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.

WDT buys ChaserTV - Thoughts.

I couldn't fit this all onto a facebook status...

Since joining CTV last year I have been very pleased with their service. It has been everything I could ask for in a streaming company and yes, I have all around knowledge of the big 3. I even attempted to stream with TVN for the first year when they made me an offer, but that was a huge fail and I ended up quitting. Why? Well, thats a good campfire story.

Anyways, by now it is old news that WDT has now acquired CTV and I couldn't be more thrilled about it. It sucks that CTVs owners will no longer be a part of it as Scott and Steve are both great guys, but this is the way business works, it benefited them and it benefited the streamers and I feel was a good decision. The most important thing is the CTV brand will stay the same. The fact that Scott and Steve pushed for this and WDT was understanding an accepting shows they had us in mind. I can only hope this does not ever change.

I am mostly excited for the ad revenue potential, since shortly after quitting TVN they rolled out a pretty sweet deal with WDT that paid out quite nicely. I always thought to myself "Dammit, I wish I had a way to tap into that." Now I do. With gas going up, this will make chasing just a tad bit easier. Profitable? unlikely... easier? Yes. The added exposure is a great thing too. It looks like TVN streamers are already trembling knowing that some of the CTV guys are now in direct competition, sorry fellas, if you thought you could "DOMINATE" that easily, think again! =)

I am by no means trying to start a stream war, but Im already seeing some shit going around on facebook about how poor TVN is getting short handed now. OH WELL, thats how business works. There are plenty of talented and capable chasers out there other than the TVN boys. I do not feel sorry for TVN, its nothing personal [despite my miserable streaming experience] its just the way the world works. They have had a great run and lots of success [which I wont lie, I'm jealous of and would love to have that success level.] So for anyone to think they could float at the top so easily is foolish, its a competitive world. Chasing is no exception.

This couldn't have happened to a better company [CTV.] I am glad to see that for once an honest company and its supporters are being able to move ahead in the game. Lets face it people, chasing is becoming more popular each year, and this is where the future of it is heading. I for one am aggressive and will embrace and make the most out of it. To survive you need to adapt.

Boring Winter

Winter 2010-11 has been pretty boring around here. The most exciting weather was obviously on Dec 31st when we were treated to some pretty loud thunderstorms and [for me] a failed chase, which was my first ever in the month of December. If somehow you haven't seen the log you can check it out here: http://www.aerostorms.com/123110-new-years-eve-tornado-outbreak.php

Other than that though, there hasn't been anything really interesting. We are running above normal for snowfall though, but rather than coming in as one or 2 massive snowfalls its been a constant series of 2-4" mini snows that just add up. I guess its good for my newly acquired job doing snow removal, since the minimum amount needed for us to go out and work is 2 inches, so Ive gotten 5 days of minimal snow removal work with good pay at least.

But other than that there hasn't been much weather of interest to talk about and I have had no really interesting photo opportunities for winter weather. 2 inches of snow on a city neighborhood really isn't that exciting...and Im not that much of a photog where I will make daily or weekly adventures to go find a dilapidated barn in a field or anything like that.

Some big events coming up though. The yearly Denver gathering, then the MN convention the following weekend. Plus, if we ever get into a dry pattern where I wont have to worry about having to go out to do snow removal for at least 4 days I plan to visit my brother in KY who is going to help me build my hail guards. He is a mechanical genius...I am not...and I know he will be able to come up with some crafty ways to make my idea for a design a reality.

Its crazy to think March is already less than 2 months away. Let the crunch begin!