[tweener (OP)]

Richard - I got to practice a little storm chasing this weekend (actually turing tail and running, but pretty much the same thing).  

I went home to Arkansas Friday, and took the kids to the bookstore.  We'd just gotten settled in when the warning sirens went off and they made the announcement on the PA that there were tornadoes in the area and everyone should "seek shelter".  After several minutes of confusion and rumors, they finally got a TV going in the break room and I could see where the storms were and where they were headed.  I decided to make a run for it because they were headed right for the bookstore and, by going home, we'd be avoiding the worst part.  

So, after a run through the hail (Ouch!) and rain, we got in the car and drove.  The rain and hail were so heavy at times I couldn't see the road.  But soon we got out of the storm and all was OK.  Storm chasing at night is no fun - you can't see anything.

After all that there were no confirmed tornadoes - just rotation on the radar, hail about 1.5 cm, LOTS of rain and wind.

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John - The Eternal Pessimist.

[Exodus]

quote:Originally posted by tweener

Richard - I got to practice a little storm chasing this weekend (actually turing tail and running, but pretty much the same thing).  

I went home to Arkansas Friday, and took the kids to the bookstore.  We'd just gotten settled in when the warning sirens went off and they made the announcement on the PA that there were tornadoes in the area and everyone should "seek shelter".  After several minutes of confusion and rumors, they finally got a TV going in the break room and I could see where the storms were and where they were headed.  I decided to make a run for it because they were headed right for the bookstore and, by going home, we'd be avoiding the worst part.  

So, after a run through the hail (Ouch!) and rain, we got in the car and drove.  The rain and hail were so heavy at times I couldn't see the road.  But soon we got out of the storm and all was OK.  Storm chasing at night is no fun - you can't see anything.

After all that there were no confirmed tornadoes - just rotation on the radar, hail about 1.5 cm, LOTS of rain and wind.

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John - The Eternal Pessimist.

Sorry John, am currently doing maintenance and tidying things up and i only just found this message. That sounds really exciting, i am still really keen to do storm chasing before i get too old and have responsibilities!!! Its on my to do list alongside skydiving, bungee jumping, paragliding etc... have you seen any more since?

[tweener (OP)]

I've had a couple of close calls since then.  The past couple of weeks have been very calm, with very few severe storms anywhere.  

I would really like to go chasing sometime, but time is really a problem nowdays.

Check out this link and the site - it'll really get you going!

http://www.mhweather.co.uk/mhwphp/mhwphp/gallery.php?category_path=Thunderstorms&start=40

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John - The Eternal Pessimist.

[neilep]

INCREDIBLE !!

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

[Exodus]

It has to be done. Maybe we could organise a NakedScientists Storm Chasing expedition!!! Get some photos, write some articles, that kinda thing! A real road trip!

[tweener (OP)]

I'm ready!  

I live on the eastern side of "Tornado Alley" and was about 250 miles from the tornado on the site above.  I remember those storms!  We can use my place as a "home base".

I will warn you though that cell phones don't work "everywhere" out on the plains.  You can drive for hours and not get enough signal to make a call, let alone have a data link.

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John - The Eternal Pessimist.

[Exodus]

I have one motorola walkie talkie, and can borrow the other one from my friend. I'm sure i or someone else can get hold of some others and we'll just match frequencies. Any other crazy people on here want to face imminent danger and potential death in the name of furthering science and doing something stupid? lol! Or maybe someone could sponsor us! lol The Naked Stormchasers! []

[tweener (OP)]

I have a pair of walkie talkies and a cell phone.  I don't have a laptop, digital camera (a nice 35mm though), video camera, etc. to record the trip.  

I think I'll wear clothes on this excursion.  It'll make the locals more willing to help.  Though they probably wouldn't be too surprised to find naked people out in a thunderstorm.

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John - The Eternal Pessimist.

[Exodus]

Doesnt seem to be many takers yet... Too many sane people on this forum! []

[tweener (OP)]

Way too many sane people.

Come on people, where's your sense of adventure???

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John - The Eternal Pessimist.

[neilep]

Yep, count me in, but after the curry I had a couple of nights ago I've got a storm brewing of my own !!!!....anyone want to chase me around then you're more than welcome !!

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

[Quantumcat]

Speaking of storms, in the restaurant I went to you can buy a glass of 'Cloud Juice', water condensed from clouds. People'll buy anything!

Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!

[Exodus]

So John, it looks like its just a few of us then... i'm sure claire will be up for some crazy danger! Will be looking forward to that one.







[]

[neilep]

Those piccys are amazing Rich, espesh the middle one, two of those hailstones look just like a golf ball and a ruler !!

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

[matrixer]

oh just seeint that!...the kool pics! oh it ll better for us to study that storms from a far side of that place!

[tweener (OP)]

Here's the ultimate in storm chasing!  I knew I wanted to be a meteorologist after it was too late.

http://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/hugo1.asp

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John - The Eternal Pessimist.

[Donnah]

Storm chasing sounds like fun to me.

[tweener (OP)]

Great!  Another recruit!  Maybe next spring we can all get together and run around the plains looking for trouble.

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John - The Eternal Pessimist.

[Exodus]

quote:Originally posted by Donnah

Storm chasing sounds like fun to me.

Great! we have someone to do the washing, ironing and cleaning! Great to have you on board Donnah! []

[tweener (OP)]

Shhh!  Don't tell her everything yet!

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John - The Eternal Pessimist.