1 00:01:19,663 --> 00:01:22,332 There is a place in the heartland of the United States 2 00:01:22,416 --> 00:01:25,669 that is home to the most severe storms on earth. 3 00:01:26,253 --> 00:01:28,213 When a clash of forces above 4 00:01:28,297 --> 00:01:29,756 can turn day into night 5 00:01:30,173 --> 00:01:32,342 and rain terror on those below. 6 00:02:44,665 --> 00:02:46,583 "Tornado alley" is a name well-earned 7 00:02:47,084 --> 00:02:48,877 for it is home to nearly 80% 8 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:51,088 of the world's most violent tornadoes. 9 00:02:53,048 --> 00:02:55,592 The destruction they leave behind each year is enormous 10 00:02:56,218 --> 00:02:59,054 and the human toll is no less devastating. 11 00:03:03,850 --> 00:03:07,020 We've come to understand why so many tornadoes plague this region, 12 00:03:07,938 --> 00:03:10,148 but we still cannot predict with great accuracy 13 00:03:10,232 --> 00:03:12,442 where and when they will strike. 14 00:03:22,119 --> 00:03:25,372 The scientific mission called vortex two is now underway 15 00:03:25,914 --> 00:03:29,543 to gain a better understanding of why some storms produce tornadoes 16 00:03:29,626 --> 00:03:31,044 and others do not. 17 00:03:34,089 --> 00:03:36,341 Well,guys,i guess y'all are about ready to go. 18 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:38,635 Meteorologist don burgess 19 00:03:38,719 --> 00:03:40,971 is one of the principle investigators on the team. 20 00:03:42,139 --> 00:03:45,183 Vortex two, or "v-2" as we call it, 21 00:03:45,267 --> 00:03:47,018 is a large scientific experiment. 22 00:03:48,562 --> 00:03:52,023 Large because we need to get as much data as possible 23 00:03:52,232 --> 00:03:54,276 on the details of tornadogenesis, 24 00:03:54,818 --> 00:03:56,611 the time when tornadoes are born. 25 00:04:01,199 --> 00:04:04,953 A storm can be huge, miles across. 26 00:04:04,995 --> 00:04:08,039 So we've got to use every tool we've got. 27 00:04:09,875 --> 00:04:12,919 We'll surround the storms with sensors called sticknets. 28 00:04:14,838 --> 00:04:17,132 Mobile weather data collecting vehicles 29 00:04:17,174 --> 00:04:21,011 called mesonets will get as close to the tornado as possible. 30 00:04:23,221 --> 00:04:26,516 We'll drop mini weather stations called pods 31 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:29,269 right in the path of an oncoming tornado. 32 00:04:31,813 --> 00:04:34,065 And we'll scan inside the storms 33 00:04:34,149 --> 00:04:36,985 with the most sophisticated mobile radar trucks. 34 00:04:39,780 --> 00:04:42,574 The goal of their field research is to gather information 35 00:04:42,657 --> 00:04:45,702 that can be used to provide earlier and more accurate warnings. 36 00:04:46,912 --> 00:04:48,789 And with over 100 researchers, 37 00:04:48,997 --> 00:04:52,751 forty vehicles and a huge array of advanced instrumentation, 38 00:04:53,293 --> 00:04:57,464 vortex two is the most ambitious severe storm investigation in history. 39 00:05:09,392 --> 00:05:12,229 Scientists are not the only ones drawn to severe weather. 40 00:05:16,316 --> 00:05:19,361 Sean Casey is both a filmmaker and a storm chaser 41 00:05:19,611 --> 00:05:22,531 and his preparation is taking shape in a very different way, 42 00:05:23,365 --> 00:05:26,409 upgrading his 14,000-pound homemade tank. 43 00:05:28,286 --> 00:05:30,413 He calls it the "tornado intercept vehicle" 44 00:05:31,373 --> 00:05:32,374 or "tl v. " 45 00:05:32,749 --> 00:05:34,251 Built for one purpose, 46 00:05:35,085 --> 00:05:36,920 to drive into the heart of a tornado. 47 00:05:42,050 --> 00:05:44,427 People ask me why I 'm doing this. 48 00:05:44,511 --> 00:05:46,596 I know that some of them think I'm nuts, 49 00:05:47,681 --> 00:05:50,725 but for years I've had this goal, this dream. 