Tornado Intercept: The Union City Twister and the Birth of Doppler Radar NOAA Weather Partners 2023-05-24 | On May 24, 1973 an F-4 tornado tore through Union City, Okla. With a Tornado Intercept Team in the field and a then-experimental Doppler radar just miles away, NSSL researchers made history, capturing for the first time the full lifecycle of a tornado with Doppler radar and discovering the tornadic vortex signature (TVS). In the 50 years since Union City, NSSL has been a driver of innovation in radar technology, helping forecasters increase warning times and save lives.
Violent Tornado Animation of an EF5 Supercell (Public Audience Version) NOAA Weather Partners 2023-03-20 | Read the informal SPC Publications:spc.noaa.gov/publications/broyles/tgen1.pdfspc.noaa.gov/publications/broyles/tgen2.pdfspc.noaa.gov/publications/broyles/tgen3.pdforSearch "Broyles" at spc.noaa.gov/publicationsDownload the PowerPoint animation:spc.noaa.gov/publications/broyles/m13-anim.pptx ---------------------------This video presents an animation of the Moore EF5 supercell that occurred on May 20, 2013. The animation begins 90 minutes before the tornado. The view is looking north-northwest from a helicopter at 15,000 feet. As the Moore supercell develops, the view point gradually shifts toward the west. First, the flanking line and mesocyclone organize. Then, the first cell merger occurs. This, combined with the influence of an approaching low to mid-level jet, causes the rear flank downdraft to surge. From the cell merger, the first descending reflectivity core forms. This feature reaches the ground and hits the strengthening circulation. When this happens, the tornado immediately forms and develops from the surface upward.As the tornado strengthens, a second set of cells approach from the southwest. When these cells merge with the Moore supercell, the second descending reflectivity core forms. This feature approaches and wraps around the tornadic mesocyclone, causing a rapid expansion of the rotation. After this, the meso snaps back and rapidly shrinks, coinciding with the first EF5 damage. The tornado alternates between EF4 and EF5 intensity, and then the low to mid-level jet passes. When this happens, the tornado jogs left, then right, and decreases in size. Soon the tornado begins to weaken and a final rear flank downdraft surge overtakes the tornado causing it to dissipate.
Violent Tornado Animation of an EF5 Supercell (Science and Meteorology Audience Version) NOAA Weather Partners 2023-03-20 | Read the informal SPC Publications:spc.noaa.gov/publications/broyles/tgen1.pdfspc.noaa.gov/publications/broyles/tgen2.pdfspc.noaa.gov/publications/broyles/tgen3.pdforSearch "Broyles" at spc.noaa.gov/publicationsDownload the radar analysis / animation PowerPoint:spc.noaa.gov/publications/broyles/m13-talk.pptx---------------------------------This video presents radar imagery and an animation of the full life-cycle of the Moore supercell and EF5 tornado that occurred on May 20, 2013. The radar imagery shows key features of tornadogenesis associated with the Moore tornado. It explains the processes involved in the initial tornado development, and then reveals reasons for major fluctuations of intensity during its life-timeThe animation begins 90 minutes before the tornado. The view is looking north-northwest from a helicopter at 15,000 feet. As the Moore supercell develops, the view point gradually shifts toward the west. First, the flanking line and mesocyclone organize. Then, the first cell merger occurs. This, combined with the influence of an approaching low to mid-level jet, causes the rear flank downdraft to surge. From the cell merger, the first descending reflectivity core forms. This feature reaches the ground and hits the strengthening circulation. When this happens, the tornado immediately forms and develops from the surface upward.As the tornado strengthens, a second set of cells approach from the southwest. When these cells merge with the Moore supercell, the second descending reflectivity core forms. This feature approaches and wraps around the tornadic mesocyclone, causing a rapid expansion of the rotation. After this, the meso snaps back and rapidly shrinks, coinciding with the first EF5 damage. The tornado alternates between EF4 and EF5 intensity, and then the low to mid-level jet passes. When this happens, the tornado jogs left, then right, and decreases in size. Soon the tornado begins to weaken and a final rear flank downdraft surge overtakes the tornado causing it to dissipate.
