The ULTIMATE Tornado Chase: Bowdle

May 22nd, 2010 became one of the greatest days in storm chasing history when a monster supercell thunderstorm spawned multiple photogenic and powerful tornadoes near the small South Dakotan town of Bowdle. This is story of how several groups of storm chasers witnessed this day unfold.

A huge thank you to @skiptalbot, @AndrewPritchard, and @AdamLucio for their participation in this project and allowing me to retell their narratives from this great day in storm chasing history. Please check out their channels and their own Bowdle videos here:

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JUNE FIRST PODCAST:

0:00 - Intro
0:23 - Meteorological and Chaser Backgrounds
2:30 - Start of the Chase
4:03 - First Tornado
4:56 - Bowdle Tornado
9:57 - Subsequent Tornadoes
12:11 - The Field Incident
13:27 - Aftermath
14:58 - Conclusion

#StormChasing #Tornado #SouthDakota #Weather #STEM #Documentary #science #adventure #RoadTrip

[skiptalbot]

Great recap, thanks for putting it together. There are so many moments from that day I'll never forget.

[tornadotrx]

There's honestly no doubt in my mind this tornado would have done EF5 damage if it went through Bowdle

[sabishiihito]

It is eerie hearing what the Twistex crew said about the Cobalts, considering what happened 3 years later.

[kuro]

RIP Twistex. Your team and your contributions to meteorology will never be forgotten 💔

[MoeBro]

Tim's instinct to pull back and decline an intercept is testament to just how good of a chaser he really was, making El Reno all that more terrifying.

Also, I can say I was literally on the edge of my seat for this entire video, so.. well done sir.

[ItsJustTsukii]

I cant even think about how far we would be in tornado science if Tim Samaras and his crew would do their research until today. Rest in peace legend🕊️

[augustolobo]

Skip Talbot's time lapse with commentary about this storm is legendary. One of the best ones out there. Infamous storm

[BSIII]

Twistex would be killing it on YouTube today. Legendary team

[brianunderdahl]

Then 3 years later in El Reno Oklahoma, the 2.6 mile wide tornado hit the town. Tim Samaras, his son Paul and chase partner Carl Young died from the tornado. RIP Tim, Paul and Carl. ✝

[dannyllerenatv]

That wedge looks like it ate the entire sky, good god what a monster of a tornado.

[EctoSupreme]

Vortex 2 sitting out this day feels like another big moment they dropped the ball.

[collectgemsosrs]

Last fall of 2024, the day before hurricane Milton hit, I was hit by an EF3 tornado here in Loxahatchee, Palm Beach County South Florida, an EF3 is HUGE for us!! I still see the scars here, lots of trees down, a shopping center/new neighborhood developments are still destroyed, ever since then I've been obsessed, we have no sirens or warnings, no basements etc...I was in my garden and had to run inside, sounded like a freight train!!

[RlrOfWorldzYT]

Wow this was really cool! First time in a while I see a tornado doc about an event I haven't heard of or seen others cover! Would love more stories like this!

[BrettlyBoost]

I’ve been following Skip for the last couple years, never seen this footage though. What an experience that must’ve been.
Also great video, animations, and narration.

[ashleylemaster]

The synchronized location, and visuals makes the narration so much more impactful! For me, having never experienced a tornado, I have much more of an understanding not only for the teams, but also the impact on the residents

[TornadoElle_]

That farmer had nothing to worry bout a few chasers, like bro, tornadoes will do more damage 😂

[Paradox_Incognito]

I was listening to this, assuming it was more recent, and did a mild double-take when you mentioned Twistex. Yeah.. 2010 makes more sense. Miss them still!!

[MisterTwisterWX]

Another great video. Thanks for your upload. This tornado is fascinating, it shredded and threw metal transmission towers and did intense damage across the landscape. Bravo, Ethan

[aprilndhighandtheydoubtedme]

One of the wildest weeks for the Northern Plains for tornadoes that year. Some absolute craziness

[patricksgurlbaby]

I'm rewatching the Storm Chasers tv show and it is so bittersweet and ominous every time Team Twistex comes on the show.