been modifying thermal imaging cameras and infared equipment for many years. If I could develop a way to combine that technology with the information in the aerodynamics field, I could build a long range sensor that relies on infared signals, to detect surface distortion patterns. This would ultimately discover the early formation of tornadoes, as well as the channels of ideal disturbance patterns that would allow us to track the tornado's path before it forms. The only problem I have is developing an infared signal strong enough to withstand long distance fading. Perhaps a photo beam would work. Either that or it would create the very first transporter beam. Transporter room to Captain Kirk....!