Media Advisory 09-012
Vortex 2 Scientists Start Blog on Tornado Research

Track field experiences of scientists over month-long quest to understand tornadoes

Vortex 2 will take nearly two dozen teams of scientists into the paths of tornadoes. Credit and Larger Version

May 5, 2009

VORTEX2, or Verification of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment 2, is the largest attempt in history to study the origin, structure and evolution of tornadoes.

Now, members of the public can follow live reports from scientists involved in the project, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and NOAA.

Atmospheric scientist Josh Wurman of the Center for Severe Weather Research in Boulder, Colo., a participant in Vortex 2, has started a blog, allowing members of the public an inside glimpse of the action. 

Although the project is not scheduled to start until May 10, 2009, frantic preparations are already underway to move the crews and their equipment into the field.

Some of the questions the teams hope to answer include:

How, when and why do tornadoes form?  Why are some tornadoes violent and long-lasting, while others are weak and short-lived?  What is the structure of tornadoes?  How strong are the winds near the ground and how exactly do they do damage?  How can we learn to better forecast tornadoes?

For daily updates on progress on VORTEX2, including photos and video from the field, follow Josh Wurman's blog, http://tornadoscientists.blogspot.com/.

-NSF-

Media Contacts
Cheryl Dybas, NSF (703) 292-7734 cdybas@nsf.gov

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2009, its budget is $9.5 billion, which includes $3.0 billion provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to over 1,900 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 44,400 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

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