50 00:05:52,394 --> 00:05:55,397 I want to get a shot of a tornado coming directly at us 51 00:05:55,438 --> 00:05:57,315 and film that impact. 52 00:05:57,399 --> 00:05:59,484 And this is the only way i know how to do it. 53 00:06:02,153 --> 00:06:04,948 With two-inch composite armor and bulletproof windows, 54 00:06:05,323 --> 00:06:10,287 tiv is designed to survive tornadic winds up to 200 miles per hour. 55 00:06:23,341 --> 00:06:27,095 Meteorologist Brandon ivey will monitor weather conditions for the team. 56 00:06:28,471 --> 00:06:29,472 Just watch yourself. 57 00:06:30,765 --> 00:06:33,184 All right, Marc. Keep going. Keep going. 58 00:06:34,060 --> 00:06:36,938 Driver Marcus Gutierrez is a trained Navy medic, 59 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:40,150 a skill set that hopefully won't be needed. 60 00:06:43,695 --> 00:06:44,946 A little more. 61 00:06:44,988 --> 00:06:46,156 All right, Marc. Keep going. Keep going. 62 00:06:46,197 --> 00:06:48,241 Sean Casey will spend most of his time under the turret, 63 00:06:49,492 --> 00:06:52,746 which both houses and protects his large-format camera. 64 00:07:01,504 --> 00:07:03,340 Tiv is ready to roll, 65 00:07:04,591 --> 00:07:06,009 but first, a rehearsal. 66 00:07:08,470 --> 00:07:10,430 Tornado coming! Deploy! 67 00:07:14,100 --> 00:07:15,268 Four seconds. 68 00:07:15,393 --> 00:07:17,437 Panels lower to block lifting winds. 69 00:07:20,023 --> 00:07:21,191 Eight seconds. 70 00:07:27,697 --> 00:07:28,823 Sixteen seconds. 71 00:07:29,824 --> 00:07:33,203 Steel spikes drive 40 inches into the ground as anchors. 72 00:07:35,872 --> 00:07:37,165 22.9. 73 00:07:37,540 --> 00:07:38,625 Nah-uh. Yeah. 74 00:07:38,708 --> 00:07:40,251 Why do we keep getting that number? 75 00:07:49,219 --> 00:07:50,470 The chase is on, 76 00:07:51,054 --> 00:07:53,932 for it's storm season in tornado alley. 77 00:07:54,516 --> 00:07:57,477 And a unique combination of geography and converging air masses 78 00:07:57,560 --> 00:08:00,855 provide the perfect environment for tornadogenesis. 79 00:08:03,608 --> 00:08:06,152 With no Southern mountain range to block the flow, 80 00:08:06,236 --> 00:08:09,823 warm moist air from the Gulf of Mexico moves northward 81 00:08:09,906 --> 00:08:12,909 under the dry, cool fast moving winds of the jet stream. 82 00:08:15,161 --> 00:08:16,746 If the warm air rises, 83 00:08:16,788 --> 00:08:19,165 it cools and moisture condenses into clouds 84 00:08:19,249 --> 00:08:24,004 reaching as high as 10 miles into the atmosphere and a storm is born. 85 00:08:26,339 --> 00:08:29,968 Winds moving in different directions and different speeds 86 00:08:30,051 --> 00:08:33,054 can rotate a storm into what is called a supercell. 87 00:08:35,265 --> 00:08:39,269 Scientists believe that a downdraft wrapping around the rear of the supercell 88 00:08:39,310 --> 00:08:41,646 is critical to bringing the rotation to the ground 89 00:08:42,105 --> 00:08:44,941 and that the temperature of the downdraft might determine 90 00:08:45,025 --> 00:08:46,776 whether the storm merely produces strong winds 91 00:08:47,777 --> 00:08:49,195 or a monster tornado. 92 00:09:21,186 --> 00:09:24,314 don". Welcome to day one, first day of vortex two. 93 00:09:24,689 --> 00:09:26,900 We have an interesting situation this morning. 94 00:09:27,358 --> 00:09:29,944 This is the first slide today, the 500 millibar chart. 95 00:09:30,278 --> 00:09:31,529 On it you can see that we have... 96 00:09:31,613 --> 00:09:33,323 Each day begins with a weather briefing 97 00:09:33,364 --> 00:09:35,200 to target areas with tornado potential. 98 00:09:36,117 --> 00:09:37,660 Then team leaders go to work. 99 00:09:39,204 --> 00:09:42,832 Vortex two researcher doctor Karen kosiba directs placement of the pods. 100 00:09:43,833 --> 00:09:46,503 Before each mission i like to meet with the pod teams 101 00:09:46,544 --> 00:09:50,006 so we can go over a strategy so they know where to drop the pods. 102 00:09:50,340 --> 00:09:52,008 How far the pods should be spaced. 