Reed Timmer's View of Truman, MN Tornado

[Randy Zipser]

I wasn't exactly sure what the correct forum is for this post, but since it involves video shown on both AccuWeather and social media (YouTube), I put it here. The attached YouTube video shows the view Reed Timmer had near Truman, MN on 2026-04-13. He's nearly inside the debris cloud! However, since his camera is constantly bouncing around all over the place, it is not suitable for photogrammetric analysis...too bad, another "golden opportunity" missed. Please see the attached link:

 

[Warren Faidley]

Ten years ago, this would be really crazy, now days, not so much. Yawn. Been done.

 

[JamesCaruso]

I can’t stand listening to his videos

 

[Randy Zipser]

I can’t stand listening to his videos

Yeah, I totally agree, Jim. For RT, it's all about satisfying the cravings of his social media followers who mostly are adrenaline junkies. Nothing useful anymore and his streaming video gets on my nerves, too. Like Warren says above...yawn!

 

[Warren Faidley]

I applaud him for finding a niche audience that supports him 100%. Nothing wrong with that. Not the legacy I would want to leave behind, but it works for him.

 

[JamesCaruso]

Surprised to hear you say that Warren… I mean, I agree, I always think it’s cool when someone finds a niche doing something they love, especially chasing related (because that’s something I love too), but in this case it has come at a cost, considering that RT is a main catalyst for turning chasing into the yahoo circus it has become, which I know you (like most of us) are unhappy about.

 

[Evan Hawkins]

Surprised to hear you say that Warren… I mean, I agree, I always think it’s cool when someone finds a niche doing something they love, especially chasing related (because that’s something I love too), but in this case it has come at a cost, considering that RT is a main catalyst for turning chasing into the yahoo circus it has become, which I know you (like most of us) are unhappy about.

agreed

 

[Randy Zipser]

I applaud him for finding a niche audience that supports him 100%. Nothing wrong with that. Not the legacy I would want to leave behind, but it works for him.

Interesting perspective, Warren. Something I never really thought about.

Why would anyone take the extreme risks that RT is taking if the purpose is not for something greater (that is, more important in one's mind) than one's self? At one time or another in the past, RT had made some attempt--if even half-hearted showboating for his social-media followers--to place a ground-based probe in front of a long-track tornado (in Nebraska, if memory serves); and firing rockets into tornadoes from a launcher attached to the Dominator. But where are the results of these efforts, or for that matter, were any data ever retrieved or scientifically analyzed? Why was RT not interested in conducting follow-on data collection, given his rare close proximity to the debris cloud? Where is RT's dedication to the science of severe-storm meteorology, as evidenced by continuing some of the field work pioneered by other past researchers?

I am fondly reminded of the work of Tim Samaras and the mission of TWISTEX, which is the complete opposite of RT's approach. The legacies of these two men could hardly be more different: for Tim, it was always about the love and fascination with the tornado, devoting (and, ultimately giving-up) his life for a life-long quest to unlock its secrets. He always was so humble; chasing was never about himself, whether in success or failure. Rather it was always about someting greater, some greater purpose that pushed him forward...

Tim also took great risks, but his contributions to the science will be well remembered long after RT is done with his chasing career.

 

[Mike Smith]

What I find interesting about the video is at the very end. While there are strong winds near the ground (under the evergreens' needles) the trees are hardly moving.

 

[Mike Smith]

but where are the results of these efforts, or for that matter, were any data ever retrieved or scientifically analyzed?

Peer-reviewed: Design and rocket deployment of a trackable pseudo-Lagrangian drifter-based meteorological probe into the Lawrence/Linwood EF4 tornado and mesocyclone on 28 May 2019 There is a rather impressive rawinsonde constructed by the rocket data which flew into the EF-4 Lawrence-Linwood Tornado.

 

[Randy Zipser]

Thank you, Mike, for bringing to my attention the above paper (an excellent read). The paragraphs at the end (Data availability, Video supplement, Author contributions) address my questions and incorrect remarks above. Regarding the wind inconsistency you point out, tall evergreen trees are very dense and compact, so wind does not penetrate through the small branches enough to cause much visual movement except at the top (I noticed this same effect also by observing a tall juniper tree in my front yard during Hurricane Milton).