Jason Boggs
EF5
Not really any resolutions for me. Just want to get out and take some good stills of supercells...preferably LP's.
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After witnessing the continued decrease of involvement in the SpotterNetwork staff in serving SN members with troubleshooting issues recently, I have unilaterally decided to terminate the relationship between SpotterNetwork's support and Stormtrack. I have witnessed multiple users unable to receive support weeks after initiating help threads on the forum. I find this lack of response from SpotterNetwork officials disappointing and a failure to hold up their end of the agreement that was made years ago, before I took over management of this site. In my opinion, having Stormtrack users sit and wait for so long to receive help on SpotterNetwork issues on the Stormtrack forums reflects poorly not only on SpotterNetwork, but on Stormtrack and (by association) me as well. Since the issue has not been satisfactorily addressed, I no longer wish for the Stormtrack forum to be associated with SpotterNetwork.
I apologize to those who continue to have issues with the service and continue to see their issues left unaddressed. Please understand that the connection between ST and SN was put in place long before I had any say over it. But now that I am the "captain of this ship," it is within my right (nay, duty) to make adjustments as I see necessary. Ending this relationship is such an adjustment.
For those who continue to need help, I recommend navigating a web browswer to SpotterNetwork's About page, and seeking the individuals listed on that page for all further inquiries about SpotterNetwork.
From this moment forward, the SpotterNetwork sub-forum has been hidden/deleted and there will be no assurance that any SpotterNetwork issues brought up in any of Stormtrack's other sub-forums will be addressed. Do not rely on Stormtrack for help with SpotterNetwork issues.
Sincerely, Jeff D.
New Year's Chase Resolutions For 2019
- Thread starter Warren Faidley
- Start date
Same. I don't feel I did anything in 2018 that needs to be improved upon. Just gotta hope for more opportunities and chaseable setups in 2019 and hope to play those correctly.
Lucas McIntyre
Enthusiast
1) Learn when, and when not to try and socialize with other chasers. Mostly, not when they're recording video of one of the best tornadoes of the year.
2) Find somebody else I can chase with. I don't like chasing in my vehicle alone near a tornado on a Moderate Risk day, lots of crazy driving going on and I'd rather somebody who is more patient with others in the driver seat. Also, it's insanely difficult to safely check radar and take pictures while driving.
3) Expand the distance in which I'm willing to drive to chase, especially on weekends. No excuse I couldn't haul somewhere Friday night, get a cheap room or find a country road, and be in position for an out of state/local area event.
2) Find somebody else I can chase with. I don't like chasing in my vehicle alone near a tornado on a Moderate Risk day, lots of crazy driving going on and I'd rather somebody who is more patient with others in the driver seat. Also, it's insanely difficult to safely check radar and take pictures while driving.
3) Expand the distance in which I'm willing to drive to chase, especially on weekends. No excuse I couldn't haul somewhere Friday night, get a cheap room or find a country road, and be in position for an out of state/local area event.
Jeff House
Supporter
The following is from a chase vacation perspective, not really applicable for Plains residents.
With El Nino in place, I will be open to jumping on something in late April. I prefer May for all the reasons we normally discuss here. May is also better for standing multi-day troughs.
On the flip side I know I'm not entitled to a May trough. Nature does what nature does.
On the late side, June is typically less obvious and spread out. LY I missed early June action; then, busted mid-June.
Bottom line: Early, late or peak season I should be more decisive. Never was a problem until the last two years. Is is me or the wx patterns?
PS. on the health side, yes try to get some exercise. I also bring a lot of water and sometimes even sports drinks. Might have to pee more, an inconvenience, but it is worth being hydrated. When all else fails guys can just pull over. Remember though, with the wind!
With El Nino in place, I will be open to jumping on something in late April. I prefer May for all the reasons we normally discuss here. May is also better for standing multi-day troughs.
On the flip side I know I'm not entitled to a May trough. Nature does what nature does.
On the late side, June is typically less obvious and spread out. LY I missed early June action; then, busted mid-June.
