He later spotted a NOAA call for proposals to develop an instrument that could withstand the conditions within the tornado—and he couldn't help but answer. After studying these failed systems, Samaras entered the fray in the early s with his newly designed probe, the Hardened In-situ Tornado Pressure Recorders abbreviated as HITPR, but often referred to as "the turtle".
At the time, scientists had largely given up the effort to see inside the tornado's core, explains William Gallus , professor of geological and atmospheric sciences at Iowa State University. In , after many failed attempts, Samaras deployed his probe in the small community of Manchester, South Dakota, ahead of an EF4 tornado the "Enhanced Fujita" scale is based on the relative damage to structures, rating the tornadoes intensity with the greatest being an EF As Hargrove describes in his book, Samaras' probe got a direct hit, withstanding winds that roared like Niagra Falls.
The probe recorded a pressure drop of millibars, the largest ever seen inside a tornado. At the time, Gallus had been collaborating with Partha Sarkar, an engineer trying to develop structures that could better withstand tornadoes.
To study twisters in detail, Sarkar and his colleagues built a tornado simulator , and believed Samaras' peek inside the twister was just what they needed to test the accuracy of their simulation. Gallus approached his meeting with Samaras with great trepidation, fretting his engineering collaborators would be disappointed. But Samaras' visit whisked away all his worries. Crucially, he could speak the language: "He was communicating with the engineers in engineer-ese. From that day on Samaras collaborated with Gallus and Sarkar, attempting to secure the data they so desired.
With his team, Samaras captured stunning video from inside the tornado and pressure data from several successful deployments of the turtle probes. Samaras' work left an indelible mark on the meteorologic community. As Gallus notes, researchers really need direct measurements of wind speed—not just pressure—inside the whirling gales.
And as with all science, they need repetition of the measurements at multiple points through the storm and of tornadoes of different strengths. But Samaras at least proved it was possible—and important—to get these ground-based measurements. Scientists are slowly making headway, Gallus says. For example, Josh Wurman, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Colorado, Boulder, recently collected measurements that support existing computer models, which suggest the strongest winds are actually tens of feet above the ground, the optimum height for peeling roofs from houses.
But these measures were all from weak tornadoes, and they need similar data from storms of many strengths to say whether the pattern will hold, says Gallus. This work is becoming more important than ever, Hargrove writes. Some studies suggests tornadoes may have become more intense in recent years. Though it's not easy to pin the trend on changes in climate, it's certainly a troubling possibility. Many couldn't believe that in the end, a storm caught the legendary storm chaser.
That may have been true. Recreations of the chase in El Reno suggest that a calamitous series of choices and developments doomed the chasers; they were essentially in the "wrong place at the wrong time," says Hargrove.
But unlike researchers affiliated with universities, Hargrove notes, Samaras' plucky crew of upstarts didn't have access to fancy mobile doppler equipment, which provides near real-time updates of the developing storm. What's your favorite fact from this Wonder? Mysha Apr 6, You say my name like this: Maisha Extreme weather is really cool. But just as cool as it is, the twice as scary as it is.
Nice interview by the way. I would chase a storm. It would be fun. Ethan May 18, That's cool, Ethan! We think it might be fun, but scary, too! Welcome, AJ!
Maybe that's something you could do one day! Gabe Apr 5, I want to be a weather man when I grow up. Do you have any suggestions? Hi, bob! Kianna Mar 28, Mar 30, Hi, Kianna!
It might be scary and could also be dangerous. They must always be very careful! Mar 10, It can be sometimes, jimmy!
You definitely have to love storms! Dec 11, STOomR Oct 27, Awesome, kd! Thanks for sharing! Thanks for joining the discussion, Gabe! Feb 6, We understand that everyone has different opinions!
Thanks for sharing yours! Jan 10, Thanks for sharing your opinion, jacob! We think it would be cool, but scarry, too! Matt Apr 4, Oct 28, Oct 15, Wow, rabid dog! We bet that was a little nerve-wracking! We hope you stayed safe! Oct 9, Oct 7, Oct 6, Dina Jun 27, Jun 29, What is the most interesting thing you learned?
We would love to find out! Birnham woods mrs. How long have people been chasing storms? How has the information they got made a difference? Wonderopolis Sep 18, Callie Feb 6, Why do people chase storms? I think its very life risking. Especially if your dealing with monster size hail, EF5 tornadoes, or a category 5 hurricane.
Wonderopolis Feb 6, Exactly, Callie! It is very dangerous! Callie Feb 7, Michael Dec 11, Wonderopolis Dec 11, Madison Apr 1, When my dad started watching Storm Chasers I had been wondering "Why do they do that?
Wonderopolis Apr 1, Wow that is amazing how long did it take to make the bullet proof car and why do they risk there lives out there it's dangerous I would love to do a job like that to warn people about the storms but I don't want to risk my life out there it is not safe at all.
But I would love for you to send me as much horses and ponies facts as you can because I love horses and this is the place and website to find out all the stuff there is on Wonderopolis.
Wonderopolis Feb 13, Wow that video is so cool I would want to be a storm chaser. WOW that is really dangerous I am terrified of storms like that so it was nice knowing what to do Wonderopolis Feb 7, Madison Jan 27, Wow that was really cool someday I want to do that and by the chance can you get hurt while storm chasing?
