TORUS: Targeted Observation by Radars and UAS of Supercells

Summary

TORUS (Targeted Observation by Radars and UAS of Supercells) was a nomadic field campaign during the spring storm seasons (May and June) over a domain covering much of the central United States where there exists significant point probabilities of tornado-bearing supercell storms. TORUS had three campaigns TORUS_2019, TORUS_2022, and TORUS-LItE (Left-flank Intensive Experiment) that occurred in 2023. TORUS aimed to use the data collected to improve the conceptual model of supercell thunderstorms (the parent storms of the most destructive tornadoes) by exposing how small-scale structures within these storms might lead to tornado formation. These structures are hypothesized to be nearly invisible to all but the most precise research-grade instruments. But by revealing the hidden composition of severe storms and associating it to known characteristics of the regularly-observed larger scale environment, the TORUS project could improve supercell and tornado forecasts.