Uploaded September 2023 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
TOTO, the 'TOtable Tornado Observatory' was a bulky bundled piece of research equipment and the concept of Dr. Al Bedard at the University of Colorado to measure barometric pressure, humidity and wind speed/direction in or near tornadoes which recorded to a data cassette tape. The idea was to deploy the instrumented package using two people in the path of a tornado. This demonstration video recorded in early 1980 showcases the "ease" of use. TOTO was utilized by the University of Oklahoma and National Severe Storms Laboratory storm intercept crews primarily between 1980-1987, with one "close call" direct impact on April 29, 1985. Unfortunately the strong winds of the tornado knocked the device over and no useful data was ever gained.
The device was the direct inspiration for the fictional DORTHY device in the 1996 film 'Twister', along with other assorted other devices for made for TV movies 'Tornado' on FOX and 'Night of the Twisters' on The Family Channel the same year.
noaa.gov/stories/noaa-tornado-scientists-inspired-twister-creators-20-years-ago
Video courtesy: NSSL/National Severe Storms Laboratory.
TOTO, the 'TOtable Tornado Observatory' was a bulky bundled piece of research equipment and the concept of Dr. Al Bedard at the University of Colorado to measure barometric pressure, humidity and wind speed/direction in or near tornadoes which recorded to a data cassette tape. The idea was to deploy the instrumented package using two people in the path of a tornado. This demonstration video recorded in early 1980 showcases the "ease" of use. TOTO was utilized by the University of Oklahoma and National Severe Storms Laboratory storm intercept crews primarily between 1980-1987, with one "close call" direct impact on April 29, 1985. Unfortunately the strong winds of the tornado knocked the device over and no useful data was ever gained.
The device was the direct inspiration for the fictional DORTHY device in the 1996 film 'Twister', along with other assorted other devices for made for TV movies 'Tornado' on FOX and 'Night of the Twisters' on The Family Channel the same year.
noaa.gov/stories/noaa-tornado-scientists-inspired-twister-creators-20-years-ago
Video courtesy: NSSL/National Severe Storms Laboratory.
