Seeking The Tornado, NOAA/NWS 1986 Ancient Air Theatre 2024-01-10 | Seeking The Tornado [1986] was a NOAA National Weather Service spotter training film distributed to emergency management groups and weather forecast offices beginning in 1986. Intended as an upgrade from the 1977 'Spotter's Guide' slide and film series , this film added a new narrator along with then updated tornado films taken by National Severe Storms Laboratory storm intercept crews primarily from the 1981 tornado season. Prior to this era, such extensive, detailed film/video clips of tornadoes had been relatively sparse. The extended footage with music at the end was actually a 3/4" videotape recorded by a KAYS-TV news photojournalist on May 10, 1985 near Ellis, Kansas. It was bounced to 16mm film specifically for incorporation within this production. Ultimately STT was transferred and offered on videotape when VCR's became more commonplace in the later part of the decade. STT [1986] was frequently shown by National Weather Services offices across the Midwest and Plains until the early 1990's when it was replaced by the production of 'StormWatch' by Martin Lisius and the Texas Severe Storms Association [TESSA] in 1995. As it fell into the public domain in 1996, 'Seeking the Tornado' was eventually mass marketed by Good Times Home Video in the wake of 'Twister' and the tornado video production boom of 1996-1997. This has been remastered from a film to videotape copy. Produced by the National Weather Service, 1986.
Tempest Tours de Storm Tour 2 on KOCO TV 5 OKC, May 13, 2003 Ancient Air Theatre 2024-07-27 | May 13, 2003 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma KOCO TV 5 ABC reporter Jessica Schambach and Photojournalist Kyle Hamm filed this report that featured our original Tempest Tours "Tour 2 de' Storm" team leaders Kinney Adams, Brian Morganti and Blake Naftel two days shy of a big tornado day in the Texas panhandle. Thanks Jessica and Kyle for the fun little memory!Video © KOCO TV 5 ABC. All Rights Reserved. Archive copy provided to Blake Naftel by Jessica Schambach, 2003.
Storm Chasing Vocabulary with Storm Hunter Jack THUNDERHEAD Corso | 2014 Ancient Air Theatre 2024-07-27 | Jack THUNDERHEAD Corso explains his unique conversational vocabulary amongst the storm chasing community in the 1990's. Recorded in Harrison, New York, September 14, 2014 by Blake William Naftel. Part of the original Storm Chasing Anthology documentary project. Storm Chasing ANTHOLOGY Vol. 1: youtu.be/7kS3p3wpQgk?si=qTy2ytF61fcOcrLbEnjoy!All Rights Finitely Reserved.© 2014, 2024. Blake W. Naftel and Three Reel Films.
Eyewitness Storm Chaser to the Fridley, Minnesota TORNADO! July 18, 1986. Ancient Air Theatre 2024-07-25 | A first hand account by Fridley, Minnesota reside Scott Woelm of the July 18, 1986 Brooklyn Park and Fridley, Minnesota tornado from his perspective.Video and interview © Blake William Naftel. If you so choose to sample this, please ask and properly license first. Thanks!BWNblakenaftel.comnewwaveweather.comthreereelfilms.com
KARE 11 LIVE at 5 as the TORNADO happened! | Brooklyn Park, MN | July 18, 1986 Ancient Air Theatre 2024-07-25 | Edited original LIVE broadcast of the KARE 11 (formerly WTCN/WUSA) local television broadcast of the July 18, 1986 tornado broadcast with meteorologist Paul Douglas, and news anchors Diana Pierce and Paul Magers. This segment was part of the original Storm Chasing Anthology documentary from 2016.This was recorded off air by local resident Scott Woelm whom observed the tornado from his family's home as it transpired from his viewpoint.This video is fully copyrighted by KARE 11 and TEGNA/Gannett Corp. and can be formally licensed for historical profitable production use through the following URL: nimia.com/tegna-licensingVideo archived and preserved by Blake Naftel of Three Reel Films. Enjoy the history!Blake William Naftel
WILL OF THE WIND | 2003 Music Video by Brian A. Morganti Ancient Air Theatre 2024-07-22 | WILL OF THE WIND | 2003 Music Video Montage: A fun little ditty originally produced by US veteran, former seasonal Tempest Tours director and professional weather photojournalist, Brian A. Morganti featuring the many atmospheric sojourns of 2003. Originally available on VHS and later DVD for swap, share and sale in 2004.Just another example of the creativity that abounded between meteorologists, storm observers and weather nerds before the YouTube era. Enjoy!Original 1989 music video by The B 52's and director Drew Carolan: youtu.be/pB4G9WBYMFo?si=NAVN-MvvIUQH9Tg1stormeffects.com/about_me.htmtempesttours.comMultimedia © 2003 Brian A. Morganti, All Rights Reserved. Song: "Channel Z" from the 1989 album "Cosmic Thing."Music created and produced by The B 52's. © Warner Brothers Music, All Rights Reserved. Multimedia archived and transferred by Blake W. Naftel, July 2024:blakenaftel.comnewwaveweather.comthreereelfilms.com
IT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED YESTERDAY | Music Video | 2006 by William T. Reid Ancient Air Theatre 2024-07-22 | IT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED YESTERDAY | 2006 Music Montage Video produced by William T. Reid. "In The Sun" by Blondie. Original music written and created by Chris Stein and Debbie Harry. © 1976 Private Stock Records, LTD. Back in the day of the early 2000's and dating back to the mid 1980's, we storm chaser types used to create, swap, sell and share annual weather highlights on videotape, DVD and later the much improved Blu Ray disc. This is one such music montage by climatologist, storm hunter and veteran weather photojournalist, William T. Reid. Keep an eye out for for some fun cameos, a hat, a brooch and a pterodactyl. See you in the funny papers!Original 1978 Music Video by BLONDIE: youtu.be/dRCJ6C6Bcm4?si=xxRDq8GrmOTURjfHRecharged 2017 Music Video by Blake William Naftel = youtu.be/n0mtV9swg3YMultimedia © William T. Reid, All Rights Reserved.
WWMT-TV News 3 Severe Weather Special | March 1991 Ancient Air Theatre 2024-07-17 | WWMT News 3 | The 1991 Severe Weather Special: This WWMT-TV 3 broadcast originally aired at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 25, 1991, two days shy of a tornado outbreak across the Great Lakes region. The 1991 weather special, hosted by the then TV-3 weather staff Ron Boyd, Keith Thompson and John Wendell, was widely recorded on home video locally in West Michigan, utilized by teachers and educational outlets for several years in the early to mid 1990's. All of the elements of a classic local broadcast television severe weather special are presented. Local severe weather history, public awareness with Kalamazoo County Civil Defense, area school visits with then chief meteorologist John Wendell, interviews with the National Weather Service in Muskegon, Michigan [now Grand Rapids], winter weather awareness and additional pointers. Video from the March 27, 1991 tornado outbreak in the Great Lakes two days after this special broadcast can be accessed here: youtu.be/6FY4wK957kQProduced by Noel Sederstrom and the production staff at WWMT-TV 3.© WWMT-TV 3 Kalamazoo, Michigan, All Rights Reserved. Remastered from 3/4"/SVHS videotape into 1080p by Blake Naftel.
