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Tim Samaras

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Tim Samaras
Born
Timothy Michael Samaras

(1957-11-12)November 12, 1957
Lakewood, Colorado, U.S.
DiedMay 31, 2013(2013-05-31) (aged 55)
El Reno, Oklahoma, U.S.
Cause of deathTornado incident
Known forTornado field research
SpouseKathy Samaras
Children4
Scientific career
FieldsEngineering, meteorology
InstitutionsApplied Research Associates

Timothy Michael Samaras (November 12, 1957 – May 31, 2013) was an American engineer and storm chaser best known for his field research on tornadoes and time on the Discovery Channel show Storm Chasers. He died in the 2013 El Reno tornado.

Early life

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Samaras was born November 12, 1957, in Lakewood, Colorado, to Paul T. and Margaret L. Samaras.[1] Paul (1925–2005) was a photographer and model-airplane distributor who was an Army projectionist in WWII. Tim assisted in the photography and shop work. Margaret was born in 1929 and died in 1996. She talked Tim into watching an annual television broadcast of The Wizard of Oz at age six. "When the tornado appeared", he recalled, "I was hooked!"[2]

Samaras attended Lasley Elementary and O'Connell Junior High in Lakewood, before graduating from Alameda International Junior/Senior High School in 1976.[1] In his twenties, he began to chase storms "not for the thrill, but the science."[3] He would continue this pursuit until his untimely death in 2013.

Career

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Samaras was self-taught and never received a college degree. He became an amateur radio operator at age 12 and built transmitters using old television sets. As an adult he held an Amateur Extra Class license, the highest amateur radio class issued in the United States, and was proficient in Morse code.[4] He communicated by amateur radio when chasing storms and was also a storm spotter, reporting sightings of hazardous weather. At 16, he was a radio technician, and was service shop foreman at 17. Immediately out of high school and without a résumé, he was hired as a walk-in at the University of Denver Research Institute. He obtained a Pentagon security clearance by 20, testing and building weapons systems.[5]

Samaras became a prominent engineer at Applied Research Associates, initially focusing on blast testing and airline crash investigations. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recognized him for his investigations of the TWA Flight 800 crash. His research involved high-speed photography, such as on ballistics.[6] He also worked at National Technical Systems and Hyperion Technology Group.[5]

In addition to tornadoes, he was interested in all aspects of convective storms, with particular research focus on lightning, for which he utilized cameras shooting up to 1.4 million fps. An accomplished photographer and videographer, he also used photogrammetry, with some footage derived from cameras in probes shooting from within tornadoes. Samaras also shot for art and for pleasure. He was an avid amateur astronomer and also interested in electronics and inventions.[2]

Samaras was the founder of a field research team called Tactical Weather Instrumented Sampling in Tornadoes EXperiment (TWISTEX), which sought to better understand tornadoes. His work was funded in large part by the National Geographic Society (NGS), which awarded him 18 grants for his field work.[7]

Samaras designed and built his own weather probes, and deployed them in the path of tornadoes in order to gain scientific insight into the inner workings of a tornado.[7] With one such in-situ probe, he captured the largest drop in atmospheric pressure ever recorded, 100 hPa (mb) in less than one minute, when an F4 tornado struck one of several probes placed near Manchester, South Dakota, on June 24, 2003. The accomplishment is listed in Guinness World Records as the "greatest pressure drop measured in a tornado".[8] The probe was dropped in front of the oncoming tornado a mere 82 seconds before it hit.[2] The measurement is also the lowest pressure (adjusted for elevation) ever recorded at Earth's surface, 850 hectopascals (25.10 inHg).[9][10] Samaras later described the tornado as the most memorable of his career.[2] Samaras' aerodynamic probes were a breakthrough design for their survivability inside tornadoes. A patent was pending for instrumentation measuring winds in 3D.[11] Samaras held a patent, "Thermal imaging system for internal combustion engines", with Jon M. Lesko.[12]

