The Anatomy of the Life of a Supercell

A visual journey through the processes that cause the formation of supercell thunderstorms and tornadoes.

[@bluespark78]

The best video I've seen on this subject. Hands down. No dumbing down the science, everything on point, no over-the-top annoyance, decent soundtrack and great illustrations/animations, coupled with great photography. Why this hasn't had more views is mystifying to me.Very well done.

[@robinsss]

how does the funnel reach the ground?

[@retiredchannel]

@@robinsss I'd assume due to rotation, if something is rotating really fast the line around which the air rotates would get pushed outward so pressure near that line will be decreased, so water will condence earlier. This is just a assumption but it makes sense

[@robinsss]

I didn't say anything about water

[@robinsss]

someone should be seeing if they can reduce the amount of hot air coming from the Sierra Nevada mountains...……………….if they can then that should reduce the number of tornados

[@tonyduncan9852]

Yep. The very best. Brilliant.

[@grandsea2]

This better have either won over a potential Employer, received an A+, been the top entry to the NWS as an updated training video or solidified a current position for a budding Meteorologist's career! To agree with the restof the comments here is an understatement! This video link will forever be placed in my phone for continued reoccurring brush up on the topic. I don't think any comment can give justice to just how well this video presents information in an easy to disgest way. Thank you for sharing this on a free to consume platform!

[@RT-qd8yl]

He's got the potential to have some really top quality videos once he works on the production quality. The content is excellent.

[@RojoFern]

May I just point out how beautiful the background music that plays during the segment on tornadoes makes everything. Really helps to capture the power and awe of a twister.

[@joeytheecho9123]

It is so relaxing and the music and this man’s voice almost put me to sleep

[@patriotenfield3276]

As tragic as they are , Tornadoes are really some of natures most fascinating creations.

[@alexiswilliamsinc]

@@patriotenfield3276 I kept reminding myself not to use the word “beautiful” as I watched out of respect for the people. The hook radar image that has “possessions” listed makes it clear how devastated the communities are left afterward. ❤️‍🩹

[@CusterFlux]

Great Vid, but the music, cool though it is, does get too loud at times. People who read the copy, if possible, should avoid mixing the audio, because they ALWAYS mix the music too loud - this is because they're subconsciously recalling the words they said, as much as they're hearing them.

[@nodularprurigo]

Here in the UK we get few tornadoes. This however has helped me greatly in understanding the underlying principles. A very professional presentation. Thank you.

[@EdwardCzajka]

I think this is better than some of the SkyWarn training, because it is using animation over a video/time lapse. I think this is the only way to see through the eyes of an experienced chaser, and understand what I am looking at. A very nicely done video by a photographer that I envy.

[@TheWaynelds]

Edward Czajka Yay!! I found Waldo!!

[@shanelewis5535]

Let Pecos Hank come back. His Awsome work should be allowed to be enjoyed by all people

[@GORDIEFISH2Much]

definitely agree. my skywarn training (with the exception of the live seminar i was required to attend) taught me almost nothing about the science in this video.

[@kubawojewodzki1020]

The best thing about this subject i've ever seen BY FAR.

[@Lokalaugenschein_]

Definitely!

[@pklian9711]

Bruh😂😂😂

[@raphael9783]

You gotta watch dan Pecos, he's great, also skip Talbott. Both are really good.

[@kvngkirk]

Grammar

[@raphael9783]

@@kvngkirk there's always one.

[@bocivus328]

The best/most educational video I've seen on supercell/tornado from beginning to end. The animation/graphic stuff overlapping actual storm videos were on point and made it a lot easier to understand what exactly I was looking at. Thank you for posting this!! I've been looking for something like this for a while and I finally found it here.

[@Spudst3r]

This was so dense it took me an hour to watch but I feel like I just got many years worth of weather training and terminology in one video. Awesome!!!

[@holly8320]

This video should have WAY more views than it does. This is visually appealing and incredibly informative. Thank you!