The Gotebo Fooler! Kiowa Co. Oklahoma Supercell Chase Day, June 2, 1985 Ancient Air Theatre 2024-06-02 | June 2, 1985 was a big high risk severe weather day in the Central Plains and specifically in Oklahoma. Storm chasers Jim Leonard and Chuck Robertson teamed up and ventured southwest towards Kiowa County near Hobart. They encountered a tornado warned supercell thunderstorm with a reported "tornado on the ground" by local weather spotters east of the small crossroads community of Gotebo, Oklahoma. Upon driving east they soon realized the "tornado" was actually smoke from a fire caused by lightning striking an oil derrick pump with smoke that was being ingested into the updraft base. At the same time from a different angle, the TOTO [Totable Tornado Observatory] crew from the National Severe Storms Laboratory observed the same sight. Documentary filmmakers Don Lenzer and Richard Lerner, whom were riding along, captured the same sight featured in this video along with Dr. Lou Wicker's mistaken comment of "tornado, tornado, I think we have a tornado" featured prominently in the 1985 PBS NOVA 'Tornado!' documentary. This specific event, of which also was mistaken by Jim Leonard and Chuck Robertson within this video, eventually became known around the Norman meteorology circuit as "The Gotebo Fooler". It's a great example of how experienced storm chasers and meteorologists can be had by nature.The 1985 PBS NOVA 'Tornado' original broadcast documentary can be viewed here in full: youtu.be/0sBpR7LlmLULater that same day, Jim Leonard and Chuck Robertson recorded a spectacular hail and lightning event with the high precipitation supercell that continued east. That video became one of the most utilized "storm chase" videos in the mid-1980's, as there were very few high quality [videotapes] around at that point. The hail and lightning encounter, which significantly damaged Jim's vehicle, is probably one of the better known sequences to many long time severe weather video viewers. Many watching this will likely remember it from the Tornado Video Classics video series or from broadcast television versions through the late 1990's.This is most of the raw video from June 2, 1985, provided by Jim Leonard and Chuck Robertson. Jim Leonard passed away on November 3, 2014. Videography by Jim Leonard, © 1985, All Rights Reserved. This video along with many other photographs, films and videotapes provided from Jim Leonard over the years are physically preserved for posterity at the Southwest Special Collections Library at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.
Matt Biddles MODERATE RISK Chase Highlights | 1994-1995-1996 Ancient Air Theatre 2024-06-02 | Matt Biddle's MODERATE RISK Chase Highlights | 1994-1995-1996: In the spirit of Hollywood summer blockbusters that involve storm chasers, tornadoes and severe weather both past and present, this original storm chase video highlight production came about a few months after the 1996 action adventure film 'Twister' was in the mainstream. Produced and conceived mostly by Matt Biddle and Charles Edwards, both participants with the NOAA Project VORTEX field projects in 1994 and 1996, combined with the assistance of many other friends and organizations, 'MODERATE RISK' is a fun, intentionally low-budget storm chase highlight video that was traded and sold in very small numbers via Matt Biddle's now defunct MODERATE RISK homepage. It incorporates on-camera opinions and original interviews with Matt and Charles, along with a running 1996 'Twister' Parody. Matt along with Mark Herndon [also featured reading to his young son] were also hired on as uncredited professional storm chasers that aided the 'Twister' production. Actor Cary Elwes even managed to get in a few actual storm treks with Matt and Mark, despite the overwhelming discouragement of the director, however those moments are not part of this production. MODERATE RISK and 'Some Fear' [a play on the popular 'No Fear' t-shirts of the 1990's era] were fun "brands" that Biddle created including t-shirts, bumper stickers, iron on logos, hats and a few annual video productions on VHS or SVHS videotape. This one was one of the better attempts and combines several top tornado intercepts during Project VORTEX 1994-95, along with a Doppler On Wheels intercept of Hurricane Fran [near Wilmington] that made landfall at Cape Fear, North Carolina.While the VHS tape copy has degraded in parts, it's still enjoyable to watch. Most viewers of this channel will recognize the close-range June 8, 1995 Allison, Texas VORTEX Probe 3 tornado encounter, of which was a direct inspiration for the big wedge tornado at the end of Twister [1996]. Storm chaser highlight videotapes on a grand scale from the 1990's often had a lot of creativity and video editing experimentation mixed in. This fun and eccentric video is a classic example. It's entirely edited linear style, deck to deck and comes from a second generation VHS tape copy.Dr. Matt Biddle, originally from the Toledo, Ohio area, was a scientist and storm chaser who earned his PhD in geography with a specialization in natural hazards and specifically tornado ecology. Despite many health setbacks through his life, he was always a very determined, friendly, knowledgable and often highly opinionated individual. He LOVED the Red Wings! Along with assisting the production of 'Twister' he also aided Tom and Doris Grazulis and The Tornado Project with their Tornado Video Classics III production in 1995 along with other mainstream US and international weather video productions. He passed away on April 10, 2018. An excellent tribute to Matt about his life written by Dr. Chuck Doswell can be read here: http://cadiiitalk.blogspot.com/2018/04/a-tribute-to-matt-biddle-my-friend-and.htmlThis tape along with others were provided by Matt to the Blake Naftel/Ancient Air archives in September 2014 of which was the first time Matt and I directly met in person verses through e-mail. Like many other independent storm chase highlight tapes that were not intentionally for profit, rather made for fun and trade amongst chasers/meteorologists, this video does incorporate copyrighted music at times and therefore may be blocked in some territories. The video has been left predominately in tact, with a 'Twister' segment interview with Matt and Mark Herndon on the CBC omitted. That CBC interview video segment is available here: youtu.be/NGj6KFwYJXYMatt's original video productions and raw material from VORTEX 1994-1995 are preserved along with other items from his MODERATE RISK storm chaser website era at Texas Tech University within the Southwest Special Collections Library in Lubbock, Texas. Video produced and edited by Matt Biddle and friends. ©1996, All Rights Reserved. Enjoy!
Meet The Hodograph! Amarillo, TX National Weather Service, May 19, 1988 Ancient Air Theatre 2024-05-31 | The Hodograph is now a daily forecast tool to digitally plot vertical wind shear from one level to another or by way of simulated soundings. In 1988 it was a relatively new piece of technology introduced at most National Weather Service forecast offices and used for aiding meteorologists in forecasting rotating storms and potential tornadoes. This video was recorded by David Hoadley, the first "interstate" storm chaser in modern 20th century US history at the former Amarillo National Weather Service forecast office, several years before NOAA modernization and consolidation of various offices around the United States.This video is an excellent visual reference of how early hodographs were just starting to be integrated into daily forecasts by way of the old NOAA AFOS computer system [Automation of Field Operations and Services], along with exactly how most storm chasers in America obtained "fresh" morning weather data to set a course for potential storm observations later in the days/weeks ahead. Amarillo happened to be one of the more "chaser friendly" offices in the 1980's through mid-1990's, well before the ease of internet and mobile data became a thing post 1997. More information on the Hodograph via NWS Louisville:weather.gov/media/lmk/soo/Hodographs_Wind-Shear.pdfVideo recorded and provided by David K. Hoadley, © 1988.
May 1980 Weather Broadcasts, WKZO-TV 3 Kalamazoo, Michigan Ancient Air Theatre 2024-04-16 | Two live weather broadcasts with Mark [Rick] Amick on then WKZO-TV 3 (now WWMT-TV) in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The first is from the 6pm newscast on May 16th, 1980; a few days after the Kalamazoo, Michigan tornado on the 13th. The second segment from the 6pm newscast on May 21st, 1980, two days after the eruption of Mount Saint Helens.This was in the pre-computerized weather graphics era, with magnet maps a staple for many broadcast television weather casts. The conventional live weather radar at WKZO was an ADC brand maintained atop the backyard tower of broadcast house at 590 West Maple Street. Technicians could jump between dial up National Weather Service radar returns in Detroit, Muskegon and Marseilles, Illinois outside of Chicago for regional views. Videotape broadcasts provided by Rick Amick. Multimedia © WWMT-TV, All Rights Reserved.