Bite-Sized Science: Share Your Tornado Tales NOAA Weather Partners 2022-09-12 | Share your story! apps.nssl.noaa.gov/tornado-talesHas a tornado hit your house or your community? Have you received a tornado alert? NOAA scientists want to hear your story.It’s easy to share with the new Tornado Tales citizen science tool. This online survey provides a way for anyone to anonymously report their tornado experiences.The Tornado Tales was developed by researchers at the NOAA National Severe Storms Lab and the University of Oklahoma’s cooperative institute. The tool will be used to better understand how people receive, interpret and respond to tornado information.————————————Follow Us On————————————Facebook: facebook.com/NOAA.NSSLTwitter: twitter.com/NOAANSSLFlickr: flickr.com/photos/noaansslInstagram: instagram.com/noaansslMore videos from NOAA Weather Partners: youtube.com/user/NOAAWPFollow Jaden on Twitter: twitter.com/JadenKnowles2
Bite-Sized Science: HWT in the Virtual World NOAA Weather Partners 2022-08-11 | When COVID hit in March 2020, the future of the NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed became unclear. In-person collaboration was off the table. With everyone working from home, could the Spring Experiment survive?00:00 Opening00:11 HWT and the Spring Experiments00:36 COVID and teleworking01:09 Adapting to virtual01:57 Challenges of virtual02:37 New oppurtunities 03:07 Success and new research04:00 The future of the HWT►♫ 🎧Listen to Pod-Sized Science: nssl.noaa.gov/news/podcasts/hwt-2022————————————Follow Us On————————————Facebook: facebook.com/NOAA.NSSLTwitter: twitter.com/NOAANSSLFlickr: flickr.com/photos/noaansslInstagram: instagram.com/noaansslMore videos from NOAA Weather Partners: youtube.com/user/NOAAWPFollow Peyton on Twitter: twitter.com/wxwithpeyton
TORUS First Deployment NOAA Weather Partners 2022-05-17 | May 16, 2022To learn more about the TORUS project: nssl.noaa.gov/projects/torus
2022 NSSL Spring Research Webinar NOAA Weather Partners 2022-04-11 | Learn about 2022 spring research at the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory.For more on these topics, visit nssl.noaa.gov0:00:00 Welcome0:02:28 PERiLS Field Research - Tony Lyza0:07:37 TORUS Field Research - Matt Flournoy0:11:19 Collecting Behavioral Data After Tornadoes - Kim Klockow-McClain0:14:47 Audience Questions0:22:10 NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed: Spring Forecasting Experiment - Adam Clark0:26:24 NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed - FACETS - Kodi Berry0:29:55 Warn on Forecast Research - Patrick Burke0:34:45 Audience Questions0:40:09 Advancements in Weather Radar - Chris Schwartz 0:43:35 State of the Science: Severe Weather and Climate Change - Harold Brooks0:47:08 Audience Questions0:51:54 Audience Questions for All Panelists
1st day of PERiLS NOAA Weather Partners 2022-03-21 | Marc 20, 2022. Norman, Oklahoma.NSSL scientists are in Mississippi today preparing for the 1st day of PERiLS, funded by NOAA & NSF to better understand how tornadoes form in squall lines & one of the largest severe storm field projects to date. Instruments are where NWS SPC predicts tornadoes may occur on Tuesday.Learn more about PERiLS: www.nssl.noaa.gov/projects/perils
#Shorts 1st day of PERiLS NOAA Weather Partners 2022-03-21 | NSSL scientists are in Mississippi today preparing for the 1st day of PERiLS, funded by NOAA & NSF to better understand how tornadoes form in squall lines & one of the largest severe storm field projects to date. Instruments are where NWS SPC predicts tornadoes may occur on Tuesday.