Samaras and his team logged over 35,000 miles (56,000 km) of driving during the two peak months of tornado season each year. When asked, Samaras said that the most dangerous part about following tornadoes is not the actual storms themselves, but rather the road hazards encountered along the way.[2] In total, he tracked down more than 125 tornadoes during his career.[13] His colleagues considered him to be one of the most careful chasers in the business.[3]

Beginning in 1998, Samaras founded and co-produced (with Roger Hill) the National Storm Chasers Convention, an annual event held near Denver and attended by hundreds of chasers from around the world.[5] Samaras' widow, Kathy, revealed in her first news interview after his death that she would continue ChaserCon, which consistently attracts luminary scientists and chasers as speakers.[14] In 2005, he was named an "Emerging Explorer" by the National Geographic Society.[15] From 2009 until the show's cancellation in 2012, Samaras was a featured personality on the Discovery Channel's Storm Chasers. During his career he also worked for Boeing, doing field testing on hail-resistant skins for aircraft,[6] and for the federal government.[3] According to Eileen O'Neill, president of the Discovery networks, Samaras' work was directly responsible for increased warning times ahead of tornadoes.[13]

Samaras coauthored, along with Stefan Bechtel and Greg Forbes, Tornado Hunter: Getting Inside the Most Violent Storms on Earth (ISBN 978-1426203022), in 2009. Samaras authored or coauthored around a dozen scientific papers. He also contributed to Storm Track magazine. He appeared in major pieces in National Geographic in April 2004,[16] June 2005,[17] August 2012,[18] and November 2013.[5] He was also widely interviewed by news stations, newspapers, and magazines and appeared in documentaries.

Death

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The crushed remains of the TWISTEX vehicle near the intersection of Reuter Road and S. Radio Road approximately 4.8 mi (7.7 km) southeast of El Reno, Oklahoma.
See also: 2013 El Reno tornado

In the spring of 2013, TWISTEX was conducting lightning research (including with a high-speed camera) when active tornadic periods ensued in mid to late May, so Samaras decided to deploy atmospheric pressure probes and to test infrasound tornado sensors that were still under development. At 6:23 p.m. on May 31, 2013, Samaras (an engineer and meteorologist), his 24-year-old son Paul (a photographer), and TWISTEX team member Carl Young (a meteorologist), 45, were killed by a violent wedge tornado[19] with winds of 295 mph (475 km/h) near the Regional Airport of El Reno, Oklahoma. The TWISTEX vehicle was struck and thrown by a subvortex, which generate the highest winds; some of these were moving at 175 mph (282 km/h) within the parent tornado.[20] Shortly before they were killed, Young noted how there was no rain around the vehicle as the wind grew "eerily calm". Tim Samaras responded: "Actually, I think we're in a bad spot."[21] According to Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Betsy Randolph, the three could be heard screaming "We’re going to die, we’re going to die" over her patrol radio moments before the impact.[22]

The tornado was sampled by University of Oklahoma RaXPol radar as 2.6 miles (4.2 km) wide, the widest tornado ever recorded.[23] The true size of the multiple-vortex tornado confused onlookers by its mammoth proportions containing orbiting subvortices larger than average tornadoes and its expansive transparent to translucent outer circulation. The strong inflow and outer-circulation winds in conjunction with rocky roads and a relatively underpowered vehicle also hampered driving away from the tornado.[11] The tornado simultaneously took an unexpected sharp turn, closing on their position as it rapidly accelerated within a few minutes from about 20 mph (32 km/h) to as much as 60 mph (97 km/h) in forward movement and swiftly expanded from about 1 mile (1.6 km) to 2.6 miles (4.2 km) wide in about 30 seconds, and was mostly obscured in heavy precipitation,[19][24] all of which combined so that several other chasers were also hit or had near misses.[25] It was the first known instance of a storm chaser or a meteorologist killed by a tornado.[26]