[@holly8320]

... coming back to this video three years later, I have a few seasons of spotting and chasing under my belt. I have much more knowledge and education than I did when I commented this. I still stand by what I said. Fantastic video!

[@explainatorylore799]

@@holly8320 one year later, did you spot a tornado?

[@zzzubmno2755]

Excellent vid. Very informative and no over yapping, exactly what I want in a video.

[@r3wcifer]

I've been searching for something in-depth like this for weeks, excellent explanations and examples, makes it very easy to understand, this should have WAY more views.

[@davidstover5651]

I've watched this twice. It is a great basic learning aid in training Storm Spotters. I understood all material presented, it was in plain English, simple to follow and should be shown at every storm Spotter meetings. All visual aids shown helped me to understand even how the RFD is important in forming the tornado but also the the ending of its life cycle. Outstanding work.

[@000001willy]

PhD quality video explaining all aspects of the formation and life of tornadoes. Scores 15 out 10 in my books.

[@LadyVoldemort]

Great video, I enjoyed it thoroughly although the music overwhelmed your narration at times, but nothing particularly annoying. Beautiful view, clear and on point explanation, I am truly pleased to finally understand what an RFD is! Thanks! This video deserves more views indeed.

[@arcadia4691]

I know a good deal about storms, but you taught me a few things! Liked.

[@3987robert]

Well done!! This is the best video I have seen about supercell development and what happens to produce the tornado.

[@GriffinStorm]

This helped me to visualize the RFD. I've always been confused by it but not anymore. Thanks!

[@Philippine_Navyist16]

me too

[@bsdiceman]

What is RFD?

[@The3rdjunior]

@@bsdiceman Rear flank downdraft

[@Vestilae]

This is a fantastic video. I learned a lot about supercells and weather in general from this. Thank you!

[@The_Arctic_Kiwi]

i was on a conservation lake when i experienced a supercell. it rained really hard when we were in the middle of the lake we saw it lifting water from the lake, and then when we looked up we saw the wall cloud spinning, luckily it didn't form a tornado, and was short lived. but nonetheless it was terrifying going at a maximum speed of 15 km/h

[@gcorriveau6864]

In 1974 I had the great experience of flying hail suppression (base seeding and top seeding) in a combined suppression/research project (Alberta Hailstop '74). In 'those days' our understanding of the detailed airflow around these storms was less clear. While I and my colleagues were flying cloud seeding missions, the scientists/meteorologists on the project were flying updraft penetrations in Cessna 414 equipped with cloud physics sensors. I learned a lot about SAFELY maneuvering around thunderstorms and this knowledge proved to be a great advantage for my airline career that followed. Your analysis and radar images here are a great training aid for any pilot. This understanding, along with our industry standard recommendations for circumnavigating this kind of weather, serves us well. My main 'beef' is that airliner radars only pitch upwards to 15 degrees and become somewhat useless for terminal area (close in) weather avoidance. Then we become much more dependant upon ATC 'suggestions,' PIREPS, and our own visual analysis out the front windows. Thanks for sharing.

[@byrongreen2167]

This video is very informative.....it's this kind that needs to be put on t.v. absolutely worth watching....

[@claytongillaspy8847]

Ignore these somewhat negative comments here Jason your video is excellent bar none I’ve been a certified storm spotter since 67 and have seen a few tornados although none on video living in far northwest Illinois I recently saw the incredible Rochelle-fairdale tornado back in 2015 on april 9th which should have been rated a f-5 as it had winds exceeding 200 mph! I was 8 mi away again great video Jason!

[@deanpesci8484]

Most excellent! Totally helps me understand what the chasers are talking about when watching live on YT! Thanks!

[@dr.joyceconroy6839]

This was one of the best lectures and programs I've seen on the subject. It was excellent!

[@peterburi2727]

Excellent! The most information one could possibly get in 30 minutes. I was a storm spotter in McHenry county Illinois and this should be a requirement for all that take storm spotter classes.

