Its kind of ironic that as this amazing year weather wise comes to a close there is a possibility of a semi local chase tomorrow. We already had one rare off season event here last month so why not another?
Of course I'm not a complete idiot and I realize its about as big of a crapshoot as there can be, but its been fun to watch how the system has evolved. Currently it is 48/43 which is pretty mild and moist for this time of the year, some locations south of here are reporting temps in the low 50s with dewpoints in the mid to upper 40s. For 9pm on December 30th thats pretty impressive. I remember the night prior to last months event I was sitting online noticing how exceptionally warm and moist it was. Of course it was November and we were dealing with low 60s temps and mid 50s dewpoints...but I digress...
These needle in haystack, off season rare events are beginning to fascinate me and I tried to do a comparison to past events which you can read here: http://convectiveaddiction.com/forecasts-2/new-years-eve-2010-a-midwestern-severe-event-in-the-making/
One of these days I will unlock the mysteries of these sleeper IL days and use them to my chasing advantage. As I mentioned I find them fascinating to study. They are much more challenging and really stimulate that nerdy side of chasing. I mean, any idiot can spot a classic plains setup on the forecast models and understand where tornadoes will be possible...these wacky off season events provide a greater challenge though.
Best case scenario, I chase and bag a rare tube to myself. Worst case scenario, I go party as planned and maybe get treated to a few [also rare] December lightning flashes. Either way, BRING IT ON!
See yall in 2011!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
White Gold
Not much to report here. It was been a fairly active winter so far with multiple snows. None of them in this area have been really significant. The big blizzard gave us a typical glancing blow before hitting us with 40mph wrap around snow on the back side. Still, our snowfall here in the city is running above the long term average.
Good news for me, as I recently found some work doing snow removal with a landscaping crew. The pay is excellent, almost double what I made at my last job working in downtown Chicago. I also enjoy the work. The guy who hired me gets a kick out of level of enjoyment for being placed in the worst conditions possible. After the blizzard winds were gusting above 40mph with wind chills below zero and here I am standing in a snow-nado created by my snow blower yelling BRING IT OOOOON!!!!
So I will take it for what its worth. I love being outside in the elements, at a time when most people are whining and crying about the weather I am out there basking in it. Ive always been that way though, I love the weather everyone else hates. So this line of work is perfect for me. He says he needs to hire some people for more steady summer work as well. We will see where this leads.
I haven't decided to go crawling back to a typical job since my layoff just yet. Instead rather I have been working on ways to make my own money. Its going slow, but going slow is better than not going at all. It's not that I have a problem with working...its that I have problem with being a slave to my work and I refuse to be one of these poor drones who cant chase just because they have to work. I always find it amusing when people argue about this with me. They say "yea well, you're struggling financially without work" and I always say "yea well, you're struggling financially WITH WORK, at least I have a passion I'm enjoying." That seems to shut them up rather nicely.
Some people try and say that chasing is their escape from their everyday life of work, family, kids, whatever else. If thats what works for you great, but I think that mentality is sad, any life you need to have an escape from is not a life worth living. Different strokes for different folks I guess. One of my favorite lyrical quotes comes from a 311 song and it goes "Some people live for the rules, I live for exceptions."
Anyways, just thought I would chime in with some typical weather-life related babble. Its about to start snowing here, so I better get the gear ready and be on standby for the call.
Also, big winter storm coming around xmas. Stay tuned to ConvectiveAddiction.com for the latest as that is where I write most of my forecasts now instead of here. I will try and post again before the new year but if I don't I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday season!
Good news for me, as I recently found some work doing snow removal with a landscaping crew. The pay is excellent, almost double what I made at my last job working in downtown Chicago. I also enjoy the work. The guy who hired me gets a kick out of level of enjoyment for being placed in the worst conditions possible. After the blizzard winds were gusting above 40mph with wind chills below zero and here I am standing in a snow-nado created by my snow blower yelling BRING IT OOOOON!!!!
So I will take it for what its worth. I love being outside in the elements, at a time when most people are whining and crying about the weather I am out there basking in it. Ive always been that way though, I love the weather everyone else hates. So this line of work is perfect for me. He says he needs to hire some people for more steady summer work as well. We will see where this leads.
