In an Extremely Rare Occurrence, Storm Chasers Caught Footage of a Tornado as it Forms

A teenage weather photographer observed a peculiar sight overhead as a strong thunderstorm rolled over New Port Richey, Florida, northwest of Tampa, and swiftly hurried to catch the event on camera.

(Photo : Photo by Brian Davidson/Getty Images)

While studying the storm system inside his home, photographer Nicholas Krasznavolgyi noticed it approaching him. The photographer spotted an extraordinarily remarkable picture overhead his family home while tracking the impending weather with a weather radar - the mouth of a tornado as it developed overhead.

Krasznavolgyi hurried outdoors with his camera and tripod to photograph the tornado's mouth, where the cloud's spinning was focused as it went over his house.

An Amazing Display

In the video, a vibrant display of clouds rotates while grey-shaded clouds merge into the center like a vortex. The moving clouds are surrounded by a blueish tint, creating a striking visual effect that looks like paint mixing in the sky.

"It appears to be revolving clockwise from beneath, but that's what a counter-clockwise rotation looks like from above like a hurricane observed on satellite," explained AccuWeather Senior Weather Editor Jesse Ferrell.

At the end of the video, Krasznavolgyi exclaimed, "It's a tornado!" Krasznavolgyi stated on Twitter that he could see trees being lofted as he roared but couldn't capture it on camera. Regardless of the mistake, the video is an uncommon and intriguing weather image.

Also Read: Massive Tornado Twirls Around Texas Amidst Extreme Weather

Tornadoes in the US

(Photo : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Photo Library via Getty Images)

Every year, tornadoes strike sites across the country, bringing huge winds and property destruction in their wake.

The tornado season of 2021 killed 103 people, wounded hundreds more, and caused billions of dollars in damage. In December, the deadliest outbreak occurred. While the chances of a tornado in the United States on a December day are around 12-15 percent (compared to 90 percent in early June), December tornadoes can do substantial damage.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is no guarantee of safety during a tornado. Even the threat of a tornado should be considered. EF5 tornadoes (those with wind speeds of 200 MPH or more) are rare, although the most destructive tornadoes may level and blow away practically any house and people inside it. It's been more than eight years since the last major EF5 tornado struck the United States near Moore, Oklahoma, on May 20, 2013. Tornadoes, in general, are significantly weaker.

Keeping Safe

Prepare an emergency plan and an emergency kit, keep alert of weather conditions during thunderstorms, know the best places to shelter both indoors and outdoors, and always protect yourself from injuries, especially to your head, to stay safe during a tornado.

Keep up with local meteorological information, especially when thunderstorms are anticipated because no one can predict the ferocity of a tornado before it hits. Prepare your home and family in case a tornado strikes. It's easier to get to a shelter quickly when everyone knows where to go, whether inside or outside. Following guidelines will increase your chances of remaining safe. If you take the proper preparations, you can survive a tornado.