John J. Holt
EF0
Other than the U.S. What other countries are best to chase in. Times of year, amount of storms, Ect.
Best countries to chase in ?
- Thread starter John J. Holt
- Start date
Chris Hayes
EF5
Australia and Canada are probably equally number 2 when it comes to chasing.
Billy Griffin
What about Bangladesh, Great Britain and Germany ?
MatthewCarman
Most of Great Britain's tornadoes are weak (F0-F1) so chasing there would be more for storms in general and not twisters. GB only sees on average 30-35 tornadoes a year and tornado outbreaks in GB are rare but they do happen including one outbreak that produced 105 tornadoes in a single day.
According to the book "Extreme Weather" by Christopher C. Burt, Bagledash sees the most violent tornadoes after America and Canada. One reason for this is densly populated areas and poorly constructed buildings. Russia also sees alot of tornadoes due to the size of the country. June 9, 1984 tornadoes 150-200 miles north of Moscow killed 400 people.
In South Africa the Johannesburg area sees alot of tornadoes (sometimes violent) through the Summer months of November through February. Japan sees on average 20 tornadoes a year. Violent tornadoes are rare there. Australia averages 25 tornadoes a year and New Zealand averages 25 weak tornadoes a year. In Argentina only a handfull occur each year but sometimes they are exceedingly violent. Most of these occur in the states of Cordoba and Santa Fe. Tornadoes occur in france and Germany to but are rare.
America sees 75% of all tornadoes in the world with Canada seeing 5%.
America and Canada are the two best countries to chase in for tornadoes.
The edition of the book I have came out in 2003 but should still be accurate.
According to the book "Extreme Weather" by Christopher C. Burt, Bagledash sees the most violent tornadoes after America and Canada. One reason for this is densly populated areas and poorly constructed buildings. Russia also sees alot of tornadoes due to the size of the country. June 9, 1984 tornadoes 150-200 miles north of Moscow killed 400 people.
In South Africa the Johannesburg area sees alot of tornadoes (sometimes violent) through the Summer months of November through February. Japan sees on average 20 tornadoes a year. Violent tornadoes are rare there. Australia averages 25 tornadoes a year and New Zealand averages 25 weak tornadoes a year. In Argentina only a handfull occur each year but sometimes they are exceedingly violent. Most of these occur in the states of Cordoba and Santa Fe. Tornadoes occur in france and Germany to but are rare.
America sees 75% of all tornadoes in the world with Canada seeing 5%.
America and Canada are the two best countries to chase in for tornadoes.
The edition of the book I have came out in 2003 but should still be accurate.
Willoughby Owen
EF2
You've overlooked Argentina I think.
Bill - I wouldn't rate the UK much... northern Italy and southern Germany however I'd rate due to the better moisture available there.
China can go off too... just would want to watch the roading network in Bangladesh as it's very third world, largely sitting on a delta-plain of the Ganges.
Skip Talbot
EF5
Climatology aside, are any of these countries suitable for chasing? When you ask what countries are best to chase in, you have to have more than tornadoes. You'll need at least a decent road network, visibility, the ability to travel hassle free, and some sort of data would be nice. I assume the list remains pretty much the same with Australia and Canada trailing the US, but do countries like Argentina have any data? Are there decent roads? Northern Italy is not that large. I imagine you park it spot up there more than you chase. Bordering crossings seem like they would be too cumbersome to use mid chase.
Tim Vasquez
EF5
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2003
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- 3,411
Based on the data I've seen over the years, Bangladesh and far eastern India wins hands down.
The big question is the road network, and much of what I've read is speculative as nobody appears to have tried chasing there, much less actually visited Bangladesh outside Dhaka.
I did do some web searches and found a few pics. Here is the highway between Dhaka and Tangail (the latter of which was hit by a tornado in 1996):
Here is another highway in western Bangladesh:
The only other question is whether haze might be an issue. However I question whether this is a big problem, too, especially north of the coast. The EML is often only 1-2 km above the surface and that does make a difference in regard to going visible.
It's too bad that we're in this recession and trying to save money, otherwise I would not waste a minute flying out there in late March and giving it a shot. Who wants to be the David Hoadley of Bangladesh?
I'm offering my nowcast services free of charge to anyone who goes over there next spring, if someone would just go and do it. I bet Jon Finch (a longtime ST subscriber / forecaster) would want to be in on helping out, as would other Stormtrack folks. That place is truly uncharted territory. Any takers?
Tim
The big question is the road network, and much of what I've read is speculative as nobody appears to have tried chasing there, much less actually visited Bangladesh outside Dhaka.
I did do some web searches and found a few pics. Here is the highway between Dhaka and Tangail (the latter of which was hit by a tornado in 1996):
Here is another highway in western Bangladesh:
The only other question is whether haze might be an issue. However I question whether this is a big problem, too, especially north of the coast. The EML is often only 1-2 km above the surface and that does make a difference in regard to going visible.
It's too bad that we're in this recession and trying to save money, otherwise I would not waste a minute flying out there in late March and giving it a shot. Who wants to be the David Hoadley of Bangladesh?
I'm offering my nowcast services free of charge to anyone who goes over there next spring, if someone would just go and do it. I bet Jon Finch (a longtime ST subscriber / forecaster) would want to be in on helping out, as would other Stormtrack folks. That place is truly uncharted territory. Any takers?
Tim
Bill Hark
EF5
Skip's post is right on the mark. There is more to decent chasing that just tornadoes. One should have a decent road network, hassle-free travel, and data. I'd certainly love to see some chase reports from Bangladesh.