103 00:09:52,175 --> 00:09:53,301 It could be a dangerous situation 104 00:09:53,343 --> 00:09:56,554 so they need to be cognizant of what's going on around them. 105 00:09:56,763 --> 00:09:58,973 Okay, so I think we're set then for today. 106 00:10:00,683 --> 00:10:03,478 Principle investigator doctor Josh wurman 107 00:10:03,520 --> 00:10:06,523 is in charge of coordinating v-2's 11 radar trucks. 108 00:10:08,191 --> 00:10:09,901 Radar is the backbone of our mission, 109 00:10:11,194 --> 00:10:13,530 because it allows us to see inside storms 110 00:10:13,613 --> 00:10:15,573 and make three-dimensional maps of the winds. 111 00:10:20,245 --> 00:10:24,707 For don burgess this will mark almost 40 years of storm chasing. 112 00:10:26,251 --> 00:10:29,295 There's a great deal of excitement when you head out the first day. 113 00:10:30,088 --> 00:10:34,175 I just relish the time and relish the opportunity to go out 114 00:10:34,259 --> 00:10:35,593 and get to do this one more time. 115 00:10:38,930 --> 00:10:41,599 The height of the storm season lasts less than two months. 116 00:10:42,642 --> 00:10:45,311 For chase teams, the clock is constantly ticking. 117 00:10:52,318 --> 00:10:54,112 This is dow seven heading out. 118 00:10:54,737 --> 00:10:56,114 We're going to get our feet wet here. 119 00:11:01,995 --> 00:11:05,665 Once the storm is targeted vortex two will try to get ahead of it. 120 00:11:06,124 --> 00:11:08,501 Their goal is to be in position to collect data 121 00:11:08,585 --> 00:11:10,837 throughout the entire life cycle of a tornado. 122 00:11:14,007 --> 00:11:16,176 First, they'll position radar and other sensors 123 00:11:16,259 --> 00:11:20,096 as far as 20 miles out to record large-scale samples of the entire storm. 124 00:11:21,973 --> 00:11:24,517 Some radar trucks will deploy closer to the tornado 125 00:11:24,601 --> 00:11:26,352 to collect higher-resolution data. 126 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:30,732 Before they scan, they must get level and be clear of obstacles. 127 00:11:31,774 --> 00:11:34,527 Then, doppler radar emits radio waves 128 00:11:34,611 --> 00:11:37,155 that reflect off rain, hail and lofted debris, 129 00:11:37,447 --> 00:11:40,658 creating a map of the structure and evolution of the tornado. 130 00:11:41,993 --> 00:11:43,786 A hook-like shape on radar can show 131 00:11:43,870 --> 00:11:46,998 that a downdraft is wrapped around the rear of the storm, 132 00:11:47,081 --> 00:11:49,125 a potential indicator of tornadogenesis. 133 00:11:50,668 --> 00:11:54,714 Roaming mesonet vehicles and pods dropped in the storm's path 134 00:11:54,797 --> 00:11:56,382 measure what radar cannot, 135 00:11:56,591 --> 00:11:59,969 temperature, humidity, and wind speed at ground level. 136 00:12:00,678 --> 00:12:03,556 Altogether, v-2's array of instrumentation 137 00:12:03,640 --> 00:12:08,394 will make visible the unseen architecture of the entire storm. 138 00:12:10,688 --> 00:12:13,983 Sean Casey's mission is far less complex than v-2's, 139 00:12:14,484 --> 00:12:17,320 but his commitment is no less impressive. 140 00:12:19,656 --> 00:12:22,992 This has been my life for the last eight years now 141 00:12:23,034 --> 00:12:25,870 and I don't want to spend all this time out in the field 142 00:12:25,954 --> 00:12:27,664 and bring back ordinary footage. 143 00:12:30,541 --> 00:12:33,795 It's one of the visual wonders of the world. 144 00:12:33,836 --> 00:12:37,131 It feels like it should be on another planet. 145 00:13:26,014 --> 00:13:27,849 Early on, both v-2 and tiv 146 00:13:27,890 --> 00:13:29,392 find themselves on the same road. 147 00:13:40,862 --> 00:13:43,656 Two storms have developed and they both show potential. 