1. A method for generating a short-term forecast of echo tops, the method comprising: (a) receiving a plurality of echo tops images each generated for a different time; (b) determining an echo tops growth rate for a pixel in one of the echo tops images in response to a value of the pixel in the respective echo tops image and a value of a respective pixel in at least one of the other echo tops images; (c) determining an echo tops maximum value for the pixel; and (d) generating an echo tops predicted value for the pixel in response to the one of the echo tops images, the echo tops growth rate and the echo tops maximum value.