[@trainman071]

i am a sky warn member here in Albany NY this video is one of the most in depth educational presentation that i have scene. very well done very professional

[@SullyPhotojunkie]

I am a spotter with Skywarn and I do a lot of independent training to better my understanding of severe weather. Your video is absolutely fantastic as it covers things that we were not taught in spotter class. Thank you for posting this video!

[@erzahler1930]

I've been a Skywarn Spotter for more than 30 years, and even now I learned things from this video I never saw in any of my training classes. I will definitely rewatch this video several times to glean all of the information from it. Thank you, Jason, for the great narration and expert explanations!

[@katieburland6846]

This is legit one of the most educational KZbin video I've ever seen. Thank you!! I'm from PA, and we've had so many tornado warnings this year already...I know nothing about them. Before the last couple years we didn't really have them often.

[@martimasters7704]

A documentary with stunning videography and photography that combines art and science to create a documentary par exellence. It should be part of the cirriculum in every school in America because the more young people understand about these great thunderstorms, the more likely brilliant minds will be drawn into the study of meteorology and contribute to the vital research that aims to understand why some supercells produce tornados while others do not. For the rest of us, this amazing video ranks among the best 30 minutes we will spend in our lifetimes. Thank you!!!

[@sk8razer]

This video was FANTASTIC! But, for me, the background music made it kinda difficult to hear you.

[@570NEPA]

I have to thank you for this scientific explanation of a supercell and everything associated with it. I've read several books since I was a kid about weather and this ties everything together. Great job and thanks again.

[@kylehco]

Loved it. Very well done.

[@StormsandSaugeye]

Because my hearing has gotten bad over the years, there were times where I lost your voice in the music. Nothing negative though, I could discern what was being discussed through context.

[@rebanelson607]

Excellent video - LOVED the lightning flashes at the end!

[@sammylacks4937]

I ve watched several of these videos first just learning how these storms develop, maintain and grow, and spawn tornadoes. A question came to me as everyone explained about the rain free updraft/ mesocyclone area and it being the area where if a tornado is going to form this is where they are. I wondered about rainwrapped tornadoes and how they are able to persist. Thanks for sharing and covering as much about these storms answering my question, as you did. As my knowledge of all thunderstorms slowly grows my respect increases exponentially for all who bring these videos and their ability to predict where and when tornadic storms are possible by interpreting conditions favorable for formation.

[@rachaelelkins]

This is one of the best educational videos I’ve seen on storms. Maybe the best. It really helped me to visualized all the pieces that i was having a hard time understanding.

[@camrynrought4462]

Why is this video so meditative like the vibes and the music are incredibly chill

[@kw9694]

Incredibly complex dynamics , all coming together, makes you wonder how it’s possible for this to actually function as an entity, truly witnessing a miracle in action.

[@LaramidiaWX]

One of the best videos on the subject. Thank you!

[@bigrockets]

very interesting video, lots of great information I haven't seen illustrated this well. Good job!

[@KMHrock89]

This is the most informative video I’ve found to understand supercell thunderstorms. Thank you for all the hard work that went into making this.

[@anthonyyates616]

This is by far the best and most informative storm video ive seen learned alot as i live in western most point of illinois i like to watch big storms and have got to witness a tornado in my life

[@rickyricardo4331]

I thought I knew tornadoes because of my crippling lilapsophobia, but this video is literally like having the other team's playbook.

[@3rdandlong]

As a resident of the Northwest, I find this to be the best explanation for someone unclear of the nuts and bolts of how a tornado is produced. I think James Spann would even approve of this educational summary. It certainly has for me. I've watched his tornado coverage here online, and he is probably the best.

