Chasing as a Rite of Passage

I had to share a story the other day and thought it deserved to be featured here as well... If you have ever found yourself wondering just how important storm chasing really is to someone like myself, read on...

I've received the questions many, many times before. "You do what? Are you crazy?" These questions were among many other variations. I’ve taken them in stride and through a dialog, in many cases, most people I find, are more intrigued in the activity than are scared. Storm chasing has been a hobby of mine since 1994; a year after I had received my driver's license. By late that summer, I was already driving about and watching storms all across my hometown and within the county.

When I first started out, it was purely the thrill I was after. I had held an acute interest for severe weather for such a period of time; I wanted to learn by experience and association. Unfortunately, my parents didn't share the enthusiasm I had. As a result, they only allowed for me to remain close to home and always wanted to know where I'd be and for how long they could expect me to be gone. How do you answer your parents when they ask such a thing? I would typically answer, "Where the storms are... and for as long as they're shooting out lightning, heavy rain, hail, or whichever!" They were not always content with those answers.

As my chase career advanced, my Meteorological aptness did, as well. By the time I was a senior in High School, I had already read every single book I could get my hands on, that had anything to do with Meteorology. I participated in local Skywarn training offered from the National Weather Service to become a spotter for the county and eventually was able to network with veteran chasers all across the Internet. I absorbed as much information from them as I was able to. I asked them questions when I didn't understand something and they were always more than willing to help. Eventually, I was able to give more sufficient answers to my parents. As a result, they finally saw chasing as my passion and allowed me to explore further. With a different motive now, however, I took to spotting and chasing more seriously. I approached chasing in a safer way and the experience itself, became more than a "thrill." It became something meaningful not only physically, but emotionally.

Today, I still perceive storm chasing in the same regard. It no longer primarily serves as a reason to drive a hundred miles for a thrill. Although the adrenaline rush is unquestionably a component, chasing provides an opportunity for me to connect to nature, to enjoy her beauty, and to reminisce with the person I really am. There often is plenty of time for that! Storm chasing has become a rite of passage for me. It serves as a time to get away from the bustle of the city, all the responsibilities that come with living independently, and the complexities of life. Being out on a secluded, dusty road, waiting for a storm to develop or evolve is very relaxing and simplistic for me. It's rewarding, as well, when you get to see something as transparent as the atmosphere, transform into powerful thunderstorms.

Severe Weather Outbreak

Well, folks, it appears the convective severe season has begun across the Southern Plains and Southern Mississippi Valley. Numerous reports of hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes have sprung up across the region today.

A combination of several factors are resulting in the outbreak... First, a deep trough over the west, resulting in strong west-southwest flow aloft (700 mb flow of 100+ KTS is providing for 50+ KTS of bulk shear over areas of Eastern Texas, Eastern Oklahoma and western areas of Arkansas and northwest Louisiana). Second, a potent shortwave being kicked eastward out of the southwest by the trough... Third, southerly winds at the surface. Finally, warm and juicy air advecting northward out of the Gulf. It's a darn good synoptic setup for an outbreak of this magnitude.

The setup will push eastward overnight and into tomorrow, so additional severe weather is in store for areas over the Tennessee Valley and into the Lower Ohio Valley, Wednesday. It will be an active week with this system pushing through the eastern US, while another shortwave trough will eject into the Southern Plains from the the cut-off low over the southwest.

This type of pattern would spell a chaser's dream in May or June, let alone in mid-February.

While I'm jealous of the chasers in the Southern Plains, I don't necessarily want to see damage or fatalities. Luckily, there have been no reports of fatilities or injuries, but there have been widespread damage reports. Edmund, Olkahoma seems to be hardest hit, as far as tornado damage is concerned. Reports are trickling in now, that northwestern areas of the city saw major damage from a large tornado there earlier this afternoon. I haven't confirmed this, myself, but either way, I'm hoping folks there took the proper precautions and are doing well.

I've been watching areas down there most of the afternoon and into the evening and, as you can see on the Radar Floater, a strong squall line is currently pushing eastward across Texas and Oklahoma late tonight. This will likely continue to bring damaging winds, hail, and possibly an isolated tornado or two.