Latest news with #ReedTimmer
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
What is a derecho? Meteorologists warn severe winds could create weather event in Oklahoma
Weather experts are warning that Oklahoma could see one of nature's most powerful and widespread wind storms, a derecho, during the state's latest round of severe storms. Storm chaser Reed Timmer warned on social media Sunday that supercells capable of massive hail and tornadoes congealed into a derecho capable of wind gusts over 100 mph. Sometimes referred to as an inland hurricane, derechos are among weather's most destructive phenomena. But what exactly are they? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines a derecho (duh-RAY'-choh) as "a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms." Derechos can pack lethal gusts in excess of 100 mph – hurricane strength – across a front stretching for many miles, and last for hours. Storms that have sustained winds of at least 58 mph and leave a path of damage at least 250 miles long qualify as derechos, according to the National Weather Service. Many classic derechos have winds that can top 100 mph, causing extensive damage, leading to massive power outages and toppling tons of trees. Derechos are a relatively rare event, as they only tend to occur from once a year to once every four years across portions of the eastern two-thirds of the U.S., according to the National Weather Service. 'People should take these storms seriously,' Weather Service meteorologist Brian Barjenbruch told USA Today in 2022. 'These winds are incredibly strong.' ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Most derechos, 70%, occur during the months of May through August, the weather service said. By definition, a derecho should have winds that persist for at least six hours; however, they can last much longer. For example, a 2020 Midwest derecho lasted for 14 hours. In Oklahoma, "The 'People Chaser' Derecho" blasted across Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas on May 27-28, 2001. Wind speeds were recorded at 100 mph in Garden City, Kansas, and 94 mph near Quail Springs Mall in Oklahoma City, and in many areas, severe gusts lasted 10 to 20 minutes before subsiding, according to the weather service. As it was the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, many storm chasers and researchers were able to gather that afternoon to observe the expected development in Kansas and follow the storm through Texas. The derecho became known as the "people chaser" because it overtook many of the storm chasers before they could outrun it. INLAND HURRICANE: Deadly derecho leaves path of destruction across Midwest, 800,000 without power Although a derecho can produce destruction similar to the strength of tornadoes, the damage typically moves in one direction along a relatively straight swath, the weather service said. As a result, the term "straight-line wind damage" sometimes is used to describe derecho damage. WHAT IS A TORNADO?: Everything you need to know about these violent storms The term derecho (duh-RAY'-choh) was coined in 1888 by University of Iowa physics professor Gustavus Hinrichs, according to NOAA. The word is Spanish for "direct" or "straight." The term was used for a short time during the late 19th century, but it disappeared from English use for nearly 100 years, until meteorologists starting using the term again in the mid-1980s. The Storm Prediction Center determines whether a storm is officially classified as a derecho. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Derecho possible in Oklahoma: What to know about severe wind event
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
What is a derecho? Meteorologists warn severe winds could create weather event in Oklahoma
Weather experts are warning that Oklahoma could see one of nature's most powerful and widespread wind storms, a derecho, during the state's latest round of severe storms. Storm chaser Reed Timmer warned on social media Sunday that supercells capable of massive hail and tornadoes congealed into a derecho capable of wind gusts over 100 mph. Sometimes referred to as an inland hurricane, derechos are among weather's most destructive phenomena. But what exactly are they? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines a derecho (duh-RAY'-choh) as "a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms." Derechos can pack lethal gusts in excess of 100 mph – hurricane strength – across a front stretching for many miles, and last for hours. Storms that have sustained winds of at least 58 mph and leave a path of damage at least 250 miles long qualify as derechos, according to the National Weather Service. Many classic derechos have winds that can top 100 mph, causing extensive damage, leading to massive power outages and toppling tons of trees. Derechos are a relatively rare event, as they only tend to occur from once a year to once every four years across portions of the eastern two-thirds of the U.S., according to the National Weather Service. 'People should take these storms seriously,' Weather Service meteorologist Brian Barjenbruch told USA Today in 2022. 'These winds are incredibly strong.' ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Most derechos, 70%, occur during the months of May through August, the weather service said. By definition, a derecho should have winds that persist for at least six hours; however, they can last much longer. For example, a 2020 Midwest derecho lasted for 14 hours. In Oklahoma, "The 'People Chaser' Derecho" blasted across Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas on May 27-28, 2001. Wind speeds were recorded at 100 mph in Garden City, Kansas, and 94 mph near Quail Springs Mall in Oklahoma City, and in many areas, severe gusts lasted 10 to 20 minutes before subsiding, according to the weather service. As it was the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, many storm chasers and researchers were able to gather that afternoon to observe the expected development in Kansas and follow the storm through Texas. The derecho became known as the "people chaser" because it overtook many of the storm chasers before they could outrun it. INLAND HURRICANE: Deadly derecho leaves path of destruction across Midwest, 800,000 without power Although a derecho can produce destruction similar to the strength of tornadoes, the damage typically moves in one direction along a relatively straight swath, the weather service said. As a result, the term "straight-line wind damage" sometimes is used to describe derecho damage. WHAT IS A TORNADO?: Everything you need to know about these violent storms The term derecho (duh-RAY'-choh) was coined in 1888 by University of Iowa physics professor Gustavus Hinrichs, according to NOAA. The word is Spanish for "direct" or "straight." The term was used for a short time during the late 19th century, but it disappeared from English use for nearly 100 years, until meteorologists starting using the term again in the mid-1980s. The Storm Prediction Center determines whether a storm is officially classified as a derecho. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Derecho possible in Oklahoma: What to know about severe wind event
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Tornado Intercept Vehicle Readies To Saddle Up To Ferocious Twisters
Storm Of Passion's unique TIV-2 tornado chase vehicle on the move in northern Oklahoma, May 19, 2025. There are essentially two vehicles which can safely penetrate a tornado's violent ground funnel: the Dominator, owned and operated by the well-known storm chaser Reed Timmer, and the TIV-2, owned and operated by Ryan Shepard at Storm Of Passion. To protect its chase crew from hail stones, some as large as a grapefruits, and debris spun at upwards of 150 mph by internal winds, Shepard's TIV (tornado intercept vehicle) features bulletproof windshields and special steel armored plates. To keep the vehicle from being launched into space, or flipped and rolled, four heavy metal anchor spikes, one at each corner of the vehicle, can be deployed to dig several inches into the ground. Storm Of Passion crew (Evan Breitenbach left, Tyler Schlitt right) en route to a supercell in northern Oklahoma, May 19, 2025. As part of my coverage of storm chasing, Shepard agreed to let me tag along with his folks this week in search of twisters in Tornado Alley. Storm Of Passion's headquarters in Kansas is a key area within the Alley, so staff can easily relocate the vehicle to places where supercells, the huge cloud structures that spawn tornadoes, are developing. The key chase months are April, May and June, with the most concentrated historically this third week of May. The TIV-2 is street legal, weighs 14,000 pounds and, with a turbocharged engine of some 600 hp, can reach speeds approaching 90 mph, necessary sometimes to stay ahead of a storm. Basically, the vehicle is a beast on wheels, and, as you can imagine, its unusual appearance garners attention everywhere it goes. Before meeting up with Shepard, I had already hunted with some well-known chasers including Raychel Sanner (Tornado Titans), Tim Bovasso, Jeff Anderson and Chris Coach, and was lucky enough to have encountered some impressive tornadoes. Rare anticyclonic cone tornado near Silverton, Texas, April 24, 2025. These included a rare anticyclonic cone near Silverton, Texas, and a large stovepipe funnel and ensuing wedge tornado near Matador, Texas (April 24); a weak EF-0 rain-wrapped affair near Joplin, Missouri (April 20); and multiple strong vortices just outside of Dallas (May 18). So when it came time to hang with Shepard, I had already checked off that bucket-list item - seeing a tornado, not an easy thing to do - albeit from the safe distance of a few miles. The plan with TIV was to get much closer, say within a hundred yards, maybe even enter the vortex. Photojournalist Mike Killian and I met Shepard and his crew near Blackwell, Oklahoma, on May 19, predicted by most weather sources to be the biggest storm-potential day of the year. I was excited. Hundreds of chasers went out, including us in the TIV. Although it was a fascinating learning experience for me to buckle in to the TIV and barrel into an impressive supercell, complete with hail stones, we found no twisters that hyped-up day. Most other chasers were disappointed, as well. In fact, it turned out to be one of the biggest bust days of 2025. Storm Of Passion founder and CEO Ryan Shepard, May 19, 2025. Oh well. Now that the front has moved east, it's a waiting game for us. Another big front is expected later this week coming east from the Rocky Mountains, and that should stir up some interesting weather. Meantime, Killian and I are holed-up at a Baymont hotel in Blackwell. When we do catch one, and I'm confident we will, I'm hoping to get close enough to hear the freight-train roar from just outside of the funnel, or maybe even from inside of it. That is something I haven't experienced yet. As is always the case with tornadoes, though, it's fingers crossed. Bring it on, Mother Nature!
