Canton Oklahoma Tornado May 24 2011

6 straight days of the most die hard chasing I have ever done. Every setup no matter how big or how small. Marathoning like I have never marathoned before and it led to another unprecedented 45% high risk setup in Oklahoma.

We made good position on a storm early on, and finally, what I have been searching for all year came to me.

Photos will show the rest, from when we first arrived on the storm. Video later.

 

 

And finally...

  Unfortunately this was just one of many strong and violent tornadoes to rake Oklahoma with extensive damage and fatalities. I always hate when a beautiful tornado day turns deadly.

Tour Guide Chasecation

Well I am finally getting caught up after the years first big chase trip. This trip had a bit of a twist though. I was contacted by a gentleman by the name of Phil Bates. He owns a stock footage company based in Oregon and was looking for someone to guide him around the plains to get some extreme weather shots. He shoots with an insanely high quality camera known as a RED camera. It shoots 4 times better than 1080HD and his setup is very impressive, and expensive. Not quite sure how he got lead to me but I agreed I would take him out.

However the setup ahead was a meager one, and I explained this too him and that if it were me chasing on my own dime I would not be taking the risk. He was eager to get out there though and offered to cover expenses. I again explained I didnt think it would be worth it but he didn't seem to mind. I made sure he understood his odds and along with Matt Cumberland and Jon Williamson, off we went.

I have to say this was an extremely memorable and enjoyable trip. I learned so much on this trip. First and foremost I have gained allot of respect for tour companies and the challenges they face when they are stuck out there during a slow weather pattern. It really puts your forecasting skills to the test. I have to say I am pleased with myself on how I performed each day. We were able to be in the best position in the middle of a very large and marginal target area. Any storms that blew up we were there, and got just about the best action we could.

I now realize just how easy and convenient it is to chase only the big setups. The setups where you are almost guaranteed a storm and tornado as long as you don't screw up intercepting them. Thats the easy way to chase and I have to say I really really enjoyed the challenge in trying to pick out the needles in the atmospheric haystack.

Seeing so many people out in the field was incredible. The TIV crew, the TVN crew, everyone I partied with in Denver. This is it, these are the full timers, the people who chase regardless how crappy the setup is. They don't just wait for it to be easy and convenient, if there is a chance, they go for it. It is their life, their passion and its awesome to be able to relate to them in that regards.

Phil Jon and Matt are great company too, not caring about seeing only tornadoes but just enjoy the entire aspect of the chase. The drive, the sightseeing and the storms we do get into. Its not a waste of money to them if we don't see a tornado, its a damn good time on the open roads of America. Storm chasing is an adventure, each and every time.

I also had to put Phils needs ahead of my own, and change the way I play the storms. Typically I am agressive and get right into the bears cage with little stop and tripod time. Since Phil needs tripoded stock shots I had to plan things a bit differently, and was able to make them work.

In the end it was the most educational trip I have ever embarked on. We caught one pathetic landspout in Nebraska on our last day out...but for some reason I found myself not wanting to go home from this trip more than any other...and that means something.

This is STORM chasing...and I love it for ALL that it is.

April 27 2011 Alabama Tornado Outbreak - More Thoughts.

So much to talk about. I wanted to keep this separate from my usual chase log which can be seen here.

First off the tornado itself. It was by far the creepiest, scariest and loudest tornado I have witnessed. Sure, the visual appearance to people who only live through the event from behind their screens may not understand why but allow me to shed some light.

As we found the view we did we watched the storm approach for quite some time before the tornado emerged. When you chase tornadoes, seeing them is often somewhat fast paced. You get in position, you watch the sky and BAM a tornado forms but this was different. This tornado was already ongoing long before I got a view of it. It slowly emerged from the rain until it finally and obviously made its presence known. I was further away than I prefer to be, but I could hear the echoing of it tearing through the forest over the hill tops. It was by far the loudest tornado I have ever heard.