PERiLS Tornado Study Webinar NOAA Weather Partners 2022-03-03 | PERiLS (Propagation, Evolution, and Rotation in Linear Storms), one of the largest and most comprehensive severe storm field campaigns to date, will take place across the Southeast United States in the late winter and spring periods of 2022 and 2023.The webinar provides information about the PERiLS field campaign, including research objectives, why this research is needed, locations, descriptions of research instruments, and how it will all work.0:00:00 Welcome and Introduction - Keli Pirtle, NOAA0:02:49 PERiLS research objectives – Tony Lyza, CWRO/NOAA NSSL0:09:05 Why study tornadoes in the Southeast US? – Erik Rasmussen, NOAA NSSL0:14:19 Audience Questions0:20:32 Instruments: Mobile radar – Mike Biggerstaff, OU0:26:35 Instruments: Profilers – Kevin Knupp, UAH0:33:14 Instruments: CLAMPS – Elizabeth Smith, NOAA NSSL0:39:14 Instruments: Soundings – Mike Coniglio, NOAA NSSL0:45:33 Audience Questions0:52:15 Instruments: Sticknets – Chris Weiss, TTU0:57:49 Instruments: Mobile mesonet – Sean Waugh, NOAA NSSL1:02:23 Instruments: Lightning mapping array – Vanna Chmielewski, CIWRO/NSSL1:08:15 Damage Assessments – Melissa Wagner, CIWRO/NSSL1:12:38 Audience QuestionsConnect with us!nssl.noaa.govtwitter.com/NOAANSSLfacebook.com/NOAA.NSSLinstagram.com/noaansslflickr.com/photos/noaanssl
Get to Know the Scientists 2021 Live Panel NOAA Weather Partners 2021-11-18 | Join moderator Vanna Chmielewski and panelists Bob Rabin, Rachel Miller, Justin Sharpe, Makenzie Krocak, and Sean Waugh, for the NOAA NSSL "Get to know the Scientists" panel. In addition, research meteorologist John Lewis shares some insights about the early years of NSSL.Recorded October 29, 2021.Have other questions? Feel free to ask us by email at nssl.outreach@noaa.gov.0:00:00 Intro with Vanna0:00:40 Lab history with John Lewis 0:03:52 Intro to featured scientists0:20:55 Live panel0:21:52 Favorite weather?0:23:34 Can you change the path of lightning and does a camera flash make a path for lightning?0:26:35 How many NSSL scientists have masters degrees? How often do you work with WFO and SPC?0:30:11 What degrees do each of you have?0:33:22 Internships within NSSL? How to apply? 0:35:47 Ways to stand out with internship applications?0:39:12 Particular programs or degrees to make a person more marketable to NSSL?0:44:11 Will my computer science skills help me get into meteorology field?0:49:27 Requirements for entry-level position at NSSL?0:56:16 Suggestion for minor while getting a meteorology degree?1:00:27 Advice for applying for an NSSL position as an undergrad? 1:04:24 What's the most interesting topic you're working on?1:15:09 What is the big question in your area of expertise that should be answered in the next 10-20 years?1:27:10 If you didn't choose to pursue a career in meteorology, what would you have chosen?1:34:15 What do you do for fun outside of work?1:40:30 What are things you do to inspire future scientists?1:48:42 Do you have a fear of storms? Do you have advice for someone who does?
Bite-Sized Science: Studying Tornado Damage with Uncrewed Aircraft Systems NOAA Weather Partners 2021-07-07 | Researchers at NOAA National Severe Storms Lab are using Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) to study storm damage in rural areas. The multispectral camera provides imagery that shows damage to vegetation. The goal is to improve the accuracy of the NOAA Storm Event Database, which is referenced by the NOAA National Weather Service to predict future tornado outbreaks.noaa.gov/news/noaa-scientists-use-drones-to-see-tornado-damage-in-remote-areasinside.nssl.noaa.gov/uasnssl.noaa.gov————————————Follow Us On————————————Facebook: facebook.com/NOAA.NSSLTwitter: twitter.com/NOAANSSLFlickr: flickr.com/photos/noaansslInstagram: instagram.com/noaansslMore videos from NOAA Weather Partners: youtube.com/user/NOAAWP
Weather Briefly: Winter Storms NOAA Weather Partners 2021-02-04 | Weather Briefly is a short-form series highlighting the many types of severe weather along with research being done by NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory.
Get to Know the Scientists: How Different Paths Led to Working at the NOAA NSSL NOAA Weather Partners 2020-11-02 | This virtual live panel - recorded on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 - highlights the diverse paths of four scientists (Elizabeth Smith, Pat Hyland, Katie Wilson, Jacob Segall) who work at NSSL. Vanna Chmielewski moderates. Each presenter shares their personal story about how they became a scientist. Then they answer viewers' questions about their education, career path, or what they do at NSSL.
