TornadoVideos.net

Posted At: April 28, 2008 @ 6:40 PM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

A strong, damaging tornado touched down at around 20z earlier this afternoon in the highly populated Southeast Virginia, causing severe damage to several homes at least one confirmed fatality at this time.  The tornado was a large stovepipe/cone, and was on the ground for at least 20 minutes.  Here is a link to an article about this potentially devastating event:

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/04/tornado-touches-down-suffolk-one-killed-injuries-reported

Links to pictures of the tornado:

http://wavy.lintvmix.com/photos-browse.php?what=categories&for=1459

http://www.wtkr.com/Global/story.asp?S=8239350

Stay tuned for continual updates as news becomes available.

Posted At: April 26, 2008 @ 10:13 AM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

As a subtle shortwave trough rotates around the backside of the main vort max this afternoon, supercells will be possible over West Texas into the Hill Country.  With limited moisture, the storms will initially be high-based and LP (low-precipitation) in nature, but will move southeastward into deeper moisture by evening.  At this time, a low-level jet is forecast to intensify to 30+ knots south of a cold front surging southward across the High Plains.  Deep layer shear will be more than adequate for rotating storms, and the low-level shear might get strong enough for tornadoes toward evening.  Here is the final video of the Dawson Co, TX tornado from April 23, including the near lightning strike and gustnado. 

Posted At: April 25, 2008 @ 7:46 PM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

Persistent tornadic supercells have developed late this afternoon into the evening along a stalled cold front in central TX.  Ambient environmental shear there does not look favorable for tornadoes, with no winds greater than 15 knots below 500 mb!  However, the storms have been propagating southward resulting in fairly good storm-relative low-level shear (similar to what happened during the Elie, MB tornado last year but not nearly the magnitude).  Three tornadoes have been reported in Bell Co, TX with the strongest supercell as of 8:00 pm CDT.  Further north in the western Great Lakes, several tornadic supercells have produced hoses from eastern IA to southern WI.  Damage has been reported with these tornadoes, but no pictures or video have yet surfaced.  Tomorrow looks interesting...We'll definitely be chasing and will have the streaming video at full force!

Posted At: April 24, 2008 @ 8:34 PM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

Posted At: April 23, 2008 @ 10:39 PM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

Here are pictures of the rather large tornado we intercepted in Dawson Co, TX from earlier today (Wednesday) that touched down shortly after 4:00 pm CDT.   The storm was continually struggling to ride the outflow boundary from earlier convection, but became elevated and died shortly after the tornado.




Below is the radar image from the second storm we intercepted just west of the first.  At the time of this image, the storm was really wrapping and nearly put down a large tornado.  But once again, the storm became undercut by the boundary and slowly weakened.  Just as we caught the storm to the west, and nearly were struck by several CGs!  Several us were shocked by the nearby strike. 


 

Posted At: April 23, 2008 @ 9:08 AM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

As an upper impulse ejects from the Southern Rockies late this afternoon, instability and wind shear profiles will become increasingly favorable for tornadic supercells over the southern Texas Panhandle eastward into the Hill Country.  The RUC is forecasting the dryline to reside just east of the NM border between 21 and 00z, with storms initiating around 3-5 pm CDT.  Our target is near the Lubbock area, just south of the east-west boundary at the northern edge of the LLJ.  We should have at least 3 live streams today, so check out the Live Tracker throughout the day!

Posted At: April 21, 2008 @ 9:50 AM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

Today looks like a classic high-CAPE/low-shear event along the front from northern Missouri southwestward to Oklahoma, with the RUC forecasting CAPE as high as 5000 J/kg in central OK by 00z this evening!  The only limiting factor for tornadoes will be the lack of low-level shear, with a 20-25 knot LLJ forecast to develop by 00z.  Still though, with CAPE values this high, there will be substantial stretching of any vorticity that can be vertically tilted by the strong updrafts, and there is a possibility the LLJ could develop faster and stronger than forecast.  The 12z RUC forecast CAPE and 850 mb flow for 00z this evening are shown below:

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a slight risk for this area, with a 5% tornado probability.  While the tornado threat may be marginal today, I'd say the chances of losing another windshield are very high, since we'll likely be dealing with some monster hail with any supercells that form in this highly unstable environment!  Our current target is from Enid east to I-35, although this could be adjusted north and east depending on how convective initiation and low-level shear profiles evolve.  We also plan on testing a new streaming video setup today!  Wednesday looks like the apocalypse in the TX Panhandle...stay tuned.

Posted At: April 18, 2008 @ 5:38 AM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

Here is the video of another crazy hail storm from 2008.  This one was with a supercell that tracked from through Mineral Well, Weatherford, and DFW, TX yesterday afternoon and evening.  We were pummeled by horizontal tennis ball size hail for several minutes, cracking our wind shield completely and putting craters in the car. 

