A month to Chase!

[Brian Press]

Hey All,

Well, as some of you may know living here in Southern California is pretty brutal form a storm perspective so It's a good thing I surf or I would really be over living here.

Being that I own my own Wedding Cinematography business and my wife home schools our kids, I was planning on taking the family out to the plains for a month next year for some serious storm action and sight seeing. I can bring along plenty of editing projects, and most of my business stuff is web based, so I think it will work. I even have a few shooters that will cover weddings while I am gone.

I have been chasing out their for the past 10 years, and I am feeling pretty comfortable with my skills. Ton's to learn of course! Here is a little video I put together from the April 22nd tors in the Panhandles.

My questions are the following:

1) If I was to come out say Mid May to Mid June, where would you all recommend I set up shop and rent a house for a month? OKC? ICT? Somewhere in between?

2) Does anyone have a house they want to rent for a month?

3) What's the "typical" duration for consecutive days of storms. Like, 2 days in a row?

4)Do you guys think, early May to Early June would be better?

5) Fun stuff to do on down days?

Think that's it for now!!

Thanks in advance for all your thoughts and details!! Really appreciate it!

Brian

 

[Adam Adkins]

Have you ever been to this site?

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/online/rda/

It really helps pinpoint the frequency of severe reports for various areas throughout the year! Look at the graphs per station.
I would say if you are planning on mid may to mid june somewhere near Ogallala, NE would be good. You get a lot of setups in eastern WY and CO that time of year - as well as some good setups in KS and OK, and you are within reach of all of them. If you plan to go earlier I would suggest going farther southeast where as if you decide to go late may to late june I would suggest somewhere in the CO area. Though I think mid may to mid june would be best. If you are also hoping for sightseeing I might suggest heading a bit further west into the CO area - there are some great storms there that time of year and you've got the vast Rocky Mountains to see - or the great plains - depending on your mood. One thing you can count on is that eastern CO WILL deliver several times during that time period - the rockies get storms going and spit them onto the plains - and you can get supercells in virtually the same areas multiple times per year!

 

[CZandbergen]

1) If I was to come out say Mid May to Mid June, where would you all recommend I set up shop and rent a house for a month? OKC? ICT? Somewhere in between?

Actually I would say ICT or Salina. If you will be here through mid June I would setup a bit further north as the show ends in OK usually before the end of May. That doesn't count the cap rock but even then not too bad of a drive.

2) Does anyone have a house they want to rent for a month?

No help there sorry.

3) What's the "typical" duration for consecutive days of storms. Like, 2 days in a row?

Just depends on the setup and how quickly the trough in question chooses to eject. Anywhere between a couple of days and maybe a week.

4)Do you guys think, early May to Early June would be better?

I would not do early May. Storm speeds tend to be faster and the chase terrain isn't as great in most years. I would always choose to be north of I40 and west of I35 till you get north of ICT. I live in Tulsa and hate chasing within two hours of home. Too many hills/trees and the road networks are bad...

5) Fun stuff to do on down days?

Tons of great things to do within a few hours of central KS. Just getting out and driving can be amazing.

Best of luck...

 

[Brian Press]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for your thoughts. Yeah, I am kinda torn between OKC and ICT. But I guess both of those areas would be a good staging ground. But yeah, I was just looking at these charts from the SPC and I think the Wichita area looks good. Plus that puts me closer to CO and WY. Yeah, thinking May 15th to June 15th.

Any other thoughts? Thanks in Advance!

Thanks again,

Brian

 

[Bryan Stokes]

Brian,

If you are going to do May 15 - June 15 (which is a great choice, BTW) then I would not set-up base camp any further south than ICT. If having a larger city (such as ICT or OKC) for the family is a priority, then ICT is the way to go. If your family doesn't mind a smaller city, then I would choose Hays. Hays gives you great options in all directions and it is closer to the high-plains corridor that runs from SE WY to NE NM. Hays is much smaller than Wichita, but it still has some decent amenities.

Bryan

 

[Skip Talbot]

1) If I was to come out say Mid May to Mid June, where would you all recommend I set up shop and rent a house for a month? OKC? ICT? Somewhere in between?

Why rent a house? Why not just get motel rooms? Are you trying to save money? If that's the case than I would recommend camping. If you rent a house you are going to wind up 8 hours away from it at the end of the chase day and will need an additional places to stay (camping, motels).

3) What's the "typical" duration for consecutive days of storms. Like, 2 days in a row?