Observations on the Go: NSSLs Field Observing Systems NOAA Weather Partners 2020-10-31 | Take a detailed tour of the mobile instruments NSSL researchers take on the road to measure the atmosphere. Learn about their innovative designs and how they use these tools to safely gather data in storms.00:00 Introduction00:10 CLAMPS Trailer03:18 Mobile Mesonet11:40 NOXP Mobile RadarConnect with us!nssl.noaa.govtwitter.com/NOAANSSLfacebook.com/NOAA.NSSLinstagram.com/noaansslflickr.com/photos/noaanssl
Weather Briefly: Damaging Winds NOAA Weather Partners 2020-09-14 | Weather Briefly is a short-form series highlighting the many types of severe weather along with research being done by NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory.
Weather Briefly: Flooding NOAA Weather Partners 2020-07-28 | Weather Briefly is a short-form series highlighting the many types of severe weather along with research being done by NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory.
Weather Briefly: Lightning NOAA Weather Partners 2020-06-17 | Weather Briefly is a short-form series highlighting the many types of severe weather along with research being done by NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory.
Weather Briefly: Hail NOAA Weather Partners 2020-05-22 | Weather Briefly is a short-form series highlighting the many types of severe weather along with research being done by NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory.May 2020 version
Weather Briefly: Tornadoes NOAA Weather Partners 2020-05-12 | Weather Briefly is a short-form series highlighting the many types of severe weather along with research being done by NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory.May 2020 version
Bite-Sized Science: Threats in Motion NOAA Weather Partners 2020-02-06 | In nature, hazardous weather is almost always in motion. New research and technology are making it possible to provide more continuous information about the storm and its movement. Threats in Motion is the next step in the evolution of how weather information is provided to the public.
NOAA P-3 Hurricane Hunter B-Roll NOAA Weather Partners 2019-05-22 | 2019 footage from Salina, KS AirportCredit: NOAAQuicktime Pro Res Download link: bit.ly/2HwSOs0
Bite-Sized Science: Exploring the Supercell NOAA Weather Partners 2019-05-09 | We know the strongest and deadliest tornadoes form from a specific type of thunderstorm... the supercell. However, important areas inside supercell thunderstorms remain unexplored. That changes this spring as scientists hit the road to study these powerful storms as part of the field project TORUS - which is short for Targeted Observation by Radars and UAS of Supercells.The TORUS project is funded by NOAA and the National Science Foundation and is led by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Partner institutions are NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory, NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, the University of Oklahoma Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies, University of Colorado Boulder, and Texas Tech University. To learn more, head over to nssl.noaa.gov/projects/torus
Women of NSSL: Pam Heinselman, PhD NOAA Weather Partners 2019-03-19 | In honor of International Women's Day, we are highlighting some of our female scientists who work at the NOAA National Severe Storms Lab.
Women of NSSL: Kodi Berry NOAA Weather Partners 2019-03-15 | In honor of International Women's Day, we are highlighting some of our female scientists who work at the NOAA National Severe Storms Lab.
Union City Tornado (24 May 1973) Film Preservation (Part 2 of 3) NOAA Weather Partners 2019-03-14 | "Union City Tornado 24 May 1973 Morgan 1 2"For half a century, U.S. Weather Bureau and NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory researchers have been filming and photographing tornadoes and severe weather throughout the United States as part of their quest to understand and better predict deadly storms. On May 24, 1973, researchers filmed a devastating tornado that tore through the small town of Union City, Okla. This tornado turned out to be a significant event in the development of weather radar and the history of severe weather research and forecasting. While researchers from the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory filmed the tornado, other researchers collected data on the storm using experimental Doppler radar. When they were able to process the radar data and compare it with the time-stamped photos and movies, they discovered a unique pattern now known as the Tornadic Vortex Signature (TVS). This discovery revolutionized the National Weather Service’s ability to warn for tornado activity with sufficient lead time to save lives. Three reels of 16 mm film from that day have been stored at NSSL, unusable. With the help of the National Film Preservation Foundation, those historic reels have been restored and transferred. We are pleased to share this historic footage.
Union City Tornado (24 May 1973) Film Preservation (Part 1 of 3) NOAA Weather Partners 2019-03-14 | "Vicek 1 2 Zipser 1"For half a century, U.S. Weather Bureau and NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory researchers have been filming and photographing tornadoes and severe weather throughout the United States as part of their quest to understand and better predict deadly storms. On May 24, 1973, researchers filmed a devastating tornado that tore through the small town of Union City, Okla. This tornado turned out to be a significant event in the development of weather radar and the history of severe weather research and forecasting. While researchers from the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory filmed the tornado, other researchers collected data on the storm using experimental Doppler radar. When they were able to process the radar data and compare it with the time-stamped photos and movies, they discovered a unique pattern now known as the Tornadic Vortex Signature (TVS). This discovery revolutionized the National Weather Service’s ability to warn for tornado activity with sufficient lead time to save lives. Three reels of 16 mm film from that day have been stored at NSSL, unusable. With the help of the National Film Preservation Foundation, those historic reels have been restored and transferred. We are pleased to share this historic footage.