In addition to the United States, Canada and Australia, I think there is potential in parts of Italy, France, Germany, Argentina, and maybe South Africa. I have definitely seen good chase reports from Italy and France. I don't think any of these areas have the good set-ups that people can fly in or hang out for several weeks during a season but there are probably enough tornadoes that a local chaser could potentially have success.
I've seen many awesome tornado videos from all around the world as cell phones with video and video camers become common. Just check out Youtube.
Bill Hark
In addition to the United States, Canada and Australia, I think there is potential in parts of Italy, France, Germany, Argentina, and maybe South Africa. I have definitely seen good chase reports from Italy and France. I don't think any of these areas have the good set-ups that people can fly in or hang out for several weeks during a season but there are probably enough tornadoes that a local chaser could potentially have success.
I've seen many awesome tornado videos from all around the world as cell phones with video and video camers become common. Just check out Youtube.
Bill Hark
Chad Cowan
EF5
I might take you up on that offer at some point in the future. Documenting a tornado on every continent (except the obvious) is at the top of my bucket list.
John J. Holt
EF0
That would be an awsome trip !!!
Connor McCrorey
EF3
Agreed. I would love to head over to that area in the next few years. I think I'll have to try my hand at Canada before I make that trip though lol.
Some words about Europe: Spain is excellent and my personal favourite. This country offers fantastic storms and a good road net, gas stations, motels etc. The best season in the western Mediterranean region is end of September until the end of October when thunderstorm activity tends to shift into the eastern Mediterranean (Greece, Turkey).
I also should mention the northern Adriatic region (parts of Italy, Croatia, Slovenia) which is notorious for its powerfull thunderstorms and common waterspouts. Here, cold winds from the Alps meet warm humid air masses from the Mediterranean.
I also experienced great spring (May/June) thunderstorms in Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary where the Eurasian Steppe belt protrudes well into Central Europe. The landscape there is fantastic, remote, and poorly developed (imagine central Europe > 50 years ago!) but the roads are in a horrrible condition which makes chasing a real challenge.
Germany has had a great season this year with several tornado-producing supercells (May to August), especially in the south and in the west. The major drawbacks here are that the roads are often blocked with traffic, vast woodland areas and/or hills which prevent good vistas.
These links from European chasers will give you a good impression of chasing in Europe:
Spain:
http://www.tiemposevero.es/index.php?
idioma=2
Adriatic (Northern Italy, Slovenia & Croatia):
http://www.weather-photos.net/
Germany:
http://www.gewitterfront.de/
http://www.geohabel.de/sommer.html
I also should mention the northern Adriatic region (parts of Italy, Croatia, Slovenia) which is notorious for its powerfull thunderstorms and common waterspouts. Here, cold winds from the Alps meet warm humid air masses from the Mediterranean.
I also experienced great spring (May/June) thunderstorms in Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary where the Eurasian Steppe belt protrudes well into Central Europe. The landscape there is fantastic, remote, and poorly developed (imagine central Europe > 50 years ago!) but the roads are in a horrrible condition which makes chasing a real challenge.
Germany has had a great season this year with several tornado-producing supercells (May to August), especially in the south and in the west. The major drawbacks here are that the roads are often blocked with traffic, vast woodland areas and/or hills which prevent good vistas.
These links from European chasers will give you a good impression of chasing in Europe:
Spain:
http://www.tiemposevero.es/index.php?
idioma=2
Adriatic (Northern Italy, Slovenia & Croatia):
http://www.weather-photos.net/
Germany:
http://www.gewitterfront.de/
http://www.geohabel.de/sommer.html
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Andrea Griffa
EF5
As for Italy it's true that Adriatic region is good for chasing but often traffic is too much and it becomes very difficult. I prefer NW part of Italy with rural fields, green landscapes and 4-5 weak photogenic tornadoes per year.
MJ Poore
EF2
Based on the data I've seen over the years, Bangladesh and far eastern India wins hands down.
The big question is the road network, and much of what I've read is speculative as nobody appears to have tried chasing there, much less actually visited Bangladesh outside Dhaka.
I did do some web searches and found a few pics. Here is the highway between Dhaka and Tangail (the latter of which was hit by a tornado in 1996):
Here is another highway in western Bangladesh:
The only other question is whether haze might be an issue. However I question whether this is a big problem, too, especially north of the coast. The EML is often only 1-2 km above the surface and that does make a difference in regard to going visible.
It's too bad that we're in this recession and trying to save money, otherwise I would not waste a minute flying out there in late March and giving it a shot. Who wants to be the David Hoadley of Bangladesh?
I'm offering my nowcast services free of charge to anyone who goes over there next spring, if someone would just go and do it. I bet Jon Finch (a longtime ST subscriber / forecaster) would want to be in on helping out, as would other Stormtrack folks. That place is truly uncharted territory. Any takers?
Tim
I spent a week travelling around Bangladesh on business. There is an extensive road network. But don't try drive on the roads yourselves, it's chaos there. No rules - trucks coming at you in your own lane from the opposite direction all the time, buffalo/people/chickens standing in the middle of the road and so on. If I chased there, I'd hire a driver who knows the territory. Security at the airport can also get a bit cranky about tv cameras. So check in advance and get the paperwork done.
I spoke to some airforce pilots who were taking us around about supercell storms (they knew what they were!). They said hail was more of a problem than tornados, maybe a flyers perspective. They said they had never seen tornados.
And yes, the haze is very deep there.
South Africa in November-December has numerous supercell storms. I can't give you an idea of how many tornadoes, but there's at least a few EF2-3 ones that hit villages and kill people every year. There was a 120km long track F4 in 1999. So they do get quite big here where I live.
Andrew Ryan
EF3
And how exactly is this different from the US???
But seriously, I would like to get a chance someday to chase outside of the US. I agree that Spain has some nice open areas but I have no idea what type of severe weather they get.
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