Posted on 06/02/2013 5:58:19 PM PDT by Kaslin
On Friday, three storm chasers were killed in Oklahoma when a tornado they were following made an unexpected turn in their direction.
Comedian Ralphie May on Sunday dishonored their deaths by tweeting, "Sometimes God just cleans the gene pool up":
Stars of the Weather Channel's 'Storm Chasers' were killed in a tornado in Oklahoma. Sometimes God just cleans the gene pool up. — Ralphie May (@Ralphie_May) June 2, 2013
Honestly, should a comedian actually make gene pool jokes about scientists?
Chasing has been a part of Tim's life for over 25 years. Ten years ago, he developed his own tornado probes to record meteorological data inside of tornadoes. On June 24, 2003, Tim dropped a probe in the path of an F-4 tornado where it measured an astounding 100 millibar pressure drop — a record that still stands today. Tim runs the scientific field program, TWISTEX (Tactical Weather Instrumented Sampling in Tornadoes Experiment, www.twistex.org). Their mission is to help understand why tornadoes form in order to increase warning times in Tornado Alley.
Last year, Tim had a successful probe deployment on the last chase of the season in Grand Island, Nebraska. This year, TWISTEX is introducing new instruments to help them meet their scientific goals, including a new probe called TOWER. This new probe features multiple anemometers to measure wind speed and direction, cans of smoke to track circulation, and a brand new 360-degree camera mount. In addition, Tim is conducting research for Boeing, testing the effects of large hail on the company's new aircraft.
His National Geographic bio reads:
As families scramble to avoid deadly tornadoes, Tim Samaras races straight toward them. He careens across the United States' notorious Tornado Alley on a mission: Predict the exact coordinates of an unborn tornado, arrive before it does, and place a weather-measurement probe directly in the twister's violent, swirling path.
"Data from the probes helps us understand tornado dynamics and how they form. With that piece of the puzzle we can make more precise forecasts and ultimately give people earlier warnings," Samaras explains. Since current warnings average a slim 13 minutes, every extra second of warning can be a lifesaver for residents facing a twister's wrath. [...]
"About five years ago, as an engineer," he noted, "I designed the next generation of probe to measure pressure drops inside tornadoes." A history-making instrument, Samaras's "turtle" probe has recorded record-breaking drops in pressure—the condition that triggers a tornado's extreme wind speeds. "This information is especially crucial, because it provides data about the lowest 10 meters of a tornado, where houses, vehicles, and people are."
Carl Young, Samaras's partner, was also killed Friday. Here's his Discovery Channel bio:
Although Carl is a native Californian, he was called east in 2000 after a spell working on Hollywood film crews. He decided to take off on a two month storm chasing adventure in the Great Plains hoping to catch a glimpse of a few tornadoes but ending up with over a dozen twister encounters. Experiencing the raw force of nature in Nebraska was unlike any pyrotechnic display on a high-tech Hollywood set! This inspiration led Carl to the study of tornado dynamics and ultimately a masters degree in atmospheric science from the University of Nevada, Reno. While attending a meteorological conference, Carl met Tim Samaras who encouraged him to collect meteorological data from inside tornadoes as the principal focus of his thesis research. Every spring since 2003, Carl has headed out with Tim, and together the team has tracked down over 125 tornadoes.
The third person killed in this tragedy was Samaras's son Paul.
Is the gene pool for species homo sapiens better off without these three men of science who gave their lives trying to learn more about tornadoes so that advanced warning systems can be created to save those in storms' paths?
I don't think so.
As you might imagine, May is taking a lot of heat for his comments. Our good friends at Twitchy have a recap.
Please also read some of Tim Samaras's final tweets.
They sure didn't steal his food. (a little dark humor)
Let's cut to the chase.
MAD DAWG, how many times has a 'drone' actually gotten to the 'sweet spot' in a tornado over F4 and reported back information.