Bottom line: Early, late or peak season I should be more decisive. Never was a problem until the last two years. Is is me or the wx patterns?
PS. on the health side, yes try to get some exercise. I also bring a lot of water and sometimes even sports drinks. Might have to pee more, an inconvenience, but it is worth being hydrated. When all else fails guys can just pull over. Remember though, with the wind!
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JamesCaruso
Staff member
Also from a chase vacation perspective, I am going to try to be more flexible this year. Because of work and family commitments (as well as a family commitment that my chase partner has), we will likely have trouble getting a full consecutive two weeks at the climatological peak time. So we are talking about maybe doing two separate one-week trips. One potential approach is to firmly schedule one week during the late-May peak, and let our other week be a “floater,” so IF it looks good earlier in May, before some of the ill-timed family commitments, we will try to get out there. Or if it looks good later, in June, take our second week then.
In the past, I have been able to be somewhat flexible with a two-week trip, shifting it by a week or two based on weather conditions. This year, I won’t have quite as much flexibility, and due to all that is going on at my job it will be hard to be out for two straight weeks. It will be hard to keep the dates uncertain without making it look like the whole trip itself is “optional”; it will be much better to firmly schedule one week like one would schedule a “normal vacation.” And then maybe still get out for an extra week with some time in between, avoiding a long absence from work.
I realize I started out by saying I am going to be more flexible, and then wrote that I will have less flexibility. So I guess what I am trying to say is, because I will have less flexibility overall, I need to approach chasing in a more flexible way; maybe a better word to use for this resolution is to be adaptable. In other words, my situation may not be as conducive to chasing this year, so I need to be mentally flexible, I need to adapt, get over or around the obstacles, and somehow make it work, keeping a positive attitude about it without becoming discouraged or giving up.
In the past, I have been able to be somewhat flexible with a two-week trip, shifting it by a week or two based on weather conditions. This year, I won’t have quite as much flexibility, and due to all that is going on at my job it will be hard to be out for two straight weeks. It will be hard to keep the dates uncertain without making it look like the whole trip itself is “optional”; it will be much better to firmly schedule one week like one would schedule a “normal vacation.” And then maybe still get out for an extra week with some time in between, avoiding a long absence from work.
I realize I started out by saying I am going to be more flexible, and then wrote that I will have less flexibility. So I guess what I am trying to say is, because I will have less flexibility overall, I need to approach chasing in a more flexible way; maybe a better word to use for this resolution is to be adaptable. In other words, my situation may not be as conducive to chasing this year, so I need to be mentally flexible, I need to adapt, get over or around the obstacles, and somehow make it work, keeping a positive attitude about it without becoming discouraged or giving up.
Jeff House
Supporter
One advantage of just setting a week, like traditional vacation, is less agonizing over weekly models. Also air fare is a lot better in advance. I'm tired of driving out there. Risk is that nothing comes up in the said week.
My previous post is about being more decisive with the forecast. Perhaps the most decisive action is just book late May now, lol. We actually had a blast in ICT despite the bust. What's the worst that can happen if a bust? Lots of partying with old friends!
My chase partner and I both have conferences mid-May. Unbelievable! We also have stuff right at the start of June. Sounds inflexible. On the other hand, maybe just book May 24-31.
My previous post is about being more decisive with the forecast. Perhaps the most decisive action is just book late May now, lol. We actually had a blast in ICT despite the bust. What's the worst that can happen if a bust? Lots of partying with old friends!
My chase partner and I both have conferences mid-May. Unbelievable! We also have stuff right at the start of June. Sounds inflexible. On the other hand, maybe just book May 24-31.
JamesCaruso
Staff member
@Jeff House I think I am arriving at the same conclusion. After my post above, I realized that I have fewer options than I thought and a week in early May is virtually impossible. By the time I work around my son’s b-day, Mother’s Day, my daughters’ play, and my chase partner’s son’s middle school graduation, I can’t even really find a full week prior to May 24. So I think I am going to block out two weeks from May 24 through June 8, but it remains to be seen whether I can actually be away for the full two weeks.
