Storm chasers were recently left stunned by an awe-inspiring weather event in Texas that would have caused many to run for cover.
Storm chaser Laura Hedien documented a tornado that touched down about halfway between Lubbock and Amarillo in the tiny city of Silverton on Sunday afternoon, recording a video of an epic thunderstorm dancing in a crop field and a twister touching down in open farmland.
Hedien and the other witnesses were aghast by the strength and size of the tornado.
“I have not seen something like this,” someone can be heard saying on the video.
The tornado was captured in a 38-second clip by Hedien but was in the area for about 20 minutes, one of the storm chasers said.It didn't take long for the National Weather Service in Lubbock to issue a tornado warning for the area, writing on X that it would be in effect through 9:15 p.m. Sunday.
The tornado had just about disappeared by then, dissipating northwest of Caprock Canyons State Park, over 20 miles east of where it started, according to the weather service office in Lubbock.
Watch this 'gorgeous' twister touch down
Storm chasers were clearly mesmerized by the sight of the tornado, with a few making remarks about the sheer sight and location of the twister.
"Look at where we are right now," one man can be heard saying.
Another called the tornado "gorgeous," marveling at its shape and size while others shouted out "God bless America" and "Holy cow."
Another hoped "no one was out there." No injuries have been reported as a result of the tornado.
Tornado activity at its peak, with more seen in 2024
Texas has been hit with 13 more tornados this year than last year, with a total of 89 recorded so far in 2024, according to reporting by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network.
As thunderstorms, a key ingredient in the formation of a tornado, stay in the forecast this summer, it's important to know how to keep safe.
A particular combination of thunderstorm winds, namely the combination of an upward current of air and a downward current of air, can create a tornado, according to the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research's Center for Science Education.
“The rotating air moves horizontally across the ground, and can be tilted vertically by the force of the rising, rotating air. This allows a tornado to form,” according to the center.
Here are a couple tips to keep you and your loved one safe, courtesy of Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. If you encounter a tornado near your home or on the road this summer:
Seeking shelter and protecting your body should be the first priority.
Take shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of the building as far as possible from the exterior and walls and windows − even in a basem*nt, if one is available.
Pull your vehicle to the side of the road immediately, get out and lay flat in a nearby ditch, covering your neck and head if no other protection is possible.
Find a safe place that offers shelter from high winds and debris if you're in the area of a tornado warning, even if it doesn't appear to be headed in your direction.
Seek shelter if a tornado is in proximity, regardless of your elevation.
Find a safe place inside, even if you're on the banks of a river or lake.
If it does not reach the ground, then it is called a funnel cloud. If it does reach the ground, it's called a tornado. Debris and dust are kicked up where the narrow end of the funnel touches the ground.
Storm-chasing meteorologists spend months scanning the skies and reading output from weather radar systems in search of conditions that coincide with tornadoes. They are lucky if they see two per season.
While Houston has had the most tornadoes of any major city in Texas, they're not necessarily the strongest. This is because a large percentage of Houston's tornadoes have been the result of tropical systems, which can produce a large number of weak tornadoes in a short period.
The safest place in the home is the interior part of a basem*nt. If there is no basem*nt, go to an inside room, without windows, on the lowest floor.This could be a center hallway, bathroom, or closet. For added protection, get under something sturdy such as a heavy table or workbench.
Texas leads the nation in the number of tornadoes that occur each year on average, followed by Kansas. Texas leads the nation for the average number each year only because of its size.
How do Storm Chaser salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Storm Chaser's can make an average annual salary of $90,210, or $43 per hour. On the lower end, they can make $66,200 or $32 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Timothy Michael Samaras (November 12, 1957 – May 31, 2013) was an American engineer and storm chaser best known for his field research on tornadoes and time on the Discovery Channel show Storm Chasers. He died in the 2013 El Reno tornado. Lakewood, Colorado, U.S. El Reno, Oklahoma, U.S.
What part of Texas has no tornadoes? While no part of Texas is immune from tornadoes, areas of far West Texas, El Paso, and Central Texas see the lowest occurrence of tornadoes in the state.
What part of Texas has the worst weather overall? That honor, (or dishonor), goes to Fort Worth in Tarrant County according to tpr.org. They only compared data between the 5 biggest cities in Texas so, you have to give them a little room here.
In April 2024, there were 300 recorded tornadoes, making it the second most active April on record, according to preliminary data from the NWS Storm Prediction Center. High activity has continued into May 2024, marking what appears to be the beginnings of a historically bad tornado season.
(Tulsa, OK) - Experts say it makes for a great story, but they say a boy who survived a tornado in Iowa on Wednesday by hiding inside a clothes dryer didn't make the best choice. And they worry it could give people the wrong idea that dryers make a good storm shelter.
Avoid the open areas of buildings with wide-span roofs such as grocery stores, gyms, auditoriums and theaters. Deaths have occurred in large, single story department stores, like the Joplin, Missouri Walmart in May, 2011.
The bathtub and commode are anchored directly into the ground, and sometimes are the only thing left in place after the tornado. Getting into the bathtub with a couch cushion over you gives you protection on all sides, as well as an extra anchor to the foundation.
An approaching cloud of debris especially at ground level, even if a funnel is not visible; A loud roar - similar to a freight train - or a strange quiet occurring within or shortly after a thunderstorm. A change in the color of the sky. Debris dropping from the sky.
There are several atmospheric warning signs that precipitate a tornado's arrival: A dark, often greenish, sky. Wall clouds or an approaching cloud of debris. Large hail often in the absence of rain.
Introduction: My name is Annamae Dooley, I am a witty, quaint, lovely, clever, rich, sparkling, powerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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