How was 2004... unbelievable!!! I don't think there is a word anywhere in the world that can describe the 2004 chase season.. to start things out, some stats using Shane's thingie...
CHASES - 21*
MILES - 13,965*
TORNADOES - 28*
TORNADO DAYS - 5*
STATES CHASED - CO, WY, NE, KS, OK, TX, IA, MO
*Personal Records
Noteworthy Stuff...
May 29 saw the most tornadoes in a single day than any other previous chase (15).
March 27 was my earliest chase conducted with earliest tornadoes (3).
May 12 was an incredible chase with (as Amos says) front row seats to 7 different tornadoes.
I spent nearly 70% of my chase miles on or north of I-70, yet saw all but 1 of my 28 tornadoes south of I-70 (most along Hwy 160).
Hwy 160 yielded 22 of my 28 tornadoes between Medicine Lodge and I-35
I got my first DCVZ tornadoes on July 15, breaking a several year drought.
As June comes to a close and I begin to prepare for a new apartment and the upcoming Fall semester, I have given in to the fact that my 2004 season is likely finished with the exception of some very local stuff that may get me outside the Denver city limits.. I still have hopes of peaking the 15,000 mile mark, but won't even begin to complain!
I came into the 2004 season with 3 goals:
1. To break the 10,000 mile mark
2. To score double digit (>10) tornadoes
3. To get my first Nationally televised tornado
After May 29 concluded, I had accomplished all 3. A trip of tornadoes would await me in June between Nebraska and Colorado, but I had basically scored what will likely be a career month in May, nabbing 22 tornadoes between the two big chase days for me (May 12 and 29).
This season was the most fun I have had chasing. Although some major disappointments and outside stress did come into play from time-to-time, this season will go down as one of my best, not only in terms of tornadoes, but just in how I was able to be out as much as I was. Add to that the people involved with my season, especially those whom I had the privilage to chase with; namely Blake Naftel, Amos Magliocco, the Weathervine Crew, Todd Sprinkman, and many others whom I ran across in my journeys. The experience was priceless; I learned so much this season in terms of forecasting, nowcasting, and field stuff. This was an incredible year all the way around.
I'm sure I'll have a few more small chases to add between now and September, as hopefully the monsoon season will kick in a bit and give me a few chances to score some good lightning shots. Maybe the Eastern Plains will yield a couple more twisters to bring my count to 30. Who knows? All I do know, I could retire as a chaser tomorrow and feel very happy with what occured for me this year. Again, major thanks to the earlier mentioned as well as the dozens of others who aided me along the way. Trust me, I know at least a dozen names I can't recall added to the many nowcasters myself and those I chased with kept on the phone.
Happy hunting for those still wandering around.. I, myself, hope to get a few more trips, but only Nature and time will tell.. be safe!
For a complete list of chase logs, visit my website at
http://www.tornadoeskick.com and hit up the
Chase Logs Section.