Nelson Tucker
@tornadostudy.bsky.social
OTUS Project President. Millersville Meteorology 2026. Writer at Tornado Talk, NIST SURF 2024.
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Nelson Tucker
@tornadostudy.bsky.social
· Oct 17
Hi all! I'm Nelson, 22, undergrad met major, SURF student this summer at NIST, Tornado Talk writer, and OTUS Project president. Here to stay connected with our wx community and give this platform a shot. Here are a few aurora shots from the G4 last Thursday at Millersville University, PA:
Reflecting on a truly wild, tornado-packed summer break with @otusproject.bsky.social to mark the beginning of year 23 on this planet!
youtu.be/kg7gywzHHD0?si…
youtu.be/kg7gywzHHD0?si…
August 26, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Reflecting on a truly wild, tornado-packed summer break with @otusproject.bsky.social to mark the beginning of year 23 on this planet!
youtu.be/kg7gywzHHD0?si…
youtu.be/kg7gywzHHD0?si…
Reposted by Nelson Tucker
Our world-first night vision tornado drone intercept of the Fort Ransom, ND EF2 on June 20. Watch the *FULL* video at this link: youtu.be/g_6qMXHlsqw
August 16, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Our world-first night vision tornado drone intercept of the Fort Ransom, ND EF2 on June 20. Watch the *FULL* video at this link: youtu.be/g_6qMXHlsqw
Aftermath the next day. Home across street was outside scour strip, but core context was impressive with long grass destroyed at road rise. Dirt scour & cycloidal deposits at intercept zone (bottom right image). If recovered, we can get wind measurements from drone blackbox.
August 5, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Aftermath the next day. Home across street was outside scour strip, but core context was impressive with long grass destroyed at road rise. Dirt scour & cycloidal deposits at intercept zone (bottom right image). If recovered, we can get wind measurements from drone blackbox.
Reposted by Nelson Tucker
Looking inside the powerful Spiritwood, ND wedge tornado near peak size and strength. This was our second flight into it on June 20. Watch the *FULL* video at this link: youtu.be/akQbDX-MMlo
August 4, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Looking inside the powerful Spiritwood, ND wedge tornado near peak size and strength. This was our second flight into it on June 20. Watch the *FULL* video at this link: youtu.be/akQbDX-MMlo
Saw a multi-vortex tornado this afternoon at Parmelee SD, had an @otusproject.bsky.social deployment on this
July 21, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Saw a multi-vortex tornado this afternoon at Parmelee SD, had an @otusproject.bsky.social deployment on this
Reposted by Nelson Tucker
Narrowly missed getting a drone inside this tornado south of Johnstown/Ainsworth, NE yesterday evening. We will be on the hunt for the next few days. Photo taken by team member @tornadostudy.bsky.social
July 19, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Narrowly missed getting a drone inside this tornado south of Johnstown/Ainsworth, NE yesterday evening. We will be on the hunt for the next few days. Photo taken by team member @tornadostudy.bsky.social
Exactly! NWS is only PART of the warning process. NWS forecasts, warns, gives info and tools to entities
Private sector (apps, broadcast) disseminates to wider audiences
Local authorities, entities are responsible to plan, act, evac
*NWS* warnings were good!
But local leaders… 1/2
Private sector (apps, broadcast) disseminates to wider audiences
Local authorities, entities are responsible to plan, act, evac
*NWS* warnings were good!
But local leaders… 1/2
Flood Watch issued yesterday at 1:18 pm.
WPC had mesoscale discussions throughout the event.
NWS issues Flash Flood Warning at 1:14 am.
NWS issues Flash Flood Emergency at 4:03 am.
NWS was on the ball.
The challenge is always getting the warning the last mile and getting people to respond.
WPC had mesoscale discussions throughout the event.
NWS issues Flash Flood Warning at 1:14 am.
NWS issues Flash Flood Emergency at 4:03 am.
NWS was on the ball.
The challenge is always getting the warning the last mile and getting people to respond.
Everyone making comments about DOGE and FEMA as it relates to the Texas flooding is insulting to the NWS employees working this event that were well aware of how bad this was becoming. Plenty of opportunities to use those arguments elsewhere.
July 6, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Exactly! NWS is only PART of the warning process. NWS forecasts, warns, gives info and tools to entities
Private sector (apps, broadcast) disseminates to wider audiences
Local authorities, entities are responsible to plan, act, evac
*NWS* warnings were good!
But local leaders… 1/2
Private sector (apps, broadcast) disseminates to wider audiences
Local authorities, entities are responsible to plan, act, evac
*NWS* warnings were good!
But local leaders… 1/2
Reposted by Nelson Tucker
A peek at preliminary tornado data we are still processing. These traces are from one of the drones circling in the anticyclonic Higgins, TX-OK EF1 on May 18. The validation and quality control process takes time, but more data will be shared as we progress.
July 2, 2025 at 7:32 PM
A peek at preliminary tornado data we are still processing. These traces are from one of the drones circling in the anticyclonic Higgins, TX-OK EF1 on May 18. The validation and quality control process takes time, but more data will be shared as we progress.
