News DetailPictures of the April 9 tornado west of Abilene - Streamed live from Stream1
Posted At: April 12, 2008 @ 10:49 AM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes
Check out these pictures from TVN Stream1 (Matt Chatelain, Daniel B, Curtis M., and Matt Van Every) from the initial supercell west of Abilene on April 9, 2008. This first tornado was streamed live, and the tornado warning was issued as a result of stream1's report. Matt Van Every was on the phone with the NWS and stated, "a tornado will likely be on the ground in 5 minutes", and the tornado warning was issued. We have some major upgrades that we expect in the future, which will enhance user interaction with the streams, as well as make them more continuous. Thanks for your patience!
Calendar
Categories
Hi, this is Matt Van Every from the TVN Stream 1 team! On Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 at 3:17 PM CDT we delivered Tornadovideos.net's first LIVE tornado. The tornado was located about 3 miles west of Merkel, TX, U.S.A. I was on the phone with the San Angelo WFO to report a wall cloud capable of producing a tornado, but by time they answered we had a tornado on the ground.
The tornado was about one mile away and headed right for us so we had to move ... sorry for those who were watching and enjoying what we were broadcasting :( Also, the wall cloud associated with this brief tornado was the largest wall cloud that I have ever seen; probably 10 miles or more, much larger than the camera could capture, and it was probably only 100-200 meters off the ground!!!
We then retreated to Tye to get in position again but the tornado beat us there! Just on the other side of I-20 was a large tornado that briefly touched down. We were expecting a large wedge at any moment when the storm was near Abilene but the storm was occluding extremely fast so only brief spin-ups occurred.
We had our third tornado of the day near Hamby, TX. This tornado touched down about a mile from us, and bearing down on us! As it got close we repositioned about a ¼ mile to the east as it passed directly over our original location. What a rush!!!
The streaming technology that Tornadovideos.net is using is new and we are still trying to fix the bugs to make the streaming video more continuous. Also, I am designing a tool to allow us to better view the tornado on the move. This will allow you to continuously watch the action as we reposition.
Our video from the day will be posted soon, so stay tuned!
Two upgrades/things i'd like to see, along with prolly everyone else.
A spotter network ID/Icon. I hate how the tracker updates every 2 seconds, and zooms out...and i could careless about your location according to the Base reflectivity...I wanna see it on SRV1 and BV1, and it seems like a Spotter network ID/Icon would allow this, and i know there are many others who would like this too. Plus its kinda pain having to have one application open just to track you, when i can have Gr3 open, and tracking 20+ others.
And last but not least...Streaming Video...From YOU and JOEL...IDK anyone elses opinion on this, but it seems like your letting Television contracts(Storm Chasers) get in the way of bringing us footage YOUR footage. Infact up until streaming was the TV.Net team really just Reed Timmer, Joel Taylor, Dave Holder, and Dean Schoeneck? Plus Jason(Technical support). Now it seems like your trying to supplement the streams by having 3 to 4, None of which is actually From you guys...I dont know how others feel about this, but i'm here because i found this site because of Reed and Joels video, so when i watch a stream i'm not wanting to see Matt Chatelain's stream, i want to see Reed Timmers. In other words i guess you can say, I'm a Reed Timmer and Joel Taylor fan, or a "Original Tornadovideos.net team fan"
Now onto Address Matt Chatelain, Dave Holder, and the other streamers on the site, This nothing against you guys...you guys do great at what you do. And your stream was fun to see, But i think the stream from inside the rain curtains as Reed tried to deploy the Probe would have been awesome. And there seems to be Issues with them being able to stream.(TV)
I prolly worded things wrong above, but i have nothing against them just expressing my Opinion.
mabey reed hasn't had his camra workin mabey thats why isnt as much up?
osted By Reed | April 8, 2008 @ 12:25 AM #
We got the tornado near elektra just as it was touching down. We were right along the Red River just on the OK side, and then got blasted by the core just as it was starting to dominate.
We thought the initial NE movement would bring it about 2 miles north of the Red...but it didn't happen.
Congrats to SS on the streaming of the hose
We were unable to stream for tv reasons...but will be boosting the data equipment of the other 3 streams for the events later this week.
Unfortunately when we were looking at the wall cloud/developing tornado that was one of the only times we actually had sufficient internet data to stream! Southwest OK is brutal as I'm sure all the chasers know.
I'll be posting the video and pictures later tonight in the reports thread of the forum
^ In that post he says they were unable to stream for TV reasons...And i would bet thats been the problem all along(The storm chasers Contract). ALTHOUGH I COULD BE WRONG.
Hey Ben - Not trying to squash what you're saying in any way at all, but I think thost couple of posts might have been better suited for the TV.net Website Enhancements forum, that way maybe it could be discussed a little more easily/directly. :)
http://tornadovideos.net/forum/threads.cfm?forumid=846FAA09-1AA0-0548-B6E3E90A80A7E30C
......
Otherwise, GREAT photos, guys! Matt, I'm interested to know what kind of lens you were using. I bet you were wishing you had a 10-20mm to get that wall cloud (if that would have done it!).
ahhh i see but proubly have that contract because if give vid away now to see the show won't be as good cuz people would have seen the photage
Heidi, I was using a 28mm f/2.8 on a Nikon D70. I am trying to buy a 10mm f/1.8 but they are extremely expensive! We like to get close but stay out of danger... this poses a huge problem for a 28mm lens... its not wide enough!
