Once your there!

[Greg Blumberg]

Ah! Yes. That's what they're called. It was on the tip of my tongue, just ready to roll off. Pun totally intended. Convective rolls or transverse rolls. I'm not sure what the proper term is, much thanks to you guys for clarifying that. But I know that whenever I see those around and the conditions are rip for a chase, it gets me excited.

 

[Kevin Crawmer]

Bob,
I don't know if this is what you are looking for or not, but generally when things start to initiate you would want to be south of the cell of choice. When chasing discrete cells, the "cell of choice" is more than likely going to be the one with the least amount of convection south of it, thus getting the "clean air". If you have access to real time weather data, make sure you are watching the environment it is moving into (dew pts, CAPE, shear, frontal interaction, etc). Those things can really make or break a day. Also, watch what the cumulus tower does as it grows. See if it is getting sheared off, thus not being able to sustain an updraft. Sometimes you can see it getting choked off by lack of lift. Generally you want the real hard cauliflower looking cumulus, not the whispy looking ones.

If you are chasing a squall line, then the tail-end Charlie is usually the way to go. Updrafts are generally in different positions (on the eastern side of the storm?) and if you are looking for a good photo-op of a tornado then you are probably going to be out of luck with a linear system. You can get some good photos on these days if that is what you are after.

Good luck to you.

 

[Mike Peregrine]

Sorry if I'm covering the stuff others have already stated - haven't taken the time to go through them all.

I pay attention to the sky constantly. I try to look through the Cu to see signs of towers in the distance. This is usually pretty tough. But sometimes through a break, you'll spot something going up that is taller and harder than the rest. I use amber tint, UV Oakleys that help A LOT. A lot of times on chase days, the atmosphere is murky as heck.

I'm usually most concerned with locating boundaries, whether that is a WF or a DL/CF, whatever. Sometimes there are good visual clues ... other times not at all. If I'm worried about crossing a boundary, I may take a reading or two to catch TDs and temps, but don't typically have a lot of time for that sorta thing. Always paying attention to surface winds here, and I take note of shear aloft with cloud bases moving in various directions.

Pre-initiation timeframe means lots of information gathering, so watching incoming data, listening to chatter, and keeping the Wx radio going.

Once the storms really get going, it's time to really start paying attention. There are low level, mid level and upper level characteristics that all strong storms share. You'll learn these as time goes on, and goodness knows there are a ton of helpful resources in this joint.

It's cool you're learning how to do it up on your own, though ... I love flyin' like that ...

 

[Bob Gould]

...If I'm worried about crossing a boundary, I may take a reading or two to catch TDs and temps, but don't typically have a lot of time for that sorta thing. Always paying attention to surface winds here, and I take note of shear aloft with cloud bases moving in various directions.

Pre-initiation timeframe means lots of information gathering, so watching incoming data, listening to chatter, and keeping the Wx radio going....

Mike, what are you using to take field measurements?

Also, as for chatter, I assume monitoring the nowcasts and possibly the spotter frequencies. Aare there other sources of "chatter"

I agree on the source of information. There is plenty to digest.

Thanks
Bob Gould

 

[Dean Baron]

This might not be what you are looking for but its also a good idea to check surface observations to see where the fronts are, how much and fast they are moving, if the winds have changed, boundaries, etc.

 

[Bob Gould]

Thanks Dean!

All suggestions are appreciated. I have been looking at the surface charts (not up to speed on identifying fronts just yet). I am trying to tie what the charts might be saying with what I should be seeing.

Any suggestions on learning more about reading surface maps.

 

[Mike Peregrine]

Mike, what are you using to take field measurements?

Also, as for chatter, I assume monitoring the nowcasts and possibly the spotter frequencies. Aare there other sources of "chatter"

I keep it really simple ... a Kestrel hand weather meter hanging from my mirror. No fancy gadgetry required, really (not that there's anything wrong with that).

HAM radio, Wx radio, and Stormtrack are good. I will bookmark the nowcast thread at some point during the afternoon so I can get to it easily.

Other things to monitor in realtime: SPC MDs, WWs, vis sat, closest soundings, and the previous suggestion about surface charts. I think of all these, satellite is probably my best friend at this point in the day. Can just tell so much from it - -

 

[Dean Baron]

Thanks Dean!

All suggestions are appreciated. I have been looking at the surface charts (not up to speed on identifying fronts just yet). I am trying to tie what the charts might be saying with what I should be seeing.

Any suggestions on learning more about reading surface maps.

One thing you might want to check out until the severe season really gets going is the chase cases they have started here at ST in the advanced weather section. I have relied heavily on surface observations when choosing targets for them and for the most part I have been in the right area. Even if you dont participate in them you will still learn a lot about surface obs, satellite, etc just by reading through the posts as a lot of people post why want to be at their chosen target.

 

[Bob Gould]

Thanks Mike and Dean,

I have been monitoring the virtual chases since they started with Case 1. I have learned a lot just being the fly on the wall. Plenty of valuable chatter. I threw my dart on #10 but I may have sat on the charts to long before deciding to move. We will see. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

Best regards
Bob Gould