Reposted by Nelson Tucker
Part 1 of our Spiritwood tornado flights, inside the tornadogenesis and growth of this monster. Watch the *FULL* video at this link: youtu.be/b9IicWFL0VQ
June 25, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Part 1 of our Spiritwood tornado flights, inside the tornadogenesis and growth of this monster. Watch the *FULL* video at this link: youtu.be/b9IicWFL0VQ
Reposted by Nelson Tucker
A comparison of our non-night vision perspective:
June 22, 2025 at 9:02 PM
A comparison of our non-night vision perspective:
Reposted by Nelson Tucker
World's first night vision drone intercept of a tornado near Fort Ransom, ND Friday night:
June 22, 2025 at 8:58 PM
World's first night vision drone intercept of a tornado near Fort Ransom, ND Friday night:
Reposted by Nelson Tucker
Inside the EF3+ Spiritwood, ND wedge tornado near peak intensity from our research drone!
June 22, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Inside the EF3+ Spiritwood, ND wedge tornado near peak intensity from our research drone!
Reposted by Nelson Tucker
Our first flight yesterday was inside the tornadogenesis and growth phase of a soon-to-be wedge tornado near Spiritwood and Jamestown, ND. Data and more video will be shared as we process material.
June 22, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Our first flight yesterday was inside the tornadogenesis and growth phase of a soon-to-be wedge tornado near Spiritwood and Jamestown, ND. Data and more video will be shared as we process material.
Reposted by Nelson Tucker
🚨HELP NEEDED 🚨
One of the two drones flown through this tornado has not yet been recovered. It holds immensely valuable data. We are exploring all avenues to locate it. Please let us know if you find this drone or can assist. Last known position at 46°56'28.0"N, 98°25'56.3"W
One of the two drones flown through this tornado has not yet been recovered. It holds immensely valuable data. We are exploring all avenues to locate it. Please let us know if you find this drone or can assist. Last known position at 46°56'28.0"N, 98°25'56.3"W
June 22, 2025 at 12:00 AM
🚨HELP NEEDED 🚨
One of the two drones flown through this tornado has not yet been recovered. It holds immensely valuable data. We are exploring all avenues to locate it. Please let us know if you find this drone or can assist. Last known position at 46°56'28.0"N, 98°25'56.3"W
One of the two drones flown through this tornado has not yet been recovered. It holds immensely valuable data. We are exploring all avenues to locate it. Please let us know if you find this drone or can assist. Last known position at 46°56'28.0"N, 98°25'56.3"W
Today’s chase and deployments were ludicrous.
Night drone view about to pass through a tornado near Fort Ransom, ND this evening collecting thermodynamic and wind data
June 21, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Today’s chase and deployments were ludicrous.
Reposted by Nelson Tucker
Inside the entire tornadogenesis of the mile-wide Morton, TX, EF2 tornado. Watch the *FULL* video here: youtu.be/OaNBkp1xWfg
June 14, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Inside the entire tornadogenesis of the mile-wide Morton, TX, EF2 tornado. Watch the *FULL* video here: youtu.be/OaNBkp1xWfg
Reposted by Nelson Tucker
Our research drone collected data through tornadogenesis near Morton, TX yesterday, including this subvortex early in its life.
June 6, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Our research drone collected data through tornadogenesis near Morton, TX yesterday, including this subvortex early in its life.
One of our more eventful chases of the season… big day, and gearing up for tomorrow!
June 6, 2025 at 5:32 AM
One of our more eventful chases of the season… big day, and gearing up for tomorrow!
Reposted by Nelson Tucker
Inside of an EF1-rated tornado and severe thunderstorm winds near Willard, CO on May 23. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/nRc38pZ0E5s
May 29, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Inside of an EF1-rated tornado and severe thunderstorm winds near Willard, CO on May 23. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/nRc38pZ0E5s
Reposted by Nelson Tucker
A birds-eye view from our research drone of a tornado as it struck the town of Crowder, MO on May 16th. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/P3KC8TtBros
May 26, 2025 at 11:47 PM
A birds-eye view from our research drone of a tornado as it struck the town of Crowder, MO on May 16th. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/P3KC8TtBros
The first tornado we intercepted that day; had 2 drones simultaneously circling this tornado sampling the environment. This is the view from one of them!
An extraordinary perspective of an anticyclonic tornado near Higgins, TX by our research drone on May 18th. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/MjEX51Qmz3o
May 23, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The first tornado we intercepted that day; had 2 drones simultaneously circling this tornado sampling the environment. This is the view from one of them!
Just one of the intercepts we made on Sunday!
Never seen before perspective of a tornado in Arnett, OK by our research drone on May 18th. Watch the full video here on YouTube: youtu.be/NGD2e741Riw
May 20, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Just one of the intercepts we made on Sunday!
We flew through and stayed in the centers of two tornadoes today, triple intercepts! Most remarkable experience of my life chasing these tornadoes
The eye of the Arnett, OK tornado, captured by one of our UAVs as it collected scientific data on the environment within.
May 19, 2025 at 1:27 AM
We flew through and stayed in the centers of two tornadoes today, triple intercepts! Most remarkable experience of my life chasing these tornadoes
Reposted by Nelson Tucker
An incredible look inside a tornado from our research drone of structures being destroyed in Crowder, Missouri
May 17, 2025 at 3:00 AM
An incredible look inside a tornado from our research drone of structures being destroyed in Crowder, Missouri