Dan Robinson
EF5
With the slow pattern , I figured I might as well geek out on some stats. I decided to try and figure out how much it costs to see a tornado. I used my lifetime numbers, which are probably near average in terms of tornado-to-chase day ratio. I'm considering only 'tornado chase days' where the purpose of the chase was to attempt to forecast for and see a tornado, and/or when there was any type of tornado risk (high or low). IE, not a lightning or structure chase.
Cost of a "tornado day" is more representative of the true number, since most tornado days have more than one intercept. I came up with a figure of $765 for each tornado day using "spot chasing" or on-call chasing (plus your to-and-from costs, which can vary greatly). By 'spot chasing' I mean only traveling to the Plains during good synoptic patterns.
The figures I used, from my own stats:
Total tornado chases: 103
Total tornadoes: 63
Total tornado days: 23
TR: Tornado every 1.6 tornado chases
TDR: Tornado day every 4.5 tornado chases
CPD Chase per-day cost in 2012:
Average 2 tanks of gas per day
$120 gas, $50 hotel = $170 per chase day
Cost per tornado in 2012: $170 x 1.6 = $272 + T(N)
Cost per tornado day in 2012: $170 x 4.5 = $765 + T(N)
T = cost of travel to/from Plains
N = number of trips to/from Plains
For fixed chase vacations, I can only estimate that the cost should be significantly higher due to there being a much higher chase day to tornado day ratio (TDR). For spot chasing, mine is 4.5. For a chase vacation, it could be 8 - 10 or even higher. Assuming a TDR of 9, your cost per tornado day using fixed chase vacations is $170 x 9 = $1530 + T(N).
Of course, many things can affect this number. MPG of your vehicle, carpooling, etc. I also make no statement here as to the enjoyability of non-tornado days (structure, lightning, etc), just thought it would be interesting to see how much money one can expect to spend to see a tornado (and continue seeing them). Quite expensive.
Cost of a "tornado day" is more representative of the true number, since most tornado days have more than one intercept. I came up with a figure of $765 for each tornado day using "spot chasing" or on-call chasing (plus your to-and-from costs, which can vary greatly). By 'spot chasing' I mean only traveling to the Plains during good synoptic patterns.
The figures I used, from my own stats:
Total tornado chases: 103
Total tornadoes: 63
Total tornado days: 23
TR: Tornado every 1.6 tornado chases
TDR: Tornado day every 4.5 tornado chases
CPD Chase per-day cost in 2012:
Average 2 tanks of gas per day
$120 gas, $50 hotel = $170 per chase day
Cost per tornado in 2012: $170 x 1.6 = $272 + T(N)
Cost per tornado day in 2012: $170 x 4.5 = $765 + T(N)
T = cost of travel to/from Plains
N = number of trips to/from Plains
For fixed chase vacations, I can only estimate that the cost should be significantly higher due to there being a much higher chase day to tornado day ratio (TDR). For spot chasing, mine is 4.5. For a chase vacation, it could be 8 - 10 or even higher. Assuming a TDR of 9, your cost per tornado day using fixed chase vacations is $170 x 9 = $1530 + T(N).
Of course, many things can affect this number. MPG of your vehicle, carpooling, etc. I also make no statement here as to the enjoyability of non-tornado days (structure, lightning, etc), just thought it would be interesting to see how much money one can expect to spend to see a tornado (and continue seeing them). Quite expensive.