148 00:13:46,617 --> 00:13:50,371 Tiv heads east towards a storm that is already tornado-warned. 149 00:13:51,289 --> 00:13:52,790 V-2 goes west, 150 00:13:52,874 --> 00:13:56,502 where better road network will increase their chances for a full deployment. 151 00:14:00,381 --> 00:14:02,508 There is now a target storm. 152 00:14:02,592 --> 00:14:05,595 It is the second one in the line, 153 00:14:05,678 --> 00:14:06,888 not the Southern tip. 154 00:14:30,078 --> 00:14:32,413 This is dow seven to c.S.P.R. Teams. 155 00:14:32,455 --> 00:14:34,123 It looks like it's to the west of you. 156 00:14:34,165 --> 00:14:35,666 You're in a pretty good spot. 157 00:14:35,750 --> 00:14:38,127 We're going to keep scanning this and we'll update you, 158 00:14:38,169 --> 00:14:41,005 but circulation is marginally tornadic in the dow. 159 00:14:41,089 --> 00:14:45,635 And I think we're seeing it might be a tornado visually. 160 00:14:45,676 --> 00:14:47,720 Yeah, it's the only thing I've seen there is the wall cloud. 161 00:14:47,804 --> 00:14:48,805 I don't know about the tornado. 162 00:14:48,846 --> 00:14:50,223 It might be another rain curtain there. 163 00:14:50,932 --> 00:14:52,850 Visually, it's clearly on the ground. 164 00:14:52,975 --> 00:14:55,436 Dow seven, probe 13. What do you want us to do? 165 00:14:55,478 --> 00:14:56,896 Josh". Standby, probe 13. 166 00:15:01,484 --> 00:15:05,405 Fifty-five gallon oil barrels fly like leaves in the wind. 167 00:15:19,794 --> 00:15:21,754 Yeah, the tornado, it is weakening. 168 00:15:21,838 --> 00:15:25,466 It's 4.6 at 40 degrees. 169 00:15:28,469 --> 00:15:30,847 Basically, we're just trying to regroup out ahead of this. 170 00:15:31,222 --> 00:15:33,015 Even though the tornado has weakened, 171 00:15:33,057 --> 00:15:35,893 the storm is still strong and on the move. 172 00:15:35,977 --> 00:15:37,603 Heading east as well. Dow five, did you copy? 173 00:15:38,187 --> 00:15:39,814 Yeah, we copy that. We're rolling. 174 00:15:44,360 --> 00:15:47,697 To the east, tiv has chosen the wrong storm. 175 00:15:51,033 --> 00:15:52,869 They have a lot of ground to make up. 176 00:16:13,598 --> 00:16:17,018 V-2 is already positioning sensors on the perimeter of the storm. 177 00:16:17,059 --> 00:16:18,853 Do you want to be given our road network? 178 00:16:19,228 --> 00:16:21,689 Hey, the sticknet they're setting up on 15, 179 00:16:21,731 --> 00:16:23,566 do you think you could go up 207? 180 00:16:26,611 --> 00:16:28,571 This looks like it could produce again. 181 00:16:29,697 --> 00:16:30,907 Dow seven, are you deployed yet? 182 00:16:31,741 --> 00:16:33,993 We are deploying at our current location... 183 00:16:36,579 --> 00:16:38,247 Uh, are you scanning yet? 184 00:16:38,331 --> 00:16:40,416 Yeah. We're having a heck of a time finding a deployment site. 185 00:16:40,500 --> 00:16:42,543 Is it all right if we give 2108 a try? 186 00:16:42,585 --> 00:16:43,711 Yeah, that's fine. 187 00:16:43,753 --> 00:16:45,505 You'll have to rush and there's certainly 188 00:16:45,588 --> 00:16:46,923 no guarantee that's a better road. 189 00:16:53,221 --> 00:16:55,056 Karen". Okay, can the probe teams move 190 00:16:55,097 --> 00:16:57,350 two kilometers south from their given location 191 00:16:57,433 --> 00:16:58,893 and then hold up there? 192 00:16:58,935 --> 00:17:00,478 Probe 11, do you copy? 193 00:17:00,561 --> 00:17:01,938 Yep, we copy. 194 00:17:02,021 --> 00:17:04,023 The northern latitude was 39.24, correct? 195 00:17:04,106 --> 00:17:05,274 Correct. 196 00:17:05,316 --> 00:17:07,109 That's in the middle of a field, is it not? 197 00:17:07,193 --> 00:17:10,696 That's correct, but just do it right where that is, though. 198 00:17:13,074 --> 00:17:14,700 Dow five, dow seven? 199 00:17:15,159 --> 00:17:16,160 Man'. Dow five. 200 00:17:16,285 --> 00:17:17,703 Are you scanning? 