Oh translate in German. Wonderopolis Jan 27, Adam Jan 2, Dear Wonderopolis, I didn't know what vehicle they use that's cool. Wonderopolis Jan 2, Michael Dec 14, Wonderopolis Dec 14, Wow, thanks for sharing your comment, Michael!
How very cool! Kade Dec 6, Serene Nov 29, My friend ZZ thinks that storm chasers are silly because they might get sucked into the storm. I was wondering what do you think? Wonderopolis Nov 30, Whoa that is scary but it looks like as you watch videos over and over again it looks like FUN!
I want to be a storm chaser when I grow up! Wonderopolis Nov 25, Wonderopolis Nov 23, Wonderopolis Nov 21, Ashley S. Nov 21, Now that's what I call crazy. When I saw the video somebody will freak out if one of my siblings they would break their neck. Wonderopolis Dec 2, Simon Nov 21, I was just looking through my class blog and saw that this site was on it. I clicked it and made me go on this page. This has great information with great questions. I am a student that may be coming on here, commenting and just looking.
I also listened to the video, just for a few seconds and thought of commenting for the first time. I thought that this is a very interesting question and thought that maybe that storm chasers are very brave to follow storms, since some people in the world are scared. I use to be scared of thunderstorms, but finally got over it. I think that this is also very well done and hope to see more questions during the week with some awesome answers and videos to it.
Here are some questions I hope you can answer. What kind of storms would a storm chaser not chase? Or would they do it for the fun of it? Have you ever met a storm chaser? Or was this the person you met to interview? What kind of experiance do you need to be a storm cahser? Would one of you would be interested to be a storm chaser? Those are a few of my questions! It's been fantastic writing this post, and can't wait to see more! Suhail Nov 21, You know if I was them I would be scared to death I mean why would they risk their lives?
Mushkale Nov 21, Do you guys still remember me? I love this Wonder I wonder if you can do a wonder about the brain? Wonder Friend Nov 20, We're so glad you liked our stormy Wonder! I loved the video of the men chasing a storm it looks fun and scary and also dangerous at the same time. Wonderopolis Nov 20, Danielle Nov 20, The video was super interesting for me because I have never actually experienced a tornado before and seen people chase hurricanes and tornadoes! Sincerely Danielle : : :.
Lindsey Nov 20, I liked that video because it inspires you in stuff that you have never tried before. And what would happen if a tornado sucks you up? Mar 16, Macey From Mrs. Skis A. Nov 20, I think today's wonder had a little chill to it. I enjoyed seeing the video and hearing all those great things about how people feel and what they do after they are in a storm. I think that tomorow's wonder will be about jets with gas left to fly, a day at school or at work, or maybe even a huge weight.
I hope I get this one right!!!!!!! That's so cool and interesting that they do that. Ajhnae Nov 20, I don't know how that man can drive through that terrible storm like that.
I would be crying right now. Henry Nov 20, It was cool how the dominator took all that pressure. Andre Nov 20, I would be scared to because I would not want to get hurt I just want to be safe. That was really cool and scary at the same time.
But it is cool how you said you save people in the storm because people need help in the storm. I know that these people are studying the storm and that they are doing their best to do this and to get everything right. Santino Nov 20, This is really cool. I wish I had the courage to do that. I would be freaked out!
Carla Nov 20, Thanks so much, Carla! We Wonder what your favorite part of today's Wonder was? Katelyn Nov 20, I think storm chasing is very dangerous, and that it is very neat that the car is safe from the storm. Curious Girl Nov 20, Your Wonders are wonderful!
I'd run for my life! K's Reading Class Nov 20, It sounds like the equipment that gets picked up during tornadoes often gets destroyed. If so, how do the scientists get information about the tornadoes? Julian Nov 20, That was cool! Are there lots of people with him? He is brave to do that. How could you not be terrified? I would because just drive in a tornado that is why I would be scared.
Kamaria Nov 20, I think that is kind of scary if you have to drive in category 5 hurricanes and tornadoes. Korayma Nov 20, It looks scary being a storm chaser and it looks cool. Jason Nov 20, That is amazing that you guys do I wish I can be like you.
It is really amazing how the storm chaser can go after a storm. Also when he was little he was afraid of thunder storms and now he isn't. Azhir Nov 20, Wow that was pretty cool! I liked that storm chasers don't just chase they also saved lives. I would be scared to chase a storm. But I can see how cool it would be to do that type of stuff. Keep on working on what you do best is chasing storm's.
That was really cool. I want to try that. I would be a little scared. Ski's AM Class Nov 20, We thought today's Wonder was interesting. Kaitlyn was very interested in cars that survive going through a tornado. Connor thought it was cool to learn about the TIV2 cars, too.
Vito thinks it's interesting that people are risky enough to chase tornadoes. Madie wonders if there are ships like the TIV2 that can survive hurricanes. We think tomorrow's wonder will be about food, barbells, weights, cows, boulders, elevators, gravity, or anchors. Ski wonders if any of her AM wonder friends will check it out at home and comment.
Witkowski's 4th grade cla Dear Wonderopolis, Today's wonder was great! The video was amazing. One of our classmates has actually met a storm chaser. We think tomorrow's wonder will be about weights, scales, losing weight at the gym, or even gravity.
Thank you for the wonders, Mrs. Witkowski's 4th graders. The photo shows a massive storm cloud with a thick tornado descending to the ground, kicking up a huge debris cloud.
Two smaller tornadoes extend out from the cloud to either side, like devil's horns. The date was Aug. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Prev NEXT. Forces of Nature.
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