Posted At: April 17, 2008 @ 10:22 AM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

If the morning RUC verifies I'd say there is a good chance for tornadoes from Lawton, OK to Wichita Falls, TX eastward, especially if storms can remain discrete and move off the frontal boundary.  The low-level wind shear is forecast to be extreme, with 850 mb winds of 40-50 knots east of the front across N Texas and S Oklahoma (see below - 12z RUC for 00z this evening).  The RUC also is showing explosive convective initiation across Northwest TX into south-central OK between 4:00 and 7:00 pm CDT.  We'll definitely be chasing this event, so check out the tracker for live streaming video! 

Posted At: April 14, 2008 @ 2:04 PM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

Check out this video of a near-miss lightning strike in Norman, OK from last summer, courtesy of Curtis McDonald, Matt Chat, Daniel Betten, and Matt Van Every.  The main lightning channel and associated streamers can clearly be seen at the end of the video.  Early next week looks like the apocalypse.

Posted At: April 12, 2008 @ 10:49 AM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

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!

Posted At: April 11, 2008 @ 4:51 PM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

Tornado watches have been issued for the Southern Great Lakes, eastern TN, and northern AL for this afternoon and evening, as tornadic supercells will continue to develop along a strong cold front surging eastward south of a strong mid-latitude cyclone.  As of 4:54 pm, several tornado warnings were in effect over southern AL and extreme southeast MS, with 10 tornadoes reported so far over southern KY, central TN, AL, and LA.  I would not be surprised if this number doubled by the end of the day.  Stay tuned for updates as this severe weather outbreak unfolds.

Posted At: April 10, 2008 @ 12:19 PM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

Discrete supercell initiation appears underway over Eastern AR at this time.  Currently, we're located just east of Lonoke, AR, keeping a very close eye on supercells approaching from the southwest.  Several of the cells have shown signs of rotation, but additional instability is likely needed for a more robust tornado threat.  Our plan is to hang tight here on I-40, and see how the cells progress to our southwest.


Tornado watches are currently in effect from Northern LA to the MO Bootheel region, with 0-1 km helicity values in the 600+ m2/s2 range!  If these cells can remain discrete, then strong tornadoes will definitely be possible.  This could be a very dangerous situation as these supercells progress toward the Memphis area. 

Posted At: April 10, 2008 @ 11:27 AM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

SPC has issued another moderate risk for severe weather today. Reed and Joel are currently in route to their target location in Eastern Arkansas.


Bear with the live streaming today as we are still working out the kinks. Today could be HUGE if storms become isolated, which by the look of the latest radar, in central Arkansas, they just might.


Reed will have more updates from the field!

-JY

Posted At: April 9, 2008 @ 9:20 AM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

As a strong vort max begins to move out of the Rocky Mountain region today, wind shear and instability will be sufficient for intense supercells with the likelihood of producing tornadoes.  40 knots at 850 mb, and ENE-ly storm motions will combine to create perfect storm relative winds for strong tornadoes.  The Storm Prediction Center has issued a moderate risk for today, with a hatched area for EF2-EF5 tornadoes.  Tomorrow looks like a historic outbreak, so we'll be making a two-day chase out of this.  We'll be using three live streaming vehicles today, and we're continue improving our setup, so hopefully we'll have more continuous live video..

Posted At: April 8, 2008 @ 4:09 AM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

Here are pictures and video from our chase yesterday in Northwest OK.  The first three pictures are of the wall cloud on the tornado-warned supercell in Wichita Co, TX from around 4:30 pm CDT, about 15 minutes before the tornado.  Note the classic clear-slot in the second picture, wrapping around the east side of the funnel/wall cloud.  As seen in the video, a small funnel develops shortly after the second picture, but was obscured by rain a few seconds later.  We thought the initial northeast movement of this storm would carry it north of the Red River, so we waited for the storm in extreme southern Tillman County.   Then..just as the tornado was touching down, we were slammed by heavy rain and lost sight of the funnel, with no nearby bridges across the river into Texas.   The third picture is when the first supercell began to evaporate near Wichita Falls, and the last picture is of the supercell near Archer City, TX. 

 

 

Posted At: April 7, 2008 @ 8:03 AM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

A classic dryline setup will materialize this afternoon and evening across western OK and extreme Northwest Texas, with a strong low-level jet forecast to develop over this area by 00z.  Given ~3000 J/kg CAPE, sufficient moisture, and strong low-level and deep layer shear, tornadic supercells will be likely from I-40 south to the Red River in western OK.  Our  Live Video Streaming  will be activated this afternoon, including 4 independent storm chasing teams.  Check out this new feature at the "Live Tracker" paged linked above.  Stay tuned for updates!

