Iluminar Lights the Way for The Weather Channel

Iluminar Lights the Way for The Weather Channel's Tornado Track

  • May 21, 2014

Iluminar, a manufacturer and supplier of infrared (IR) and white light illuminators and license plate recognition products, has been hand-picked by NBCUniversal’s The Weather Channel to light the way for its Tornado Track (Twitter #TornadoTrack) crew.

Featured regularly on The Weather Channel each time they are on the road chasing storms, the Tornado Track crew is led by meteorologist Mike Bettes. He and his team stay on the move in their Iluminar Lights the Way for The Weather Channel's Tornado Track2013 GMC Yukon to check severe weather conditions and report their findings live, on-air and online. The Weather Channel broadcasts these Tornado Tracks to ensure the safety of those in harm's way and give viewers a feel for how powerful each outbreak will be. And, Iluminar's super long range IR919 series LED infrared lights are helping them do so.

As Marc Weinstock, director, field operations, explained, "The Iluminar infrared lights help tremendously because, often times, storms happen at night and, without either true night vision or infrared, it's impossible to see some of these tornados. Our new Q-Ball camera system, provided by Bexel Broadcast, which is mounted to the Tornado Track vehicle, has infrared capability. This enables us to use the IR lighting and prompted us to go out and look for this product. The Iluminar lights allow the crew to see tornadoes at night." 

Two Iluminar infrared lights are mounted on the front of the vehicle and one on each side to give 270 degrees of coverage.

"We thank Iluminar for their generosity in donating some of the lighting to the cause," Weinstock added. "They helped subsidize the project which alerts the public to eminent weather patterns and promotes public safety."

"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," said Mrs. Eddie Reynolds, president & CEO of Iluminar Inc. "This is a wonderful effort and we are pleased our infrared lighting can help the cause."

Featured

  • Security Today Announces 2025 CyberSecured Award Winners

    Security Today is pleased to announce the 2025 CyberSecured Awards winners. Sixteen companies are being recognized this year for their network products and other cybersecurity initiatives that secure our world today. Read Now

  • Empowering and Securing a Mobile Workforce

    What happens when technology lets you work anywhere – but exposes you to security threats everywhere? This is the reality of modern work. No longer tethered to desks, work happens everywhere – in the office, from home, on the road, and in countless locations in between. Read Now

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.