For example, a satellite called GOES 8 was mentioned at the start of the movie. This was, in fact, a real satellite used by NOAA from 1994 to 2004. Much of the meteorological jargon, like "the cap is breaking" and "the wind shear is veering," was accurate as well. Dr.
In the film, the device called Dorothy was based on NOAA's real TOTO tool. TOTO which stands for "TOtable Tornado Observatory" was a 55-gallon barrel outfitted to record storm data, according to the NSSL. The device was largely unsuccessful, however, and was retired from use in 1984.