The most ambitious ever project probing the inner workings of tornadoes and how they cause damage will soon begin. ROTATE (Radar Observations of Tornadoes and Thunderstorms Experiment) will hit the road from May 5th through June 20th , pursuing the most violent tornadoes. ROTATE is supported primarily by the National Science Foundation (NSF) with important contribution from the Merage Foundation. Scientists and crew from several universities and nations will take part. The questions driving ROTATE are, according to lead scientist Karen Kosiba of the Center for Severe Weather Research (CSWR) in Boulder, Colorado:...more
The recent (23 May) tornado affecting Joplin, MO and the 27 April tornado outbreak in Alabama were not the worst case scenario. In this 2007 article in the Bulletin of American Meteorological Society, researchers discuss the potential ramifications of a tornado impacting urban areas.
The Center for Severe Weather Research (CSWR) operates the Doppler on Wheels (DOW) mobile radar network, consisting of two dual-polarization, dual-frequency mobile radars and one multi-beam, rapid scan radar, as a National Science Foundation (NSF) facility. Researchers and faculty can request the DOWs for their projects.
CSWR is engaged in research investigating tornadogenesis, tornado structure, hurricane boundary layers and surface wind damage, as well as radar technology. CSWR has also played a major role in VORTEX2, COPS, IHOP, STEP, IPEX, PAMREX and other projects. Here is a list of related CSWR publications.
CSWR is committed to the advancement of radar meteorology education. Additionally, CSWR maintains close collaborations with both Pennsylvania State University and the University of Colorado. Here is a list of educational projects in which CSWR has been involved.
Information about our staff, location and contact information.
VORTEX2 is by far the largest and most ambitious effort ever made to understand tornadoes.
