Midshipmen participate in tornado chasing internship

Photo courtesy of Patrick Fallon

Midshipmen aid in clean-up efforts following a tornado in Joplin, Mo., that touched down May 22. The mids were in the area for the 2011 Severe Weather In-Field Training exercise.

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A group of 10 Naval Academy midshipmen, accompanied by Lt. Cmdr. John Woods and Associate Professor Bradford Barrett, both of the academy's Oceanography Department, recently participated in the 2011 Severe Weather In-Field Training (SWIFT) exercise, conducted in several states throughout the U.S.

Funded in part by the Naval Academy Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Office and the Naval Academy Foundation's Odgers Fund, the mission of the 2011 Severe Weather In-Field Training activity was to engage midshipmen in forecasting, observing and verifying severe convective storms and to develop them professionally with tours and briefings at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Air Force Weather Agency operational and research facilities.

The midshipmen began their SWIFT experience at Fort Campbell, Ky., where they observed how meteorology and military mission planning and execution are intertwined. The midshipmen received a tour of the Air Force's 18th Operational Weather Squadron, which is attached to the Army Air Field at Fort Campbell and forward deploys personnel to support air and special operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In Norman, Okla., the midshipmen experienced the civilian side of meteorology – how data is analyzed and warnings issued to the public – with tours of the Storm Prediction Center, National Weather Service office, all of which are located in the University of Oklahoma's Department of Meteorology building. The midshipmen also visited a Doppler radar dome and experimental phased-array radar based on the Navy's SPY-1D radar used in the Aegis combat system.

The midshipmen also participated in forecast operations. Each morning, several midshipmen, with input from Dr. Barrett, would create a forecast for that day and pick a target area based on current surface conditions and weather models. The weather group would monitor conditions throughout the day and recommend a location with the best chance of seeing tornadoes once storms formed.

To track convective initiation, or cloud formation, and storm strength and progress, the SWIFT team used GRLevel3 software, which combines a real-time radar picture with storm relative motion, predicted path, forecast probabilities and mesoscale discussions from the Storm Prediction Center, and reports from the Spotter Network. The van was equipped with a monitor so the midshipmen could see the software display and any relevant surface observations, models or satellite images. Midshipmen used Kestrel 3000 instruments to gather current meteorological data such as wind speed and dew point temperature.

Overall, the midshipmen and faculty succeeded in seeing five tornadoes, ranging in intensity from EF-0 to EF-3. They also witnessed other meteorological phenomena, such as rotating wall clouds, funnel clouds, mesoscale convective systems and supercell thunderstorms.

“It was great to apply what we learned in class to real life situations,” said Midshipman 2nd Class Claire Fletcher.

However, the massive destruction an EF-5 tornado caused in Joplin, Mo., soon tempered the students' excitement. The SWIFT team had chased the Joplin storm earlier that afternoon, until it grew too large and dangerous to chase. Upon hearing of the Joplin disaster, the midshipmen immediately asked to help. Access to the area was extremely limited. The Red Cross sent out a notice that they would not accept volunteers for several weeks, and local emergency services were understandably swamped. After calling emergency, police, and fire departments all over the region, Midshipman 2nd Class John Bishop succeeded in reaching a fire chief in Joplin, who was able to attach the SWIFT group to an all-volunteer, law enforcement and military-comprised outfit in Joplin.

Driving into Joplin, the midshipmen saw the full extent of the damage. The tornado damaged or collapsed most buildings in a six square mile swath of land, uprooted trees, snapped branches, and smashed cars and tossed them into houses or trees.

“It was surreal,” said Midshipman 1st Class Cynthia Cary of the damage in Joplin. The midshipmen performed search and rescue and body recovery operations in this ravaged landscape for 12 hours.

After combing through downed trees and sifting through concrete and drywall, the SWIFT group visited a Red Cross shelter at Missouri Southern State University and handed out toys to displaced children.

“We only wish we could do more,” said Woods, echoing the unanimous group sentiment.