Weather First Alert: The Five Minute Edge | WWMT-TV, April 2001 Ancient Air Theatre 2024-03-21 | Weather First Alert: The Five Minute Edge | WWMT-TV, April 2001This was originally a live local West Michigan severe weather special with some taped elements that broadcast in late April 2001 on WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The station had recently upgraded it's live Doppler Radar unit with a Baron system and this program showcased the many new features of the radar. The special worked in various severe weather segments including a 2001 spring weather outlook, a visit with the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids, Michigan; the May 1996 local premiere of 'Twister' in Portage, Michigan; a feature on the May 3, 1999 tornado outbreak in Central Oklahoma, a recorded interview with then KWTV 9 chief meteorologist, Gary England, a garden-hose variety crash course in radar signal transmission, and a quick retrospective on the May 13, 1980 Kalamazoo, Michigan tornado. The program was also my first professional experience assisting with co-producing and contributing elements for a local severe weather production, fittingly in my hometown of Kalamazoo. The over-hyped intro was typical for local news stations of the era and more of a promotional department thing than anything else. This was a time when WWMT and other station groups were still providing coverage using station-owned operational live Doppler Radar systems, before most affiliates dropped live radars in lieu of utilizing "real-time" National Weather Service WSR-88D imagery with a simulated "live" radar sweep for effect. Program produced by Noel Sederstrom. © 2001, WWMT-TV, All Rights Reserved.
Winds of Change | WLNS-TV Lansing, Michigan | April 1996 Ancient Air Theatre 2024-03-21 | Winds of Change | WLNS-TV Lansing, Michigan | April 1996:A flood of local television severe weather specials crested in the Spring of 1996 across much of the Midwestern United States.WLNS-TV in Lansing, Michigan produced and broadcast 'Winds of Change' in late April 1996 during the annual statewide severe weather awareness week and on the heels of a May premiere of 'Twister', also prominently featured. It follows the standard local television production "formula" for severe weather specials, then and still now to an extent. Most interesting at the time was the nationwide National Weather Service modernization that transpired in the mid-1990's. A quick tour of the then new Grand Rapids, Michigan forecast office is included, along with interviews from forecasters at the time, intermixed with affiliate stock tornado video, survivor stories and assorted safety tips. Program © 1996 WLNS-TV, All Rights Reserved.
March 27, 1991: Southern Michigan Tornado Outbreak | News Stories Ancient Air Theatre 2024-03-18 | A two-day tornado and severe weather outbreak unfolded from the Central Plains into the Midwest and Great Lakes on March 26-27, 1991. In Southern and Central Michigan, several supercell thunderstorms produced 15 tornadoes from Battle Creek, Marshall and onward through the east side of the state. 1991 was an extremely active tornado year for the Plains and Midwest, this event would soon be elapsed by many other outbreaks that followed in April and May. The video begins with scenes recorded by a WWMT-TV photojournalist in the Schoolcraft, Michigan area of southern Kalamazoo County, jumps to a funnel cloud moving on shore in Grand Haven, then cuts back to the large hail in and around Kalamazoo County, followed by tornado damage in Calhoun County.On a personal note as the archivist and uploader of this material; I vividly recall this event, specifically the pitch greenish black skies as the storm approached, softball size hail and spectacular mammatus clouds after the supercell had passed my family home in southern Kalamazoo County. It's still the largest hail I've witnessed in Michigan [or anywhere] to date. This is a compilation of video, live coverage and news stories by WWMT-TV 3 in Kalamazoo, Michigan and The Weather Channel [live from Fort Wayne, Indiana] from March 27, 28, 1991; followed up with a WWMT story about the Calhoun County, Michigan tornado rebuilding efforts later in June 1991. Video © WWMT-TV and The Weather Channel, 1991, All Rights Reserved.
The Monticello, Indiana Tornado, April 3, 1974 | Survivor Stories Ancient Air Theatre 2024-03-12 | On April 3, 1974, a series of destructive tornadoes, one specifically a long-track significant tornado that produced widespread F4 damage across western and north-central [mid-north] Indiana made a direct strike on the community of Monticello in White County, Indiana. In March 2008, I recorded video interviews with tornado eyewitnesses and survivors for a historical segment on the Monticello tornado, part of a larger 25-minute local broadcast severe weather special at WLFI-TV 18. These interviews are from a work edit tape with select sound cuts I saved, not the full raw interviews. The finalized April 2008 story about the Monticello Tornado from the WLFI-TV severe weather special follows the interviews. Some original color 16mm film taken by WLFI-TV on April 4, 1974 is included in the segment. I seem to have misplaced the copy of that footage I had, but if I ever find it again, I'll place it into the 'Ancient Air' archive. In other spots I composited film footage taken by Bruce Boyd at Xenia, Ohio on April 3, 1974, along with a few segments from 'The Day Of The Killer Tornadoes' public awareness film, and some [then] more recent tornado video by Jim Leonard and myself. The black and white photographs were taken by the Monticello Daily Herald Journal.In retrospect an entire documentary could have easily been produced and was something I likely considered while at WLFI, but as a general public awareness weather production, we were limited with time.Produced by Blake Naftel and Mike Prangley, March 2008.© 2008 Blake Naftel and WLFI-TV, All Rights Reserved. Photographs © 1974, The Monticello Herald Journal, All Rights Reserved. Additional information on the April 3, 1974 Monticello, Indiana tornado, one of 147 others during the "Super Outbreak' across the Midwest, Northeast, Southeastern United States and Southern Ontario, Canada can be accessed here: weather.gov/iwx/19740403_superoutbreak
April 26-27, 1994 West Lafayette, Indiana Tornado Stories, WLFI-TV Ancient Air Theatre 2024-03-12 | Just before midnight on April 26, 1994, a severe thunderstorm spawned a significant and deadly F4 tornado that devastated portions of West Lafayette and Battle Ground in Tippecanoe and Carroll County, Indiana. This is a compilation of original news stories filed by reporters and photojournalists at WLFI-TV 18 in West Lafayette, Indiana between April 27 and May 9, 1994. The tornado was one of if not the worst to strike the Lafayette area to date. For some context as to how this video is still in existence. I was a video journalist, editor and weather producer at WLFI-TV between 2006-2008. The stories presented in this compilation were originally archived on 3/4" videotapes that I converted over to Betacam SP tape copies for integration into the productions produced for the station/weather department at the time. About a decade later, I was made aware that all of the original 3/4" file videotapes in the news archive were thrown away in a hasty decision. To my knowledge, these are likely the only surviving copies of the original stories filed the week of the 1994 tornado. While natural disasters are never pleasant for anyone involved, these stories give a sample of the events from that night and remain preserved for future generations. Additional information on the April 26-27, 1994 West Lafayette, Indiana tornado via NOAA: weather.gov/media/publications/assessments/West%20Lafayette%20IN%20Tornado%201994.pdfA more-recent retrospective story by WLFI-TV with full details of the event can be accessed here: wlfi.com/news/local-weather-history-the-nocturnal-april-26-27-1994-tornadoes/article_7458defa-c5a5-11ec-8bb6-cb47373dc7a8.htmlAll video is copyrighted by WLFI-TV 18 © 1994, All Rights Reserved.
