Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
These are behind the scenes moments recorded in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico by Tom Grazulis of The Tornado Project on May 29, 1997 of NOAA Project SUB VORTEX, a post VORTEX (Verification of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment) that gained worldwide attention between 1994 and 1995. The scenes were originally intended for a production of "Tornado Video Classics 4" of which became "Secrets of The Tornado" released later in 1997 but were scrapped for whatever reason. Years later during my own documentary project I was provided the tapes by Tom and Doris Grazulis but also never used them due to time restrictions with that project.
The dial up modem based internet was becoming more commonplace on the roads and with meteorologists seeking mobile data in 1997. Showcased here are some of those early days when mobile weather data could now be easily accessed at most hotels and with anyone with a mobile phone.
Severe weather field research, storm chasing and interest in meteorology was at an all time high on the heels of the prior year's blockbuster Hollywood hit "Twister", along with a host of documentary programs on broadcast television and home videocassette. A crew from 48 hours eventually joined up with the SUB VORTEX crews here towards the end.
Some notes on SUB VORTEX 1997: stormresearch.com/projects/vortex/subvortex.html
Enjoy the memories!
These are behind the scenes moments recorded in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico by Tom Grazulis of The Tornado Project on May 29, 1997 of NOAA Project SUB VORTEX, a post VORTEX (Verification of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment) that gained worldwide attention between 1994 and 1995. The scenes were originally intended for a production of "Tornado Video Classics 4" of which became "Secrets of The Tornado" released later in 1997 but were scrapped for whatever reason. Years later during my own documentary project I was provided the tapes by Tom and Doris Grazulis but also never used them due to time restrictions with that project.
The dial up modem based internet was becoming more commonplace on the roads and with meteorologists seeking mobile data in 1997. Showcased here are some of those early days when mobile weather data could now be easily accessed at most hotels and with anyone with a mobile phone.
Severe weather field research, storm chasing and interest in meteorology was at an all time high on the heels of the prior year's blockbuster Hollywood hit "Twister", along with a host of documentary programs on broadcast television and home videocassette. A crew from 48 hours eventually joined up with the SUB VORTEX crews here towards the end.
Some notes on SUB VORTEX 1997: stormresearch.com/projects/vortex/subvortex.html
Enjoy the memories!
