Going inside tornadoes with the TVI?

[Cyclenall]

I have heard of this before but isn't it impossible since a tornado can lift this thing up too?

Link: http://www.usatoday.com/weather/stormce ... crew_x.htm

It doesn't matter if it weighs 14 000 pounds and is low to the ground, a EF2-5 tornado should be able to do something to it. I thought it would be reasonable if it was just outside of it but really close, but Sean Casey told they go inside with it. I saw an interview on TV and the guy said it was like a sandblaster. The person also stated that it did not move when it was inside the twister (how is this possible?).

I can't wait to see this movie on IMAX. The update is they have now gone into 7 tornadoes with it. My question is, wouldn't this be one of the biggest breakthroughs in tornado chasing and we could learn a lot more about them? It doesn't make sense. I haven't heard much on this either. They should also get the pressure of them .

I read that it could only go in weak tornadoes (EF0-EF3) but what happens if the tornado strengthens quickly and it becomes a EF4 or EF5? Are they screwed?

The fuel mileage of it was said to be 11 miles to the gallon.

Here are more links:

http://www.stormchaser.ca/Misc/TIV/TIV.html
http://science.howstuffworks.com/tiv.htm

[RL3AO]

It looks like the vehicle lowers to the ground in a tornado. And if no wind gets under the TIV, there is no lift. I'm sure it would make it through a 200 mph EF5...not sure about the OKC twister though.

[Cyclenall]

It looks like the vehicle lowers to the ground in a tornado. And if no wind gets under the TIV, there is no lift. I'm sure it would make it through a 200 mph EF5...not sure about the OKC twister though.

The flying debris should pelt it enough to make it move somewhat. Even if the wind can't get under it, you would think those winds could push it. I have a feeling they don't go into just any tornado .

[dizzyfish]

Very interesting! Can't wait to see that video.

Talk about Mr. Toad's wild ride!!!!

Can't believe I'm saying this but I would love to do that. *mutters - I need my head examined*

[tomboudreau]

The Discovery Channel had a show on Sean and making the IMax moving over the course of the fall, called Storm Chasers. They just re-aired the 5 part show today on the Discovery Channel. They only show the TIV going through the same tornado twice in the last show.

[pawlee]

Did anyone notice how in the one episode of "Stormchasers", he called "Greensburg" but then Josh made them go on a wild goose chase in the opposite direction? Later of course he learns that his prediction came true and he was naturally upset. That particular circumstance struck me as extrordinarily unusual. Were the TIV to go into Greensburg, it would've been swallowed whole and the TIV crew would've likely been killed. It's like whatever led Josh to take them elsewhere was intended to do so for the preservation of life. Then again maybe not, who knows? Just a random thought...

[RL3AO]

Did anyone notice how in the one episode of "Stormchasers", he called "Greensburg" but then Josh made them go on a wild goose chase in the opposite direction? Later of course he learns that his prediction came true and he was naturally upset. That particular circumstance struck me as extrordinarily unusual. Were the TIV to go into Greensburg, it would've been swallowed whole and the TIV crew would've likely been killed. It's like whatever led Josh to take them elsewhere was intended to do so for the preservation of life. Then again maybe not, who knows? Just a random thought...

They probably wouldn't have gone into that tornado, but the Doppler on Wheels would have gotten some incredible scientific data.

[wxmann_91]

Ah yes, the TIV. I remembering watching a Discovery Channel special on this a year or so back.

Josh Wurman's team, with the DOW, are the "eyes", so to speak, for the TIV. The DOW can measure windspeeds inside the tornado, and thus, it can gauge if the TIV can or cannot go into a certain tornado. Anything above mid-EF2 wind range, obviously, is out. If the tornado happens to strengthen, the DOW can give real-time data and Wurman can tell the TIV to get outta there.

Not sure about the Greensburg episode, but I know many chasers who were suckered into the developing supercells near the KS/NE border, and turned away from where they were earlier - in the Greensburg vicinity. I don't know if you mean that or if they saw the tornado and Wurman led them away from it. If I recall correctly, Wurman's team didn't view the tornado; even if they did, they would've told TIV to stay away from it.

[RL3AO]

We are talking about the morning of the tornado. Everyone knew there would be a major outbreak, so that morning they were discussing where to go. Josh picked an area in North Central Kansas, one of the TIV guys chose Kiowa County, then the other met chose Greensburg. But as the leader, Josh stuck with his choice, they ended up getting nothing that day.

[Bunkertor]

Why don´t the use an old army Tank ? 50 t should better resist than a Batmobile.

[Aslkahuna]

Josh Wurman made a bad call on that one. However, the Greensburg tornado occurred after sundown and it would have been too dark for IMAX filming any way so the TIV would not have been of any use. As it was there WAS some outstanding Doppler data gathered on that tornado as one of Howie Bluestein's teams was on that tornado with their portable Dopplers and got good data.

Steve

[Cyclenall]

Anything above mid-EF2 wind range, obviously, is out. If the tornado happens to strengthen, the DOW can give real-time data and Wurman can tell the TIV to get outta there.

By the time the DOW gets the signal the tornado is strengthening, wouldn't it be too late? I don't know much about the strengthening rates of tornadoes but it seems fairly fast from what I've seen before.

[vbhoutex]

FYI, I was watching a show about the TIV on the National Geographic Channel the other night and they stated that the TIV can handle up to 160 mph.