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( 2.1 / 10 )A picture says a thousand words.....here is a 2009 Sat pic of my first nights stay. I guess you could say I'll be in close to the "events"! Notice the topology.....FLAT!
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( 3.8 / 8 )Departure is June 5th so I've started to get my stuff together and test the equipment I'm taking. Once I get there the equipment needs to work.
Each morning, we are going to analyze the upper air and surface data, forecast models’ satellite imagery, and other types of weather data. With all this information, we will forecast the best severe weather target area for the day.
We will depart our hotel at about 9:00 a.m. after discussing the forecast and target area. We wait until midmorning because the new upper air data is not available before that time. We will refine the target area as the day goes on with any new severe weather information we obtain from our broadband two-way Internet satellite system & Continual tracking weather radar system as we drive to the target area.
Since prime storm chasing time is in the late afternoon and early evening hours, we will try to find a locally popular restaurant for our midday lunch, which may become our main meal of the day. By 4 to 6 p.m., we want to be in the vicinity of the severe weather target area on chase days, so late afternoon rest stops tend to be fast food or snack opportunities.
Chase Territory
We will travel as far as necessary to have the best chance for tornado viewing. Most likely, this area will cover Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, eastern Colorado, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, eastern Montana, eastern Wyoming, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota and other Midwestern states.
My Goal?
To see supercell thunderstorms capable of producing severe weather, including tornados and to witness firsthand a RFD (rear flank downdraft)! It would also be nice to hold a chunk of hail the size of a baseball or better!
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( 3 / 5 )The Hurricane Hunter (P3 Orion) arrived yesterday at RDU. I was able to get out there and check it out. I was actually amazed at how crude the inside of the airplane was but if it works....don't break it! I can only imagine what it would be like to be in this canister for 8~12 hours ramming through a hurricane 7~10 times.
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( 2.8 / 13 )I finally have my flight reservations. I managed to get a fairly decent price of $257.00 including all taxes. I'm on Delta from RDU-->JFK-->DEN on the way out and returning I'll be going DEN-->ATL-->RDU. Now I just need to get an extra day hotel reservation as I'll be arriving a day early. I wanted to get there a day early for two reasons. One to adjust to the time difference and also to adjust to the altitude. I've been to Denver before and when you start running around you can get winded very easily.
Now I need to get all the equipment together that I will be taking. I need to travel smart and light.
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( 1.1 / 81 )I just got a not from the Storm Chasers that the date I selected was modified. Weather schedules change and we need to be flexible so my trip is now scheduled for June 6~13th, 2009. Actually the weather should even be better so I'm OK with that change.
Next I need to start my search for flights to Denver. Time is not on my side for this.....the sooner I do this the cheater the flights!
I also found a Excel spreadsheet template that will help with my planning...it just needs a bit of modification to fix the "Tornado" chasing effort.
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( 4 / 81 )I'm starting to realize that I'm going to need supplies and really need to start planning on the essentials to bring. Need to figure out what is really "important" and leave the rest behind. I'm going to start a spreadsheet or Acess DB to get it all in order.
I received my itinerary from the Storm Chasers. Looks to be a full schedule!
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( 4.6 / 52 )Ok..so here I am. I cannot believe I'm doing this. My degree is actually Climatology (via Geography), minor in CS and I'm off on my first adventure. First off....I am educated but not great at spelling...nuf said...
Today I just signed up/put my deposit down for "Tornado Chasing"! This is something I have wanted to do for some time and now this dream is coming true.
My departure date is : Departure May 30th, 2009 for one week.
I'm so cranked I cannot even describe the feeling. I truly believe this is my lifelong "adventure" dream!!!
I'm filled with reservations, doubt, excitement and I'm not sure what else but it is "wxfantastic"! When I put down my deposit I was shaking thinking about the adventure. What I'm trying to convey is my feeling of anticipation.
I'll be working with Cisco to see if they can "sponsor" me in some sense with "Cisco Technology". I'm also thinking of doing some media streaming to elementary schools in Raleigh or actually anywhere....
More tomorrow as things shake out....
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( 2.1 / 52 )
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