Any SoCal Chasers

[Tod Sudmeier]

Are there any SoCal based chasers that chase Tstorms in the Mojave Desert? I am located in the Inland Empire and chase storms accross the Mojave, southers Nevada and western Arizona each summer. Just curious if I am the only one.

 

[Richard Dickson]

Tod,

Not from southern California, but southern Arizona. There are quite a number of us here in Arizona that thoroughly enjoy the summer storms when most of the chasing is over on the great plains. At least you can keep the season going a little longer this way. The activity usually starts about the second week of July where I am located and a week or so later gets to the Mohave Desert for your enjoyment. Always looking for good photos if you ever care to share a few.

If you haven't spotted it yet, Susan Strom wrote a very interesting and comprehensive series about monsoon activity that is posted as a 'sticky' in the Beginners Section. Second listing from the top is: "FAQ: Chasing The Southwestern Monsoon". I think you will really enjoy reading it and will probably pick up a little more knowledge which never hurts.

Good hunting this season.
TANK

 

[David Yoho]

Hi Tod,

I live in Southern California (Valencia) and do chase storms when they develop in the Mojave or anywhere within the LA Basin for that matter, especially when the SPC issues a Slight Risk or the very rare Tornado Watch. Haven't had much luck seeing any socal tornadoes, but have seen my share of flash flooding, lightning and hail.

 

[Ilya Neyman]

Here's one!

I'm from Lancaster, and currently am a senior at the University of Oklahoma. I have been chasing High Desert Monsoon storms since 2000. I also chase the Plains during the academic year and "chase season" out here. I've seen a fair number of very impressive desert storms, however, including severe storms and gustnadoes. Living in southern California each season varies so you never really know what you're gonna get. 2003 was the most active one I recorded with about 10 days of thunder at my house, which is about 6 more than "average" for the whole year!

It's great to see StormTrack is expanding with California chasers as well!