Posted At: April 6, 2008 @ 12:19 AM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

Both the NAM and the GFS are now agreeing on a potentially major severe weather outbreak across western into central Oklahoma on Monday evening, as a strong storm system intensifies rapidly to the lee of the Rocky Mountains.  A textbook dryline will be in place on Monday from Oklahoma south into Texas, with 3000+ J/kg CAPEs developing by afternoon.  A 35+ knot low-level jet will also intensify in the warm sector, especially near and after sunset.  Given forecast 0-1 km helicity values of 300+ m2/s2 across western and central OK, strong tornadoes will be possible in Oklahoma if this model run verifies.  The 48 hr NAM forecast CAPE and 850 mb flow are displayed below.  Stay tuned for updates as the forecast becomes more certain. 

 

After Monday, the upper storm system moves rapidly northeastward in a progressive pattern, with the best instability/low-level shear combination in northern MO into IL on Tuesday.  Another trough is forecast to amplify over the Western U.S. by Wednesday into Thursday, with additional chances for severe weather across the Southern Plains into the Lower MS River Valley.  I'd say the chances are very high we'll get our first tornado of the season this week!  Or at least a lot of other chasers will.

Posted At: April 4, 2008 @ 10:03 PM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

Here are the highlight videos for the last three chases:  March 30 (Western OK), March 31 (Southeast OK), and April 3 (Northwest TX), 2007.  Several tornado-warned supercells are featured in these videos, along with destructive hail in each.  Very different from last year...we have not yet seen a tornado!   Next week looks huge.
 

Posted At: April 4, 2008 @ 11:02 AM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

A tornado watch has been issued for extreme Southeast Texas and Central LA, MS, and AL until 6:00 pm CDT this evening, as a strong squall line surges southeastward through the region today.  With ample instability and a low-level jet of 30-40 knots, tornadoes will be possible with any discrete storms that can develop ahead or within the line.  As daytime heating continues, the warm sector ahead of the line currently over northern LA will destabilize and become uncapped, allowing for supercells to develop out ahead of the MCS.  If this occurs, the tornado threat will be enhanced significantly.

Posted At: April 4, 2008 @ 10:27 AM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

The issues with the site have been resolved.

Thanks for you patience.

Jason

Posted At: April 4, 2008 @ 1:56 AM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

Between 0250 and 0315 UTC tonight (Thursday night), a damaging tornado moved from west of Little Rock and directly over the radar site/NWS office in North Little Rock, with reports of structural damage.  The supercell had an incredible couplet on radar, with the entire RFD - tornado cyclone structure visible on storm relative velocity from ~100 feet above the ground!  I'll upload a radar loop later today.  Thankfully so far, no fatalities have been reported.    

0210		LONSDALE	GARLAND	AR	3454	9281	DEBRIS IN AIR REPORTED AT THE HWY 70/30 SPLIT NEAR LONSDALE. (LZK)
0215		2 SW BENTON	SALINE	AR	3455	9260	POWER LINES ARE DOWN AND AUTOMOBILE DAMAGED BY POSSIBLE TORNADO 2 MILES SOUTHWEST OF BENTON (LZK)
0220		BENTON	SALINE	AR	3457	9258	WALL CLOUD REPORTED BY HAM RADIO OPERATOR JUST EAST OF EXIT 116 IN BENTON. (LZK)
0225		BRYANT	SALINE	AR	3461	9249	REPORTS OF DAMAGE AT HURRICANE LAKE ESTATES...ALONG WITH FIRES STARTED. REPORTED TIME IS APPROXIMATE. (LZK)
0250		6 W DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROC	PULASKI	AR	3473	9234	DAMAGE REPORTS AT MARKHAM AND JOHN BARROW...MARKHAM AND BROOKHAVEN...ALONG MISSISSIPPI AND ALONG CANTRELL. REPORTS OF STRUCTURE DAMAGE...CARS FLIPPED OVER...AND TREES A (LZK)
0310		NORTH LITTLE ROCK AIRPO	PULASKI	AR	3483	9227	TORNADO PASSED OVER NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN NORTH LITTLE ROCK AT THE NORTH LITTLE ROCK AIRPORT. DAMAGE TO BUILDINGS SURROUNDING THE AIRPORT ON AIRPORT PROPER (LZK)
0315		GRAVEL RIDGE	PULASKI	AR	3487	9219	REPORTS OF DAMAGE ON JACKSONVILLE CATO ROAD WITH TREES ON A HOUSE ALONG WITH A FIRE. (LZK)

Posted At: April 3, 2008 @ 10:55 AM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

Today looks to be a big day for tornadoes across parts of North Texas beginning by late afternoon.  With sufficient low-level shear and instability for tornadoes just south of a warm front draped across S OK, any supercells that develop in the warm sector will have the likelihood of rotating.  The SPC has issued a moderate risk for this area, including a 10% area for tornadoes.  We will be operating our LIVE VIDEO STREAMING system during this chase, which will initially include two storm chasing teams.  You can access the streams on our "Live Tracker" page, and also see the updated GPS positions of the two streaming teams.