June 3, 1990: Darlington, Indiana Tornado Stories, WLFI-TV Ancient Air Theatre 2024-03-12 | These news stories were produced by WLFI-TV 18 on June 3, 1990 in and near the town of Darlington and portions of Montgomery County, Indiana a day after the significant outbreak of 65 tornadoes across portions of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.Nine deaths and 253 injuries across the Wabash River and Lower Ohio Valleys. 37 tornadoes transpired in Indiana alone, breaking the record set on April 3, 1974 of 21. The second news package on this compilation has substantial playback and insert edit tracking issues from the original 3/4" videotape, but is included for historical reference and posterity vs. quality.Additional information on the June 2-3, 1990 tornado outbreak can be accessed here: weather.gov/ind/june2_1990torVideo © 1990 WLFI-TV, All Rights Reserved.
The Chase, May 1996 Re-Broadcast, TWC Ancient Air Theatre 2024-02-12 | The Chase [1995] is a documentary about storm chasers originally produced by The Weather Channel that originally broadcast in the Fall of 1995. On the heels the 1994 program 'Target Tornado', a successful Spring tornado season for Project VORTEX 1995 and independent chasers allowed for a slew of new material and stories to be recorded. It was the first time The Weather Channel had dedicated an entire program strictly to the subject of storm chasers. The show follows several storm chasers and meteorologists of the era whom were fairly well known within a then small, tight knit group of individuals who pursued severe weather each spring in the United States. The film 'Twister' was being shot on location in Oklahoma at the time this program was produced, and the largest scientific field research program on tornadoes up to that point in time, Project VORTEX was ongoing. A few months prior in March 1995, The Weather Channel hosted the first storm chaser conference in Norman, Oklahoma. It was from that very conference where the seeds of this program originated, and was the first time any substantial group of storm chasers, meteorologists, weather enthusiasts and the media had assembled in such a manner. This is the May 1996 re-broadcast of 'The Chase' that aired on The Weather Channel the week 'Twister' premiered nationwide on May 10, 1995. It was also made available for sale through The Weather Channel home video collection, and complimented other programs produced by TWC in the 1990's.Additional information on Project VORTEX 1994-1995: https://www.eol.ucar.edu/field_projects/vortex-95The 1994 program 'Target Tornado' is available here: youtu.be/_BYSOKU33xU©1995, 1996 The Weather Channel, All Rights Reserved.
Target Tornado! Original September 1994 Broadcast, TWC Ancient Air Theatre 2024-02-07 | Target Tornado! [1994] chronicles several noteworthy significant tornado events from the 20th century, the evolution of tornado motion picture film and video and the first operational year for NOAA's Project VORTEX. The program incorporated many of the films, videos and decades of research collected, preserved and published by tornado historian Tom Grazulis; the first national broadcast television special to provide exposure to The Tornado Project. Tornado survivor stories include now rare interviews with survivors of the March 18, 1925 tri-state tornado, and a 20th anniversary follow up with survivors of the April 3, 1974 Xenia, Ohio tornado. By far, this program was one of if not the best nationally broadcast feature on tornado history, historical tornado videos and research in the 1990's, nor did it rely on hyperbole or shock value to retain viewers. The special was also offered for sale on VHS home video in the 1990's. In a similar vein to the 1985 PBS NOVA Tornado! documentary that is also available on this channel, the second half of this program showcases efforts by meteorologists and storm chasers during the rather lackluster season for Project VORTEX 1994. Regardless of the lack of tornadoes, the segment offered some enjoyable insight into the largest field operation for tornado research of the era.'Target Tornado' was part of a series of tornado and severe weather themed programs produced by The Weather Channel that commenced in 1992 and concluded in 1996. Those included 'The Enemy Wind' [1992], 'Storm Chaser: Warren Faidley' [1992, 1996], 'Target Tornado' [1994], 'The Chase' [1995], 'Tornadoes '95 [1996], 'Five Great Weather Disasters' [1996] and 'Tornado Chase '96 [1996]. The show also generated interest in the first national 'storm chaser conference' sponsored and held by The Weather Channel in March 1995.This is the original September 25, 1994 cable broadcast as recorded, complete with local forecasts from the Kalamazoo, Michigan region; commercials and a tropical weather segment that follows the show.Target Tornado © 1994 The Weather Channel, All Rights Reserved.
The Day of The Killer Tornadoes | April 1974 Super Tornado Outbreak Ancient Air Theatre 2024-02-06 | THE DAY OF THE KILLER TORNADOES [1975]: The "Super Outbreak" of tornadoes on April 3-4, 1974 was a terribly impactful severe weather event for many generations effected in the decades that followed. Hundreds of people fell victim to the winds, thousands more sustained injury from the 148 tornadoes that swept through the Midwest, East and Southeastern United States in under 18 hours. The most recent historical comparison to this tornado outbreak are the events from April 27, 2011. Brandenburg, Kentucky, Cincinnati and Xenia, Ohio, Guin and Huntsville, Alabama are among the many widespread localities visited in this film through original motion picture photography and reenactments. Typically shown at Civil Defense and weather spotter training meetings in the 1970's and 1980's, this film was a follow up by the producers of the film 'A Lady Named Camille' [1970] that chronicled the August 1969 Cat-5 hurricane Camille in Mississippi. On a side note, WHAS-AM helicopter traffic reporter Dick Gilbert was the first to broadcast a live audio report of a developing tornado from a helicopter via radio. A dramatization of that event is also recreated with Dick Gilbert within this film.The Day of The Killer Tornadoes is public domain by this point and has been sampled by countless television newscasts, programs and documentaries since its release to the public in 1975.Additional information on the April 3-4, 1974 "Super" tornado outbreak: vlab.noaa.gov/web/nws-heritage/-/the-april-1974-super-outbreak-of-tornadoes
Tornado Alley [1997] The History Channel, Documentary Ancient Air Theatre 2024-01-27 | Tornado Alley [1997] Part of the "Wrath of God" documentary series, this production features several historical United States tornado events that transpired in the 19th and 20th centuries with stories primarily focused around the March 18, 1925 tri-state tornado in southern Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. Eyewitnesses and survivors recount that event in original interviews in one of the last broadcast productions to present such original stories. At times the program takes visual liberties with stock tornado video and photos that are completely unrelated to actual events, incorporated for dramatic effect. Produced by Towers Productions for The History Channel, "Tornado Alley" aired during the peak of a tornado program boom for cable and television networks in the later part of the 1990's and was eventually marketed by A&E Home Video. This is remastered from an original production videotape and presented in high definition. Additional information on the March 18, 1925 tri-state tornado: weather.gov/pah/1925Tornado_ssVideo © 1996, 1997 Towers Productions, The History Channel, All Rights Reserved.
1977 Augusta, Michigan Tornado Retrospective, WOOD-TV 1994 Ancient Air Theatre 2024-01-24 | In 1994 for Michigan severe weather awareness week, WOOD-TV visited Augusta, Michigan for a retrospective look at the April 2, 1977 tornado that devastated portions of the community. Part of the 'Live at Five' program, the broadcast interviewed locals about their memories, showcased an original news package from 1977 and wrapped the show with traditional severe weather safety tips.These are the live remotes from that April 2, 1994 WOOD-TV 'Live at Five' newscast recorded off air when originally broadcast. Pardon the audio buzz in the original videotape recording. Video © 1994 WOOD-TV, All Rights Reserved.