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Storm Chasers' Truck Takes Direct Hit from Alabama Tornado: Video
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A storm chaser has shared footage of a vehicle seemingly taking a direct hit as a tornado tore through parts of Alabama on Tuesday. Why It Matters The Alabama storm followed a multi-day severe weather outbreak that caused widespread destruction across several states, including Missouri, Kentucky, and Virginia. Over the weekend, the extreme weather claimed at least 27 lives, left dozens injured, and damaged thousands of buildings. What To Know Veteran storm chaser Reed Timmer, who runs a YouTube channel with 1.35 million subscribers, posted a video of the tornado late on Tuesday. Check out this camera angle of the #tornado intercept with @localmanweather capturing the impact of the violent #tornado core. It spun the Dominator 3 while in park either 460 or 100 degrees. I thought we were airborne for a split second but the Dom3 did its job! @WillClay25… — Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerUSA) May 21, 2025 "Check out this camera angle of the tornado intercept with @localmanweather capturing the impact of the violent tornado core," Timmer said in a post sharing footage of the collision on X, formerly Twitter. Timmer chases tornadoes in his specially adapted Dominator 3 vehicle, which can anchor itself to the ground. He added in a tweet. "It spun the Dominator 3 while in park either 460 or 100 degrees. I thought we were airborne for a split second but the Dom3 did its job! "@WillClay25 whipped up the air cannon with a direct hit on the first launch. Insane patience to wait until a half second before impact." At 6:24 p.m. local time, forecasters detected a tornado on radar moving through western Madison County and eastern Limestone County, according to The Mirror. The outlet reported an alert was broadcast to residents' phones which read: "You are in a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!" It added, according to The Mirror: "Mobile homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction is possible." A tornado emergency was issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Huntsville for cities including Huntsville, Madison and Athens, with the service warning residents in the affected area at the time: "SEEK SHELTER NOW!" Tornado watches were also issued for parts of Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. A tornado from a tornadic supercell approaches from the south, west of York Nebraska June 20, 2011. A tornado from a tornadic supercell approaches from the south, west of York Nebraska June 20, People Are Saying The NWS forecast office at Birmingham, Alabama, said on X on Tuesday: "SEVERE UPDATE: A line and perhaps clusters of strong thunderstorms will move in from the northwest late this afternoon as early as 5 PM, tracking southeast through the overnight hours." The office said previously: "Tue & Tue Night Update: A level 3 out of 5 risk exists across N & NW portions of Central AL, with a lower risk as you go farther south & east. Hazards include tornadoes (greatest chance in risk levels 2 and 3 of 5), damaging winds up to 70mph, and large hail up to golf ball size." What Happens Next Tuesday was the final day of a multiday stretch of severe weather that impacted millions across the country, forecasters at AccuWeather said. The outlet estimated that the total damage and economic loss from the outbreak could total between $9 and $11 billion.
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Alabama tornado: Storm chaser Reed Timmer caught in massive twister, miraculously survives
A powerful tornado barreled through northern Alabama on Monday, triggering emergency alerts and leaving communities in Madison and Athens bracing for impact. As the radar lit up with intense rotation and hail cores, veteran storm chaser Reed Timmer found himself face-to-face with nature's raw fury. Timmer, who has made a career out of chasing and documenting tornadoes, was near Athens when the massive twister touched down. In a heart-pounding video, he 'zero-metered' the tornado with a Doppler radar or a similar device used to measure wind speeds and other data inside a tornado. ALSO READ| Huntsville tornado: Madison, Athens under emergency alert as storms and hail hit Alabama The winds roared, debris flew, and for a few tense seconds, the scene was total chaos. Timmer's team can be heard shouting, panicking, and, lastly, enjoying themselves as they somehow survived the twister. {This is a developing story. Please stay tuned with us for the latest updates.}
