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
Amazing how far weather radar technology has advanced since then.
Roadvirus1 1 year ago
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.
UsonianAC 2 years ago
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.
uploadJ 2 years ago
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.
Blackie8898 3 years ago
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?
MiraChan 3 years ago
Any guesses on the strength of the tornado?
grem458 3 years ago
wow!
Wivanunu 3 years ago
so cool.
bruce64h 3 years ago
that's just fucking awesone.
phamilto 4 years ago