Its hard to put to words but when you chase you have a feeling of adrenaline that keeps things exciting and pumped. That was not the case here...the tornado was moving incredibly fast, yet the whole experience seemed like in slow motion. The tornado just came into view, did its thing and moved on, as if ignoring my presence.

It was like seeing a ghost step through a hallway in a cheesy horror film.

Just like that it was over as debris began to rain down on us. We would catch another view of it as we tried to pursue it, but the whole time I just felt incredibly "put in my place" by this tornado. It would not wait for me, and nothing would stop it from charging on its way. It came, I saw it, it conquered. I was not cut off by the damage as if the tornado was saying "Ha, nice try!"

As we stopped to survey the damage some distraught and injured locals approached us. Their house had been hit down the road but they were all accounted for and their injuries weren't life threatening. We provided them with some bandaids and clean tissue to dress the wounds as well as water. Volunteer fire was now arriving and took control of the scene and we moved on.

All throughout the day this situation played out. Damage blocking road and locals approaching us. Many trying to simply figure out a way they can get by to check on loved ones and in some cases just to see if their house or business down the road survived or not. We tried to help clear trees when we could, but there was simply too much.

As the day went on a new problem would arise. Power outages and the need for gas. As a rule I don't like to chase with less than half a tank of gas because in my mind I always somehow pictured this possibly happening. I stopped at station after station after station after station. Same story. No power. Each station had people already stranded there and out of gas. One station had generators going, but it was to keep ice cream from melting. Really?!

We pressed on and 200 miles later my tank was on E. I stopped in Decatur, AL out of options. No fuel, no power. I was prepared to spend as much time as needed there. Luckily fellow chasers came to my aid. I owe Ben Holcomb and Bill Oosterban all my gratitude for helping me get out of the predicament. Bill came with 5 gallons and I was able to drive north and get more fuel. I rationed it with a few other people at the stop, who then followed us to the station with power. Bill was leading the way.

The town was pandemonium, but at least in a non chaotic way. Fuel lines were 20 cars deep, as well as all the lines at fast food places. So many people displaced. So many people with no food, gas or anywhere to sleep. All the motels were swamped. I was amazed and never experienced such a disastrous event in this way before. I tried to help as many people as I can in small ways, but felt bad I could not do more.

Ive been called a fool for chasing down there, and some tell me Im stupid and wasting money. I fail to see the logic, sure I didn't see the big dramatic Mississippi and Tuscaloosa tornadoes because I was not on that storm but I successfully documented and tracked a major tornado in a difficult area, and in my first attempt at chasing down there too. Quite an accomplishment in my books.

This event brought it all into perspective for me. Storm chasing is what I love to do. I documented the severe weather, including a tornado that not many else saw. I was able to help out many people in small ways. Far from a waste. If I could, I would be there each and everytime this happens, but unfortunately am limited in my own means to do so. Unfortunately it will happen again someday and I hope I can be there.

That is all for now, more may come later.

Litchfield, Illinois Tornado

What a chase!

I will keep it short and sweet here, the detailed log can be seen at: http://www.chicagoillinoisstormchaser.com/041911-April-11th-2011-Litchfield-Illinois-Tornado-Crossing-I-55.php

It was finally what I had been looking for as far as a tornado went this season. I know it is early but everything that has been dealt either seemed to be in bad terrain or after dark. Some amazing tornado was coming out from across the country and I was ripping my hair out because I was missing it due to a variety of factors but alas, today worked out well, and I got the shot that can make my year. It feels good, and only in April too!

In 2010 I didn't even bag my first tornadoes till April 22nd, so this year is ahead of pace!

Anyways, pic and youtube video link below!

I am a bit miffed by my crappy camerawork, which was due to a number of factors. It doesn't take away from the experience too much though, and will only motivate me to make sure I do better next time!

Does the "To Do" list never end?

Before I get started, I did have a good chase in Iowa yesterday. The cap broke early and storms were pretty despite not being tornado producers.