Union City Tornado (24 May 1973) Film Preservation (Part 3 of 3) NOAA Weather Partners 2019-03-14 | "Union City Tornado 24 May 1973 Golden 1 2 Vicek 3"For half a century, U.S. Weather Bureau and NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory researchers have been filming and photographing tornadoes and severe weather throughout the United States as part of their quest to understand and better predict deadly storms. On May 24, 1973, researchers filmed a devastating tornado that tore through the small town of Union City, Okla. This tornado turned out to be a significant event in the development of weather radar and the history of severe weather research and forecasting. While researchers from the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory filmed the tornado, other researchers collected data on the storm using experimental Doppler radar. When they were able to process the radar data and compare it with the time-stamped photos and movies, they discovered a unique pattern now known as the Tornadic Vortex Signature (TVS). This discovery revolutionized the National Weather Service’s ability to warn for tornado activity with sufficient lead time to save lives. Three reels of 16 mm film from that day have been stored at NSSL, unusable. With the help of the National Film Preservation Foundation, those historic reels have been restored and transferred. We are pleased to share this historic footage.
2019 Women of NSSL: Kristin Calhoun NOAA Weather Partners 2019-03-11 | In honor of International Women's Day, we are highlighting some of our female scientists who work at the NOAA National Severe Storms Lab.
Bite-Sized Science: Extending the Life of NEXRAD NOAA Weather Partners 2019-02-01 | The Radar Operations Center is investing in a Service Life Extension Program to keep the radar functional till 2030 or beyond.
Bite-Sized Science: Atmospheric Tomography Mission (ATom) NOAA Weather Partners 2018-11-30 | The Atmospheric Tomography Mission (ATom) studies the impact of human-produced air pollution on greenhouse gases and on chemically reactive gases in the atmosphere. Airborne instruments look at how atmospheric chemistry is transformed by various air pollutants and at the impact on methane and ozone which affect climate. Observations occur seasonally over three years (2016-2018). Flights aboard NASA's DC-8 originate from the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center in Palmdale, California, fly north to the western Arctic, south to the South Pacific, east to the Atlantic, north to Greenland, and return to California across central North America for a systematic, global-scale sampling of the atmosphere.
Bite-Sized Science: Tracking Global Air Pollution NOAA Weather Partners 2018-11-30 | The Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network is a system of measurement sites throughout the world at remote locations operated by NOAA that measure greenhouse gas concentrations and form a critical environmental record for the world.
Bite-Sized Science: Advanced Technology Demonstrator NOAA Weather Partners 2018-10-17 | With co-funding from the FAA and NOAA, the Advanced Technology Demonstrator (ATD) was installed in July of 2018. The ATD is a new research radar that combines the benefits of a phased array radar with the benefits of a dual polarization technology. If National Severe Storms Laboratory researchers can prove the benefits of the ATD, the radar will be positioned to eventually replace the existing NEXRAD radars.
Bite-Sized Science: Improving Flash Flood Warnings NOAA Weather Partners 2018-07-24 | Researchers at NOAA’s National Severe Storms Lab are revolutionizing the tools forecasters have at their fingertips. The Flooded Locations And Simulated Hydrographs Project - or FLASH - combines real-time rainfall estimates with real-time surface models. This produces new, important information about flooding.
Bite-Sized Science: NOAAs Hazardous Weather Testbed NOAA Weather Partners 2018-04-25 | At the height of the spring severe weather season, the NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed hosts multiple experiments to evaluate the operational utility of new science, technology and products.
Bite-Sized Science: Vortex Southeast in 2018 NOAA Weather Partners 2018-04-06 | The Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes EXperiment-Southeast (VORTEX-SE) brings together brings together meteorologists, researchers and social scientists to collaborate on a research program looking at the storms and conditions that produce tornadoes in the Southeast United States. This research experiment began in 2016 and continues through 2018. Researchers are beginning to share results from the project.
