My sad attempt at chasing today (first chase)

[Allan Jeffers]

"Chase" if you can even call it that. I never did get close to the storm that started in Boulder, made its way through Broomfield and Brighton and is now headed out of state.

Right off the bat, I think we left too late to catch this sucker. Other problems? Got lost up near Bennett. While we as up at the King Soopers up in Bennett, I loaded up my netbook, logged on to my 3g, which I had full service, then loaded up GRlevel3 and... nothing. It would not update not sure why, I was able to load up the back up plan, the wundermap, but it was on the slow side. The storm was headed up near Sterling (I think). I used google maps on my droid and learned the damn thing dont point in the direction of travel It was also slow to load. The plan was to take Kiowa-Bennett road north for a while then east, I figured that would get me to the storms back side. Well, for some reason, we ended up on colfax. At that point it was time to turn around and come home. Before this mess however, I learned that taking I76 would have put me right in to the storms rear. Why did we not take I76? Cause we already blew past it.

I am almost shamed to say, I don't drive. I had my mom driving

I wonder if an actual GPS unit would be better then trying to use GPS and google maps.

The worst part is? When I was getting ready to head out the door, one of my camera bags with:
30D (and grip)
tokina 11-16mm f/2.8
canon 24mm f/2.8
canon 50mm f/1.4
canon 70-200mm f/4L

fell off my freezer

I am not sure if there was any damage, too afraid to look. My 50mm did get banged up and at first, turnin the focus ring, it would grind then stop Its acting better now, at least it was.

 

[Jason Boggs]

Hey, at least you got out and tried to chase. You'll do better each and every time you go out. Experience will be your best teacher.

 

[MatthewCarman]

Does your mom like to chase? You did get to spend some time with her and at least you did get to chase. If you need someone to now cast for you once in awhile drop me a PM.

Keep chasing and don't get discouraged. I think it was David Hoadley or Gene Moore who chased for many years before seeing a tornado. Not everyone will have succes thier first chase or even their first year. Just keep at it and have fun.

 

[Bryan Stokes]

Exactly. Jason said it best. At least you got out there and tried! Trust me, it takes a long time to get good at storm chasing. Chalk up any set-backs as learning experiences and you'll be even better next time!

I'll help you out with one of the issues: mapping. You just found out why most chasers do not use internet-based mapping applications such as Google Maps. Receiving data is not always reliable, but knowing where you are going is paramount. So the first thing I would do is pick-up a great paper map, such as the Delorme Atlas and Gazetteer for Colorado and preferably the surrounding states that you may chase in. I own one for every state in the Great Plains and the Midwest. Be sure to get a fresh copy by looking at the year it was published inside the front cover. You can also find great deals on most of the states when you buy the Delorme maps on Amazon.

After you get all of your paper maps, you may want to look into a computer-based mapping application such as Microsoft Street and Trips (my personal favorite). Delorme makes an electronic version, but it requires you to run a serial-emulator and that can be very finicky to work with at times. Microsoft Street and Trips can be purchased through Amazon for $29.87.

Then you'll want to pick-up a GPS puck. You can integrate it with Microsoft Street and Trips to see exactly where you are and which direction you're headed. Highly recommended is the GlobalSat BU-353 receiver. It can be found at Amazon for $37.95.

You're probably wondering why you should pick-up paper maps for each State for $15-$20 a pop when you can get a computer-based mapping application cheaper? The answer is quite simple: computers can crash and you don't want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere not knowing where to go. Besides, each one has its advantages and I routinely use both while chasing.

So in summary, I would just pick-up a good paper map and then keep your focus on learning the structure of a storm and how to identify the different pieces of the puzzle. Learn how to move around the storm from a safe distance and see if you can identify the key components such as the rain-free base, the Forward-Flank Downdraft (FFD), the Flanking Line, and other main features of the storm. Once you can identify these things, and understand what they are and how they relate to the storm, you'll start to get the hang of it.

Congratulations on getting out and going after a storm. It's the first step of a very long journey!

Bryan

 

[MatthewCarman]

Bryan you can get a Delorme Atlas which has every state which is cheaper then buying one for every single state you chase in. Maybe it is not as detailed as one for a specific state might be but I have one and it is very use full. Something you may want to think about buying.