I haven't decided to go crawling back to a typical job since my layoff just yet. Instead rather I have been working on ways to make my own money. Its going slow, but going slow is better than not going at all. It's not that I have a problem with working...its that I have problem with being a slave to my work and I refuse to be one of these poor drones who cant chase just because they have to work. I always find it amusing when people argue about this with me. They say "yea well, you're struggling financially without work" and I always say "yea well, you're struggling financially WITH WORK, at least I have a passion I'm enjoying." That seems to shut them up rather nicely.
Some people try and say that chasing is their escape from their everyday life of work, family, kids, whatever else. If thats what works for you great, but I think that mentality is sad, any life you need to have an escape from is not a life worth living. Different strokes for different folks I guess. One of my favorite lyrical quotes comes from a 311 song and it goes "Some people live for the rules, I live for exceptions."
Anyways, just thought I would chime in with some typical weather-life related babble. Its about to start snowing here, so I better get the gear ready and be on standby for the call.
Also, big winter storm coming around xmas. Stay tuned to ConvectiveAddiction.com for the latest as that is where I write most of my forecasts now instead of here. I will try and post again before the new year but if I don't I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday season!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Helping the Noobs
You know, something happened today that irked me quite a bit.
Over the years I have had lots of people reach out to me and ask me advice. I always do my best to give them the answers they are looking for. Sometimes they are satisfied quickly and we exchange only 1 or 2 messages. Other times I have had month long dialogues with people as I try to help them along the way. If they ask me things I feel I cannot give good advice on, I always try and point them to a resource that can better help them.
Today though one such person tells me "I emailed a guy once when I was like 10 with some questions and his response was something along the lines of "leave it to people who know what they're doing." I was like... okay..... rude"
I asked her who it was but she can't remember. Whoever you are, I just want to say you are a jackass. If you feel you are too important to bother helping newcomers, let me be the first to knock you off that pedestal you've built for yourself. Because all I can see is up your nasty nose and smell your rancid groin when youre standing that high on your own ego.
I don't care if you've been chasing since 1970. That only means you were born sooner than me. It does not give you the right to be a pretentious jackass. You may be experienced, but you're still an anti social retard.
The ironic part is typically these types of people are the first ones to bitch about under educated people out there ruining the holy grail image of storm chasing. Of course though, they can't be bothered to help a person who has some genuine questions about getting started. Much like the people who bitch about StormTrack, I almost never see them contributing anything of use.
I dunno, I have always enjoyed interacting with people, and going out of my way to help others. I enjoy talking and discussing the topic. Seeing the level of excitement people have as they pursue something they are really interested in gives me a great feeling. Passion is truly powerful, and I've always encouraged people to pursue what they really love, and will always do my best to be whatever mentor I can be.
And I get the fact that some of you can't be bothered, you're too busy trying to balance your shitty 9-5 lifestyle with chasing and are juggling 19234785 things at once. Life is a clusterfumble of crap, I get it...but that doesn't give you the right to be rude. If you cant help, point the person to someone who can!
So again I say, to people who respond to people in a negative way. Go take your anti social narcissism and sit in the corner while you slap yourself in the face with a 2x4 repeatedly. Everyone deserves a chance to make the most of their interest. If you choose to still be an ass to them, just know that you lose any respect for yourself that I might have had.
Over the years I have had lots of people reach out to me and ask me advice. I always do my best to give them the answers they are looking for. Sometimes they are satisfied quickly and we exchange only 1 or 2 messages. Other times I have had month long dialogues with people as I try to help them along the way. If they ask me things I feel I cannot give good advice on, I always try and point them to a resource that can better help them.
Today though one such person tells me "I emailed a guy once when I was like 10 with some questions and his response was something along the lines of "leave it to people who know what they're doing." I was like... okay..... rude"
I asked her who it was but she can't remember. Whoever you are, I just want to say you are a jackass. If you feel you are too important to bother helping newcomers, let me be the first to knock you off that pedestal you've built for yourself. Because all I can see is up your nasty nose and smell your rancid groin when youre standing that high on your own ego.
