Weatherman Jim Cantore recently emerged from the Weather Channels research facilities to amaze the world with ‘The Labs’ 3D Tornado simulator. The Lab itself is described as an interactive augmented reality weather presentation facility, it is in reality a television studio filled with next generation production and display technology.

The first video to use the Labs interactive visualization technology to its fullest is the ‘3D Visualization of the Anatomy of a Tornado’ which demonstrates the inner workings of a twister in never before seen levels of detail. The second video Anatomy of a Lightning Strike is equally as impressive.

The Weather Lab requires 2,000 square feet of studio space, 50 monitors and extensive 3D processing capabilities to bring the small space in front of the camera to life. The incredible tornado visualization took 3,000 hours to complete but as the video reveals it was time well spent, the detail and ease of understanding alone are worth it.

Presented for your viewing pleasure are the most impressive weather videos you will see this year, bringing incredible amounts of computing power and next generation production techniques to your tornado warnings. Sit back relax and prepare to be educated and amazed.

Reference: The Washington Post – 3D Tornado
Reference: Mashable – Best TV Weather Lesson Ever