 

[Bryan Stokes]

Bryan you can get a Delorme Atlas which has every state which is cheaper then buying one for every single state you chase in. Maybe it is not as detailed as one for a specific state might be but I have one and it is very use full. Something you may want to think about buying.

Absolutely, you can pick-up a nationwide atlas for $10 or less and it does a great job of covering the major roads, but it won't show you the dirt roads and the small details like the Delorme Atlas and Gazetteer for each state will. When chasing, it's best to know what all of your options are. But if you are on a very limited budget, then yes, a $10 nationwide atlas can get the job done.

As for me, I appreciate the suggestion Matthew, but I've got things covered already.

Bryan

 

[Adam Adkins]

ahahaHA! On my first chase I went about 2 hours northeast of Denver and we never even saw a cloud that day lol! The cap killed it. And the only time I ever brought my mom was because she was curious and I guess she had nothing better to do and decided to come with me and giant hail destroyed the vehicle and got glass in her eyes. Needless to say she will not be coming again!
I saw the radar today - and headed up there (why was I allowed after the incident? I payed completely for the insurance deductible!). I was on 52 in the thick of it but hail started to come down and I decided to get out of there. It looked real high based for tornadoes anyway. Colorado is interesting - it always has some great chase days into July - so I wouldn't be concerned about blowing your first chase - you've got many more this year (potentially...).

And I also wouldn't worry about dropping your camera equipment. While climbing Handies Peak I dropped my 17-40mm lens without either end covered (I was changing lenses) ten feet onto a rock and there is no evidence that ever happened when examining photos taken with it!

Be careful with the hail! I'm only 17 and I've already destroyed a vehicle. And that is a TERRIBLE reputation when it comes to your parents!

 

[Carol Sidofsky]

Don't feel alone!

Hey Allan,

Don't feel alone! I was up in the Fraser area, looking longingly at the Nat'l Weather Service radar loops, when I first saw that big green storm near Boulder.

Then, it turned yellow, then pink, then red, heading east, and I just had to head out the door, to drive over Berthoud Pass, onto I-70, then onto I-76, to try to chase it.

I got to Wiggins on I-76, and also had very slow loading (while getting gas!) of my Verizon broadband card, so finally saw that (dang!)--the huge supercell had already gone past (east) of Ft. Morgan!

Due to prior obligations, I had to turn around at that point (darn!), so didn't get to see a tornado today. I betcha there were some, over by Ft. Morgan! I realize now, that I'll have to start heading down from the mountains earlier!

However, I saw what appeared to be huge hail shafts, incredibly big size of what must have been a huge supercell, and even though I failed at seeing a tornado, I know that I did try, and can say that that storm was an awesome beast.

Yes, experience is a good teacher! I won't give up, and neither should you!

And next time, I will remember to take my brand new 2009 Delorme Colorado gazetteer with me, that I just bought yesterday! ((gulp))

Carol Sidofsky
970-531-5000
[email protected]

 

[Bryan Stokes]

Carol and Allan,

It's great to see your energy and enthusiasm!

One tip: it's difficult (and sometimes impossible) to go after a storm when you're already pretty far behind it and it's moving away from you. Your best bet is to get out there before the storms fire and set yourself up slightly east of where you think initiation will be. It's far easier this way.

I know that you're probably thinking "duh", but it's a common mistake that newer chasers make all the time. Myself too. I've been there!

Keep on trying and learning,
Bryan

 

[Allan Jeffers]

Thanks for the kind words everyone
I will check into the maps. Will the microsoft maps work on a netbook? It has no CD rom drive. I did have an idea of dishing out 1-200 bucks on a GPS unit, but the GPS puck looks like a better idea, that is if I can install it with out a CD rom drive.

Anyone else have trouble today getting GRlevel3 to update? After 4pm it kind of stopped on my desk top and then while I was up in Bennett, it would not update for nothing.

 

[Carol Sidofsky]

Thanks for your support, Bryan!

I knew that I might not be able to catch up to that storm, but I wanted to see if I could, so I went for it, until I had to turn around, due to prior commitments.

Actually, I think I might have been able to catch up (maybe), if I could've kept going, but I'll never know for sure. I wonder how fast that storm was actually moving.

As you and others said, experience will help.

Hey, you said to set up east of oncoming storms. But, to avoid getting run over by the core, do you think that I should have tried to go a bit south of where the storm seem to be headed for?