I don't care if you've been chasing since 1970. That only means you were born sooner than me. It does not give you the right to be a pretentious jackass. You may be experienced, but you're still an anti social retard.
The ironic part is typically these types of people are the first ones to bitch about under educated people out there ruining the holy grail image of storm chasing. Of course though, they can't be bothered to help a person who has some genuine questions about getting started. Much like the people who bitch about StormTrack, I almost never see them contributing anything of use.
I dunno, I have always enjoyed interacting with people, and going out of my way to help others. I enjoy talking and discussing the topic. Seeing the level of excitement people have as they pursue something they are really interested in gives me a great feeling. Passion is truly powerful, and I've always encouraged people to pursue what they really love, and will always do my best to be whatever mentor I can be.
And I get the fact that some of you can't be bothered, you're too busy trying to balance your shitty 9-5 lifestyle with chasing and are juggling 19234785 things at once. Life is a clusterfumble of crap, I get it...but that doesn't give you the right to be rude. If you cant help, point the person to someone who can!
So again I say, to people who respond to people in a negative way. Go take your anti social narcissism and sit in the corner while you slap yourself in the face with a 2x4 repeatedly. Everyone deserves a chance to make the most of their interest. If you choose to still be an ass to them, just know that you lose any respect for yourself that I might have had.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Late November Chase
On Saturday I made a post on facebook about Monday the 22nd being a potential chase day but as usual was met with some opposition. I dunno what it is about weather nerds always trying to shoot down the idea, its like being negative gives them an easy way to say "told you so" when something doesn't happen. Once midnight rolled around and temps were climbing into the mid 60s with dewpoints not far behind that should have been my first clue something was up.
Funny thing is I'm always arguing with people that at this time of year with the insane-o shear in place you dont need 6hrs of heating and 1500+ CAPE for severe weather and tornadoes, and today was a perfect example of that. We had a few hours of sun, and CAPE values were between 500 and 1000. More than enough.
The front was moving slow, and was progged to be favorably timed for storms in IL. Around 8am I was awoken by thunder, I got up and enjoyed that for an hour then went back to bed. I awoke at 1pm to 11 texts messages and 4 missed calls. All the texts mentioned a tornado watch and I shot out of bed to make a last minute dash of doom. No need to go into anymore detail though...it can all be read here: http://www.aerostorms.com/112210-Illinois-Severe-Weather.php
This is the latest chase I have ever gone on in any given year so that was a new feat for me personally. My last chase was July 14th as I passed up quite a few setups between then and now to regain myself financially. It felt great to get out again but on the flip side now has me craving more action. This chase had the makings of an early March type chase so it sucks to think that as I type this the temps have crashed about 30 degrees from where they were just 12hrs ago but alas, thats reality.
Another system should affect us Weds night into Thanksgiving, there may be a shot at some more storms Weds night before the system deepens rapidly to our north and tugs the cold air here to stay. At least the pattern is somewhat active.
Busy as ever, but I thought I would chime in with a few musings about the day.
Funny thing is I'm always arguing with people that at this time of year with the insane-o shear in place you dont need 6hrs of heating and 1500+ CAPE for severe weather and tornadoes, and today was a perfect example of that. We had a few hours of sun, and CAPE values were between 500 and 1000. More than enough.
The front was moving slow, and was progged to be favorably timed for storms in IL. Around 8am I was awoken by thunder, I got up and enjoyed that for an hour then went back to bed. I awoke at 1pm to 11 texts messages and 4 missed calls. All the texts mentioned a tornado watch and I shot out of bed to make a last minute dash of doom. No need to go into anymore detail though...it can all be read here: http://www.aerostorms.com/112210-Illinois-Severe-Weather.php
This is the latest chase I have ever gone on in any given year so that was a new feat for me personally. My last chase was July 14th as I passed up quite a few setups between then and now to regain myself financially. It felt great to get out again but on the flip side now has me craving more action. This chase had the makings of an early March type chase so it sucks to think that as I type this the temps have crashed about 30 degrees from where they were just 12hrs ago but alas, thats reality.
