This has been online for a while now, but it’s still noteworthy.
You have to see this if you haven’t already.

Image Credit: University of Utah

National Geographic’s online interactive edition includes this page, showing how storm chasers’ efforts can pay off in a huge way. Check this out:

It’s a technological first. A well-placed probe fitted with 7 video cameras—6 with a 60-degree field-of-view designed to achieve a full 360-degree field-of-view (one failed during deployment, resulting in a 300-degree field-of-view) and one pointing upward—captures footage inside a tornado, providing visual data on ground wind speeds where the storm does the greatest damage. And Tim Samaras with his team of storm chasers are there to make it happen.

This ingenious probe, designed and deployed by folks with exponentially more intestinal fortitude than I, brilliantly captures a tornado as it passes by. Multiple camera angles, fantastic audio and video — incredibly impressive results which reflect a lot of training coupled with a little bit of luck. Watch the video linked above. It’s riveting. There’s an additional feature here which goes into further detail.

Not attempting to take away from Samaras’ work in the slightest (the data contributed by his endeavors have been invaluable), the tornado in the video isn’t mammoth, but relatively small. Yet it still inspires awe. The first time I’d seen the video, I found myself afraid to blink and clutching my mouse — kinda funny. With spring being right around the corner (prime time for tornado formation here in central Texas), I have to say that watching this footage is as close as I ever want to get. The destructive force makes you feel… small.