Definitely agree with your point about a set schedule eliminating the stress of agonizing over the models and deciding when to chase, although there will still be some of that if I can only be away for one week and have to choose one of the two. If that happens, I might still be able to do a separate second week in mid or late June, but who knows, activity is inconsistent during that time and other stuff could be on my calendar by then.
Definitely agree with your point about a set schedule eliminating the stress of agonizing over the models and deciding when to chase, although there will still be some of that if I can only be away for one week and have to choose one of the two. If that happens, I might still be able to do a separate second week in mid or late June, but who knows, activity is inconsistent during that time and other stuff could be on my calendar by then.
Steven Marshall
EF1
I retired from the TV station in December, so I hope to chase more west of the Mississipi. Dang hard to get away from the tv station in May, it's sweeps month so its usually all hands on deck and no vacations allowed! Not a problem now.
Quincy Vagell
EF4
My goal for this year has been to update my photo/video equipment. I finally invested in a good camera for 4K video and higher resolution photos with the Sony a7iii. This means spending less time on my phone and more time behind an actual camera shooting this chase season. I wanted to hold off on any upgrades until I was ready to make a big investment and patience paid off.
Steve LaBelle
EF0
I didn't necessarily learn this from the past year but I'm reaffirming it in 2019
1. Don't even bother to chase unless I'm willing to see it through. What do I mean? I missed on the Rochelle, IL EF4 because after chasing IL all day and driving up and down I-39 no less than 4 times passing Rochelle along the way however things just weren't materializing so I did the responsible thing and went home to SE Michigan because I had a really, really important next day at work with a 630am start time. 30 minutes into my 6 hour ride back, my phone is blowing up with messages about "Are you there man!!" Uh.......no. I could have stuck around and just sacrificed myself. I've never been more disappointed in a chase. I felt like Jim Carey when he said "I'm kicking my ass, do you mind!" Weak weak weak
2. Don't give up on a rotating cell or cell that dropped a tornado and is weakening. I'm quick to be dismissive at times and I almost forget that they will recycle. I've missed a handful of additional tornadoes because I think it's over.
3. Don't get tunnel vision. In 2012 I was mesmerized by the Henryville EF4 fully knowing but forgetting that a hook echo was following right behind it that produced a EF2 that followed the exact same path. I very nearly got railroaded by that as I drove to the EF4 damage path.
1. Don't even bother to chase unless I'm willing to see it through. What do I mean? I missed on the Rochelle, IL EF4 because after chasing IL all day and driving up and down I-39 no less than 4 times passing Rochelle along the way however things just weren't materializing so I did the responsible thing and went home to SE Michigan because I had a really, really important next day at work with a 630am start time. 30 minutes into my 6 hour ride back, my phone is blowing up with messages about "Are you there man!!" Uh.......no. I could have stuck around and just sacrificed myself. I've never been more disappointed in a chase. I felt like Jim Carey when he said "I'm kicking my ass, do you mind!" Weak weak weak
2. Don't give up on a rotating cell or cell that dropped a tornado and is weakening. I'm quick to be dismissive at times and I almost forget that they will recycle. I've missed a handful of additional tornadoes because I think it's over.
3. Don't get tunnel vision. In 2012 I was mesmerized by the Henryville EF4 fully knowing but forgetting that a hook echo was following right behind it that produced a EF2 that followed the exact same path. I very nearly got railroaded by that as I drove to the EF4 damage path.
Andy Wehrle
EF5
Oh man, I thought I had it bad this day...I did exactly the same thing. I was in Ogle County IL that afternoon and bailed for home because things appeared to be playing out exactly as the pessimists had predicted (Small window for tornadoes upon initiation followed by a quick line-out along the front in IA) and I had work the next day (3 AM start). Got home just in time to watch the debris ball on radar tracking 5 miles from where I had been 90 minutes earlier.
Steve LaBelle
EF0
I'll tell ya, I felt physically ill listening to people talk about it being live on TWC. This is a picture of the distant cell in my rear view.
