WRIC NOW: Matt DiNardo and Jacqueline Waters discuss the science behind new Twisters film

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — StormTracker8 Meteorologists Matt DiNardo and Jacqueline Waters met in the WRIC NOW livestreaming studio for a new Weather University discussion about the real science behind the new “Twisters” film.

DiNardo and Waters were able to lend their knowledge towards a spoiler-free analysis of the summer blockbuster, as they both had a lot to say about the real science behind how tornados form.

A concept mentioned several times throughout the film regarding tornado formation is a cap, which Waters went on to discuss in detail.

“This is something that we actually use in real life,” Waters said. “If you have that cap, it kind of inhibits storm development, and basically it’s just a layer of warm air aloft and it prevents those storms from building [and] it prevents those clouds from building.”

It’s one thing to understand how tornados form, but it’s another to know how to react when facing one in the real world. In terms of tornado safety, basements are the best option to shield oneself from interior damage and falling debris.

“If you don’t have a basement, you want to go into the smallest interior room in the house not against an outside wall,” DiNardo said. “So that might be a bathroom or it might even be a closet.”

A problem DiNardo had with the film is its demonstration of how radar is used. He went on to debunk the idea of main characters being able to forecast a weather event hours in advance.

“We do not use VIPIR radar to forecast tonight, tomorrow, [or] the next day,” DiNardo said.

DiNardo and Waters emphasized that above all else, viewers should keep in mind that this is a movie, and certain elements are dramatized and exaggerated. No one should attempt the dangerous stunts featured and the science demonstrated in the film should not be taken at face value.

Visit the StormTracker8 Weather University page next week for more lessons on weather and weather phenomena.

For information about the intense heat Richmond has seen this summer, check out last week’s show. Watch more livestream content on the WRIC NOW page .

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