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More than 100 scientists will become nomads over the coming weeks to pursue tornadoes across the central United States.

This group of meteorologists will be gathering clues about quicker ways to predict tornadoes and thunderstorms, with the hope of saving lives. They are part of the Vortex2 project coordinated by the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Okla. The project kicked off on May 10 and continues through June 13.

Despite years of study, tornadoes still remain a mysterious phenomenon in many respects. The goal of Vortex2 is to find ways to allow more warning time before tornadoes hit.

“What we envision in the future is actually making predictions about tornadoes such that we can make a real dent in current warning times, which run at a national average of about 13 minutes,” said Kevin Kelleher, deputy director of the National Severe Storms Laboratory.

Armed with a fleet of mobile radar units and other environment-measuring equipment, Vortex2 is the largest effort ever made to study tornadoes.

“It’s a very carefully planned and coordinated effort to execute anything at this level,” said Brad Smull, associate director of the meteorology program at the National Science Foundation.

The scientists participating represent various universities and research institutes. Each one  has a specific role within the project, and will measure different aspects of the storms from various angles. They will generate a composite view of a tornado, from the first raindrops to the aftermath.

If all goes according to plan, the armada will come back to home base in Norman with a better knowledge of tornado prediction.

“As much as the science behind severe weather has advanced over the past remarkable decades," critical gaps remain, Smull said. “The Vortex2 project is focused on answering those critically important questions.”

While the armada roams the plains, meteorologists at the National Weather Center in Norman will work to provide daily forecasts – as well as safety tips – to help the scientists in the field make decisions.

“Essentially, we’re an information hub where we have all this data coming in and we try to process it and put it in a format that’s easily digestible by people in the field,” said Patrick Marsh, a meteorology Ph.D. student at the University of Oklahoma and a Vortex2 participant.

Scientists aren't the only ones interested in this project. A National Weather Center media car will be part of the traveling team, inviting reporters to follow project scientists.

While the Vortex2 team discourages civilian storm chasers from joining in on their trek, thanks to media updates and frequent reports from the scientists themselves the public can easily follow the project’s progress from a safe distance.