P11.4 A Historical Perspective of In-Situ Observations within Tornado Cores

Meteorological measurements within tornado cores have been attempted over the past several decades with varying degrees of success. This paper is an overview of in-situ measurements attempted within the violent region close to and inside a tornado. Very few diagnostic measurements exist of the atmospheric properties inside a tornado, and only instruments designed to withstand the extreme environments within the core could survive. Past meteorological measurements and measurements planned for future studies will be discussed. Methodologies of placing these instruments in the paths of tornadoes will be discussed as this task is achieved with significant difficulty. Fielding strategies will be examined as they are key to a successful deployment. Background Since the late 1970s, researchers have attempted to make meteorolo-gical measurements within a tornado. Several instruments have been built and fielding campaigns attempted over the last 25 years of tornado research with varying degrees of success. In-situ measurements within tornado cores are hard at best to attain, as it is difficult to place instruments in the paths of tornadoes, and the instruments themselves need to survive the hostile environments typical of tornadoes. Attempts have been made to deploy instruments that weigh from 200 kg to less than 2 kg in paths of tornadoes