Warren Faidley
Supporter
Just saw a post that Erik Fox is starting a "Storm Chaser Association." It will be interesting to see how this goes.
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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.
Oklahoma Weather Tracking Licensure Legislation
- Thread starter JamesCaruso
- Start date
Warren Faidley
Supporter
So I have it confirmed from multiple sources now, David Payne of News 9 in Oklahoma City is the catalyst and main lobbyist for SB-158.
It will be interesting to trace his political affiliations.
It will be interesting to trace his political affiliations.
Sean Ramsey
EF4
Not surprising. They have a competitive advantage in the way they promote their tracker teams vs the other channels which comparatively is non-existent.
If this does pass, I wouldn't be surprised to see KFOR and KOCO up their storm chaser game. It's going to take everything we've talked about to another level from a competition on the roads standpoint.
Conga line of media chasers coming soon to a storm near you.
Jeff Smith
EF3
Good God, I couldn't stand him when he was chasing way back. I'd like to hear the story on how in the hell he became chief met.
Jeff Smith
EF3
Also it would be interesting to find out from their sister station KOTV in Tulsa their opinion. Travis is the big guy in Tulsa, and well revered by many. His switch to KOTV years ago was extremely sus though as Jim Giles was retiring and had another lined up to take the top spot at KOTV...
Randy Zipser
EF1
Too bad Gary England is still not the Chief Meteorologist at KWTV. From what I recall during my days living in Norman, he was an incredible fan of tornado chasing and he had an excellent rapport with all the OU chasers. If SB-158 had been proposed before his retirement in 2013, I suspect that Gary would never have supported it, much less lobbied for its passage, unlike his successor, David Payne. If Gary was at News 9 today, I suspect SB-158 would not have ever gotten "off the ground" to begin with...and certainly not originating with him. The OKC TV market culture, at least for the weather departments, seems to have obviously changed in a major way over the past 12 years...and, perhaps, not for the better. Does anyone who lives in that market have any clue why the culture has become so "anti-recreational" chaser today?
Blake Naftel
EF3
Hilarious. In all seriousness, I sold my magnetic station car logos for WEWS 5 in CLE and other stations on eBay for a ridiculous amount two years ago and who knows what they will be utilized for, hopefully for just a display piece, not some backroads scofflaw actions to needle this ridiculous "law" in Oklahoma.Currently in the process of ordering a magnetic "Channel 7" for my car door and installing red & blues on the chase vehicle. No way they'd ever arrest me for impersonating a storm chaser, right?
Blake
Blake Naftel
EF3
For a fun Gary England at KWTV 9 reference, who almost hired me for my first TV weather gig in 2005 at KWTV... another story for another time... and a individual who has inspired a chunk of my comedy show/s in development in Chicago, here is a "Gary England and Those Terrible Twisters" from May 1988. Do jump back for this "Friday night in the big town" production from back in the day.
Best,
Blake
Dan Robinson
EF5
Here is a graphic showing the distribution of tornado report sources from all Local Storm Reports (LSRs) in the NOAA database since March of 2004. Please distribute and share where appropriate. My social accounts just don't get any engagement for things like this for an unknown reason. We need those with better reach to post this. Thanks to Clarence Bennett and Andrew Lyons for pulling the data.
Here is a more granular look at the individual source percentages that were combined in those broader categories:
Here is the spreadsheet file with all of the raw data:
www.dropbox.com
Here is a more granular look at the individual source percentages that were combined in those broader categories:
Here is the spreadsheet file with all of the raw data:
Dropbox
Last edited:
Steve Holmes
EF2
This is why I only chase scud. Less competition.
Steve Holmes
EF2
I'm less worried about Oklahoma that about the states that will follow its lead -- and go further. It's an invitation to try to ban chasing. Never mind the Constitutionality of it, or the difficulties in enforcing it. If law-enforcement is as P.O.ed about chasers as I've heard, a few well-connected zealots could throw their considerable weight behind such a bill.