201 00:17:17,787 --> 00:17:18,829 Not yet. 202 00:17:25,419 --> 00:17:26,462 Man". This is probe one. 203 00:17:26,546 --> 00:17:27,838 Any teams following us, 204 00:17:27,922 --> 00:17:30,383 county road 4 is washed out at our position. 205 00:17:32,134 --> 00:17:33,636 Did you say washed out? 206 00:17:34,136 --> 00:17:37,265 Yes. There is no road. We are turning around. 207 00:17:38,266 --> 00:17:40,226 Go 16. We'll turn around after you. 208 00:17:42,562 --> 00:17:43,854 Dow five, dow seven? 209 00:17:43,938 --> 00:17:45,147 Man'. Dow five. 210 00:17:45,189 --> 00:17:46,899 Hi, what's your status? 211 00:17:46,983 --> 00:17:50,653 We're still sitting here scanning with much better data than before. 212 00:17:51,946 --> 00:17:53,698 Okay. Good job, dow five. 213 00:18:36,365 --> 00:18:39,035 Okay, let's start closing hatches. 214 00:18:40,244 --> 00:18:41,704 Close hatches. 215 00:18:53,049 --> 00:18:55,760 Oh, man. I gotta get the camera up. 216 00:19:02,683 --> 00:19:04,560 Now it looks like it's dissolving. 217 00:19:09,315 --> 00:19:11,108 Come on, you're going to have to go faster, Marc. 218 00:19:11,192 --> 00:19:12,485 Half the driving is done. 219 00:19:12,693 --> 00:19:14,487 Okay, just drive into it. 220 00:19:14,570 --> 00:19:15,571 Come on. 221 00:19:37,551 --> 00:19:39,553 Five minutes and we would have had it. 222 00:19:40,096 --> 00:19:41,097 It was that one train. 223 00:19:41,806 --> 00:19:43,391 We just missed it. 224 00:19:50,648 --> 00:19:53,275 Dow seven to all teams, mission is over. 225 00:19:53,317 --> 00:19:55,945 Good job today, you guys. And we'll see you back at the hotel. 226 00:20:03,536 --> 00:20:04,662 For all their efforts, 227 00:20:04,745 --> 00:20:06,288 the tl v team came up short. 228 00:20:09,083 --> 00:20:11,001 But there's always another day... 229 00:20:31,814 --> 00:20:33,566 Blue skies, 230 00:20:33,649 --> 00:20:34,942 white clouds, 231 00:20:35,985 --> 00:20:37,570 warm dry breezes... 232 00:20:40,906 --> 00:20:42,658 Terrible weather for storm chasers. 233 00:20:45,953 --> 00:20:47,455 What they need is a little luck. 234 00:20:53,335 --> 00:20:54,795 Through 14 seasons, 235 00:20:54,879 --> 00:20:57,423 dow driver herb Stein has followed the same ritual. 236 00:20:58,841 --> 00:21:01,594 Searching for just the right good luck charm. 237 00:21:12,146 --> 00:21:15,691 No matter how slim the chances, the search goes on. 238 00:22:17,086 --> 00:22:20,339 Back up. Back up, back up. Clear. 239 00:22:20,422 --> 00:22:25,928 Now go. Go, go, go. Whoa! Turn! 240 00:23:02,214 --> 00:23:06,051 Warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico has now returned, 241 00:23:08,721 --> 00:23:11,473 a necessary fuel for the storms on the plains. 242 00:23:42,004 --> 00:23:44,340 Any hail reports? We're starting to pick up a little bit. 243 00:23:47,259 --> 00:23:52,514 Hailstones can range in size from as small as a pea to as large as a softball... 244 00:23:52,556 --> 00:23:54,850 A threat to both researchers and their equipment. 245 00:24:15,037 --> 00:24:17,039 All teams, this is n.O.X.P. 246 00:24:17,247 --> 00:24:20,084 We've got moderate hail falling now. 247 00:24:28,634 --> 00:24:31,303 Probe 11's already got half-inch hail and increasing. 248 00:24:32,596 --> 00:24:34,390 We're getting nickel-sized hail. 249 00:24:34,932 --> 00:24:37,476 Okay, copy. Write it all down. 250 00:24:40,396 --> 00:24:43,107 Dow seven, this is u.M.X. Pole, what's the status? 251 00:24:43,565 --> 00:24:45,651 The dow's going to be pulling out now. 252 00:24:45,734 --> 00:24:47,236 The storm's got big hail in it. 253 00:24:47,277 --> 00:24:51,031 So everybody try to get east on this road as quickly as you can. 254 00:24:54,576 --> 00:24:56,245 Probe 11's already got golf balls. 255 00:24:56,286 --> 00:24:58,205 Probe 12. Go ahead now. 256 00:25:08,132 --> 00:25:09,299 Dow seven, dow six, 257 00:25:09,383 --> 00:25:10,426 we're getting caught up in this 258 00:25:10,509 --> 00:25:12,052 so we're at the edge of the storm right now. 259 00:25:12,428 --> 00:25:16,432 Josh". Dow seven is about five miles ahead of you and we are in the clear. 