PBS NOVA's "Deadliest Tornadoes" airing Wednesday, April 11

[Winston Wells]

For those of us unable to get to KS/OK for what could be a rewarding week, NOVA will be airing its latest look at tornado science on PBS this Wednesday evening. The episode is entitled "Deadliest Tornadoes." Check local listings for times.

Here's a link to the trailer:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/earth/deadliest-tornadoes.html

 

[Jeff Snyder]

The original NOVA "Tornado" episode was a big one when I was growing up in the mid-80s, and I've seen it many times now. The most recent NOVA tornado episode that I can remember is the "Hunt for the Supertwisters" episode that aired back in 2004 or 2005, though there may have been an episode between those two. I found the quality of those two episode to more scientifically descriptive than what I typically see in the specials on the Discovery Channel, for example. Then again, I'm a fan of much of the NOVA series anyway. The new NOVA episode ("Deadliest Tornadoes") airs in the OKC area tomorrow (Wednesday) at 8 pm CDT. I'm not sure how programming varies from market to market (if it's any more complicated than normal time-zone changes). I suspect at least a few Stormtrack members will have some face time in the show.

 

[Mark Blue]

I saw you in the episode when we watched it this morning, or at least I think that was you Jeff. We didn't get through the entire program, but will tomorrow morning or tonight if the opportunity arises. I believe you have the chance to carry on Dr Bluestein's legacy in a few years from now, or hopefully when he reaches emeritus status. Maybe you aren't interested in heading up a radar truck operation, but I would be if I was in your shoes!

 

[rdale]

I was disappointed. Too much emphasis on lead time and fancy hand gestures. They started to talk societal response but dropped that ball. Nice show, but more Discovery channel than NOVA.

 

[Todd Renshaw]

... They started to talk societal response but dropped that ball. ...

I think it would have been tough to press that issue too much. It would have looked ... (searching for the right word) condescending and a little heartless. It's a fine line. Going right from the devastation/loss of life aspects to the social science of ignored warnings, they run the risk of giving the piece a "blame the victim" feel. I grant you that it's warranted. Unfortunately, the people that watch NOVA are probably not the ones that need to hear it most.

Certainly they could do a whole hour just on that aspect alone. It needs to be a 5 part series.

 

[rdale]

I don't think that would be condescending... I think it would be a more accurate representation of where the future is. We aren't pushing for 60 minute lead times (at least anytime soon) but if you didn't know any better that's all you got from the show

 

[Tim Shriver]

I thought it was excellent, hand gestures and all. Noobs need to see this.
Going to buy the DVD too.

I liked how they explained and showed how a tornado starts with ground rotation and lifts upward.
Also like that they mentioned that with the warming of the climate that tornado alley could shift further North. Something I have thought and said for some time now.

Well done overall.

Tim

 

[Elaine Spencer]

You can now watch the full episode online at the PBS website, which I did tonight. Overall a good show though I too think they could have done more on the issue of how people respond to warnings.

Can't add much else, except to play nitpicker and point out a couple of gaffes, goofs or whatever you want to call them:

1. At 2:45 into the show, a shot meant to portray a residential street in Joplin just before the tornado hit ("5:30 p.m. It's just another Sunday evening, and then....") shows bright sunshine and clear skies (!)

2. Around the 32:00 mark, as Tim Marshall explains the convergence of winds, etc. that led to the Joplin tornado, the map over which he is standing has Missouri on the left and Kansas on the right! This had me baffled for a few seconds until I realized the viewer's perspective was facing south and looking at the map "upside down." Perhaps they could have set up this shot a little bit better to avoid confusion?