The Tornado: Approaching The Unapproachable, 1972 Ancient Air Theatre 2024-01-20 | In the early 1970's, educational films about tornadoes were few and far between. There were two governmental films, 'Tornado' in 1956 and the revised versions that followed in 1967 and 1970. The first film to explore the mysteries of tornado phenomenon in depth was this production by Tom and Doris Grazulis. 'The Tornado: Approaching the Unapproachable' was released to schools and university groups in 1972. A complimentary 35mm slide program with audio tapes was also either available or intended to be released. The film fell into relative obscurity until it resurfaced on the first extended video compilation of 'Tornado Videos Classics: Volume One' in 1992, also produced by Tom and Doris Grazulis. With home video a main player by the early 1990's, this film found additional audiences. As quality films of tornadoes in motion were far and few between in 1972, much of the stock footage incorporated ranged from the mid-1950's through late 1960's. Overall this was one of the better educational films, if not the best, to be produced in the 1970's until the National Weather Service released 'Spotters Guide' in 1977/78. This copy of 'The Tornado: ATU' 1972 is remastered in 1080 high definition from an original source tape. © 1972 Environmental Films, The Tornado Project. Produced by Tom and Doris Grazulis, All Rights Reserved.
The Perils of Spring: 1978 Severe Weather Special, WZZM-TV Ancient Air Theatre 2024-01-18 | Two months after the "Great Blizzard" of 1978, WZZM-TV 13 in Grand Rapids dedicated the station's half-hour public affairs program 'West Michigan Update' to spring severe weather awareness. 'The Perils of Spring' is a dialogue between host Jim Riekse with broadcast meteorologists Craig James and Bill Steffen. Intermixed as stock footage are portions from the 1975 documentary 'The Day of the Killer Tornadoes' that chronicled the April 3-4, 1974 Super Outbreak. The special also supplemented the NOAA and National Weather Service spotters guide film 'Detecting Tornadoes' narrated by Fort Worth, Texas NWS meteorologist Al Moller. That film, produced in 1977, was relatively new to all emergency management, media and the public. This was one of the earliest television broadcasts of the 'Detecting Tornadoes' film in the United States.West Michigan severe weather seasonal activity had been consistently active in the decades leading up to this special. 1953, 1965, 1967-68, 1974 and 1977 had all produced some form of substantial significant tornado or regional outbreak in the broadcast market. Public severe weather awareness by way of television was becoming more informative and competitive amongst local stations as well, with live conventional weather radar being a vital tool for both warnings and ratings. While primitive by today's standards, many of the points made in this special still remain valid in this very matter of fact, non-sensational 1978 presentation. Video © 1978 WZZM-TV, All Rights Reserved.
Wrath of God: 1974 Super Outbreak Tornadoes [Documentary] 1999 Ancient Air Theatre 2024-01-16 | 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the devastating "Super Outbreak" of 148 tornadoes in 18-hours across the Midwest, Great Lakes, Northeast, Southeastern United States and Southern Ontario, Canada on April 3-4, 1974. It was the most widespread and vastly studied mega tornado outbreaks in the 20th century, elapsed in April 2011 by an even larger outbreak over many of the same geographic areas. Numerous documentaries, television/cable programs, and many videos found on YouTube discuss the event in assorted detail. In 1999, Towers Productions produced this 45-minute documentary for A&E Home Video and The History Channel. Part of 'The Wrath of God" series, it was one of the more comprehensive ever produced, and complemented a segment on the "Roar of 1974" included in the 'Target Tornado' program by The Weather Channel in 1994. While producers of this program took some visual liberties with assorted tornado stock footage; from a combination of meteorological overviews, eyewitnesses and survivor perspectives, this remains an excellent in-depth overview for anyone interested in learning about the event. Further reading can be found here via the National Weather Service @NWSWilmingtonOH: weather.gov/iln/19740403Remastered from videotape and presented in 1080p high definition. © 1999 Towers Productions, The History Channel. All Rights Reserved
May 1987 Weather News on The Weather Channel, PBS AM Weather Ancient Air Theatre 2024-01-12 | This video is a sample of cable and broadcast television recordings from May 18-19, 1987 on The Weather Channel and PBS AM Weather, recorded to videotape as they aired. By the mid-1980's, 24/7 cable weather had only one main source for broadcast weather information: The Weather Channel. There were no competitors to this level at the time. PBS AM Weather was the closest to a secondary outlet, and proceeded TWC by a few years. The AMWX program went in depth with maps, surface and upper air charts, but ultimately the 'AM Weather' program succumbed to passive viewer ratings and more competition from local/regional/national outlets by the early 1990's. Technology evolved rapidly as well. The colorful thumbnail included from PBS 'AM Weather' is up for a reason. How often do you encounter a flashy thumbnail accompanied by a IMPACT statement that pulls you into a live, modern real-time weather multicast on YouTube? A major media paradigm shift is underway in terms of how internet and broadcast television weather information is presented, sold and consumed. At the end of the day, it's a mix of information, entertainment, occasionally engaging personalities and business. On YouTube there are no rules or much if any regulation at this time. The newer formats continue to draw viewers away from traditional outlets, regardless of hype. Has it evolved, revolved or devolved?Technological and real-time weather information delivery [instant video, reports, etc] are leaps and bounds further than what these broadcasts offered, but just because there are more "channels" and personalities that deliver weather content nowadays, does it benefit the masses or do a disservice? Are there too many options? Is it confusing? Or do people just like to be entertained by a very primitive interest in weather? Opinions vary greatly. Numbers and analytics speak volumes. Either way, all of these broadcasts are product of a bygone era, where at the very least, we can see how far "digital" weather delivery systems have grown for better or worse since 1987.Video by The Weather Channel and PBS © 1987, All Rights Reserved.
Storm Chaser Jack Corso, Late Night with Conan OBrien, May 1996 Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-29 | Here's a fun throwback from the storm chaser history archives! In May 1996, the Hollywood blockbuster film 'Twister' was in theaters nationwide [in the US and Canada], and "storm chasing" as a topic of media conversation hit a peak with numerous programs, documentaries and news features about the topic. The producers of NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien also broached the topic, and rather than seek out a scientist or self-promotional storm photojournalist, they found just the character to fit the program. Jack Corso, a long time storm "hunter", photographer and United States Postal Service employee who formally lived in Harrison, New York fit the bill. This segment features Conan and Corso in a nonchalant discussion about "storm chasing", the realities of the movie 'Twister' along with some in house special effects for good measure. While this is how the general public viewed "storm chasers" then and, in a more extreme sense nowadays, the Corso appearance was also the first time a "storm chaser" was featured on a late night network comedy-talk show.For other news program features on "storm chasing" and "Twister" in 1996, see this video compilation: youtu.be/giN1cCyxvQw?si=TUilIJjazWRwtWzNVideo © 1996 NBC Universal, Late Night™ ®, All Rights Reserved.
April 10, 1979 Lawton, Oklahoma Tornado Retrospectives Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-29 | A year after the Red River Valley tornado outbreak of April 10, 1979, KSWO-TV 7 in Lawton, Oklahoma produced a series of tornado preparedness segments with most centered on the significant tornado events at Lawton, Oklahoma, Vernon and Wichita Falls, Texas. While basic some historical video clips from Lawton and Wichita Falls are featured, most is intermixed with stock film from the 1975 production 'The Day of the Killer Tornadoes' that was common b-roll for many news outlets of the era.Additional information on the Red River Valley tornado outbreak of April 10, 1979: weather.gov/oun/events-19790410A local 1980 documentary on the April 10, 1979 tornado events by KAUZ-TV: youtu.be/DICmmhl2z-c?si=CuLhqF6HmPamid2wVideo © 1980 KSWO-TV, All Rights Reserved. Remastered in 2023 from a 3/4" U-Matic videotape.