How many times has 'that' information (and that information only) given us the ability to 'predict' tornadoes?
Sometimes God will clean the gene pool up, right Ralphie. What are you 600 lbs?
Because.... all the EQUIPMENT is just given away for free to anyone, and the vehicles and gas are donated by each community they visit, and...
Why are NFL games on VIDEO ? Why are drag races, Daytona, etc. recorded and put on TV or YOUTUBE ?
Why are WEATHERMEN on TV making predictions that often are wrong?
Well if the tornado has already formed how will measuring the air pressure under it help you predict it forming?
Why do weathermen look at RAINFALL AMOUNTS after it rains? Why do they concern themselves with 'humidity levels' when even 100% humidity may or may not produce rain ?
then you can monitor the conditions in the sweet spot where they form and when those conditions start showing up then you can predict with accuracy when and where they will form.
Well.... with all the drones in use I guess the question of 'how' they form is answered and surely there will never be another tornado occurring without adequate warning. No one will ever die from a tornado again.
Since drones can be 'controlled' by some nerd in a sub-basement facility in North Dakota, these VORTEX guys need to sell all their equipment and look for new jobs.
Did it take two busses to diliver this hateful, ignoramous’ “comedy”?
My hope is that one day he walks into a bar next to a meteorologist convention.............And they recognize him.
He is correct. The DRONE operator must be in a position to direct the drone to the 'sweet spot'. The operator must have 'visual' contact with the storm, and the drone.
They have to be out 'driving around and chasing storms' to hopefully run into a tornado.
These 'tornado' drones are not just flying around overhead across 80% of the U.S. continent waiting for someone at a desk watching a radar trace to decide that MAYBE that 'hook' is a tornado.
Do you know what these DRONES even look like? They don't have a 2000 mile range and 48 hour flying time like our military drones.
You said they are ALREADY in use. You quoted an article from 2 years ago. Maybe you should quit reading two year old articles and read something current. I have a copy of POPULAR MECHANICS from the 60's that shows a FLYING CAR. Oddly, I can't find any FLYING CAR Dealerships in my town.
All the RECENT articles say they are NOT YET IN USE.
Here's a picture of the 'DRONE' and a link to the article.
Do you really think they control that 'drone' from hundreds of miles away ?
Reality catches up with sci-fi in storm drones
"The drones could be operating inroughly five years, designers estimate. But there are limitations on immediately using the technology, including current Federal Aviation Administration rules that mandate where and how drones can be safely launched in U.S. air space. The agency's regulations also require operators of such machines to physically see the aircraft at all times, limiting the range to a mile or two."
Second, your point was that they were doing this to make money. Do you watch TV? Go to Movies ? Even seen DEADLIEST CATCH ?
Ever seen scientist standing near a ready to blow VOLCANO ? You know why they do it? Obviously, part of it is the money, but is that all ?
Your THIRD point is that if these guys would just use a drone, they wouldn't have to be near a tornado.
You are completely wrong, and that has been proven and is a documented fact. I have already supplied the link of that proof.
So... all that very expensive equipment that had was just for show? All the information that they have supplied for databases and analysis was meaningless?
Isn't the real problem that you made a remark that you can't back up, but won't back down now, because your pride won't allow it ?
Are you going to remain that 'hardheaded' ?
You have not a clue at what these scientists brought to tornado research...you might as well quit while you are ahead, it makes you look foolish. I really doubt the statement below would have been released by the scientific community if these guys were just in it for a thrill or a tv show...have some respect, pal
NOAA statement on deaths of storm researchers Tim Samaras, Paul Samaras and Carl Young
Date Posted: June 3, 2013
We are terribly saddened by this news. Samaras was a respected tornado researcher and friend of NOAA who brought to the field a unique portfolio of expertise in engineering, science, writing and videography. His work was documented through an extensive list of formal publications and conference papers.