My husband Dave (speaking to me by cell phone) thought that part of that storm seemed to be a "right turner" for a while, heading due east, and even slightly southeast, while the rest of the several-part storm was heading east/northeast.

I was hours behind where I should have been, I know--but that was just the way things were, earlier on Monday.

The more I'm willing to take a chance and try different ways of getting into a good position to look at storms, I think the more I'll hopefully learn from my experiences & mistakes.

Carol Sidofsky
970-531-5000
[email protected]

 

[Justin Turcotte]

You chased. That is the start. Chasing involves a lot of forecasting and instinct. These skills will develop with time. Most chasers also have at least some rudimentary geography knowledge... knowledge of primary routes, county names, principal towns, etc. This knowledge is crucial when chasing alone as you will lose precious time stopping to look at a map. I will say if you are not sure what to do then stop and take a moment to gather your thoughts. Making a wrong decision on the fly can cost significant time and miles. Better to lose a a couple minutes then a half hour. Sounds like this is how your first chase fell apart. We all usually learn the hard way. I would strongly recommend the paper state gazetteers available for $15-$20. You learn routes real quick when looking at a map. I suspect a person would learn much slower solely relying on GPS. The GPS can also lead you into into much bigger problems as recently addressed in a superthread. A GPS and other widgets like radar are nice supplemental chase items but they may not rectify a bad forecast or chase decision.

 

[Andrew Stoller]

One word of advice about storm chasing - if you really want to get out there, you need to devote pretty much the entire day to it. Especially in CO, as things initiate along the front range, get out east of the front range a bit so you'll be in front of the storms. Nothing is worse then being behind a storm our out of position - try and stay east to southeast of the updraft.

Also, one thing that has really helped me when it comes to "spacial awareness" and the logistics of the whole deal. When you start out, ditch all the electronic gizmos - especially GPS. I'd say even ditch your laptop as well for the first few chases. Maybe get MyCast for your phone so you can at least have reflectivity radar. Just use a map. It will allow you to learn how to plan out roads ahead of you and be aware of where the storm is and where it's headed. I'm serious. Chasing old school helped me a lot when I first started out. Also, you won't be sitting banging your head trying to get a data connection. Once you learn how to place yourself on a storm and logistically stay out just ahead of it in the right position, it will all make sense and become second nature. You have to remember - you're chasing a storm that is moving in a certain direction at a certain speed (many times fairly quickly - 50 to 60 mph) and you're trying to navigate a road network to stay up with it, so you need to stay on the move a lot.

 

[Allan Jeffers]

Andrew, I did notice the storm was really moving. Most times they either start up right about where I am at or sometimes they will go severe right after they pass my house.

On my droid I have both weather bug and the weather channel (in case one fails to load) The weather Channel has an animated radar.

Wondering how I could load a Windows Streets and Trips with out a CD drive, I downloaded the 1.8gig trial off Microsoft last night to see if it would actually work on my small 10" netbook since the resolution is smaller then they recomend. So far, it works.

So far I have learned:
-Leave earlier
-Have a destination plan
-Have a route and let the storms come to me, or at least in my general area
-Have a back up plan
-Have an escape route / plan
-Have a paper map (or at least software that requires no internet)
-Get a car charger for my droid (I have one for the netbook)
-Have fun
-Stay alert
-Learn how to forecast so I can let the storm come to me

Also, while one of my ultimate goals is to catch a tornado with out buildings in the way, on of my main goals is to capture structure.

 

[Andrew Stoller]

-Have a destination plan

I'd scrap that one! When you're out chasing and you actually get on a storm, and new storms start forming around you, plan to basically not have a plan! You have to go where the storms are. I quickly learned that lesson starting out, as I'd try and forecast and go where all the best parameters are and wait it out, even when storms initiated some where else. Also, if you plan on having a final destination, that spot might be right in the core of a large storm complex - always have an out.

Another thing that helps getting out a bit earlier and being ahead of the storms looking to the west is, you can visually see them better and where they are. Once you get out east of Denver, especially out by Limon, if there's no stratus or cirrus blocking the view, you can see a supercell thunderstorm in New Mexico or one in Wyoming! So ones forming either over the north central front range or further south by Walsenburg are easy to see. If you wanted to venture out that far, but remember, you have to go where the storms are! It's a lot easier to meander north and south just east of the front range to make it on a storm, because that way, the storms are coming to you and you're coming to them and not trying to play catch up.