260 00:25:16,849 --> 00:25:20,728 Man". Okay, dow six copy. Fyi, there are still some probes way behind us. 261 00:25:20,769 --> 00:25:23,063 Probe 11 and 12, are you coming this way? 262 00:25:23,105 --> 00:25:25,065 Yeah, we are. We're behind you. 263 00:25:28,444 --> 00:25:31,113 We're seeing some cut-off from communication, 264 00:25:31,155 --> 00:25:32,781 was somebody calling dow seven? 265 00:25:32,865 --> 00:25:34,533 Man 2". Yes. Probe 11 is about a mile in front of us 266 00:25:34,616 --> 00:25:37,286 and we are moving very slowly because we cannot see. 267 00:25:41,957 --> 00:25:43,917 Circulation is on the road. 268 00:25:47,546 --> 00:25:50,132 Probe 11. We are seeing circulation right off to our right. 269 00:25:50,257 --> 00:25:52,301 Stop. Stop. We are in circulation. 270 00:25:52,342 --> 00:25:54,136 We're turning around. Turn around. Turn around. 271 00:25:54,178 --> 00:25:55,763 It's passing over us. We're fine. 272 00:26:03,312 --> 00:26:04,313 Probe 15? 273 00:26:05,564 --> 00:26:06,565 Probe 16? 274 00:26:07,941 --> 00:26:08,942 Probe 11? 275 00:26:09,985 --> 00:26:10,986 Probe 12? 276 00:26:12,029 --> 00:26:13,030 Probe 13? 277 00:26:17,701 --> 00:26:20,704 Great. Herb, you need to go out and restart the generator. 278 00:26:20,788 --> 00:26:22,331 Karen, you need to get the antennae controller off. 279 00:26:22,372 --> 00:26:23,373 Yes, I'm doing it. 280 00:26:24,166 --> 00:26:26,293 Okay, just fyi, the dow is down. 281 00:26:26,335 --> 00:26:29,338 We have no power. We cannot see where the tornado is, 282 00:26:29,421 --> 00:26:30,923 so get safe visually, please. 283 00:26:33,342 --> 00:26:35,886 With a third of their team stuck in a massive storm, 284 00:26:35,969 --> 00:26:38,430 safety is now the number-one priority. 285 00:26:54,863 --> 00:26:58,700 Josh, with everybody spread out and the comms bad, 286 00:26:58,742 --> 00:27:02,371 I just don't see any reason to continue with this deployment. Over. 287 00:27:02,538 --> 00:27:04,706 No, I think we just have to get people safe at this point, 288 00:27:04,790 --> 00:27:06,792 so it's disappointing. 289 00:27:12,881 --> 00:27:15,926 Miles away on a different storm, the tiv crew is waiting. 290 00:28:02,931 --> 00:28:05,100 The storm is on the move. 291 00:28:14,818 --> 00:28:16,778 Hunting for a tornado can feel like 292 00:28:16,820 --> 00:28:18,614 swimming with a shark in dark waters. 293 00:28:20,032 --> 00:28:23,493 You know it's there, you just can't see it. 294 00:28:28,332 --> 00:28:31,251 Hey, little circulation right ahead of us. 295 00:28:33,128 --> 00:28:34,880 Wow! Look at that. 296 00:28:41,386 --> 00:28:43,180 Four o'clock, new circulation. 297 00:28:43,347 --> 00:28:44,598 Hey, new tornado forming in the east, 298 00:28:44,640 --> 00:28:46,183 new tornado forming in the east. 299 00:28:55,400 --> 00:28:59,696 A small tornado has now become a massive tornado. 300 00:29:02,991 --> 00:29:05,661 Keep going. Let's... i don't want to go inside of it. 301 00:29:05,744 --> 00:29:07,162 - Are you sure? - Yeah, I'm sure, man. 302 00:29:07,246 --> 00:29:08,455 I'm looking at it. 303 00:29:27,349 --> 00:29:28,517 It's catching us. 304 00:29:28,600 --> 00:29:32,020 You gotta fly, dude. Just to be on the safe side. 305 00:29:32,062 --> 00:29:33,272 You gotta fly. 306 00:29:34,106 --> 00:29:36,566 It's directly behind us. It's directly behind us. 307 00:29:36,692 --> 00:29:37,776 It's coming up on the road. 308 00:29:37,859 --> 00:29:39,361 I can't see the road, Sean. 309 00:29:51,248 --> 00:29:53,250 Let's stop up here and deploy. 310 00:29:53,333 --> 00:29:54,876 Let's stop and deploy. 