University researcher swaps Sheffield for storm chasing

A researcher from the University of Sheffield is contributing to the world´s largest project to explore the origins and impact of one of the most deadly forms of extreme weather - the tornado.

Jacqui Wilmshurst, a PhD student from the University of Sheffield´s Department of Psychology, is part of a team of researchers working on the Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornados Experiment 2 (VORTEX2) which is tracking tornados in the USA to understand more about their origins and the effects they have on the communities which are at risk of being devastated by them.

The experiment, which is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), involves nearly 100 scientists and students from over 16 different institutions, as well as forecasters from the National Weather Service in America. The results from the experiment, which lasts until 13 June 2009, will aim to increase the accuracy and timeliness of tornado forecasts and warnings.

As the only social scientist on the project, Jacqui is involved with gathering data about community attitudes to extreme weather. This involves spending time with local people as frequently as possible and gathering information on a range of themes such as storm experiences, attitudes to extreme weather, perceptions of and attitudes towards forecasters and the media, and how people make decisions in order to keep themselves safe.

The experiment will see the team travel around the Central Plains following storms. They will particularly focus on Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma. Among the project leaders is Josh Wurman, who features in the Discovery Channel´s Storm Chasers programme and Howie Bluestein whose work was the inspiration behind Twister. They will also be accompanied by the Weather Channel who broadcast live each morning and evening from the team´s location, and are hoping to provide live-streaming footage of a tornado straight from the field.

The project follows the original VORTEX experiment which took place between 1994-1995. It was successful in documenting the entire life cycle of a tornado from beginning to end for the first time in history. This project also saw actors from the blockbuster film Twister accompany the scientists to gain an insight into the experiment in order to accurately portray the role of a storm-chaser.

Jacqui said: "I feel very privileged to be taking part in this exciting experiment. Tornadoes often stir up images of the excitement seen in the film Twister, yet this experiment is science, not entertainment, and it is on a huge scale by comparison. As the only psychologist on this project, it is my responsibility to look at the awareness of communities who face the possibility of devastation by tornadoes. We are still waiting to catch a tornado in the field, but have so far witnessed many extreme types of weather, including hail up to the size of golf balls, as well as heavy rain, beautiful cloud formations and spectacular lightning shows."

Stephen Nelson, from the National Science Foundation which is funding the experiment, said: "An important finding from the original VORTEX experiment was that the factors responsible for causing tornadoes happen on smaller time and space scales than scientists had thought. New advances will allow for a more detailed sampling of storm´s wind, temperature and moist environment, and lead to a better understanding of why tornadoes form and how they can be more accurately predicted."