Another system should affect us Weds night into Thanksgiving, there may be a shot at some more storms Weds night before the system deepens rapidly to our north and tugs the cold air here to stay. At least the pattern is somewhat active.
Busy as ever, but I thought I would chime in with a few musings about the day.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Feeling Cheated by the October 26th 2010 Storm of the Century? (updated)
Feeling that this "record storm" didn't live up to its hype? Wondering why the news and weather geeks such as myself were going so bonkers over it? Sneering at the fact that you secretly wanted to see destruction and chaos and upset it did not materialize? Wondering just what in the hell was the big deal? Well, here we go.
The storm was forecast to be a record breaker, as I mentioned in my previous blog. Well,
- Chicago set a new low pressure record. At 7am the barometer plummeted to 29.02in, old record set in 1959 was 29.11in
- But perhaps the most important record of all. The all time, new, lowest barometric pressure ever recorded in any non-tropical storm system to form in the US mainland. The low made it down to 956mb with some unofficial reports of it going just a tad lower. Thats not a lie, although the data is still preliminary so I don't know of any official statement yet which I can post.
*Weather 101 fact for the non weather savvy - the lower the pressure, the stronger the storm system.*
So, when you hear "strong storm system" here is what they are talking about.
To put it into perspective, most storm systems don't go below 990, most stay around 1000. So 954 is INCREDIBLY strong. So when they are talking about a storms strength, its that pressure they are referring to.
To those who feel that they were cheated and the storm did not live up to its hype, you were just that, cheated. Especially for my friends in the Chicago area. The fact of the matter is the timing of the storm system is what spared us its greater wrath. The storms formed along the storms advancing cold front. Which happened to plow through here just after dawn. This, and this alone is the sole reason why severe weather wasn't more widespread across the Chicago area.
*Weather 101 fact #2 - Storms need energy to become severe, the main source of this energy is the sun, thus, at night and during the morning there is the least amount of energy*
The predawn hours are the LEAST favorable time for severe weather, and sure enough, thats when the front came through this area. Normally severe weather would not be forecast at all when the timing is such, but again, we were dealing with a record strong storm, which can sometimes offset the lack of energy, and it did. We did get storms and severe weather in the early morning hours, it just wasn't widespread.
So here is some of the evidence of severe weather occurring in the area.
Tornado damage photos near Peotone, courtesy of Dave.
This one is too awesome not to share.
Closer to home, some tree damage in the Chicago and Oak Lawn areas. Taken by myself and my father-in-law.
Here is a radar shot I took showing the storms moving through, the white box is actually a tornado warning just south of the Chicago area.
As mentioned though, the fact the storms came through in the early morning during the least favored time is what kept it from being more widespread. As the storms pressed east and the day got later the magnitude of the event can be seen in the amount of damage reports in the following graphics.
Ok ok you get the point. The event was a significant one, and because it is still ongoing much more information has yet to come in. Everything above is preliminary and maybe I will post a followup with some official totals but the bottom line is this.
If you feel cheated by this event, you should. It did indeed do everything it was supposed to do but remember this. Severe weather in itself is a rare and isolated phenomena, it can greatly affect your block, and leave the next untouched. So don't worry, your time will come. No one location can dodge the bullet forever.
For the latest information, see the NWS in Chicago: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lot/
UPDATE 10/28/10 - it now appears the storm DID NOT break the record, but nearly missed it by a measely .2mb. It looks like a stupid nor'easter still holds the top title: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=lot&storyid=59038&source=0
The storm was forecast to be a record breaker, as I mentioned in my previous blog. Well,
- Chicago set a new low pressure record. At 7am the barometer plummeted to 29.02in, old record set in 1959 was 29.11in
- But perhaps the most important record of all. The all time, new, lowest barometric pressure ever recorded in any non-tropical storm system to form in the US mainland. The low made it down to 956mb with some unofficial reports of it going just a tad lower. Thats not a lie, although the data is still preliminary so I don't know of any official statement yet which I can post.
*Weather 101 fact for the non weather savvy - the lower the pressure, the stronger the storm system.*
So, when you hear "strong storm system" here is what they are talking about.