If you wish to see more on the day you can visit the chase log seen here: http://www.chicagoillinoisstormchaser.com/040311-Beautiful-Iowa-Storms.php

Ever since I began chasing I have always done so with limited resources, at least compared to what others have out there. My laptop is old, my cameras is a POS. As a man who never had much money [and unfortunately isn't funded by rich parents] Ive had to slowly and painfully try and upgrade my arsenal a little bit at a time. It took my entire tax return to get an HD camera last year. This year that tax return simply went to the gas fund.

Sometimes I feel like it limits my ability to compete with all these rich kids out there just starting out with the latest and greatest technology simply because they can afford it, but at the same time I am glad I know I can survive and have success without out. Still though, it seems like my to do list to have a full chase setup is always growing, never ending, and before I can make the next upgrade, something breaks which requires an immediate fix and only further hinders my attempts to move ahead.

I need:

A new laptop [mine is 6yrs old and can barely handle running everything needed for chasing.]
A new machine at home [this one barely handles the HD video]
A DSLR camera [my 200 dollar point and shoot is a joke]
An actual wired setup [my cigarette plug inverter just crapped out on me in the last chase]
A cell amp
An external hard drive
A smart phone
*insert stuff I know I am forgetting here*

Things not related to chasing that I need to get before I can worry about the above:

A new rear window [long story]
A new set of tires
A shutter in my torque converter fixed.

On top of ridiculous gas prices. I am certainly stressing over the finances related to this season. Last year everything was great and somehow just completely fell apart over winter. Its been difficult trying to put the pieces back together. Sometimes I feel burnt out and feel like throwing in the towel. Something I love shouldn't come with this much stress should it?

And then I get out there like I did yesterday...and all the struggle is worth it. Even when there aren't tornadoes. Just beautiful storms to witness and experience. It really ramps up the motivation from within. This weekend is looking like it will have more chases, and I will be there!

First 2011 Chase in the Books

Finally was able to get out there. I wont recap the day too much, the log is up on the site. I don't know if I need to repeat anything here. If there are any blogger-only readers out there that would like me to link photos and site posts please let me know, otherwise I will just use this blog for what it is...a blog.

Anyways it felt great to be out there. I really missed chasing and was reminded as to how much I really do love it. When I stepped out of the truck in Nebraska City with 80 degree temps and brisk south winds with a huge storm going up in the western sky it hit me...this is why I am alive...this is what I live and breathe for. Everything else is trivial.

Eyeing a setup on Monday in Texas which scares me. Gas has hit 4.19 in Chicago which is just brutal. I won't let that stop me from chasing as long as I have the money but damn...4.19...REALLY?! This is going to be a really tough year as a result of this. Life is a catch 22, to have more chase money you need to work more but when you work more you cant chase. Talk about a tough situation to resolve. Im supposed to talk to my snow removal boss in April about summer work. If I am lucky he will be understanding of my chasing obsession and work with me. Id be willing to take un-paid time off as long as it meant I could do it whenever I wanted. Ha...I can dream can't I?

Chilly temps here in Chicago, gross. Only 31 degrees right now. After the spring tease of recent days it makes it that much harder to deal with. You hate to see this during a time of year when you know you could be getting severe weather instead. Cold and snow is ok in the winter....but its severe weather time now!

Yargh...

A Sad Stat.

It is March 14th...2011.

I have yet to embark on 2011s first chase, and thus 2011 will have the latest official start for me personally than any other year. After seeing Sean Caseys IMAX movie the other day [which was awesome albeit a little short] I have the itch to get out there more than ever. Its driving me insane. I need to chase.

Life has been slugging me in the gut with one big financial blow after another lately, and also unlike any other year I am a bit worried about funding this year. I am far from a rich man, but I've always been able to get by. I do not have steady employment, but the side jobs I do work usually help me get what I need to do done and I was ready to go this year until gas decided to shoot up the way it did. As long as I have the money, it wont stop me from chasing, but I'm worried my annual chase budget will dry up sooner than later this year. It also doesn't help I will be on more solo missions with my man chase partner starting a new job.