May 31, 1985 Tornado Outbreak at Barrie, Ontario, CBC Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-29 | This CBC news report from June 1, 1985 chronicles the tornado outbreak from the day before, May 31, 1985 across eastern Ohio, western and central Pennsylvania and southern Ontario, specifically hard hit Barrie. Specifically the Ontario portion of the outbreak caused immense damage, killed five people at Barrie and injured hundreds of others. Some graphic content is featured in this rather age-worn VHS videotape. An article on the May 31, 1985 Barrie, Ontario tornado can be accessed here: globalnews.ca/news/4245391/barrie-tornado-1985Video © 1985, Canadian Broadcast Company.
April 30, 1967 Southern Minnesota Tornadoes Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-29 | Late April into early May in the Midwest was extremely active for tornadoes. April 30, 1967 in Northern Iowa and Southern Minnesota was yet another significant tornado outbreak occurrence only a week after a separate devastating outbreak transpired over Northern Illinois into West Michigan. This Universal Newsreel chronicles only a small portion of the aftermath by the April 30, 1967 tornado outbreak. A gross over-estimate of tornado windspeed [i.e. 500 miles per hour] common to this era is mentioned by the narrator. An excellent retrospective of the events on this day can be accessed here: weather.gov/media/mpx/April30-1967-MN-Tornadoes.pdfFilm © Universal Newsreel, 1967.
April 21, 1967 Northern Illinois Tornadoes Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-29 | A deadly tornado outbreak transpired across the Midwest and western Great Lakes on April 21, 1967. Significant tornadoes swept through the communities of Belvidere and shortly thereafter Lake Zurich and Oak Lawn, Illinois. 58 people died and thousands others sustained personal injuries. Locally for several generations this day became known as "Black Friday", nor has there been a repeat of this event in the decades since, although a few events have come close in geographic occurrences and intensity [Lamont 1976, Plainfield 1990, and Chicago, west suburbs, 2023].This Universal Newsreel chronicles only a brief glimpse of the tornado aftermath. Further information on the April 21, 1967 tornado outbreak can be accessed here: weather.gov/lot/1967_April_TornadoesFilm © 1967 UPI, Universal Newsreel.
Storm Chasers [1996] with Matt Biddle and Mark Herndon, CBC Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-28 | The media circus surrounding the topic of storm chasing, storm chasers and the Hollywood blockbuster film 'Twister' reached a crescendo in mid-1996. It seemed wherever one turned, mostly on television, were interviews with seasoned storm chasers [or those intentionally seeking notoriety] about the realities of the topic. This interview by the Canadian Broadcast Company spotlights two chasers whom were directly associated with aiding the some elements in the development of 'Twister', Matt Biddle and Mark Herndon. Matt Biddle was working on his MS in geography at the University of Oklahoma and participated in Project VORTEX 94-95, as part of the Probe 3 crew. His eccentric personal vehicle, a decked out Chevy El Camino, along with his "Moderate Risk" + "Some Fear" promotional branding and storm chase highlight videotape productions of that era were all fun parts of his personality. Afflicted by numerous health ailments since birth, his determination and drive was inspiring to anyone who knew him. Matt passed away on April 10, 2018. A tribute to Matt Biddle by Dr. Chuck Doswell can be accessed here: http://cadiiitalk.blogspot.com/2018/04/a-tribute-to-matt-biddle-my-friend-and.htmlMark Herndon signed onto the 1995-96 Twister production as a consultant and storm chaser, leading actors out on actual storm treks and guided film crews [with Biddle] to aid in capturing actual storm cinematography that was intermixed with computer simulations in the film. Herndon, an avid rock climber and self-admitted thrill seeker began chasing in the late 1980's and joined up with Biddle prior to the inception of Twister. This CBC interview with Biddle and Herndon is an excellent representation of how storm chasing was both achieving a foothold in popular culture, yet still remained in humble territory for what was to come a decade later. In 2014, I interviewed both Matt and Mark for the Storm Chasing Anthology documentary project, but Matt's health had taken a turn for the worse which made long conversations problematic. This perhaps is the best interview I am aware of that featured both Matt and Mark. Video © 1996 CBC, All Rights Reserved. The Twister clips were furnished to media outlets worldwide for promotion of the film and are © 1996 Warner Bros. and Amblin Entertainment.
Storm Chasers [1991] News Features, WKRC-TV Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-27 | Tim Hedrick, the [late] former chief meteorologist for WKRC-TV in Cincinnati, Ohio ventured to the University of Oklahoma in mid April 1991 to feature graduate student storm chasers for a multi-day special news series that aired locally [in Ohio] during the later part of May 1991. The WKRC crew chronicled the chasers between two noteworthy events, April 12 and April 26, 1991. Bad timing from them. The formula for this program follows much in the same vein as prior documentaries by NOVA, National Geographic and other stations. Some material was pulled from Oklahoma City KFOR-TV, as well as from the April 26, 1991 Andover, Kansas event to showcase both tornadoes and an actual tornado intercept. These are the first three segments as they originally aired.© 1991 WKRC-TV, All Rights Reserved.
Ohio/Pennsylvania Tornadoes, NBC News, June 1, 1985 Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-27 | A destructive tornado outbreak swept across eastern Ohio, western/central Pennsylvania and portions of southern Ontario, Canada on the evening of May 31, 1985. 44 tornadoes, several of which were later rated as significant F4 and F5 in strength, injured thousands and caused over 90 deaths. This NBC News broadcast from the following evening, June 1, 1985, chronicles the events from that day. Further information on the US side of the May 31, 1985 tornado outbreak: weather.gov/ctp/TornadoOutbreak_May311985For an article on the Canadian portion of the outbreak: barrie.ctvnews.ca/it-s-a-historic-storm-remembering-the-barrie-tornado-38-years-later-1.6421139Video © 1985 NBC News, All Rights Reserved.
NSSL Snyder, Oklahoma Tornado Intercept, May 14, 1986 Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-27 | This was an active day for the National Severe Storms Laboratory TOTO [TOtable Tornado Observatory] crews on May 14, 1986 and an excellent visual presentation at how organized scientific-based research storm chasing was conducted in this era of time. Graduate students led by Lou Wicker and Bob Davies-Jones chronicled a brief tornado near Snyder. No deployment occurred, but there were plenty of excited storm chasers. Others in the area also caught this piece of wind on tape, notably Jim Leonard, whom towards the end of this video, a joking jest directed at Leonard and crew: "We got here first, get out of here!" is exclaimed in passing by Dr. Lou Wicker. Video © 1986 National Severe Storms Laboratory.
Oshkosh, Wisconsin Tornado Films, April 21, 1974 Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-27 | These films were taken by area residents as several significant tornadoes occurred around the Oshkosh, Wisconsin region on April 21, 1974. One individual who was within close proximity to the first film provided by WBAY-TV has written up an account and posted photographs here: http://www.scarylookingcloudclub.org/blog/2016/8/27/august-27-2016This video composite of Oshkosh tornado films was archived by the National Severe Storms Laboratory from various sources, including WBAY-TV. The film sequences were used in numerous television programs and documentaries about tornadoes in the 1970's and 1980's.