[@LandoHitman]

Fantastic video; I only wish the volume were higher

[@gabeisawesome879]

Rarely have I seen an educational video on any topic I'm interested in that delivered so much information in such a short time while also being digestible and answering so many questions without even having to explicitly do so. I didn't know the exact reason shelf clouds looked the way they did or formed where they did, but watching this, I didn't need to be told that the more spindle-y or "slc" shelf clouds that form where a wall cloud can usually be seen were are due to the condensation of warm moist air on the inflow boundary being pulled in by the mezocyclone's updraft. The parent info to make that inference was just so well delivered that it just clicked. There's about 10 other important pieces to the puzzle that I was missing and understood from this video in the same way without it ever needing to be explicitly stated. This is quality educational content if there ever was such a thing.

[@Rubin4749]

Mr Weingart, my hat is off to you. I think you explained on a RELATIVELY high level was is going on in storms, where "Joe Six-packs" like me can understand it pretty good. It is GREATLY appreciated. YOU sir, are AWESOME for sharing your knowledge with others. THANK YOU

[@cole6499]

This is my first time viewing this video and it's the best video on the subject I've ever seen. Congrats !! 😎👍

[@Matt-dg6ue]

Round of applause. This is the single greatest summary of convective weather I've seen in my life

[@UndefinedUser]

This (to me) feels like one of those things you never really thought about, but the video looks interesting so you stick around to watch it.

[@greenman6141]

This is one of two videos that are the best I've seen explaining supercells - their anatomy, their life etc. It was very good. The other one is: "How Do Supercell Thunderstorms Work" which is on Celton Henderson's youtube channel. Mr Henderson made the video. It features more drawings of the parts of the supercell over photos and radar images. So if you liked this video, I'd recommend looking at Mr Henderson's as well. If you want simply beautiful beautiful films of storms go to Pecos Hank's youtube channel. He is an artist. The films are stunning..and the music is too - which is his, he writes/plays it. He also films the wildlife he sees along the way, a lot of which he gets off roads and moves somewhere safe.

[@michaelscott-joynt3215]

Great job to everyone involved in this. Simple and outstanding presentation. Thank you.

[@quill1260]

Damn Jason, you nailed this video Bruh. Outstanding quality of photography, animation, explanation, and even music. I definitely subscribed. I can't wait to show my sons this video. I've tried to explain the processes involved in Supercells and Tornadoes. This is definitely going to help. (I learned a ton too). Thanks for posting this.

[@markyounger1240]

Excellent presentation. Great video library. And this comes from a storm chaser that chased BEFORE the movie Twister. Not many of us left!

[@jeroldcrawford3431]

That was by far the best video I have ever seen on the life of a supercell. My understanding is so much better than it was, and I thought I understood them before. Thank you so much for the video.

[@clydefrog8711]

So I'm one of those people who loves storms and anytype of weather but don't understand it academically/scientifically. I've been wanted to at least have a basic understanding of these systems. Your video was perfect for that. Thank you for the effort you put into making it. Subbed.

[@ankurage]

9:14 Narrator: Attempting to cross a flooded roadway is extremely dangerous and should never be attempted Pickup: *thug life*

[@patriotenfield3276]

Gangsta 😎

[@babycakes1402]

This is incredible, thank you for posting & I actually forwarded this to our local meteorologist :)

[@andie_pants]

I can't imagine a better video on the subject. I move on as a complete layperson understanding much more than I did before. Well done.

[@joefaz1818]

Thank you Jason, best presentation on the subject I have ever seen!!!

[@kris2percent]

This is way better than any other educational tornado video. Explained well with detailed illustrations and terminologies that are delivered well.

[@doncolor3473]

Great Video 👍🏻 And beautiefull Images 🥰

[@logicplague2077]

This should easily have over a million views. Amazing work!

[@danielbrown1724]

I love the Great Plains, always have. What a convergence of weather and energy there

[@djcoolio8096]

Absolutely brilliant, concise and comprehensive understanding of these great storms! Thank you so much!

[@bigsmoke758]

Oh fuck this, im moving in with penguins in Antarctica

[@larrynicholas9730]

Congratulations on your presentation on a supercell construction. Everyone with an interest in thunderstorms the mechanics of extreme weather should view your work. We need more of this kind of instruction within the "KZbin" community.

