The May 31, 2013 El Reno, Oklahoma tornado became the widest tornado ever recorded at 2.6 miles across — nearly three times wider than typical violent tornadoes. The EF3 tornado killed 8 people including renowned storm researcher Tim Samaras, his son Paul, and colleague Carl Young, marking the first tornado-related deaths of professional storm chasers in modern history.
Storm Chaser Community Tragedy
Tim Samaras, an electrical engineer and National Geographic explorer, pioneered tornado probe technology to measure pressure and wind speed inside tornadoes. His death shocked the meteorological community and sparked debates about storm chasing safety. The tornado’s rapid expansion (1.7 miles in diameter to 2.6 miles in seconds) and erratic movement trapped experienced chasers who believed they were at safe distances.
The El Reno tornado exhibited unprecedented behavior — multiple vortices, rapid intensification/weakening cycles, and movement patterns that violated typical tornado forecasting models. Research analyzing the tornado’s radar data revealed wind speeds exceeding 295 mph, the second-highest ever recorded.
Chaser Convergence & Safety Reforms
The tornado occurred during peak chase season with 200+ storm chasers in the area. The convergence created traffic jams on rural highways, limiting escape routes when the tornado’s path became unpredictable. Several chasers had near-death experiences documented on video, including Weather Channel crews.
The tragedy prompted the storm chasing community to develop better communication protocols, emphasize escape route planning, and question whether tornado intercept missions justified the risks. The National Weather Service used the event to improve nowcasting of tornado size and behavior changes.
Sources: NOAA, National Weather Service Norman, University of Oklahoma, Center for Severe Weather Research