The Vortex2 experiment is the largest field study in history to observe and record the formation of tornadoes. The study will deploy a fleet of 40 vehicles with communications and sensor technology to create an observational network around a tornadic supercell thunderstorm. The mobile sensor network will travel the southern and central Plains from May 10-June 13, 2009 and again in 2010.
VORTEX2 is supported by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Nearly 100 scientists and students from sixteen different universities and various other academic organizations in the United States are expected to take part in the experiment. VORTEX2 will also involve forecasters from the NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) forecast offices, the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, Environment Canada, the Australia Bureau of Meteorology and Finland.