Its main usage is to determine the probabilities of a tornado inside a Tornadic Vortex Signature on the rear flank of a storm, to better alert potential high-risk areas for tornadoes and to easily track them.
With the help of NEXRAD weather radar data, mesoscale models and algorithms, the index is measured on a scale of 0 to 10.
[1][2][3][4] The product was developed and is marketed by Baron Services of Huntsville, Alabama, and is a part of the company's VIPIR radar analysis product.
WMC-TV, the NBC affiliate in Memphis, Tennessee was the first station to implement the BTI during the 2008 Super Tuesday tornado outbreak on February 5, 2008 when tracking tornadoes over the Memphis and Jackson areas.
The precise tracking of severe storms led WMC-TV in a significant viewer rating.