To put it into perspective, most storm systems don't go below 990, most stay around 1000. So 954 is INCREDIBLY strong. So when they are talking about a storms strength, its that pressure they are referring to.
To those who feel that they were cheated and the storm did not live up to its hype, you were just that, cheated. Especially for my friends in the Chicago area. The fact of the matter is the timing of the storm system is what spared us its greater wrath. The storms formed along the storms advancing cold front. Which happened to plow through here just after dawn. This, and this alone is the sole reason why severe weather wasn't more widespread across the Chicago area.
*Weather 101 fact #2 - Storms need energy to become severe, the main source of this energy is the sun, thus, at night and during the morning there is the least amount of energy*
The predawn hours are the LEAST favorable time for severe weather, and sure enough, thats when the front came through this area. Normally severe weather would not be forecast at all when the timing is such, but again, we were dealing with a record strong storm, which can sometimes offset the lack of energy, and it did. We did get storms and severe weather in the early morning hours, it just wasn't widespread.
So here is some of the evidence of severe weather occurring in the area.
Tornado damage photos near Peotone, courtesy of Dave.
This one is too awesome not to share.
Closer to home, some tree damage in the Chicago and Oak Lawn areas. Taken by myself and my father-in-law.
Here is a radar shot I took showing the storms moving through, the white box is actually a tornado warning just south of the Chicago area.
As mentioned though, the fact the storms came through in the early morning during the least favored time is what kept it from being more widespread. As the storms pressed east and the day got later the magnitude of the event can be seen in the amount of damage reports in the following graphics.
Ok ok you get the point. The event was a significant one, and because it is still ongoing much more information has yet to come in. Everything above is preliminary and maybe I will post a followup with some official totals but the bottom line is this.
If you feel cheated by this event, you should. It did indeed do everything it was supposed to do but remember this. Severe weather in itself is a rare and isolated phenomena, it can greatly affect your block, and leave the next untouched. So don't worry, your time will come. No one location can dodge the bullet forever.
For the latest information, see the NWS in Chicago: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lot/
UPDATE 10/28/10 - it now appears the storm DID NOT break the record, but nearly missed it by a measely .2mb. It looks like a stupid nor'easter still holds the top title: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=lot&storyid=59038&source=0
Monday, October 25, 2010
Waiting for the Big One!
Its been awhile since there has been this much excitement over a coming weather system. In less than 24hrs the Midwest is going to be under the assault of a near record level storm system that is in its early stages of ramping up as I type this. I mean, check this monster out!!
Weather nerds such as myself are excited to see what this sytem will bring us. The threat of severe weather is indeed there, the only main limiting factor is the poor timing of the front here in Chicago. The morning hours are the least favored time for severe weather, but ironically the NAM is generating the best CAPE with this sytem as it moves through IL in the morning hours. The 4km wrf brings a broken line of storms through the area before congealing it all into a massive squall line as it races east of here.
The system is forecast to strengthen rapidly and deepen incredibly low, for those who are un-weather savvy, the deeper a low pressure gets the stronger it gets. Typically most low pressure systems don't deepen anywhere below 990mb and most stay around 1000mb - well, this one has the potential to go all the way down to 955mb! That is a category 2 hurricane!
I am monitoring the situation like a hawk stalking out a fish in a lake for I am undecided if I want to attempt to chase this or watch it from home. It will be a last minute decision without a doubt.
Even if we somehow miss the storms, we are under a high wind warning with non thunderstorm gusts expected to reach 60mph! That is just insane for this area, so even without storms, the potential for damage is there. Halloween decorations? BYE BYE!
LOT has an interesting comparison on their homepage: 2nd deepest low? Wow, truly we are about to be hit with a rare, historic storm. I will post updates as time allows! http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=lot&storyid=58925&source=0
Weather nerds such as myself are excited to see what this sytem will bring us. The threat of severe weather is indeed there, the only main limiting factor is the poor timing of the front here in Chicago. The morning hours are the least favored time for severe weather, but ironically the NAM is generating the best CAPE with this sytem as it moves through IL in the morning hours. The 4km wrf brings a broken line of storms through the area before congealing it all into a massive squall line as it races east of here.