Oklahoma has done them the service of separating chasers into two groups, one with higher perceived value than the other. It's only one short step for a state to try to ban the lower-value group (most of us) as a hazard. I don't think it would pass, but it would be a nuisance to fight.
To counter it, we should gather evidence of how important chasers are to a state's economy. Not like oil in OK, in the grand scheme of things, but way above zero. You think when 500 cars descend on a cluster of restaurants and gas stations in a poor county, it doesn't make a difference? Chasers rent cars in Oklahoma, buy gas, go to restaurants, stay in motels (unless they sleep in their cars). That's money into the pockets of the locals. I don't know how to quantify this spending, but I'd be ready with a stack of testimonials from business owners who say, "These folks spent a lot of money here."
Oklahoma has done them the service of separating chasers into two groups, one with higher perceived value than the other. It's only one short step for a state to try to ban the lower-value group (most of us) as a hazard. I don't think it would pass, but it would be a nuisance to fight.
To counter it, we should gather evidence of how important chasers are to a state's economy. Not like oil in OK, in the grand scheme of things, but way above zero. You think when 500 cars descend on a cluster of restaurants and gas stations in a poor county, it doesn't make a difference? Chasers rent cars in Oklahoma, buy gas, go to restaurants, stay in motels (unless they sleep in their cars). That's money into the pockets of the locals. I don't know how to quantify this spending, but I'd be ready with a stack of testimonials from business owners who say, "These folks spent a lot of money here."
Jamie H
EF3
I think David Payne does a good job hosting the live weather coverage, so it's a shame he's pushing this, but makes sense from a corporate point of view as he'll be worried about losing viewers to internet and radar app streamers. I would hope KFOR et all don't join the party with lots of cars, and remain doing what they do.
As for tourist cash, well the OK politicians who said they were getting annoyed by out of state folk contacting them says it all. OK is a funny old place.
As for tourist cash, well the OK politicians who said they were getting annoyed by out of state folk contacting them says it all. OK is a funny old place.
Sean Ramsey
EF4
TBH the financial impact that chasers bring to the state is minimal at best in the grand scheme of things. Sure, to the local mom and pop restaurant or convenience store it helps out on the one or two days a year they get lucky enough to have a convergence in the down time, but with the handful of days and randomness of the locations, revenue isn't something anyone can count on. If it were 365 days a year bringing in thousands of chasers each day, it would be a different story, but it's not.
Also, as far as I know, most media chasers have to provide their own vehicle, own equipment, etc. for very little compensation, and in some cases, none at all. Makes me wonder what cost and/or investment the media companies may have to incur along with the changes due to liability concerns.
Also, as far as I know, most media chasers have to provide their own vehicle, own equipment, etc. for very little compensation, and in some cases, none at all. Makes me wonder what cost and/or investment the media companies may have to incur along with the changes due to liability concerns.
Jeff Smith
EF3
Thank you Dan-this is the best evidence against this bill I have seen. I will be sending this to my state rep and senator!Here is a graphic showing the distribution of tornado report sources from all Local Storm Reports (LSRs) in the NOAA database since March of 2004. Please distribute and share where appropriate. My social accounts just don't get any engagement for things like this for an unknown reason. We need those with better reach to post this. Thanks to Clarence Bennett and Andrew Lyons for pulling the data.
View attachment 26753
Here is a more granular look at the individual source percentages that were combined in those broader categories:
View attachment 26754
Here is the spreadsheet file with all of the raw data:
Dropbox
JamesCaruso
Staff member
I agree. I think it’s almost laughable to mention financial considerations when contacting politicians and will undermine the credibility of whatever other arguments are made in the same letter. The randomness of timing and location makes it unpredictable. An individual mom and pop store owner may have a record day, and then not see another chaser for the next five years. On a statewide basis obviously it aggregates to something a bit more substantial and consistent, but probably a fraction of a percent of total statewide income.
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