Orienta, Oklahoma Tornado, May 2, 1979 Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-27 | The evolutionary momentum of this multiple-vortex tornado near Orienta, Oklahoma was mesmerizing to those who viewed it on May 2, 1979. This 16mm silent film was taken by the University of Oklahoma storm intercept crew led by Dr. Howard Bluestein and chronicles various forms of vortex build up and break down. The sequence was unique at the time, captivating and used in hundreds of television programs and documentaries about tornadoes in the decades that followed. 16mm film © 1979 National Severe Storms Laboratory, NOAA. A detailed writeup about Project SESAME-79 can be downloaded here: journals.ametsoc.org/downloadpdf/journals/bams/61/6/1520-0477-61_6_560.xml
Terrible Tuesday, 1984 NOAA Public Awareness Video Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-25 | Released in 1984 as a NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] public awareness video, "Terrible Tuesday" recounts the devastating tornado event of Tuesday, April 10, 1979 at Wichita Falls, Texas. Meteorologist Al Moller, whom co-developed a successful nationwide [United States] National Weather Service spotter training program which included slides and films, makes a cameo in this production while providing tornado safety tips. The "Terrible Tuesday" video production was also bounced and distributed on a 16mm film version, mostly provided to National Weather Service offices. Clips from the video made frequent appearances as tornado b-roll in television programs and documentaries for years to follow.This production also initiated a widespread public misconception of seeking shelter underneath highway overpasses, in part from a survivor account of the Wichita Falls, Texas tornado, all less than a decade prior to the infamous April 26, 1991 "underpass" video by KSNW-TV near El Dorado, Kansas that further perpetuated rather bad advice. This is a remastered version of the original 1984 videotape produced by Thirty-Five Sixteen Productions for NOAA. The video has always been public domain, as it was funded by tax dollars for when NOAA had a budget to commission such productions.The local KAUZ-TV 1980 documentary produced on the April 10, 1979 "Terrible Tuesday" Red River Valley tornado outbreak and Wichita Falls, Texas tornado can be viewed here: youtu.be/DICmmhl2z-c
Friona to Dimmitt, Texas Tornadoes, June 2, 1995 Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-24 | The first week of June 1995 was a very active one for NOAA research Project VORTEX-95 [VORTEX 1: Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes EXperiment] which kicked off with this tornado event between Friona and Dimmitt, Texas on June 2, 1995. This unedited videotape was recorded by Probe 1 meteorologists, including Bill Gargan and Bob Davies-Jones, as the events unfolded. The Dimmitt, Texas tornado was historically noteworthy as for the first time, high resolution volumetric radar scans from the prototype Doppler on Wheels mobile radar of a significant tornado in progress were obtained. A full paper on the study can be read here: journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/128/7/1520-0493_2000_128_2135_frootd_2.0.co_2.xmlEdited versions of this tornado video sequence, one of the more dramatic from the June 2-9, 1995 Plains tornado activity, were used by numerous broadcast television, cable and documentary media outlets in the mid-1990's and years to follow. Several other angles of the Dimmitt tornado were recorded, with this being the most close range of the batch. An excellent detailed write up of the VORTEX chase day by Bill Gargan from 2008 can still be accessed here: weather.gov/media/top/newsletter/news0508.pdfRemastered from a Hi8 to VHS videotape copy.© 1995 NOAA. Video by Bill Gargan, Bob Davies-Jones and the VORTEX Probe 1 crew.
Columbus, Nebraska Tornado Videos, June 23, 1998 Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-23 | On the evening of June 23, 1998, a supercell thunderstorm produced an awesome and at times terrifying tornado display through the countryside of Platte and Colfax County, Nebraska, specifically around the Columbus region. Several residents recorded views of this significant tornado on videotape, three of which are featured in this composite video produced and made available by a local Nebraska cable access channel.The final video in the series, recorded by Andy Olmer, became known as the "crazy farmer" footage by various storm chasers and meteorologists who circulated VHS videotape copies by word of mouth trade in the late 1990's and early 2000's. A lone utterance by farmer Olmer: "Susan, get my pants" was forever cemented into tornado video history from this point on, and why not! This incredible vortex display as it approached the Olmer farmstead, along with its vortex breakdown, is one of the most spectacular ever documented on home video in the late 1990's. It was never clear if Olmer ever obtained the requested pants prior to seeking shelter.National Geographic followed up with Andy Olmer years later in this separate 2005 piece: youtu.be/IUj0IzcN1vA?si=LpK9aAn6XqVyY8M4Other aspects of the storm included softball or larger size hail falling to earth as the tornado approached along with fantastic supercell mesocyclone structure from other perspectives. Two farmhouses were destroyed with six others severely damaged. 17 injuries were attributed to the tornado along with F2-rated [original scale] property damage.Video © 1998 to all noted videographers.
The Great Michigan Ice Storm of 1976 Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-23 | This public awareness and promotional film by Consumers Power [Consumers Energy] produced in 1977 chronicles a significant ice storm on March 2, 1976 that caused widespread power outages throughout much of the southern lower peninsula of Michigan. The ice storm was one in a series of annual significant winter storms to affect Michigan and Great Lakes region in the mid to late 1970's.Remastered from a 16mm film reel to 3/4" videotape, 2023. © Consumers Energy, 1976, All Rights Reserved.
David Hoadley: Romancing the Storm, 1985 Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-23 | Capital Edition was a news program by WUSA-TV in Washington D.C. and like many other television and documentary productions in the mid 1980's, produced a feature about the topic of storm chasing. Fortunate for WUSA, local resident and storm chaser David Hoadley, the first publicly known "storm chaser" in modern US history, lived fairly close by to the studios. The result was this segment from late 1985 and a small slice of time from a now bygone era.WUSA-TV © 1985, All Rights Reserved.
A&E Storm Chasers, 1993 Documentary Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-23 | The early 1990's saw further public interest in storm chasing increase after several noteworthy tornado outbreaks in 1990 and 1991 grabbed headlines and television news broadcasts leads. After a few successful documentaries in the mid-1980's by WGBH NOVA, National Geographic and KARE-TV 11 in Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota, other media outlets took note and ran with a similar production formula. This program originally aired on the A&E cable network in 1993 and later was repackaged with updated narration by then CBS Chicago-based newscaster Bill Kurtis for broadcast and home video sale in 1995. All of this on the lead up to the 1996 Hollywood film that would permanently catapult storm chasing into the public vernacular, 'Twister'. It's not a coincidence that Kurtis was selected as narrator, as he too had a significant tornado experience of his own at Topeka, Kansas on June 8, 1966, of which launched a long broadcasting career."Storm Chasers" [1993] follows several storm chasers and meteorologists during their varied exploits on the Plains, touches on a [then] recent Central Plains tornado outbreak [April 26, 1991] and a few other topics. Program © 1993, 1995 A&E Productions, Kurtis Productions, All Rights Reserved.
Tornado Rockets with Sterling Colgate, May 22, 1981 Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-08 | Sterling Colgate was a physicist with the Los Alamos National Laboratory. In the spring of 1981, Colgate attempted to launch instrumented rocket packets into the various stages of tornadoes to attempt to measure heat from electrical discharges that, in theory, aided in strengthening vortex intensity. One such instance and perhaps the most noteworthy transpired on May 22, 1981 near Alfalfa, Oklahoma. Very independent by nature, Colgate piloted the aircraft, operated [by remote] a sound Super 8mm film camera and launched the rockets himself. Due to severe turbulence around the mesocyclone, none of the rockets penetrated the vortex. Colgate made an emergency landing on a nearby road shortly after the film was taken, but was fortunately not injured. All attempts by Colgate to launch rockets by aircraft were discontinued after this event. This segment on Sterling Colgate is from the 1992 production of 'Tornado Video Classics Vol. 1' by Environmental Films and illustrates the great difficulty of this attempted project. For a ground view of the rocket launch by air, go to the :30 mark of this 16mm film by Dr. Erik Rasmussen, taken near Alfalfa, Oklahoma: youtu.be/FmEDpidG11kOriginal films provided by Sterling Colgate to The Tornado Project, © 1992.
