Nelson Tucker

Founder @project_otus. Writer at @tornado_talk. B.S. Meteorology 2026, future grad student at TTU. NIST Guest Researcher. Storm Chaser, Skywarn Spotter, CERT.

[Nelson Tucker @TornadoStudy]

The time-lapses of my 2025 storm chases with the OTUS Project! An art that is very difficult with our drone tornado intercepts, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. Some of these clips are pretty insane, I hope you enjoy! Link below!

[OTUS Project @project_otus]

A look INSIDE the Jameson, MO multivortex tornado yesterday🌪️

We are still have NOT found the drone, and will do a full search in the coming days. If anyone is in the area and would like to help, let us know!

We’re hoping to get it back soon to start processing the data & 360 footage

[Tanner Charles 🌪 @TannerChasing]

@project_otus doing Otus things

[Nelson Tucker @TornadoStudy]

Rolling up on this crazy rainwrapped stovepipe tornado at Ideal, SD back on June 3 is going to live rent free in my head for a LONG time. Great @project_otus chase with @erikfox2000 !

[Nelson Tucker @TornadoStudy]

This tornado is one of the crazier things I’ve ever filmed, multiple times we were on the outer edge of the circulation - here’s a contrast enhanced view as it continued east during the stovepipe phase with a satellite (also contrast enhanced).

[OTUS Project @project_otus]

Close range intercept of this stovepipe tornado Ideal, SD

[Nelson Tucker @TornadoStudy]

Last night around Madison, KS was my favorite chase of this May, awesome storm! #kswx

[Brandon Ivey @BrandonIveyWX]

Photos of a tornado northwest of Madison, Kansas on Sunday night 5/31/26 around 9:30pm. @NWSWichita #kswx

[Nelson Tucker @TornadoStudy]

@Jacob_Wx3 @erikfox2000 @project_otus @fox4wx @KSNStormTrack3 @LisaTeachman Great seeing you out there!

[Nelson Tucker @TornadoStudy]

Tornado that our @project_otus team saw near Olpe/Madison, KS earlier as it roped out #kswx

[OTUS Project @project_otus]

Mission failed successfully in Palmer, KS. Got a very unique top-down profile of the thermodynamics in this tornado!

[Nelson Tucker @TornadoStudy]

@tknep3 You aren��t the only one!

[Tornado Talk @tornado_talk]

Overview of the Calumet-El Reno-Piedmont-Guthrie EF5 #Tornado – May 24, 2011

One of the most powerful tornadoes in known history occurred during the May 24, 2011 outbreak.

This extraordinarily violent EF5 took nine lives along a 65-mile path. The damage feats, the behavior of the tornado, and the stories from those in its path all make this a historic event to document.

Even amid the tragedy, this tornado also stands as a remarkable public preparedness success story.

The free overview page is available here:

https://t.co/SrhsNvoCx6

Two detailed summaries are also available under our membership plan:

https://t.co/Pv3qomun3M

#okwx #OTD #tornadohistory

[Tornado Talk @tornado_talk]

Saragosa, TX F4 #Tornado – May 22, 1987!

This violent multiple-vortex tornado traveled only 3 miles, but destroyed more than 85% of the community.

There were 30 fatalities and 121 injuries. Twenty-two people died in Saragosa Hall during a Head Start graduation ceremony for four-year-olds. Most were parents or grandparents. None of the Head Start children died.

Storm Data documented F3/F4 damage, more than 100 snapped power and telephone poles, and vehicles thrown through structures, some up to 500 feet.

https://t.co/JAiJHtpVWd #txwx #OTD #tornadohistory

[NWS Wichita @NWSWichita]

On this date back in 2011, the catastrophic Joplin Tornado roared into history. The EF-5 tornado killed 158, the seventh deadliest in U.S. history The tornado's track was 22 miles long, reached 1 mile wide and lasted 38 minutes. Damage estimates were around $2.8 billion #kswx

[Nelson Tucker @TornadoStudy]

@landon_wx These photos are 🔥

[Landon Moeller @landon_wx]

Cool people doing cool things. DOW A, NSSL HAILCAM, TIV 2, and OTUS this week on my trip.

[NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Lab @NOAA_AOML]

For the first time, data from the Black Swift Technologies’ S0 drone will be integrated into NOAA’s hurricane forecast model (HAFS) during the 2026 hurricane season. 

Recent tests have shown this can improve #hurricane forecast accuracy by 10% :

https://t.co/pDwzrpzyQX

[Nelson Tucker @TornadoStudy]

@NickOxfordPhoto @project_otus @AaronRigsbyOSC We obtained an extensive FAA waiver for flying drones into tornadoes and can legally do this under our waiver without violating Part 107.

[OTUS Project @project_otus]

Moments before our research drone entered the Palmer, KS tornado yesterday

[OTUS Project @project_otus]

Just had the worlds first live-streamed DRONE intercept inside of a tornado! Onto the next 🌪️

[Nelson Tucker @TornadoStudy]

Crazy interaction between the smoke plumes from fires and a strengthening surface low south of Dodge City, KS! #kswx