TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE WINTER DOLDRUMS

[Jason Boggs]

We all know that winter is generally a sign that storm season is really over, but why not take advantage of it? I usually try to take advantage of this slow time by learning more about storms and forecasting. By doing this, I keep my mind fresh through the winter, and it also allows me to gain tidbits of knowledge. A few years ago I developed a website to help with this. Grab a cup of coffee and start learning!

CHASER EDUCATION LINKS

 

[1tom2go]

Thanks Jason! It looks like some good links.

I am reading several books from Tim Vasquez, watching Storm Analysis 101 bluray, setting up mapping software and gps, grlevel3, etc....

-Tom Johnson

 

[Jason Boggs]

Thanks Jason! It looks like some good links.

I am reading several books from Tim Vasquez, watching Storm Analysis 101 bluray, setting up mapping software and gps, grlevel3, etc....

-Tom Johnson

Very good Tom! Keep up the good work!

 

[Shawn Schuman]

Ah, I'm glad you posted this Jason. I'm in the process of collecting a bunch of resources on my blog and I included your link, but I'm not sure if I ever asked your permission. You put together a very handy collection, so I figured I'd share it. I linked it here:

http://stormstalker.wordpress.com/resources/

And I agree, focusing on education during the winter really helps to pass the time 'til spring. It's always a good thing to keep learning and growing anyhow.

 

[Jason Boggs]

Ah, I'm glad you posted this Jason. I'm in the process of collecting a bunch of resources on my blog and I included your link, but I'm not sure if I ever asked your permission. You put together a very handy collection, so I figured I'd share it. I linked it here:

http://stormstalker.wordpress.com/resources/

And I agree, focusing on education during the winter really helps to pass the time 'til spring. It's always a good thing to keep learning and growing anyhow.

Hey, no problem with the share! I hope you enjoy it and maybe others can as well.

 

[Adam R Davis]

Many thanks. I too like to read up and reread what I can during the dark winter months. I've got my copy of Severe Storm Forecasting too. It seems everyone has the Storm Analysis 101 video now. I sometimes just put that on in the background and let it soak into my subconscious. XD

I've also got a lot to look forward to in going back to school for broadcasting.

 

[Jason Boggs]

Many thanks. I too like to read up and reread what I can during the dark winter months. I've got my copy of Severe Storm Forecasting too. It seems everyone has the Storm Analysis 101 video now. I sometimes just put that on in the background and let it soak into my subconscious. XD

I've also got a lot to look forward to in going back to school for broadcasting.

Excellent Adam! I also have a few of Tim V's books that I glance at every once in a while.

 

[Elinor McLennon]

I have been reading various articles about the El Reno tornado. That storm was a beast and it seems like the storms are getting bigger and more violent. So, to help combat the winter blues I decided to put some time into reading and learning more about storms.

 

[Shawn Schuman]

I have been reading various articles about the El Reno tornado. That storm was a beast and it seems like the storms are getting bigger and more violent. So, to help combat the winter blues I decided to put some time into reading and learning more about storms.

That's mostly the media hyping storms more and more rather than any physical changes in the storms themselves. El Reno was definitely a rare tornado, but there have always been exceptional tornadoes for as long as we've recorded them. There are many tornadoes in the past that likely rival or exceed El Reno's width and, while it was obviously a violent tornado, it probably wasn't any more so than many other high-end tornadoes. If you're interested, I've written about some of the more exceptional historical tornadoes on my blog and I listed a few of the larger tornadoes in this post:

http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?30082-Super-Tornadoes&p=332193&viewfull=1#post332193

 

[Marcus Diaz]

That's mostly the media hyping storms more and more rather than any physical changes in the storms themselves. El Reno was definitely a rare tornado, but there have always been exceptional tornadoes for as long as we've recorded them. There are many tornadoes in the past that likely rival or exceed El Reno's width and, while it was obviously a violent tornado, it probably wasn't any more so than many other high-end tornadoes. If you're interested, I've written about some of the more exceptional historical tornadoes on my blog and I listed a few of the larger tornadoes in this post:

http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?30082-Super-Tornadoes&p=332193&viewfull=1#post332193

Although maybe not as big or violent, the Granbury-Cleburne, TX EF-4 on May 16 did the exact same thing the El Reno tornado did. It drifted SE and then did a 90° turn to NE.

 

[Shawn Schuman]

Yep, that isn't all that uncommon, especially with strong/violent tornadoes. Many of the tornadoes in the 2007 Greensburg family also followed cyclonically curved paths, and the May 28 Bennington, KS tornado did.. well.. whatever it wanted to do it seems.

 

[Warren Faidley]

I believe the Greensburg supercell had a secondary meso that split off (or formed) in a weird direction? Regardless good topic. Satellite tornadoes or secondary mesocyclones that move in odd directions are something to always think about. One of the classics occurred in Lazbuddie, Texas in 1989 when there were 4 or 5 substantial tornadoes on the ground at once. (I had lunch that day in Lazbuddie but busted east too quickly and did not know enough about retreating drylines back then. $%#@! (Plus, there were no laptops).

Another good idea during the off season is to take an advanced first aid class. If you are an EMT or Paramedic, the TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care) certification is an excellent way to learn what is new in field trauma care.

Warren

 

[Shawn Schuman]

I remember seeing video of that event but I could never remember when or where it occurred other than it was in Texas sometime around 1990. What a strange event, that would have been spectacular to see in person.

The Greensburg supercell was just bizarre. The meso was extraordinarily strong and chaotic, spawning numerous satellite tornadoes and occluding several times, only to very quickly reform and produce other strong, massive tornadoes.

Without looking back at the radar, I believe what happened was that the Greensburg meso made a full cyclonic loop (almost striking the town a second time from the northwest) as it began to occlude, eventually coming back around to interact with the secondary meso (Trousdale) that had formed to the southeast. The Trousdale tornado grew to a massive size very quickly after touchdown, and a similar process seems to have occurred with the Hopewell and Macksville wedges. The Trousdale and Hopewell tornadoes were on the ground at the same time for a period, and then the Hopewell meso occluded and redeveloped to produce the Macksville tornado.

And I agree about first aid classes; you never know when those skills may come in handy, whether it's while chasing or in daily life.