311 00:30:52,059 --> 00:30:53,727 Are you guys okay? 312 00:30:53,769 --> 00:30:55,771 Yeah. Yeah, we're fine. Yeah. Okay. Let's follow this. 313 00:31:20,045 --> 00:31:22,297 - Hey take a left right here. - All right. 314 00:31:24,341 --> 00:31:25,801 That's another big one, Sean. 315 00:31:27,636 --> 00:31:29,012 That's a really big one. 316 00:31:29,096 --> 00:31:31,139 There's debris in the air. There's debris in the air. 317 00:31:40,565 --> 00:31:42,442 I hope everybody's in their basement. 318 00:31:42,484 --> 00:31:43,902 I hope they're in the basement. 319 00:32:25,527 --> 00:32:27,821 There is a contradiction sometimes. 320 00:32:28,822 --> 00:32:30,699 It can be exciting chasing tornadoes, 321 00:32:32,576 --> 00:32:34,202 but when you see this, 322 00:32:34,286 --> 00:32:36,872 it really hits home how important the warning times are. 323 00:32:41,001 --> 00:32:45,630 People's lives were saved because they had enough time to get to safety. 324 00:33:12,908 --> 00:33:15,076 It's been a long and well-traveled road. 325 00:33:17,954 --> 00:33:19,748 Now there are no storms to chase 326 00:33:20,957 --> 00:33:22,626 and waiting is the hardest part. 327 00:33:24,836 --> 00:33:26,755 Still, conditions can change 328 00:33:27,756 --> 00:33:32,385 and the right road might just lead to that one perfect storm. 329 00:33:39,351 --> 00:33:41,686 We have opportunity for significant supercells, 330 00:33:42,145 --> 00:33:44,022 maybe significant tornadoes today. 331 00:33:44,689 --> 00:33:47,651 This may be one of the last good days of the spring. 332 00:33:48,109 --> 00:33:51,196 Looking at the low-level... 333 00:33:57,244 --> 00:33:58,453 The national weather service 334 00:33:58,495 --> 00:34:01,039 has issued tornado watch number 332. 335 00:34:01,206 --> 00:34:04,626 Persons should remain alert for rapidly changing weather conditions. 336 00:34:04,709 --> 00:34:07,796 Stay tuned to noaa weather radio. Commercial radio... 337 00:35:09,065 --> 00:35:11,568 All team vehicles, you have on your mesonets, correct? 338 00:35:12,027 --> 00:35:13,028 Woman". Probe 11. Check. 339 00:35:13,403 --> 00:35:15,030 Karen; Probe 12? Man 13 check. 340 00:35:15,572 --> 00:35:16,573 - Thirteen? - Check. 341 00:35:16,906 --> 00:35:18,658 - Fourteen? - Check. 342 00:35:19,159 --> 00:35:21,036 - Fifteen? - Check. 343 00:35:25,206 --> 00:35:27,709 We're going to set up the sr. 'S down there 344 00:35:27,834 --> 00:35:30,962 and then we're going to kind of have a triangle down there with dow five 345 00:35:31,087 --> 00:35:32,380 and we thought we'd set you up there. 346 00:35:33,214 --> 00:35:34,716 Copy that, Josh. Sounds good. 347 00:35:44,851 --> 00:35:47,103 We have to go in the storm. 348 00:35:48,438 --> 00:35:50,899 Try and stay in the middle. Try and stay in the middle. 349 00:35:50,982 --> 00:35:53,860 I'm trying, I'm trying. It's really slippery. 350 00:35:57,113 --> 00:35:59,908 Hey, slow down. Slow down, slow down. 351 00:36:04,287 --> 00:36:06,581 Keep it in the road. Keep it in the road. 352 00:36:23,556 --> 00:36:25,892 It looks like the surface circulation is increasing 353 00:36:25,934 --> 00:36:27,852 and the hook is really coiling up, 354 00:36:27,936 --> 00:36:30,271 so this storm looks like it's intensifying 355 00:36:30,313 --> 00:36:33,108 and certainly could produce something in the next few minutes. 356 00:36:33,233 --> 00:36:34,567 Karen". Dow seven to all probe teams, 357 00:36:34,609 --> 00:36:36,319 head up north quickly to dow five's location 358 00:36:36,403 --> 00:36:39,447 and start dropping pods at dow five and northward. 359 00:36:39,531 --> 00:36:40,532 Woman". Copy. We're moving. 360 00:36:42,784 --> 00:36:44,452 We're going to do the hopscotch method 361 00:36:44,536 --> 00:36:46,287 and basically it's going to be probe 11. 362 00:36:46,871 --> 00:36:51,459 This is dow six. I can confirm a tornado. It is moving east at 15. 363 00:36:56,756 --> 00:36:58,007 Dow seven? 364 00:36:58,675 --> 00:36:59,884 Go ahead, probe 11. 