The system is forecast to strengthen rapidly and deepen incredibly low, for those who are un-weather savvy, the deeper a low pressure gets the stronger it gets. Typically most low pressure systems don't deepen anywhere below 990mb and most stay around 1000mb - well, this one has the potential to go all the way down to 955mb! That is a category 2 hurricane!
I am monitoring the situation like a hawk stalking out a fish in a lake for I am undecided if I want to attempt to chase this or watch it from home. It will be a last minute decision without a doubt.
Even if we somehow miss the storms, we are under a high wind warning with non thunderstorm gusts expected to reach 60mph! That is just insane for this area, so even without storms, the potential for damage is there. Halloween decorations? BYE BYE!
LOT has an interesting comparison on their homepage: 2nd deepest low? Wow, truly we are about to be hit with a rare, historic storm. I will post updates as time allows! http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=lot&storyid=58925&source=0
Friday, October 15, 2010
Discovery Storm Chasers and Other Stuff
Discovery's popular series StormChasers is back on and while many may bitch about it I always found it to be entertaining. I don't get why people bitch so much about anything on TV related to chasing. Of course it is going to be fake of course there is going to be cheesy drama added in but what TV show doesn't have that? IMO the drama there is no different than the drama and bitching I have to read about stupid football every Sunday and Monday, so we all partake in it one way or another. I think some chasers need to stop trying to hate whats popular just for the sake of going against the crowd...that whole mentality is just...stupid. If you really don't enjoy the show, fine...don't make it public then because even YOU are helping expose it by talking about it.
I will continue to enjoy it and discuss amongst my peers. I will say this though, according to their website some new "love interests" are to brew up, and if its one thing I cant stand it is cheesy love crap. So I seriously hope they don't go too overboard with that as that is probably the only thing that could really kill the show for me.
Honestly I would love to someday do a show, not for big fame or fortune, but to have it be a big part of my life and what I do. Chasing is what I love, its who I am, so why wouldn't I want to spend as much of my life doing it? Yea, new pressures may arise that could ruin the "fun" out of it but...the only reason people need chasing as a hobby or escape route in the first place is because their normal jobs are lame and unsatisfying and they have given in to a fabricated lifestyle. I for one do not want to have to escape from my life, because if you have to escape from your life by chasing [or anything else for that matter] then I must ask why even continue to live it the way you're living it? I guess I have a different way of looking at things than most people.
In personal news I, along with Skip and Danny gave a presentation to a club at a high school about chasing. I really enjoyed it and the students were great. It was simple and short, just going over some basics about chasing, ourselves, and then showing some youtube video of highlights which they especially enjoyed. The room lit up with lots of questions, some of the students even wanted to stay late [after the meeting had ended] to see more. If its one thing I enjoy its talking weather to people who want to listen. I love sharing what I know and what I have done, and helping those better understand things they don't know as well as perhaps get them started with a chasing career of their own.
Oh, speaking of chasing...the GFS is hinting towards a pattern change more conductible to severe weather. It is still out in fantasy range and I wont look too much into it, but perhaps fall 2010 may warf out a system or two worth chasing. Something to keep an eye on. I was roused out of bed Wednesday morning by a loud clap of thunder as a narrow line of storms moved through ahead of an approaching cold front. Although they only lasted about 20 minutes it was a welcome break to the boring fall pattern we've been stuck in.
One last tid-bit before I depart. I was fishing Tuesday and a little thundershower developed in the distance. I watched it bubble up from a tiny cumulus cloud to a towering storm that resembles Pegasus, the greek mythological horse. As I fished this agressive little cloud tower sent some nice booming shockwaves my way as I fished in sunlight. Again, it was a welcome relief to the overall boring fall pattern.
I will continue to enjoy it and discuss amongst my peers. I will say this though, according to their website some new "love interests" are to brew up, and if its one thing I cant stand it is cheesy love crap. So I seriously hope they don't go too overboard with that as that is probably the only thing that could really kill the show for me.