Even before it was known that Samaras, his son, and Young had been killed, the event led many to question storm-chasing tactics, particularly in close proximity to tornadoes.[27] In addition to the three TWISTEX members, the tornado killed five other people, including local resident Richard Charles Henderson, who had decided to follow the storm.[7]

Atmospheric scientists and storm chasers embarked on a major project to gather information and analyze what happened regarding chaser actions and meteorological occurrences.[28] A makeshift memorial was established at the site soon after the incident[29] and a crowdfunded permanent memorial, spearheaded by Doug Gerten, the deputy who first found the vehicle wreckage,[30] was later established, although it was vandalized in late March 2016, with the monument struck by bullets and the American flag cut away from the flagpole.[31]

Meteorologists at the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a statement saying they were very saddened by Tim's death. "Samaras was a respected tornado researcher and friend ... who brought to the field a unique portfolio of expertise in engineering, science, writing and videography," read the statement.[32] Severe weather expert Greg Forbes called Samaras "a groundbreaker in terms of the kind of research he was doing on severe thunderstorms and tornadoes".[7] Meteorologist Jim Cantore remarked, "This is a very sad day for the meteorological community and the families of our friends lost. Tim Samaras was a pioneer and great man."[7] National Geographic remarked, "Tim was a courageous and brilliant scientist who fearlessly pursued tornadoes and lightning in the field in an effort to better understand these phenomena."[7] On Facebook, Samaras' brother said he died "doing what [he] LOVED. Chasing Tornadoes".[7] On June 2, Discovery dedicated Mile Wide Tornado: Oklahoma, a special about the May 20 Moore, Oklahoma, tornado, to the memory of Samaras and his TWISTEX colleagues.[15]

Samaras was survived by his wife Kathy, two daughters, a son from a previous relationship, brothers Jim and Jack, and two grandchildren.[1] His memorial service was held on June 6, 2013, at Mission Hills Church in Littleton, Colorado.[33]

Personal life

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Samaras and his wife Kathy had three children — Paul (November 12, 1988 – May 31, 2013), Amy Gregg, and Jennifer Samaras.[1] The family lived on 35 acres near Bennett, Colorado, at the time of his death.[3] The open space enabled Tim to erect amateur radio and other towers and provided ample room for workshops. He learned of the property through real estate investment work that he did on the side and to which his brother Jim introduced him.[11] Samaras had another son, Matt Winter, whom he had learned about only seven years before Samaras' death and who was welcomed into the family. Winter was also fascinated by weather and was informed by his mother that Tim was his father after he heard Samaras speak at the 2006 Severe Storms and Doppler Radar Conference in Des Moines, Iowa.[5]