For some reason everyone elses American dream does not make me happy. Working a 9-5, having a family and a nice white house in suburbia...its just so...thought-less and cliche. I've always felt conformity is for suckers, but alas, opinions alone don't pay the bills, so for now I must still continue to be a slave to society's monotony...unless I catch that miracle break, the kind that sometimes falls in others' laps but never mine. The other problem...I have never been one to brown nose and hump legs to get to the top...which these days its pretty much the only way to get things done, I must learn to swallow my pride I guess.

Anyways, checking the GFS shows a nice active pattern continuing. I feel a potential first chase coming soon, but hopefully not anytime this week as Ill be working one of said side jobs from Weds - Sun. *sigh* I will never consider myself successful in life until I never have to worry about money or a job keeping me from a chase...until then. Life rolls on...

On another note. I finally have some hail guards for my vehicle. A detailed site update about those will be posted hopefully in the next day or 2.

Closing Out Winter.

Wow, just one day left in what is considered meteorological winter. I have to say it was pretty pain-less for me. Usually lack of thunder sends me into a borderline alcoholic frenzy...but winter 10-11 was consistently active and there were plenty of storms to mess around with including my new years eve chase, the big groundhogs day blizzard, and even as I type this...there is thundery freezing rain falling. My new job in snow removal kept me busy as Chicago had an above average snow season, we broke the 50 inch mark again making this the 4th year in a row now...the first time ever in recorded history to have 4 consecutive years with 50+ inches of snow.

I know I didn't type a big blog about chasercon like I did last year...just know that it blew last year out of the water. I had so much fun it was ridiculous. Already looking forward to next year. I don't really go there for the weather part of it...but to hang out with all the chasers I consider friends that I have met over the years. Although next year I will probably have a table for the Convective Addiction group, so there may be a little "work" involved but thats ok.

Speaking of CA - it is going great, the guys are finally getting motivated to get projects done. I felt like a bit of a nazi over winter always nagging to work on stuff and keep us in the spot light. Most people are busier with work than I am so I need to take that into more consideration, but I am always eager to take things to the next level and don't like to be slowed down.

Also CA related...myself along with Jesse and Skip ventured up to the MN storm chasing convention this weekend to give a presentation. The presentation itself was a disaster...as soon as we plugged in Jesses laptop to start our talk it blue screened...we had to do a time swap with Dean Baron [thanks again!!] while we scrambled to get it running on Skips...my laptop is simply too old and too much of a POS so that was not an option. Once we were running there was a problem with the projector and our video was showing up dark as hell, which prevented allot of the detail from being seen. I was a big heartbroken by this as the basis of my talk was ruined...but I was able to improvise and get most of my points across with just the slides. Of course after we were done they fixed the projector so everyone elses video showed up amazing...so we look like the fools but oh well.

Despite that...the "fan" part of it went amazing. We received a ton of great followup about our talk. Our booth was crowded the entire time with compliments from the general public, NWS mets and warning coordinators, emergency management and even Tim Samaras, the leader of Twistex. We sold a high number of DVDs, and even had quite a few people request autographs which I thought was a bit silly considering I am just me [a nobody,] but it was fun to embrace and make people happy. We are definitely making a good impression out there. I would love to do another event like this and hope I get more opportunities to speak at other palces in the future.

It was great to finally meet Bill Doms. He was one of the first well established and experienced chasers to reach out to me in my early years and really one of the first chasers I ever interacted with online. So after all these years it was great to put a face and a handshake to the name.

As far as this season goes. I missed a low contrast, non fully condensed tornado along the OK/KS border that many bagged today. I am not too upset...but it has now slapped me in the face with a big reminder that the season is here...and it is time to chase.

I am a bit worried with the recent spike in gas prices, I am far from a rich man, but was always able to manage chasing on a limited income by carefully budgeting...but gas has really shot up in the last few weeks and if the trend continues it is going to be hard for me to overcome...but I will find a way.

