So much data, so little time...

[Keith Mullen]

Hi, long time lurker - finally got the nerve to join!

Chasing on the west coast of Washington is nowhere near as technical as chasing in the midwest. Here you pretty much keep your eye on a few key pieces of data, keep your eye on the PSCZ, SW WA, and basic weather data - then hope for the best!

I am ironically going to be relocating to Kansas in the very near future, and as such need to concentrate my researching on data pertinent to "over there" vs. here. With that said:

There are so many different sites, links and programs out there and available that I have always surfed through and reviewed - however, for someone who is not (nor will probably ever have the funds to be) running the fastest PC with hi-tech applications and programs, or WI-FI laptops and all the fun toys to take on the road, too much information can drown the novice spotter/chaser.

What links and sites would you narrow down as "essential" resources for gathering data, plotting, forecasting etc. for myself and others out there?

Potentially, it may be nice to have a "sticky" list placed here in the New User area for those just getting their feet wet. "5 most novice friendly data sites"?

Personally I could spend days on end just jumping from link to link to link and soaking in all the information - but then I would probably never get out on the road.

All thoughts appreciated.

 

[Bob Hartig]

There are obviously just scads and scads of sites, and everyone here will have their favorites. If I had to pick just two free sites for model data, they would be the COD Nexlab Wx analysis products and the SPC's Forecast Tools, particularly the Mesoscale Graphics.

 

[Aaron Kennedy]

I'm a big fan of NCAR/RAP for quick looks at surface plots and
GHCC for satellite images.

 

[Keith Mullen]

This is a good start! Thank you.

So:

http://weather.cod.edu/analysis/ for WX analysis projects
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/exper/ forecast tools and mesoscale graphics
http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/ surface plots
http://www.ghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/ for satellite images

I am familiar with two of the four, can't wait to start perusing the other two (though I think I have been through them before - I don't think I stayed long).

Much thanks from a "First Time" poster.

Keith

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

I wouldn't pick COD for the soul reason that they are out later than RAP and most in general. If it is for the day of the event, I want whatever is out quickest. If there's more time, then COD has the better graphics when it comes to models. Also, COD usually puts the SPC products out before the SPC site even has them. But COD for models.....no thanks most of the time. If RAP has issues I'll try Earl Barkers stuff next.

Most chasers probably have their own "on the road page" of links. Mine is here and is very basic. I really hadn't done a thing to that page since at least 2002, as I just removed the IHOP link I had on there, lol. http://www.extremeinstability.com/ontheroadpage.htm

Chasing data doesn't have to be that complicated. One can get what they need to know if very few links. I highlighted the ones I will click on most in red. Other than radar, give me a satellite image and surface and I'm happy. I usually use that same nasa link Aaron put up, as well as RAP. SPC mesoanalysis page is another good link to use the day of.

Anyway if you want to limit things, just find a good sfc plot site you like and a good satellite one(then do whatever for radar). But it might make the most sense to make a page of many links like most do, so that you have backup sites for things.

 

[Keith Mullen]

That is very helpful Mike. Thank you!

Over here in western WA, the timing difference doesn't play nearly as big a factor as over there (we typically have pulse storms, linear and front based storms, and then those larger storms caused by the Puget Sound Convergence Zone and interaction with flow from the SW and Columbia Gorge - so F4/5 are nonexistent, F3 is rare, and all you can really hope for are F0-F2). Nothing here is explosive development, a lot of timing and being in the right place and crossed fingers are all you can really bank on.

I may have missed this due to quickly perusing the links, but where would one go to check dewpoints/drylines, and other tips on pre-locating areas of potential cap-busting convection or forcing?

Again, much thanks!

 

[Keith Mullen]

Just went and visited your site Mike... and now 4 hours later, lol.

Great site and wonderful pics!

 

[Keith Mullen]

I feel like Johnny Five (need more input).

Anyone have other great suggested resources on putting all the pieces together for forecasting purposes?

 

[Rich Thompson]

Keith,

The forecasting part comes with education and experience - you'll have to do both on your own. I know lots of folks use the SPC outlooks, etc., as a reference point in their forecasts, especially when they're just beginning. You also have the opinions of everyone on ST for comparison.

It's probably best to keep the forecast approach relatively simple. You need thunderstorms before you really need to worry about tornadoes, so a few measures of moisture, instability, and lift are necessary. After that, just add vertical shear and you're good to go in your quest for supercells. There are hundreds of ways to define the basic ingredients, and there are dozens of data sites and numerical models to view.

Pick the sites you like and start making practice forecasts!

Rich T.

 

[Bill Tabor]

The basic ones I usually keep available and often access are as follows:

http://kamala.cod.edu/spc/ COD Severe Weather Text Page - provides quick glance of mesoscale, convective outlook, and severe weather warnings.

http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/ UCAR Weather - my preference for models data, quick satellite views, and basic surface info.

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/ Storm Prediction Center Forecast Products - Provides Convective Outlooks, Mesoscale Discussions, and Severe Watch information

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/exper/mesoanalysis/ Storm Prediction Center Mesoanalysis Graphics - Provide very short term model forecast data combined with current sounding info to produce short term / real time forecast / current condition info for various surface and upper air indices and parameters combined with severe weather algorithms to assist in pinpointing developing severe weather threat.

http://www.weathertap.com/ Weathertap a pay site, provides excellent fast radar, and very detailed satellite imagery.

http://www.ghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/ NASA Weather Satellite Images - Provide very nice satellite info.

http://weather.cod.edu/ COD Weather - As others have mentioned they have good model data, also radar, surface and upper air data

http://www.wxcaster.com/experimental_products.htm Earl's Experimental Products Page - Provides a number of forecast graphically displayed algorithms related to tornadoes, and supercells.

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/radar_tab.php National Weather Service Radar - Decent free radar also provides warning information graphically displayed.

http://www.stormchaser.niu.edu/machine/ The Storm Machine - Textual and graphical weather data offering many parameters and soundings.

http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/html/fcst2.html Hydrometeorology Prediction Center - Surface Analysis, Short, and Medium range forecasts, QPF, current weather, and current forecast

 

[Keith Mullen]

Thanks all who have been most helpful in providing me the extra bits and pieces!

The NWS, SPC, and a few other links have always been a part of my daily diet.

Now with a little extra on my plate of data resources, I just need to really figure out and get the logistics of timing and movement down (from departure to arriving at at the predicted point of action).

... at the moment a little hard to do from here. But soon, oh yes, soon!