Storm Chasers Revving Up

                                                                                 
    So here I am, Leora Frankel, the reporter who was stranded alone in a tornado last season, back for another round. Of course, there are different versions to how I got engulfed by the strongest tornado that Josh recorded in 2007. He claims I was daydreaming at the critical moment when the other vehicles evacuated. As recently as today he suggested adding a special ring-a-ding-ding alarm that would sound only on my radio scanner (funny, right?).

    If you want to believe me, however—and I recommend that you do, as this is my blog—Josh was the one mesmerized by the multiple-vortex storm that came hurtling in. His understated order to hit the gas arrived a minute too late for that last car at the end of the convoy. In all events, I’ve had the dubious distinction of being nicknamed Tornado Magnet ever since. Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if my luck in encountering these winds were the only reason Josh and Sean selected me to drive a pick-up truck carrying instrumented pods this spring. I do have my own agenda: working on a book about storm chasing.

Today I visited the hangar to check up on the team’s progress on DOW6, the new mobile-radar truck that will replace DOW3. Justin seemed just a tad less bright-eyed than his usual self. Working every day for the last month, Easter, weekends and all, has not agreed with him. The schedule is tough. Departure is tentatively set for April 16^th. Josh is optimistic the deadline will be met. In fact he said the odds are 102%. Not bad. Justin puts them at 90%. The fall-back plan is to hand every team member the components of a pod with instructions on how to assemble it at home.

The pods, which used to be called probes (please don’t ask about nomenclature), have multiplied since last season. There will be 12. Watching tornado after tornado veer away from the probes last time, Josh decided to take a more aggressive approach. Equipped with an anemometer for wind speed measurements, a thermometer, a barometer, a camcorder and a GPS for retrieval, the pods are designed to provide important data at ground level. This height is outside the radar’s scanning zone, and therefore the subject of intense speculation among tornado experts.

For those of you who are curious to know how the DOW6 is better than the previous model, well, Josh said the differences are cosmetic. It’s a beautiful, metallic blue! Seriously, though, the improvements are almost all in the truck itself—not in the X-band radar system which was transferred from DOW2. With a diesel engine, it will soar up the hills instead of dragging laboriously. Herb, the driver, who was working at the hangar too, is thrilled with the shiny toy he’ll be getting. “A headwind won’t slow it down,” he said, calling it “the new mother ship.” Josh talked up the acceleration speed. Horsepower: 330. Torque: 1150 foot pounds.

When in chase mode, Josh will view six monitors simultaneously in his insular cabin. That way he’ll be able to follow the movements of the Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV), and the pick-up trucks, Scout, Probe1 and the off-camera Probe2  —and of course any incoming tornadoes. With such a military-style operation going on, I have to hope he’s really keeping his eye on the storms. As a “lesson learned” from last season, he’s upgraded the vehicle tracking system. Here Josh deftly sticks it to Sean: “To keep the TIV safe, I need to know where they are at all times. Sean and Ronan and Byron, in the excitement of the moment, sometimes forget where they are. I want a reasonably foolproof electronic method of confirming their location all the time.”

Before leaving I asked Josh that obligatory question: What are you hoping for this season? His tongue-in-cheek reply: “I really hope they show my best side on TV. I really want to look taller this year. I’ve hired a person to carry a platform, so that when I talk to Sean, I look 4” taller.”

Another season of “Storm Chasers” starts with that heart-warm feeling of fraternity!

Comments

[Owen]

That is a nice looking DOW Truck. A New Year and NEW Equipment, just what you needed.

[Nicole]

You know I really have to say that I am glad you guys are able to do something you enjoy, and I am also glad you are able to do something that is going to bring knowledge to the world. We need to know more about this powerful weather system. Good luck this year and stay safe. I will be following closely.

I live in N.E. Texas and tonight into tomorrow will be a rough weather night, so I hope you will be monitoring the situation. Arkansas is surely going to carry the brunt.

[carson hubbard]

I would like to send Sean and Josh pictures of the TIV and DOW I made out of Legos. Could I have an email addy please?
Thanks.
carson hubbard
(Lego master and severe weather lover)
age 7

[SARA]

hey gets i love the new tiv do u still take the old one out some times come to dodge city some time.

[James D. TEDDER]

Dear Josh,
For years I have waited for someone to realize that the rotation horizontally has a tendency to tilt 90 degrees, standing the tornado upright. THIS IS CALLED THE GYROSCOPIC EFFECT. Take a spinning gyroscope and try to force it in any direction. Notice the torque trying to force/hold steady. Now apply more force notice the result? Any outside influence will make it first, fight change but soon will try to move 90 degrees. Now apply this idea to storms and the moving cold & warm air masses. Got it? Now please spread the word and please Josh and save some lives. I'm originally from KY (Tornadoes a mile wide at the base). Remember me in your credits. You have a lot of guts.
An Admiring friend,
Jim Tedder. Please please RSVP, Also, (703) 369-2252
Retired Electronics/Industrial Engineer & Physicist. Me.

[Jeff]

My 4 year old son loves the show and i am looking for a toy TIV or DOW vehicle to get him for Christmas. Is there such a thing and where can i get one?

Thanks,

Jeff

[Christina]

I had the exact same question as Jeff - where can I get models of the DOW and TIV for my 4-year-old son for Christmas? I know it is too late now but his birthday is coming up soon too. For now, I got the Dark Knight Batmobile that kind of looks like the TIV and Matchbox makes a little diecast radar truck. Would love models from the show as my son is obsessed with it! Thanks!

[Rachel Boaz]

Did anyone ever find TIV models or toys? I was about to ask this same question for my 4 yr old! That's what's he's asking for for Christmas