Great pictures guys!!! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to access the live stream... :-( Keep on going, your'e doing a good job!! It's so fun to be able to see what's going on there from here, Montreal, Quebec!!!
We had a couple thunderstorms yesterday night too this morning. I was waked up by lightnings flashes and the noise of the rain. Summer is coming! Yahoo!
nice structure there matt- and nice picture
Severe thunderstorms watches/warnings for many North Carolina counties...
While Reed and Joel continue to do the Discovery Channel show, the live feeds will be broadcast by myself along with the other teams of streamers.
The other advantage to having multiple streams is the fact that there is not always one storm to be on. With multiple teams, we can provide better coverage of the situation.
I'd also like to say that the "Reed and Joel" team doesn't necessarily lay claim to all the best footage... there are other instances where different people (usually including Reed however!) get involved :)
Ben . . . I've watched their footage since May 3, 1999. As far as being an 'original fan', obviously you can not stake claim of that. Most of these guys have been here before 'tornadovideos.net', before anyone knew who Reed or Joel was. It was their cars used to chase when Reed's had duct tape keeping the hood shut. Or when they had to pick which car would make it to Canada, it was not Reed's. Just because they are not in the forefront does not mean they lack the passion or did not assist to gain the footage you enjoy. Please continue to be a Reed and Joel fan, however negative comments towards others take away from the purpose of this site.
Spooky (but awesome) pictures!
Those tornadoes suck ass. Nice dust whirls.
I for one have really enjoyed the live streams. Where else are you actually going to get live coverage of severe storm outbreaks? CNN, The Weather Channel? Give me a break. These guys are out there getting the hook on live camera. Keep up the great work. You will have 50 others copying you in 2 years. Believe it.
SCM
Dusty do you mean that tornado is wimpy? Dude a tornado is a tornado Evean though it looks wimpy the winds could easy be over 150 MPH that's over EF3! that could take your house and land it in the next county!
Welp gonna go watch thunder over Louisville...
WOW! You da man Matt Van Every! yes you areee. btw got some nice lightning shots yesterday in da big apple. hey reed! cya ssoooon.
The video is posted, check it out and share it with your friends! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6lsLaaY13E
man, those clouds on the top photo look absolutely evil
Wow! Nice video Matt!! I'm so disappointed! I missed the live feed! I've never been able to "lunch" the live feed by the way...
Keep going! Bring us a million of others like that one!
Tood...have you cheked the video posted by Matt??
Nice! Keep up the good work guys! You're making me jealous though.... I'm in need of some good storms up here. I think I'll get my chance later in the week however. ;)
i like live streams to and stuff and no matter what happens i will always love tornadovideos.net team and who else wit the site
btw nice photo's and stuff keep up the good work
Hey, the cpc is forecasting above average precip. for 8-14 day outlook. Does anyone know why?
I feel sorry for the good ol dust whirl. He no longer has a place in chasing. The in fashion "tornado" has stolen all his glory.
These pictures pretty much sum up my worst nightmare: looking out a window and seeing this. Yikes! Amazing pictures :o)
Dusty, when you get some footage you can come back and boast at will! But except for two or three tornadoes, this is what the ones that manage to touch down in the entire central plains have looked like so far. This season has started off like the Detroit Tigers.
Next week looks very active for the Plains. We finally may have a semi-permanent trough in the Western U.S. that week.
Posted By bob | April 13, 2008 @ 2:17 PM #
"Hey, the cpc is forecasting above average precip. for 8-14 day outlook. Does anyone know why?"
Read the forecast discussion for the 8-14 day outlook.
get some tubes
I'm getting bored with all of this "good weather." Blue skies are so boring! We're under a frost advisory tonight. In Texas. In April! This cold dry air is killin me!
I can't wait until next week, I think it could get good. Still need my first twister of 2008!
NICE pictures Matt! That is defenintly a beautifull yet spooky looking wall cloud!
I agree Conner, it has been downright COLD for Oklahoma the past few days! We are under a freeze warning, with freezing temps and widespread frost likely..... Just as we thought winter was over for good. rolls eyes*
Next week certainly looks active around here. Anyone agree?
Yeah, next week looks like fun... To bad I have my senior project during that week. Its going to be fun trying to convince my team mates that chasing comes first. I hope it gets closer to OU, I might have to chase in a suit! Remember chasing first is rule number 1, 2, 3!
I'm very excited about next week, but I'm getting a little worried about my chasing opportunities... the truck has already survived four storms with between tennis ball and softball sized hail in the past two weeks, and I'm not sure how much longer my luck will last. I'm currently looking for another chase vehicle that i wouldn't mind beating up.
Can we have a competition for the most hail damaged car/truck? Post photos in one of the forums.
(chaser cars, not just randomn ones)
lol i never heard of that before im pretty sure i wouldn't want to be in that contests for most damage cause in end won't be worth it lol.
If I have to count another dust swirl as a tornado this year I am going to be sick. I need a condesation funnel. I am driving through the next "dust swirl/debris cloud" I see. I about drove through one near Abilene but got blasted by rain wrap before I caught it. Next week looks to have some very nice potential.
I will wash my car in a few days and take some picks of the dents I got April 7 near Electra, TX. They are close to the size of the ones on Reed's Tahoe.
Truly magnificent pics guys! Good job!