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( 3 / 10 )I finally made it to Denver (our staging area). Long flight but I did get the chance to sit next to a financial advisor from MorganStanley SmithBarney for five hours. I learned a ton and also learned that everyone should sit with their advisor for five hours if they can. Politics aside....when the plane landed I went to the baggage claim and "no baggage" for me! I was thinking to myself..well at least I have my gear to record and post pics...I just might smell a bit! I went to the baggage claim office and after 1 1/2 hours they found my suitcase! I go to the hotel a little after midnight and was starved with no place left open to get any food. I just went to bed figuring that when I wake up there will be food. So here I am now in Denver waiting for the crew to arrive. I'm getting a bit pumped up waiting for that big ole DOW (Doppler on Wheels) truck and the Storm Chasers vehicles (mobile mesonets) to roll into the parking lot all filthy dirty! I have my camera all ready. We are meeting up at 6:00 PM to watch a safety video and then we are all going out to dinner and get to know one another. I'll eat good as this most likely will be the best mean I'll have for the next seven days. More later and hopefully some pics!
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( 3 / 15 )Not looking great here via the Doppler radar. Here is a a pic.
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( 3 / 15 )Here I am in JFK and the believe it or not but JKF really sucks with Internet service. I'm connecting through my mobile phone. I have access to almost every internet provider globally and I cannot find a decent ht spot here in JFK Term3. So much for "New York". The leading edge for the east coast really is RTP (Research Triangle Park), NC. Glad I live there. So my flight leaves in 3 1/2 hours. I do have a good view of the tarmac..23 planes lined up for takeoff! If there are two airports to avoid when traveling they are Chicago and JFK. DFW is good but I did have a bad experience there. Nothing like an emergency landing!...but I'd still go through there. More later. Going to find an espresso.
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( 3 / 15 )On my way to JFK. Bad weather for flying..I guess I have asked for it!
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( 2.9 / 13 )The day has arrived. I did not sleep well. Too much going around in my head :) It's early morning (before 6 AM) as my usual and I'm looking out the porch window into the back yard. Everything is quiet. My palms are sweating. I checked the weather and Raleigh will be getting big doses of rain this AM. Lovely for my flight! The fronts across the US look great for where I'm heading. See posted pic. I leave RDU on a CRJ700 (I love this plane...like a stretch Lear Jet) for JFK. I then have a 6 hour layover..ugh...till the flight to Denver. Maybe during that time I'll get my GRLevel3 Radar software set for the D
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( 3 / 10 )One day to go. I'm fired up and a bit nervous at the same time. I have so much to do today but I'm going to enjoy the "to do" day because it's all about the prep. Once I'm in Tornado Alley there is no time. More later today..maybe!
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( 3 / 10 )I just set up a Twitter account so that one can follow my moment by moment action. My twitter handle is: RFDChaser - this stands for Rear Flank Downdraft Chaser.....the classic Supercell storm where a strong rear flank downdraft is the precursor to a eminent Tornado! I have a link on the right side pane - Twitter: RFDChaser.
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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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