In 2011, Samaras took time off chasing to help build homes in Alabama for victims of tornadoes earlier that year. According to O'Neill, he worked "from dawn to dusk" with "the same dedication and focus he brought to his meteorological work".[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Tim Samaras, Paul Samaras funeral services set for Littleton on Thursday". Denver Post. June 5, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Tim Samaras: Bio, Videos and Photos". TWC Personalities. The Weather Channel. February 16, 2009. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d Padilla, Anica; Tak Landrock (June 2, 2013). "Colorado storm chaser Tim Samaras killed in Oklahoma tornado along with son and longtime partner". KMGH-TV. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  4. ^ Samaras, Tim. "WJ0G". Callsign Lookup. QRZ.com. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d e Draper, Robert (November 2013). "Last Days of a Storm Chaser". National Geographic. 133 (11). Archived from the original on October 15, 2013.
  6. ^ a b Hargrove, Brantley (August 29, 2013). "The Last Ride of Legendary Storm Chaser Tim Samaras". Dallas Observer. Dallas, TX. Archived from the original on August 28, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g "Tim Samaras Dead: Oklahoma Tornado Kills Storm Chaser, Son Paul Samaras, and Chase Partner Carl Young". The Weather Channel. June 2, 2013. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
  8. ^ "Greatest pressure drop measured in a tornado". The Guinness Book of World Records. April 21, 2007. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
  9. ^ Lee, Julian J.; T.M. Samaras; C.R. Young (October 2004). "Pressure Measurements at the ground in an F-4 tornado". 22nd Conf Severe Local Storms. Hyannis, MA: American Meteorological Society.
  10. ^ "World: Lowest Sea Level Air Pressure (excluding tornadoes)". World Weather / Climate Extremes Archive. World Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on November 12, 2007.
  11. ^ a b c Simpson, Kevin (October 2013). "Chasing the Beast". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  12. ^ "Thermal imaging system for internal combustion engines". google.com.
  13. ^ a b c Eileen O'Neill (June 3, 2013). "Remembering Tim Samaras and Carl Young". Discovery. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
  14. ^ Payne, David (May 1, 2014). "Tim Samaras' Wife Opens Up About The Storm Chaser's Life". KWTV. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  15. ^ a b Meredith Blake (June 2, 2013). "Tornado kills Storm Chasers Carl Young, Tim and Paul Samaras". LA Times. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  16. ^ Vesilind, Priit J. (April 2004). "Chasing Tornadoes". National Geographic. Archived from the original on December 25, 2007.
  17. ^ Lange, Karen E. (June 2005). "Inside Tornadoes". National Geographic. Archived from the original on December 9, 2007.
  18. ^ Johnson, George (August 2012). "Chasing Lightning". National Geographic. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012.
  19. ^ a b "El Reno tornado". Storm Events Database. National Climatic Data Center. 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  20. ^ Snyder, Jeff; H. B. Bluestein (2014). "Some Considerations for the Use of High-Resolution Mobile Radar Data in Tornado Intensity Determination". Weather Forecast. 29 (4): 799–827. Bibcode:2014WtFor..29..799S. doi:10.1175/WAF-D-14-00026.1. S2CID 122669043.
  21. ^ [Inside the Mega Twister (documentary), National Geographic. February 7th, 2014.]
  22. ^ "‘We’re going to die, we’re going to die’: Storm chaser’s last words as widest ever twister bore down", New York Post, June 4, 2013.
  23. ^ "Central Oklahoma Tornadoes and Flash Flooding – May 31, 2013". National Weather Service Norman Oklahoma. 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
  24. ^ Davies, Jon (June 4, 2013). "The El Reno tornado – unusual & very deadly". Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  25. ^ Masters, Jeff (June 2, 2013). "Tornado Scientist Tim Samaras and Team Killed in Friday's El Reno, OK Tornado". Weather Underground. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013.
  26. ^ Livingston, Ian; Ellinwood, Mark (June 3, 2013). "The storm chaser dilemma and choice to sit out the May 31 Oklahoma City tornadoes". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  27. ^ Samenow, Jason (June 1, 2013). "The day that should change tornado actions and storm chasing forever". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
  28. ^ "El Reno Survey – A survey of the tornado of 31 May 2013". el-reno-survey.net.
  29. ^ Draper, Robert (May 27, 2014). "Storm Chaser Tim Samaras: One Year After His Death, His Gift Is Unmatched". National Geographic. Archived from the original on May 29, 2014. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
  30. ^ Konopasek, Michael (May 6, 2014). "Deputy Works To Create Memorial For Samaras Storm Chasing Team". KWTV News 9.
  31. ^ Price, Crystal (April 1, 2016). "Monument for fallen storm chasers vandalized". koco.com.
  32. ^ "NOAA statement on deaths of storm researchers Tim Samaras, Paul Samaras and Carl Young" (Press release). NOAA Office of Communications. June 3, 2013.
  33. ^ Stanley, Deb (June 6, 2013). "Memorial service Thursday for storm chasers Tim Samaras, Paul Samaras, killed in El Reno tornado". KMGH-TV. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved October 19, 2013.

Further reading

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