That varies widely. Some of the bigger setups and outbreaks usually feature a progressive trough that only gives you one or two good days of chasing on the Plains. A pattern can persist for a week or longer though (May 1 - May 10, 2003 for example) and if you are chasing upslope setups those too can persist for several days or longer.

4)Do you guys think, early May to Early June would be better?

I'm a little more partial to June. Moisture is not a problem on the Plains at this point, and if the southern plains are ridged, there is usually some upslope play in the panhandles, Colorado, Wyoming, or some troughing up in the Dakotas

5) Fun stuff to do on down days?

State and national parks. Go see the Badlands. Drive up to the Rockies. Roam around in the desert.

 

[MatthewCarman]

Brian, check when Rocky has another picnic next year. He usually has one in May and then you could meet other chasers. You could go online and look for a place to rent for a month for the wife and kids but a motel/hotel would keep you closer to the action.

Here are some places on the plains to check out:


North Dakota:

1. The Theodoore Roosevelt National Park. This park is part of the badlands and it is where the president at one time lived I believe.
2. Space Aliens is a good restaurant in North Dakota I heard.

South Dakota:

1. The Badlands. These Badlands are very pretty and I really enjoyed seeing them.
2. The Flintstone town. Never been there but I heard it looks like the town from the cartoon.
3. The 1880's town. This is the town from the movie "DancesWithWolves".
4. Waldrug. This place seriously has hundreds of billboards advertising it. Located in the town of Wall Drug there is a lot of stores.
5. Mitchelville Corn Palace. Iowa used to have 4 different palaces. (coal,flax,corn etc) None of them exist anymore. These palaces were a sight to see. Well Mitchell in South Dakota still has a palace made out of only corn.
6. Mount Rushmoore. The mountain with the presidents heads.

Kansas:

1. In Northwest Kansas is the Momument Rocks. These rocks are left over from an inland sea.
2. Kansas City. Kansas City has a lot to offer including football games. There is also a restaurant called Pop Belly's near Kansas City that is very good to eat at. You get lot's of food at good prices.

Nebraska:

1. This is a must see!!! The Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha has more types of animals than any other Zoo in the country and is one of the best in the world. This Zoo will amaze you and the aquarium is breath taking.
2. Chimney Rock is located in north west Nebraska and is a land mark the Oregon Trail used.
3. Kearny's Museum. Kearny, Nebraska has a museum that goes over Interstate I-80. The town also offers several restaurants including a Red Lobster and Ruby Tuesday.

Iowa:

1. Iowa has a lot of historical places and a lot of nice parks. Iowa has two national parks with the first being Effigy Mounds. Located in far north east Iowa this is the largest Indian burial ground site in the country and many of the mounds are shaped like Animals. Just across the boarder into Wisconsin is an mansion and fort used to fend off Indians which is now a museum and tour.
2. Grotto of the Redemption. Located in north west Iowa this place was built by a priest. The priest was sick and told the lord if he was healed he would build a place for God. The place he built was made out of rocks and looks like a castle. A beutifull place to see.
3. Lake Red Rock. Located in Marium County this is Iowa's largest lake that offers fishing, hiking, biking, cliff climbing, camping and cabins and boating.
4. Ledges State Park. This park is beutifull and offers a lot of hiking. Streams flow across the trails and there is stepping stones to use to cross the streams. This is located in Boone County or near there.
5. Science Center of Iowa and Imax Theater. Located in Des Moines this is a nice place to visit. Des Moines also offers a Red Lobster and a Olive Garden. The Latin King is another good Italian restaruant to eat at. Located in east Des Moines I think and this place has won many awards.
6. Salsbury House. Located in Des Moines this old mansion offers tours and is very interesting. It is also haunted.
7. Living History Farms. This place in Des Moines offers tours of the life back in the 18th century.
8. The Mississipi River. There is an aquarium I believe in eastern Iowa near the river but the best thing to do is rent a house boat for a week and just relax on the river.
9. Souix City. I have not been there in a long time but the "All You Can Eat American Buffet" was really good to eat at.

Wisconsin:

1. This is a must see!!! House on the Rock in Wisconsin is my favorite place to go. This house is so spectacular words can not describe it and you will end up spending at least a day here. It is one huge breath taking museum with a room that is all glass so you can walk out over the edge of the mountain and look strait down. Located in the mountains near Madison I think I promise you will really enjoy this house.

Missouri:

1. Branson, Missouri has a lot to offer including shows on stage and the Dixie Stampede show which I heard is really good. (A wild west show in a stadium I believe with food brought to you)
2. Lake of the Ozarks. Lake of the Ozarks has a lot to offer for nature and out door people.