[@BattleshipOrion]

Something else to point out is the fact that the wall does not have to be present to have a tornado, and as a precaution, treat the entirety of the era beneath the wall cloud as the tornado.

[@secretchannel1764]

Really good this needs 1 million views not 800

[@dianemiller6440]

This was so on point. A spectacularly made video. I will watch again since I won’t be trying to consume so much data. A great job! Can you tell I loved it! Thank you, Diane

[@richardphillips2405]

I also think that this is the best video I have seen on tornado genesis.

[@theresemalmberg955]

As an artist and someone who is fascinated by these storms, this helps me understand what I am looking at and what I am trying to paint. Everything I put in my paintings is something that I have seen personally. I received the ultimate complement a couple years back when someone who was looking at my work asked me if I was a pilot. I said sadly, no, but I enjoy flying. He said I had a pilot's eye and it showed in how I painted clouds.

[@johannesbrahms7414]

This video is excellent Pedagogy!! It is a feat in the description of a fairly complex phenomenom in good, necessary, chronological order. The explanation of how features lead to mechanisms, which in turn set off events producing a Tornado. This is so well presented, without verbosity, that the viewer/listener does not lose the train of logical comprehension. I appreciate the use of Real-Time videos, as of actual rotating Meso- cyclones. This not only good Peda- gogy, it is bespeaks of Integrity in the Video Production. Good quality videos, such as this, do SAVE LIVES !!!! Thank you, to all involved in its Production Thank you, You Tube

[@pertechnetyl]

Wow - this is what I've been searchin' for ages - thanks! Perfectly explained!

[@someoyou]

Great video, good explanation, material is well to understand. Thanks a lot !

[@wordmech8963]

An exceptional video of supercell genesis. The video is presented in an easily digestible form and contains both introductory and intermediate information. Good job, team!

[@BLACKLIGHT_NL]

this is the video I needed to understand storm systems, thanks jason

[@emilydamianoff5474]

Amazing informative video thanks for this ur graphics are super helpful

[@rugbyf0rlife]

As someone with next to no knowledge on this kind of topic, this video explained everything in a way I could understand, even when technical terms were used due to the animations. Absolutely fantastic video that anyone studying or interested in this field should watch.

[@johnmurphy4522]

Hypnotic strangely peaceful

[@HD-dh1cw]

If this was a documentary it would be worthy of winning a golden globe

[@JOEY22445]

You done a really amazing job presenting this. With animations and everything. Thank you for this.

[@alexmccabe1948]

This was educational and therapeutic

[@wesgc]

You did a damn good job with this video.

[@55ANVIL]

After 20 years chasing tornadoes im still amazed at the beauty and excitement of what Mother Nature can produce

[@RyanMaukStormChaser]

killer job putting this togetther!

[@jakemiles1427]

This is an amazing, detailed, informative video. Thank you very much.

[@berthold64]

Great soundtrack selections, great explanations, amazing visuals and timelapse.

[@garyboucher965]

Absolutely the best video on the creation of storms I've seen. Very well done!!

[@jsgermany3955]

Impressive, breathtaking and excellently explained video! Great work!👏👍

[@TCBYEAHCUZ]

Incredibly sublime and informative. Thank you.

[@timmartin1395]

Well Done !! Very informative !! Keep up the good work !

[@russellszabadosaka5-pindin849]

Thanks for this. I watch a lot of tornado videos and this gives me a reference which I can come back to as I gradually get a handle on all of the terminology.

[@Achillionable]

I'm from France and I wish to go to the United States to witness that from my own eyes!

[@Charlestonthecool41]

How I've missed such a masterpiece on this subject is trying to break my brain.

[@Rmcthree]

Great job, just the info I was looking for to understand these wonders of nature.

[@hbrianunderwood4946]

This is very well produced and informative!

[@pork6622]

wow.. That was awsome.. I'm just learning about this and you added great insite. Thank You I live in Canada but tornadoes have no boundries