The First Radar-Detected Hook Echo

Captured by chance by the Illinois State Water Survey on a radar they were testing out. Hook echoes are distinct projections which depict on radar imminent tornadic activity. This was a historic moment in the advancement of meteorological technology. The echo seen here shows the development of a tornado in Champaign, Illinois.

Credit: Illinois State Water Survey
April 9th, 1953
B&W, no audio

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• tornado
• hook
• echo
• radar
• Champaign
• Illinois
• State
• storms
• meteorology
• weather
• environment
• computer
• aviation
• space

[Roadvirus1]

Amazing how far weather radar technology has advanced since then.

[UsonianAC]

The tornado tracked through rural areas near Royal, Illinois, and it is not known whether or not there was any damage. There are pictures of the tornado on a Colorado State University-owned website.

[uploadJ]

Wow. This was caught on pre WSR-57 equipment even, which was the first nationwide fan out of weather detection RADAR equipment.

WSR-74 and of course NEXRAD, WSR-88D were the follow RADAR systems.

[Blackie8898]

Very nice. :)

It's interesting that they could see a hook echo on this radar back in 1953, but during the April 3rd 1974 Super Outbreak, the NWS office in Louisville, KY didn't have a radar that would show them the hook echos in the storms. Thus they had almost no warning about the tornado that was coming.

[MiraChan]

Dude! That's a little eerie, because I used to live there a few years ago for most of my life. I wonder how many other tornadoes have hit Champaign?

[grem458]

Any guesses on the strength of the tornado?

[Wivanunu]

wow!

[bruce64h]

so cool.

[phamilto]

that's just fucking awesone.