Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Chase log from 3-23-09

Well it took a couple days but I finally finished the chase log from Monday in Kansas.

www.aerostorms.com is where it can be found. It was a very exciting chase and Im glad I went. Its nice to know that no matter what happens, 2009 wont go down with me not seeing any tornadoes. Although I was not really convinced based on what I saw, but so many other chasers confirmed it as well as the NWS office in ICT. I remember watching the rotation and mentioning that I wouldnt be surprised if it reached the ground...but I always like to be able to confirm with my eyes.

The current weather pattern is an active one, allot of severe weather going on down south. I will be watching the weekend and where things set up. Depending on how it comes together, I may head to my brothers house in Frankfort, KY for a weekend chase.

Other than actual chasing things have still been busy. Ive signed on with TVN for streaming, and am trying to get that up and running, as well as working on several projects relating to the chase truck. I ordered all terrain tires for it and today received an email saying they were out of stock and it would be a month before they got more. ugh.

The weather around here looks miserable for nearly a week, hopefully I can use this time to catch up, that is...if I dont chase Saturday.

Congrats to everyone who bagged on Monday. Allot of chasers were out and there were a few instances where I got angry because some ignoramouses blocked the road infront of me by not pulling off into the shoulder, i got them on video for when I feel like making an issue out of it. It almost makes me not look forward to May.

Thats all for now.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Waiting

For things to pick up again. The weather pattern has been slow and boring, which has been the 2009 season so far. Compared to last year, its very slow to start.

Its not a total loss though, with the break in weather activity Ive been able to get more work done on the website and in other areas. I managed to get some more chase logs up today as well as some other content so feel free to check out www.aerostorms.com

I still haven't chosen a streaming service, to be honest im sick of all the political drama going on about streaming services...one would think a hobby filled with 90% men wouldn't have so much soap opera drama. Oh well.

I attended the advanced spotter training this past weekend like I do every year. I enjoyed the talks and learned a couple new things, also heard about some new technologies too that I may look into.

Even when slow...still busy! The GFS has hinted at a pattern change that may send more active weather our way....got to finish the crunch!

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Chase log and record rains.

The first chase log for 2009 can be seen on my website.

In short, storm motions were a bitch today. It was basically a game of pick your embedded sup within a screaming line and hope for the best. Came home with a couple pics though. No complaints though, I had low expectations for the day and wanted to test out the new laptop. The laptop itself works great but I have the same annoying issues with gpsgate and data that Ive always had. So I can rule out laptop malfunction and try and figure it out.

More rainfall records were set this weekend. The March 7-8th thunderstorms put down 3.29" of rain beating out the old March record of 2.52" set back in 1985 on March 3-4. So impressive totals are being reported thats for sure. New single day records have been set too for both the 7th and 8th with 1.27" and 2.02" respectively. Old records were .90 from 1930 and .99 from 1990

Currently watching things for the next potential chase on Tuesday. Again not the prefect setup, but GFS has been consistent for awhile now in showing this feature. It may warrent a half day chase. Afterall, I havent used time off from work since November 5th so I could use a bit of a break, plus winter will return for the next week after a cold front plows through. I might as well go for it. So stay tuned for that.

I can now say the 2009 season has begun!

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Official website and first chase of 2009!!!

Well, I mentioned earlier that an official Aerostorms site might be in the making.

I decided to go for it, and have put allot of work into it so far...so here it is. www.aerostorms.com

There is much more to be done. The site will be the main focus for chase logs. This blog will now be mainly used for blog types posts, thoughts, ramblings etc etc.

I will probably still post forecasts here, because updating a forecast on the webpage would take twice as long. I will also post brief chase summarys here...but the bulk of new information will be on the site...since thats what its for!

This blog is better for on the fly type updates. So it will not become dead over here...just less bulky with content.

Thanks to dryline hosting www.drylinehosting.com for making this possible. Even a noob like me was able to build something that, in my opinion...looks half way decent. Anyone who isnt web-site savy might want to check them out!

As for tomorrow, I will set out for the first chast of 2009! Not really looking for tornadoes, though there is a change. This is more of an equipment run type chase where Im hoping to come home with some new pictures and maybe some hail or severe wind. 0z NAM looks decent but the 18Z GFS looks like crap. Hoping the NAM pans out for this one. Which is unusual because I tend to side with GFS.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

SPRIIIIIIIIIING!

Well, looking outside one wouldn't know it. We got about 2 inches of fresh lake effect on the ground now with some lingering flurries. While today isn't the official start of spring [the equinox] it is considered to be the start of meteorological spring. Daylight savings is in another week, which will provide us with another hour of daylight chasing time.

Looking at the patterns ahead, a few days ago there was hopes for a weekend chase in OK or KS, right now the setup looks less intense. However, some spring like air will move in this way and we will see temps in the 50s for multiple days, perhaps even approaching 60! This will come with some jucier air courtesy of the gulf, and bring the chance for some more local thunderstorms, nothing too impressive severe wise....but a storm is a storm! Longer range GFS shows a potentially active pattern in the making, spring is right on schedule!

As far as all my projects go....phhht. Being sick for over 2 weeks, and hitting road block after road block after road block with the PC stuff, plus shitty weekend weather week after week. Im way behind...but...the new laptop should be here tomorrow or tuesday, the PC re installation discs have arrived, and if I dont chase this weekend, it will be warm enough to hopefully finish the work on the truck. Things should be completed soon.

Also, I purchased my own domain name, and signed up for website hosting at drylinehosting.com. A real Aerostorms site will be in the making, likely not being compelted for quite some time though, I still have a means to blog and document, the active season is just around the corner...and Ive got much more important projects to complete first. It is exciting though, to think about having my own space on the www.

My time of the year is here, its hard to describe the level of excitement Im feeling to get back out there! This will be a good year, I have a new aggressive chase plan, a more capable vehicle, more contacts in the field and hopefully...better functioning equipment.

Cheers to a productive and successful 2009 spring for everyone!