Infrared Lights Star in Weather Channel’s ‘Tornado Track’ Live Broadcasts
Learn how Iluminar’s super long-range LED infrared lights help The Weather Channel’s Tornado Track crew chase storms.
The Weather Channel's Tornado Track team takes to the rode with a high definition camera system that includes super long-range LED infrared lights to film live broadcasts at night.
TORNADO ALLEY – Have you happened across The Weather Channel’s hair-raising Tornado Track crew, led by meteorologist Mike Bettes? These storm chasers regularly take to the road in a GMC Yukon to scout severe weather conditions and report their findings live, on television and online. Even at night. Even at night? Yep, in high definition with the help of super long-range LED infrared lights provided by Iluminar.
“The Iluminar infrared lights help tremendously because, oftentimes, storms happen at night and, without either true night vision or infrared, it’s impossible to see some of these tornados,” says Marc Weinstock, director, technical operations, with NBCUniversal, the network’s parent company.
Along with a pan/tilt Q-Ball camera system by Camera Corp., a pair of IR919 series lights are mounted on the front of the vehicle plus one on each side to give 270-degrees of coverage. Whenever the crew takes to the road in hot pursuit across the Great Plains, The Weather Channel broadcasts the entire expedition on its live streaming page, which can find here. Adrenalin junkies can also follow crewmembers on Twitter at #TornadoTrack.
“We are thrilled to work with NBCUniversal and The Weather Channel in their efforts to alert people to the threats of severe and dangerous weather,” says Edwina Reynolds, president and CEO of Iluminar. “This is a wonderful effort and we are pleased our infrared lighting can help the cause.”
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About the Author
Rodney Bosch, Senior Editor
Although Bosch’s name is quite familiar to those in the security industry, his previous experience has been in daily newspaper journalism. Prior to joining SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION in 2006, he spent 15 years with the Los Angeles Times, where he performed a wide assortment of editorial responsibilities, including feature and metro department assignments as well as content producing for latimes.com. Bosch is a graduate of California State University, Fresno with a degree in Mass Communication & Journalism. In 2007, he successfully completed the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association’s National Training School coursework to become a Certified Level I Alarm Technician.
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