Alfalfa to Cordell, Oklahoma Tornado [Restored Films], May 22, 1981 Ancient Air Theatre 2023-12-08 | These 16mm silent films taken by Dr. Erik Rasmussen during the NSSL 'Sound Chase' project chronicle a series of highly photogenic tornadoes from Alfalfa to Cordell, Oklahoma on May 22, 1981. Specifically these films contain some of the most memorable imagery from the early 1980's, used in numerous educational films, television broadcasts and documentaries for years afterward [National Geographic, NOVA, etc] about tornadoes. Look closely and you will see a small aircraft banking away from the rope out of the Alfalfa tornado. This plane was piloted by Sterling Colgate, a physicist with the Los Alamos National Laboratory, who in 1981 attempted to launch instrumented rockets into the various stages of tornadoes. Due to severe turbulence, none of the rockets penetrated the vortex. Colgate made an emergency landing on a nearby road shortly after the film was taken, but was fortunately not injured. All attempts by Colgate to launch rockets by aircraft were discontinued after this event. The series of tornadoes concludes with the very photogenic vortex west of Cordell.A personal account with Roy Britt, who was accompanying NSSL 'Sound Chase' at Cordell, Oklahoma can be viewed here: youtu.be/Rhp-_vnn5vM?si=eJcNQ0Cdpo4MHqKfAlso nearby was a news helicopter from KWTV 9, the CBS affiliate in Oklahoma City, broadcasting live images of the tornado north of Clinton, a historical first. That chopper also had to make an emergency landing due to the extreme turbulence around the supercell thunderstorm/s. These are restored film scans from an original 16mm contact reel, now archived permanently at Texas Tech University. Scans and restoration achieved through the services of the @chicagofilmarchives in October 2023. Film © 1981 Dr. Erik Rasmussen, NSSL, All Rights Reserved.
Tornado at Fridley-Brooklyn Park, MN, July 18, 1986 Ancient Air Theatre 2023-11-24 | July 18, 1986 was a hot, sultry afternoon in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. A supercell thunderstorm and eventual tornado developed rapidly in the northern suburbs between Fridley and Brooklyn Park, Minnesota that afternoon. NBC affiliate KARE-TV "Sky 11" helicopter pilot Max Messmer and on-board photojournalist Tom Empey were in route to a different assignment when they caught view of the developing tornado and recorded a rare viewpoint of nearly the entire tornado lifecycle. The slow moving F2 tornado caused minor structural damage and remained over mostly rural areas near the Springbrook Nature Center, ripping large trees from the ground and tossing them like matchsticks.KARE-TV broadcast the images live during it's late afternoon newscast as it happened and forever cemented this event in broadcast weather history. From a mesoscale meteorology standpoint, it remains the most detailed aerial viewpoint of vortex evolution chronicled to date. Contrast this video to laboratory models of the late 20th century and the similarities are eerily identical.For comparison, Neil Ward's early laboratory vortex models can be viewed here: youtu.be/sLYJzfC-S_4This raw unedited videotape begins with a ground perspective from a separate KARE-TV news crew in the vicinity of Fridley, featuring dozens of curious observers watching the tornado from a local Target store. Note how low contrast this view was relative to the more fluid news helicopter perspective.The second half is the aerial view recorded by Tom Empey from the helicopter. This was the era of ENG news broadcasting where an actual photographer accompanied a pilot and operated a full-size video camera pointed out a side window or door. The video was stabilized by the incorporated Gyrocam™ lens adaptor that attached to a bayonet-style lens mount on a Sony BVP-style broadcast video camera, allowing for stable telephoto viewpoints. Occasional live dialogue between helicopter pilot Max Messmer, then KARE 11 chief meteorologist Paul Douglas, station anchors and production personnel can be heard occasionally during the live transmissions. Another television helicopter from WCCO-TV also captured video of this tornado as it occurred, but from a greater distance than the KARE 11 traffic crew. Lack of audio in spots reflects how the original videotape was recorded.This was not the first time a tornado was broadcast live from a TV news helicopter. That feat goes to KWTV 9, the CBS affiliate in Oklahoma City, near Clinton, Oklahoma on May 22, 1981.A KARE 11 broadcast special, "Unheard Sirens" with many of the stories from this day can be viewed here: youtu.be/T9LbELUzM6kA full article on the event via the Minnesota Post here: minnpost.com/politics-policy/2011/07/25-years-ago-tornado-made-broadcasting-history-twin-cities All video courtesy and © KARE 11, All Rights Reserved.
Tornado approaches Andover, Kansas, April 26, 1991 Ancient Air Theatre 2023-11-22 | This video recorded by Dan Walton shows the approach of the Wichita to Andover, Kansas tornado on Friday, April 26, 1991. The tornado grew in strength to F5 intensity and expanded in width to over a quarter-mile wide upon passing through McConnell Air Force Base. The reactions from both the videographer, his family within the household and neighbors feeling the oncoming tornado showcases quite well how human reaction to tornadoes differs from person to person. The tornado eventually directly impacted the neighborhood a block east of where this videotape was recorded.The low fidelity third or fourth generation copy has degraded over the years, and perhaps is most interesting for the audio alone. Video courtesy and copyright © 1991 Dan Walton, All Rights Reserved. Additional information on the April 26, 1991 tornado outbreak in Kansas: weather.gov/ict/Apr26Review
Pampa, Texas Tornado, June 8, 1995 Ancient Air Theatre 2023-11-22 | A substantial regional tornado outbreak transpired across the northeastern Texas panhandle on June 8, 1995. One of the more noteworthy events from that day was a significant tornado that swept a path along the southern side of Pampa, Texas. The tornado was recorded by many locals and storm chasers, however it was [former] Gray County, Sheriff Randy Stubblefield who recorded one of the most detailed videotapes that day as multiple unoccupied vehicles and heavy machinery were lofted hundreds of feet in the air, a first in tornado video history. F4 damage resulted to structures in the industrial section of the city.Three videos views of the Pampa tornado are presented here. First is the full video recorded by Randy Stubblefield, along with two other viewpoints from area residents as the tornado was occurring. A damage survey concludes this video compilation. If you were a weather enthusiast of any kind in the 1990's, there's a good chance you caught a glimpse of this tornado on one of various television programs, documentaries or the acclaimed 'Tornado Video Classics' video series produced by The Tornado Project.Videos courtesy and copyright © 1995 to all sources noted. All Rights Reserved.
VORTEX/OU Tornado Intercept near Temple, Oklahoma, April 17, 1995 Ancient Air Theatre 2023-11-16 | This tornado near Temple, Oklahoma was intercepted and observed at close range, less than a half mile, by the University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology crew that was part of Project VORTEX (Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes EXperiment) on April 17, 1995. The tornado produced substantial damage to farmsteads along the path as observed in later portions of the video. More information on Project VORTEX: www.eol.ucar.edu/field_projects/vortex-95Video recorded by Dean Alison, © 1995.