Honestly I would love to someday do a show, not for big fame or fortune, but to have it be a big part of my life and what I do. Chasing is what I love, its who I am, so why wouldn't I want to spend as much of my life doing it? Yea, new pressures may arise that could ruin the "fun" out of it but...the only reason people need chasing as a hobby or escape route in the first place is because their normal jobs are lame and unsatisfying and they have given in to a fabricated lifestyle. I for one do not want to have to escape from my life, because if you have to escape from your life by chasing [or anything else for that matter] then I must ask why even continue to live it the way you're living it? I guess I have a different way of looking at things than most people.
In personal news I, along with Skip and Danny gave a presentation to a club at a high school about chasing. I really enjoyed it and the students were great. It was simple and short, just going over some basics about chasing, ourselves, and then showing some youtube video of highlights which they especially enjoyed. The room lit up with lots of questions, some of the students even wanted to stay late [after the meeting had ended] to see more. If its one thing I enjoy its talking weather to people who want to listen. I love sharing what I know and what I have done, and helping those better understand things they don't know as well as perhaps get them started with a chasing career of their own.
Oh, speaking of chasing...the GFS is hinting towards a pattern change more conductible to severe weather. It is still out in fantasy range and I wont look too much into it, but perhaps fall 2010 may warf out a system or two worth chasing. Something to keep an eye on. I was roused out of bed Wednesday morning by a loud clap of thunder as a narrow line of storms moved through ahead of an approaching cold front. Although they only lasted about 20 minutes it was a welcome break to the boring fall pattern we've been stuck in.
One last tid-bit before I depart. I was fishing Tuesday and a little thundershower developed in the distance. I watched it bubble up from a tiny cumulus cloud to a towering storm that resembles Pegasus, the greek mythological horse. As I fished this agressive little cloud tower sent some nice booming shockwaves my way as I fished in sunlight. Again, it was a welcome relief to the overall boring fall pattern.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Ugh, and it continues.
This image of Grandpa Simpson will become all too familiar unless this damn pattern changes.
At least this year, unlike last year its been warm and sunny instead of chilly and cloudy with thunder-less drizzle. Currently the Chicago area is in the middle of an unusual stretch of 80 degree weather that began on Friday [even though the official site at Ohare only made it to 79 all the surrounding areas including the lakefront were 80 and above.] So at least I have been able to get out and enjoy some late season fishing and camping type activities.
Midway Airport set a new record high of 87 degrees on Saturday beating the old record of 86. So this is exceptionally warm weather. Still though, the thought that I may not see any more storms or severe weather until next March is one that irks me. We've had some awesome October severe weather outbreaks around here in 05, 06, 07 and some decent storms in 08...but '09 and so far '10 have been lamer than the lamest of lames. I have a lightning time lapse project I want to finish but I need some storms to get the shots I need first. The last time we had storms here, of course, I had a pre planned business meeting. Oh mother nature, I hate you sometimes.
GFS has been trying to barf up a system around the 17-18th but the latest runs keep wobbling back and forth between a bannana low system and a low that marches up the OH valley putting us on the cold side by only 20 miles. Figures.
So for now, enjoy the nice warm weather!
At least this year, unlike last year its been warm and sunny instead of chilly and cloudy with thunder-less drizzle. Currently the Chicago area is in the middle of an unusual stretch of 80 degree weather that began on Friday [even though the official site at Ohare only made it to 79 all the surrounding areas including the lakefront were 80 and above.] So at least I have been able to get out and enjoy some late season fishing and camping type activities.
Midway Airport set a new record high of 87 degrees on Saturday beating the old record of 86. So this is exceptionally warm weather. Still though, the thought that I may not see any more storms or severe weather until next March is one that irks me. We've had some awesome October severe weather outbreaks around here in 05, 06, 07 and some decent storms in 08...but '09 and so far '10 have been lamer than the lamest of lames. I have a lightning time lapse project I want to finish but I need some storms to get the shots I need first. The last time we had storms here, of course, I had a pre planned business meeting. Oh mother nature, I hate you sometimes.
GFS has been trying to barf up a system around the 17-18th but the latest runs keep wobbling back and forth between a bannana low system and a low that marches up the OH valley putting us on the cold side by only 20 miles. Figures.
So for now, enjoy the nice warm weather!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Fall Snooze.