We extend our sympathies to the family of Tim and Paul, and to the family of Carl Young. We also extend our sympathies to all victims of the May 31st tornado and the other horrific tornadoes that have recently devastated central Oklahoma and other parts of the country
As far as we know, these are the first documented storm intercept fatalities in a tornado.
Scientific storm intercept programs, though they occur with some known measure of risk, provide valuable research information that is difficult to acquire in other ways.
We know storm chasing is also done by local government and media personnel who provide valuable warning information, and by amateur storm chasers who wish to see and photograph storms. We encourage all who chase to do so as safely and as responsibly as possible in order to avoid danger for themselves and all those threatened by tornadoes.
Any questions or comments should be directed to:
Keli Pirtle, NOAA Communications
Norman, OK
405-325-6933
keli.pirtle@noaa.gov
So... Tim had a corporate sponsor to help pay for all the equipment and staff to help him compile this vital research. This is the way it is done in many 'venues' of research. What exactly is wrong with it ?
First, you have made it obvious you don't understand or care about the other equipment that the STORM CHASERS and VORTEX use, nor how close it actually requires being.
Second, his sponsors want video, so that is what his group provided. Do you think the VORTEX guys WOULDN'T take video ?
Further being that once the tornado has formed a UAV can fly at a safe distance to track the storm visually, driving around it playing Captain Commando is redundant.
Well, when these 'drones' are actually put INTO SERVICE, that may be true. However there are still FAA rules on how close the operator must be to the drone.
Did you read ANY of that article, or at least the QUOTE I listed explaining that little DETAIL ?
Even if that were completely true, your claim that he and his staff were ONLY doing that is A BIG FAT LIE. You know what a BIG FAT LIE is ? It's when you have been offered the TRUTH, and you refuse to acknowledge it. The information supplied by the STORM CHASERS and other similar groups is invaluable and being used to help predict tornadoes better.
AGAIN, because you apparently refuse to acknowledge it, here is a link and the FACTS:
(This article was published June 1, 2013 at 1:50 p.m. )
So.... considering that factual documentation about the drones debunks your claim....(and I will quote an expert, here)
“Tell me are you really that dumb or did you realize earlier that you had talked yourself into a hole and tried to bluster your way out?”
The Vortex was launched in 2010 and the only impediment is that the Dumbasses in the FAA are afraid that terrorists might hijack the 3.2 meter wingspan craft (apparently in an attempt to take down the Sears Tower) OR their other excuse is that the vehicle might collide with a manned aircraft and the operators have pointed out most pilots avoid flying in the sweet spot of a Tornado producing supercell.
But you keep flailing sparky hell the odds are with you now you've been wrong some many times on the thread you should eventually get one right...
by accident. hahaha
No. Are you suggesting we know everything there is to know about tornadoes and why they are formed in some thunderstorms and not others? Are you suggesting we are able to accurately predict when and where a tornado will form and what path it will take so that people will have hours to prepare?
This is a complex question for someone like you, so you'd be advised to seek expert advice before answering.
"100 storm-chasing scientists"? That's from your post. LOLAY!
Yeah Real Scientific stuff. My Favorite science quote from the piece is
Brilliant Science Guy One:"Its Right on top of us...
Brillianter Science Guy Two: "You got to be shitting me!"
hahahah this gets funnier and funnier. You are actually trying to convince us this a bunch of guys doing Science....
hahahahah
This is the point they do it from a safe distance not driving into a Tornado on purpose!
The Vortex guys are actually doing a scientific study, They aren't filming a reality TV show to get ratings.
And that my friend is da facts!
You're right, dummy! weather.com/news/tornado-central/tim-samaras-dead-o... Three storm chasers have died following Friday's EF3 tornado in El Reno, Okla. Renowned researcher and storm chaser Tim Samaras, his son Paul Samaras, and his chase partner Carl Young passed away after they were overtaken by the multiple-vortex tornado, which appeared to be in the midst of a sharp change in direction.
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