365 00:36:59,968 --> 00:37:01,219 We have deployed pod c. 366 00:37:01,302 --> 00:37:02,470 Where would you like us to go next? 367 00:37:02,512 --> 00:37:04,139 Try to get them at 100 meters, but do the best you can. 368 00:37:04,222 --> 00:37:05,265 You don't have much time. 369 00:37:07,100 --> 00:37:09,936 Probe 11 dropping pod f. Still a large tornado. 370 00:37:09,978 --> 00:37:10,979 Copy. 371 00:37:11,104 --> 00:37:12,731 Dow seven, probe 14? 372 00:37:12,814 --> 00:37:15,608 Probe 14. Go ahead. We're dropping our third pod right now. 373 00:37:15,650 --> 00:37:17,318 Okay, drop it and then head south. 374 00:37:24,492 --> 00:37:27,620 Dow one, all sr. 'S are deployed. 375 00:37:27,662 --> 00:37:29,998 Last one is number seven, directly in the path. 376 00:37:32,542 --> 00:37:35,044 N.O.X.P. Dow seven, what's your status? 377 00:37:35,170 --> 00:37:39,883 Yes, Josh. We've been up and scanning since I think about 2242z. 378 00:37:39,966 --> 00:37:40,967 We got it. Over. 379 00:37:41,050 --> 00:37:44,637 Josh". Okay. Great. Storm should be coming towards you after it passes us. 380 00:37:44,763 --> 00:37:48,099 All 11 of v-2's radar trucks are in position, 381 00:37:48,183 --> 00:37:50,310 deployed, and scanning. 382 00:37:54,189 --> 00:37:57,609 For tiv, now it's only a matter of timing and luck. 383 00:37:59,903 --> 00:38:02,030 Where do you think it's going to cross on this road? 384 00:38:02,071 --> 00:38:03,072 Just up here. 385 00:38:05,992 --> 00:38:07,327 Okay. Let's deploy right here. 386 00:38:07,368 --> 00:38:08,787 Deploy. Deploy- 387 00:38:13,458 --> 00:38:15,168 okay, here we go. 388 00:38:15,210 --> 00:38:17,045 It's coming right at us. 389 00:39:02,590 --> 00:39:04,592 It took eight years 390 00:39:04,634 --> 00:39:06,636 and in less than a minute, it was over. 391 00:39:07,929 --> 00:39:10,932 He'd gotten inside and got the shot. 392 00:39:20,567 --> 00:39:22,485 Throughout the course of their field research, 393 00:39:22,569 --> 00:39:26,364 vortex two collected data on dozens of storms and tornadoes. 394 00:39:28,533 --> 00:39:31,244 It'll take years to analyze the information they've gathered, 395 00:39:31,911 --> 00:39:35,623 but their work has already pushed the boundaries of meteorological science. 396 00:39:41,421 --> 00:39:43,006 Go ahead, dow probe teams. 397 00:39:43,506 --> 00:39:46,301 Josh". Great job, Karen, positioning us. That was perfect. 398 00:39:47,051 --> 00:39:48,887 All right. Good job getting there, you guys. 399 00:39:48,970 --> 00:39:51,014 Really. All probe teams. 400 00:39:53,766 --> 00:39:56,311 Today, we made the right forecast. 401 00:39:56,895 --> 00:39:59,230 We moved to the right place. We got deployed. 402 00:39:59,314 --> 00:40:00,773 We collected the data, 403 00:40:01,232 --> 00:40:03,693 so there's a great feeling of accomplishment 404 00:40:03,985 --> 00:40:07,405 and a feeling of relief that we got what we needed to get. 405 00:40:12,327 --> 00:40:15,163 Now we have dozens and dozens of datasets 406 00:40:15,204 --> 00:40:17,999 that will enable us to learn the keys 407 00:40:18,082 --> 00:40:21,461 to why some of these storms made tornadoes and some of them didn't. 408 00:40:22,295 --> 00:40:25,298 Scientists from vortex two should feel very proud 409 00:40:25,340 --> 00:40:30,470 if ten years from now the lead times are 15 minutes or 20 minutes 410 00:40:32,221 --> 00:40:35,141 and families in tornado alley 411 00:40:35,183 --> 00:40:38,186 have that many more minutes to get to safety. 412 00:40:53,117 --> 00:40:55,995 In the end, it wasn't about just getting a single shot. 413 00:40:57,372 --> 00:40:59,165 It's a life changing experience 414 00:40:59,707 --> 00:41:02,335 to witness the beauty and power of these storms. 415 00:41:04,545 --> 00:41:06,881 It's the lure of tornado alley 416 00:41:07,674 --> 00:41:08,675 and it's got me.