Colorado:

1. Colorado Springs has a lot to offer. Be sure to check out Garden of the Gods, 7 Falls (one of National Geographics top places to see) The cave dwellings outside of town or the sci fi chapel at the air force base. You could also take a train ride up Pikes Peak I think.

Whyoming:

1. Just across the South Dakota boarder in Whyoming is Devils Tower used in the movie "Close Encounters of the third Kind". This is an inactive volcano that you can climb with the right training and gear.

 

[Brian Press]

Hey Guys,

Yeah, time to revisit this thread. Looks like we are set for our first family storm chasing trip from may 10th to June 15th. We will be flying into Denver from Los Angeles. Got a great deal on Tix. Only $150 round trip. That's a good deal. My kids are gona love their first flight on a plane too.

Anyway, sounds like West Central Kansas is where we are hoping to set up shop. We have 4 kids so we are looking to rent a house for a month out there. I know we will be all over chasing, but heck, I would come out from Cali for 2 or 3 day trips, spend a lot on cars and airfare and have to completely leave the family, now, I will bring them with me and we can share in the glory of their plains together. I know the storms will not always be at my door step, but I am more then willing to drive 3 to 4 hours for a local chase and a few over nighters on the longer chases. I am hoping the storms will take my family and I up to South Dakota as well. Have not chased up there yet.

Thanks for all your tips and suggestions about sightseeing as well. I am hoping to see a lot while we are out there.

So, anyone know of anyone renting a house for a month from Mid May to Mid June in the Hays area?

Thanks and see ya in in the plains!

Brian

 

[Steve Polley]

For me it would be Mid May to Mid June.

Location: Salina, KS

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Mike Smith]

Glad to Have You in Kansas

Wherever you wind up, we are glad to have you and your family.

The only thing you might wish to consider is that ICT offers Exploration Place, an award-winning zoo, the Cosmosphere, etc., which are all great for families if we hit a period with a ridge.

If you wish to learn more: http://www.gowichita.com/

Mike

 

[Jason Foster]

Expedition style chasing can be really fun, really challenging, and have a much higher level of enjoyment than spot chasing.

There are a ton of options to consider. I'll try to get to them later, but I'm sure if you search some of my posts from earlier about saving money to chase, they'll still be relevant now. Next month is my big month for initial seasonal planning...and I'm damn determined to be out this year....no matter what.

 

[Brian Press]

Thanks guys.. Yeah, anything will be better then sitting here in Cali, drooling over what you all are seeing. Normally, I get two short trips in every year. I wait for the good setups and bolt out there with my brothers the day before or the morning of via buddy passes form a good friend. Being that I have my own business and we home school our kids, I thought, why not. Save up and go for it.

The tricky thing is housing for a month. That's the next thing i am working on. Housing. I saw some good deals on mobile home parks, $500 a month. Do they have a basement? I want to be safe, not stupid!

Any thoughts on housing, 4 kids and a lovely wife? Does anyone have a back house they can rent for a month? Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Bp.

 

[J Tyler]

I can't wait until your children see fireflys for the first time....

I know child protective services is out looking for me, but I take my 10 year old daughter with me (and my wife is my chase partner), and we have a freaking BALL chasing. The small towns you see.....the people you meet....the back roads you would NEVER be on if you were not trying to position for a storm. Awsome storms....and yes, we were chasing thru dirt roads in Kansas this past season and had stopped in the middle of a field close to 10pm. My wife was looking at weather charts, I was looking at maps, and my daughter yells out, "LOOK!!! LIGHTENING BUGS!!!!!". I killed the truck, we all hopped out and watched 'lightening bugs' and an incredible lightning show in the distance in the middle of a Kansas field.

Amazing family memories.

We caught a stove pipe tornado the next day in the Oklahoma panhandle (Slapout).

I would like to chime in and also suggest you consider spending a little time in Greensburg KS since you will be setup fairly close to them. Their whole "Green" eco rebuild thing is pretty cool, and the story of what that town went thru in May 2007 is incredible. The scars are still there, but they have come SO far. I've tried to support Greensburg as much as I can by shopping there everytime we are anywhere close.

 

[cstrunk]

Mid-May to mid-June.

Hays or Salina, Kansas. Good, central location that puts you within moderate distance to attractions throughout the plains.

No, mobile homes do not have basements. But the odds that your location would be hit by a bad storm would be low (but not zero...).

 

[Stephen Levine]

I was with Brian when his wife saw lightning bugs for the first time during one of our storm chase tours.. It was awesome to watch the little girl come out in this full grown adult.