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OTUS Project

@otusproject.bsky.social
908 followers 4 following 40 posts

The Observations of Tornadoes by UAV Systems (OTUS) project is an effort to gather reliable measurements of the environment within and surrounding a tornado. www.theotusproject.com

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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Our ground view of the Mattoon, WI tornado today!
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
No words. Here is a peak at one of our most incredible drone flights around a #tornado to date near Tulliby Lake, AB. This will likely be one of our last intercepts of the season, thank you so much to everyone for following along! #stormchasing #nature #weather
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Erik Fox hand-launching our OTUS drone into the Wyoming, IA tornado on April 14th, 2026. 🌪️ This was the first ever drone flight in history through a #tornado that was captured by a 360 camera! More to follow as we process the footage. Thanks to Edgar ONeal for this incredible shot!
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Inside the Wyoming, IA tornado today!
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
This shot was taken moments before our research drone entered the Arnett, OK tornado on May 18th, 2025!
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
An UPDATE on the State of OTUS Project Data Science: Read the full update here: (www.theotusproject.com/updates) -The OTUS team
theotusproject.com
Updates — The OTUS Project
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 16/08/2025
Our world-first night vision tornado drone intercept of the Fort Ransom, ND EF2 on June 20. Watch the *FULL* video at this link: youtu.be/g_6qMXHlsqw
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
Looking inside the powerful Spiritwood, ND wedge tornado near peak size and strength. This was our second flight into it on June 20. Watch the *FULL* video at this link: youtu.be/akQbDX-MMlo
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Reposted by OTUS Project
Nelson Tucker @tornadostudy.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
Saw a multi-vortex tornado this afternoon at Parmelee SD, had an @otusproject.bsky.social deployment on this
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 19/07/2025
Narrowly missed getting a drone inside this tornado south of Johnstown/Ainsworth, NE yesterday evening. We will be on the hunt for the next few days. Photo taken by team member @tornadostudy.bsky.social
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
A peek at preliminary tornado data we are still processing. These traces are from one of the drones circling in the anticyclonic Higgins, TX-OK EF1 on May 18. The validation and quality control process takes time, but more data will be shared as we progress.
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Part 1 of our Spiritwood tornado flights, inside the tornadogenesis and growth of this monster. Watch the *FULL* video at this link: youtu.be/b9IicWFL0VQ
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
World's first night vision drone intercept of a tornado near Fort Ransom, ND Friday night:
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
Inside the EF3+ Spiritwood, ND wedge tornado near peak intensity from our research drone!
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
Our first flight yesterday was inside the tornadogenesis and growth phase of a soon-to-be wedge tornado near Spiritwood and Jamestown, ND. Data and more video will be shared as we process material.
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
🚨HELP NEEDED 🚨 One of the two drones flown through this tornado has not yet been recovered. It holds immensely valuable data. We are exploring all avenues to locate it. Please let us know if you find this drone or can assist. Last known position at 46°56'28.0"N, 98°25'56.3"W
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
Night drone view about to pass through a tornado near Fort Ransom, ND this evening collecting thermodynamic and wind data
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
2 drones making passes through center of large wedge, multi-vortex tornado Spiritwood ND
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
Inside the entire tornadogenesis of the mile-wide Morton, TX, EF2 tornado. Watch the *FULL* video here: youtu.be/OaNBkp1xWfg
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
Our view deploying on a tornado at Spearman TX, which became slightly too far to reach while repositioning away from hail.
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
Our research drone collected data through tornadogenesis near Morton, TX yesterday, including this subvortex early in its life.
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
We deployed on two tornadoes today, including one of our longest lasting flights to date inside of this massive dusty tornado near Morton, TX.
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Inside of an EF1-rated tornado and severe thunderstorm winds near Willard, CO on May 23. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/nRc38pZ0E5s
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
A birds-eye view from our research drone of a tornado as it struck the town of Crowder, MO on May 16th. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/P3KC8TtBros
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
An extraordinary perspective of an anticyclonic tornado near Higgins, TX by our research drone on May 18th. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/MjEX51Qmz3o
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Never seen before perspective of a tornado in Arnett, OK by our research drone on May 18th. Watch the full video here on YouTube: youtu.be/NGD2e741Riw
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
The eye of the Arnett, OK tornado, captured by one of our UAVs as it collected scientific data on the environment within.
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
An incredible look inside a tornado from our research drone of structures being destroyed in Crowder, Missouri
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Watched tornado strike Crowder from inside UAV interceptors, 2 drones inside this tornado at once as buildings were blown apart collecting thermodynamic and wind data.
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Narrowly missed deploying on this tornado on our first day of full scale operations - heading east for hopefully better luck tomorrow!
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
Final preparations are wrapping up! From May 14, we will operate for several weeks collecting thermodynamic and wind data in tornadoes, and support NSF ICECHIP hail research. Our 4/27 chase was a final pre-test for data collection, flying on this tornado near Hyannis, NE:
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
OTUS deployed multiple times on a tornado family yesterday evening through central Nebraska. Out again today looking for more intercepts. Pictured is the drone heading to a tornado north of Hyannis, NE. #newx
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
The OTUS Project is preparing for tornado deployments on a volatile storm system that will move through the Plains and Midwest Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Our deployment Saturday was an excellent dry run preparing for expanded data collection efforts later this spring. We tested new systems and refined our process before we ramp things up. The first of hopefully many storm chases this year! Below: the Taylorsville, MS tornado.
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
The OTUS Project briefly deployed on a tornado yesterday, but opted not to intercept due heavy precipitation and terrain concerns. Shown below is our launch toward the Taylorsville, MS tornado.
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
The OTUS Project is gearing up for UAV deployments Saturday on a potential tornado outbreak. We will provide updates on our progress through social media.
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
The OTUS Project has launched a website! You can find us here: www.theotusproject.com We have created a donation portal to support our work. After many requests at the NSCS summit following our presentation, we are also beginning to add posters of our drone intercepts.
The view from our drone as it was deployed from a fixed-wing UAV to intercept the Carbon, IA tornado, May 21, 2024.
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OTUS Project @otusproject.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
It’s been a wild time at the 2025 National Storm Chaser Summit for the OTUS team. We’ve waited a long time to share about our adventures, and we will share plenty more online. We can’t wait to get back out and chase!
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