A system and method for generating tornadoes and other vortex phenomen in an open air, free space enviroment is disclosed. The system includes a flat surface or deck suspended above the ground, a circular hole in the center of the deck, a means for creating an updraft through the hole in the deck and fans or other air moving means for creating a swirling air flow. Preferably, the fans for swirling the air are angled approximately 45 degrees relative to the vertical axis of the updraft flow through the center hole. For swirling the air at higher elevations, as well as at ground level, a multi level fan arrangement having the layers of fans spaced relative to the deck is used. Alternatively, a single level of fans are used in conjunction with louvers or vanes for deflecting the blown air into a fan shape. In another embodiment of the present invention, tangential flow is established by using a multiplicity of tubes for returning air flow from a plenum above an updraft fan. Higher elevation air swirling is accomplished by providing vents in the return columns along the entire length. The vents can be holes in the columns or arrangements of adjustable or fixed vanes. Controls, including valves and shutters, are positioned in the return tubes for adjusting air flow patterns. The present system and method does not require containing chambers to remove external perturbations and to constrain air flow, actively, as opposed to passively, creates the swirling tangential flow, can be operated or performed indoors or outdoors and works with an asymmetric air flow.