It's not Vortex2, but Mike Bettes is "gone chasin'" again!

[Tyler]

I don't understand why Mike Bettes is going on the tornado hunt if he is an anchor on YWT and contributes to WUWA. Even when he was part of VORTEX2 I didn't understand.

They'll prob get Jen Carfagno to cover for him 3-4 days of the week.

I know that. That's not my point. What I'm trying to say is, whey send someone who has a responsibility of a popular show in the studio. Send someone else (Carl Parker, Adam Berg, etc). Viewers want to see consistency. They would never send TODAY's Matt Lauer or Meredith Vieira on assignment for weeks or months at a time, would they? No.

[Donovan]

I don't understand why Mike Bettes is going on the tornado hunt if he is an anchor on YWT and contributes to WUWA. Even when he was part of VORTEX2 I didn't understand.

They'll prob get Jen Carfagno to cover for him 3-4 days of the week.

I know that. That's not my point. What I'm trying to say is, whey send someone who has a responsibility of a popular show in the studio. Send someone else (Carl Parker, Adam Berg, etc). Viewers want to see consistency. They would never send TODAY's Matt Lauer or Meredith Vieira on assignment for weeks or months at a time, would they? No.

I know that wasn't the point, but just saying she might fill-in which is relevant. I agree, someone without a show should go. Personally I'd like to see Stephanie go since she is more enthusiastic than Mike about the weather it seems. Carl should be there to help forbes. Adam would do a great job.

[WeatherWitness]

this says V2? 

May — June 2011

Join The Weather Channel as we embed meteorologist Mike Bettes with the scientists of the VORTEX2 Project...

The VORTEX Project is a scientific experiment that started in 1994 to study the development of tornadoes in order to create better forecasting and warning systems. The first project was the inspiration for the movie TWISTER! VORTEX2 is a new phase of this exciting study! Over 100 scientists from around the globe will join forces to intercept storms across the Midwest. And for the first time, The Weather Channel will be there to give viewers a real-time account of the experience...and these scientists incredible finding

http://twcmediakit.com/cable/specials/great_tornado_hunt.html

Something tells me that is wrong, but I can't be so sure. Maybe "The Great Tornado Hunt" is part of V2 even though it was supposedly only a two-year project.

[phw115wvwx]

this says V2? 

May — June 2011

Join The Weather Channel as we embed meteorologist Mike Bettes with the scientists of the VORTEX2 Project...

The VORTEX Project is a scientific experiment that started in 1994 to study the development of tornadoes in order to create better forecasting and warning systems. The first project was the inspiration for the movie TWISTER! VORTEX2 is a new phase of this exciting study! Over 100 scientists from around the globe will join forces to intercept storms across the Midwest. And for the first time, The Weather Channel will be there to give viewers a real-time account of the experience...and these scientists incredible finding

http://twcmediakit.com/cable/specials/great_tornado_hunt.html

VORTEX2 was only funded to last through July 6, 2010.  Unless TWC is trying to organize with a few chasers from this project to do their own informal chasing in 2011, that article is completely wrong.

[Anistorm]

Mike mentioned before that he won't be streaming live during chasing days, but he will be posting Twitter videos, though...which gives you a glimpse of what he and his crew are doing. Here's an example:

http://www.twitvid.com/QJIK7

He's heading to South Dakota today.

[TWCmatthew]

Today/tonight isn't a storm chaser's paradise, however there Mike and the team could be seeing something later this week.

[Anistorm]

They drove back to Kansas today to see if there's a possible chance for severe weather, but it all turned out to be a bust. Poor Mike and the crew, having to drive to South Dakota and all the way back south to Kansas.

[Anistorm]

Sorry for bumping the topic. >_>

It looks like Mike's Tornado Hunt site does have a live stream up as well as a live chat. There is a large possibility for tornadoes in Central Kansas, and parts of Oklahoma. Let's hope they catch a tornado this time!

Here's the link to the live stream: http://www.weather.com/tv/tvshows/Livestream

[Donovan]

Is there live streaming video? All I see is chat.

[Anistorm]

Is there live streaming video? All I see is chat.

I do see live streaming video on my end. Make sure you have the Windows Media Player plugin installed on your browser.

[Lightning]

I just watched them (Mike Bettus and Dr. Greg Forbes) in Platt City, Missouri, it looked spectacular!  Both the funnel cloud (looked like a tornado on the ground) and the lightning.

Right now I am watching the lightning show with their night vision camera.

[Anistorm]

Their nightvision streams are simply incredible. I haven't seen yesterday's stream since I was busy, but I can really tell that it was pretty awesome.

In today's news, Mike Bettes is at Joplin, MO, where he witnessed first-hand of the catastrophic damage made by what was a "rain-wrapped" tornado. There was also an explosion at a hospital. He choked up during one of his live shots, it was pretty heartbreaking.

[WeatherWitness]

Is the Joplin tornado the first significant tornado for the month of May? I remember seeing an article on weather.com that this month has been quieter than usual in terms of the number of tornadoes...so I can't remember if there have been any others for this month or not (I know the Alabama tornadoes happened in April).

[TWCToday]

TWC needs to get its text alert system fixed. They sent out several alerts about the team tracking a tornado but I didn't get them until 2am. 

[gt1racerlHDl]

Stephanie said at the end of the 10am WUWA Today

"Mike will not be hunting more tornadoes today, he will stay in Joplin with live updates all throughout the day. Jim Cantore is also en route to Joplin and chasing will continue tomorrow."