I hope to go down to KY to get my hail guards built this weekend...but alas, snow is in the forecast just like every other time I try and get them built...which means Ill have to work...so we will see!

Its Almost Go Time!

 Its February, and in less than a month March will be here! Now is when the thoughts of active chasing begin creeping into my mind. A time of the year friends and family hate because now every time they ask me to do something I have to say "weather pending" as I make ZERO commitments from March 1st through June 30th.

Although I have been locally chasing since I could drive in 1998 I consider 2007 to be my first full time chase season. So what were the dates of my first chase in the years since then.

2007: March 1st

2008: January 7th

2009: March 8th

2010: March 10th

So you can see why one gets excited once February rolls around. Winter 10-11 was a pretty amazing winter for SDS as I experienced none. Between the crazy thundersnow blizzard a few days ago and some whacky off season chases on Dec 31st and Nov 22nd coupled with more local storms I had enough to keep my sanity.

Big changes for 2011? None really. I still HOPE to get my hail guards built by driving down to KY and seeking assistance from my brother...but a constant snow threat around here has left me with little time to take a multi day trip down there...and now the second half of February is pretty booked with conventions so I am not sure when I can get down there. I will probably have to squeeze it in during March. Even though March is chase season there aren't typically too many chases to be had in the month itself, just a few random insane-o shear setups that have yet to yield me a tornado for the month.

My stream is up and running again. Last year in June it just stopped...it turns out my theory was correct and my camera simply stopped outputting via USB because as soon as I plugged in my easyCAP through the A/V out everything fired right up.

I plan to focus less on taking pictures while filming. After watching some of my 2010 video I realize when I fumble with my still camera while filming that is often times when my video becomes the shakiest, and since I stand zero chance at making money off of still photography it will be much less a priority in 2011 as I focus more on video.

I took some major financial hits over the winter, so it is going to be a tougher year to fund than any in the past but where there is a will there is a way. Plus my 2 most common chase partners in the area either have started new jobs or are about to start a new job so I have a feeling I will be largely chasing solo this year. No worries though.

It is crunch time people...the 2011 chase season is almost here.

Mother Nature, BRING IT ON!!!!!

Getting Ready for the "BIG ONE"

Its not news anymore, but Chicago is in the bullseye of a potentially historic winter storm. If there is any storm that has a chance of breaking our infamous "big snow" record of 23.0 inches set in 1967 its with this upcoming storm. I don't even know where to start as far as discussing it goes.

For forecasts simply check out the ConvectiveAddiction site, as we have posted several forecasts there with all the pretty charts and explanations that don't make sense that you are used to.

The NWS experimental snowfall forecast has Chicago in an area of 20-22 inches of snow. At this point it is silly for me to try and say if I think this will happen or not. I certainly believe it is possible.

Just an inch shy of the record but when you also take into the consideration this snow could potentially fall in thunderstorms with 3 inch an hour accumulations possible it would not surprise me to see that record fall....or...

The heavy band sets up just to our south and we end with lesser accumulations of 12 inches or so. It is kinda funny think of *ONLY* getting 12 inches of snow as being cheated, but this storm certainly is no laughing matter. Aside from the big snow here, catastrophic ice damage will probably occur in Indianapolis with the severe weather and tornado threat in the gulf coast states maybe even into TN.

Check out the NWSs forecast wording for tomorrow night: "Tuesday Night...Very windy. Snow and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Blowing snow with visibility one quarter mile or less at times. Snow may be heavy at times. Significant snow accumulations possible. Lows 14 to 18. Northeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph at times. Chance of precipitation 100 percent." I don't recall ever seeing snow and thunderstorms in the same sentence. Needless to say I am excited.

Unfortunately I probably wont be able to document this storm top to bottom as I would like to because I will be out working my snow removal job. It is a bittersweet thing. I will make allot of money doing so along with being out in the extreme elements...but without my video camera. Although I will probably bring it with and plead with my boss to let me get a few minutes of filming in during what will likely be more than an 18hr shift.

For now though....the calm before the storm.