Fall 2010. Lame. Its bad enough one has to face the fact winter is on its way and soon any chance for any sort of local storms will be replaced with lake effect snow. Much like 2009 though, the fall of 2010 has been very quiet so far, and the pattern we are locked in is much like what we saw last year at this time. A high amplitude ridging pattern in the west with a deep trough over the east has sent mostly below average temperatures amid sunny skies for the midwest while the west coast bakes in heat and the east coast gets all the chances for severe weather. Looking out as far as the eye can see on the models this does not look to change anytime soon.
In short this:
In short this:
Equals this:
So it looks like there wont be anything interesting to talk about local weather wise in the near future. I guess not all is bad though. Its giving me the time to focus on the many projects I have been working on but still, a little active weather this way would be nice. I hate being on the troughy end of the pattern.
Next on my plate is working on the 2010 DVD with my Convective Addiction group. I have decided to not do a personal DVD this year for 2 main reasons. 1 being I dont have a computer capable of such a thing and 2 being the fact I just dont feel I have enough awesome footage to pack into a DVD yet. I don't want to make one of those DVDs that has a few good moments and the rest filled with shelf clouds and rain shafts.
So while I wait for the weather to throw me a bone I will continue working on projects as always. I will also be attending a few events in the future that I am looking forward to. Those events being the National Weather Festival, Chasercon and the Minnesota Chasing Convention. Of course I will be making detailed posts on all.
Thats all I got for now...
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Minnesota Storm Chaser Convention
My Convective Addiction group has been invited to speak at the 2nd annual Minnesota Storm Chaser Convention. Website can be found here: http://www.mnstormchasingconvention.com/
I will not be the main speaker, that duty will be left to Ryan Wichman, since it was his case study of the June 17th 2010 Tornado outbreak that got us the invite. I am tagging along to co-speak along with Jesse Risley since we actually chased the event and captured some of the best footage of our lives that day. The plan [as of day 1] is to take a look at the case study and relate it to what we the chasers were seeing at the ground at given times. Obviously we haven't even begun to work on this yet, so that is all I can provide at this time.
Oh, well have a booth too which will showcase our DVDs and perhaps some other goodies that nobody really knows about. Whether or not the rest of the members chose to come is up to them.
I am excited for this. One thing I enjoy is talking about severe weather and storm chasing, especially to people who are eager to hear what I have to say. Not only that but anything that helps get the group some exposure is always a good thing. Public speaking generally does not frighten me, and I will be eagerly awaiting this opportunity, albeit a small one.
The convention is a fairly young thing that has only been recently started but has the potential to become a pretty significant yearly gathering, if that is the case, it will be cool to be apart of it during the early years. One thing for sure though is the people attending will be the die hard passionates who are really into it, before [if] it becomes a more mainstream event.
More details as they come! As far as the local weather goes, expecting lots of rain and maybe some thunderstorms tomorrow. I won't hold my breath just yet though...
I will not be the main speaker, that duty will be left to Ryan Wichman, since it was his case study of the June 17th 2010 Tornado outbreak that got us the invite. I am tagging along to co-speak along with Jesse Risley since we actually chased the event and captured some of the best footage of our lives that day. The plan [as of day 1] is to take a look at the case study and relate it to what we the chasers were seeing at the ground at given times. Obviously we haven't even begun to work on this yet, so that is all I can provide at this time.
Oh, well have a booth too which will showcase our DVDs and perhaps some other goodies that nobody really knows about. Whether or not the rest of the members chose to come is up to them.
I am excited for this. One thing I enjoy is talking about severe weather and storm chasing, especially to people who are eager to hear what I have to say. Not only that but anything that helps get the group some exposure is always a good thing. Public speaking generally does not frighten me, and I will be eagerly awaiting this opportunity, albeit a small one.
The convention is a fairly young thing that has only been recently started but has the potential to become a pretty significant yearly gathering, if that is the case, it will be cool to be apart of it during the early years. One thing for sure though is the people attending will be the die hard passionates who are really into it, before [if] it becomes a more mainstream event.
More details as they come! As far as the local weather goes, expecting lots of rain and maybe some thunderstorms tomorrow. I won't hold my breath just yet though...
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