Field Methods in Convective Forecasting (Great Plains Storm Chase)

Background:

The idea for adding a storm-chasing segment to Applied Meteorology is a natural one: to actually use some of the forecasting tools we have studied in a real-life, time-intensive field course. We will combine technology with classic field work and observation to track severe weather on the road. Without a doubt you will finish the chase trip with a much deeper understanding and appreciation of severe convective storms.

A special note:

Forget what you have seen at the box-office and on television movies: real life chasing requires a great deal of skill (& luck) in forecasting, a great deal of time spent logging mile after mile on the road, and a sustained effort in locating your team in a favorable (safe) position relative to a storm. It is important for each chaser to understand that there is a good chance that we will NOT see a tornado. However, there is an excellent chance for witnessing severe convection (and supercell thunderstorms) in the Great Plains environment. Before committing to the storm chase trip, you must ask yourself two questions:

1) Are you prepared to ride in a vehicle for very long periods of time, for days on end, without seeing any storms? (and if so, can you be civil to those who share your vehicle?)

2) Do severe storms frighten you? If so, this is most definitely NOT the trip for you, and don't undertake this trip for therapeutic reasons!

Are you a good candidate for a storm chase?

Storm chasing requires a great degree of patience and persistence, with long hours of riding in vehicles. You must be flexible with a daily routine: chasing exerts a toll on team members, and you must be adaptable to the conditions of the day. You may have to be satisfied with a sandwich or chips on the road instead of the 72 oz. steak at the Big Texan Steakhouse in Amarillo! The storms dictate our schedule while we are out there, and every team member must "go with the flow" on the road.

Activity Cost (not including tuition):

$1200 per chaser. A $100.00 deposit is required to reserve a place on the chase. This deposit is non-refundable unless another chaser is found as a replacement.

This includes ALL lodging and travel expenses, as well as breakfasts and lunches each day. Each van has a cooler packed with lunch items, drinks, snacks, etc., and team members can chow on these items at any time. Dinner costs are left up to each individual chaser, as many times this meal is often eaten on the road, or after arriving at our lodging for the night (which can be rather late). Some chasers elect to eat from the vans at dinner as well, cutting costs even further. It is recommended that chasers bring an additional $50 - $100 for dinner costs, snacks on the road, souvenirs, etc.

Storm chasing is not cheap. However, by combining expenses among team members, we are able to offer the chase at a fraction of the cost compared to most storm chasing tours (a comparable trip could run $3000 - $4000...NOT including transportation costs to and from the Plains, and even most food costs).

Dates:

Mid-May: exact dates to be decided soon, but the chase will occur in the May 12 - May 26 timeframe.

Chase vehicles:

Each chase vehicle will be outfitted with:

  • 2-way radios (CB for general communication between vans, FRS for active chasing)
  • wireless Internet & laptop for accessing weather radar and model information
  • GPS units
  • Weather Instrumentation
  • NOAA weather radio w/ external antenna
  • Emergency services scanners to monitor state police and ham radio frequencies
  • Ham radio to access the SKYWARN network
  • APRS (a GPS/ham radio combination which provides our location in real time on the Internet
  • Cell Phone/Speaker phone to access weather information if signals are lost on the road (we will call back to WDBJ-7 & NWS for outlooks and guidance)
  • digital video cameras

 

Prerequisites: You can sign up for these in the spring before the chase...details will follow for those who are interested.

  • CEE2984 or:
  • Geol3116 or:
  • SKYWARN Training (from National Weather Service)

Each of these classes runs one evening (or combined into one evening), and is free of charge, with the SKYWARN training offered by the National Weather Service and the storm chasing course offered by the chase leaders. We want you to fully understand what you are in for!

T-Shirts & Videos/DVD's:

  • After the trip, each chaser will receive a complimentary customized t-shirt from the storm chase (with storm graphics from our chase), and a Storm Chase Highlights video/DVD.

 

How to Register:

The storm chase will be open to qualified chasers on a first-come first-served basis. To reserve a spot, you will need to:

1) Print and complete the small application form (find it here) .

2) Attach a $100 check for your deposit

3) Get it in the mail soon, as spaces are very limited.

If you have any questions pertaining to the chase, please contact the instructor, Dave Carroll: carrolld@vt.edu