Fifty years ago, on May 24, 1973, a violent F-4 tornado tore through the central Oklahoma town of Union City, killing two people and injuring at least four more. While the human impact of the storm was devastating, the Union City tornado was also historic as it marked the first time researchers were able to use radar to observe the entire lifecycle of a tornado.
Author: NSSL Webmaster
Edwin Kessler, first NSSL director, 1928–2017
We are sad to announce the National Severe Storms Laboratory’s first director, Dr. Edwin Kessler, passed away recently. Under his leadership, NSSL scientists conducted Doppler radar research that led to the NEXRAD, deployed in the 1990s and still in use today.
President Obama honors NSSL/CIMMS researcher Corey Potvin for innovative research
President Obama has named a local scientist as one of three NOAA-supported scientists receiving the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. The award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on federally-funded early career science and engineering professionals.
NSSL researcher’s new book illuminates state of the science in lightning physics
The current understanding of lightning physics is the focus of a new book published by physicist Vladislav Mazur, based on his more than 30 year career at NSSL. Principles of Lightning Physics presents and discusses…
mPING Weather App Goes Global
Citizen scientists around the world, not just those in the United States, can now submit weather observations and view reports on the go using the newly upgraded mPING smart phone application. Developers from NOAA’s National…
PAR Captures Long-lived Tornado in May 24, 2011 Outbreak
The tornado outbreak forecasted by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center and the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Norman, Oklahoma became a reality as five damage-producing tornadoes struck central Oklahoma between 3 pm and 7…