cdcollura
EF5
Good day all,
This is not related - but inspired by those chasing Typhoon Krasa.
I see many chasers on this site, hurricane (tropical) chasing in particular, the will go to VERY - more or less - EXTREMELY great efforts to intercept a tropical system. This arouses a few opinions (and questions) too, so feel free to comment or thread on this subject...
With hurricane season 2007 (and 2006 as well) being utterly lame in the Atlantic (and even E Pacific) - I see many chasers literally traveling to the other side of the world to chase tropical systems, particularly Asia, with typhoons.
BTW: Jim Leonard and others, including Roger Hill and Stuart R, I admired your voracious and brave efforts - and success on these intercepts! Good job.
I would try doing this at least once, but here are MY implications (again - feel free to comment on this)...
1). Chasing a typhoon (with all the sleep deprivation, adrenaline rush, and crash) - Bounded by a 18-22 flight from the USA to Asia (I guess sleeping on the plane helps somewhat).
2). Jet lag. It's midnight at 12 AM here in the USA while its lunch time the following DAY in your target area. What's the "secret" / magic pill in dealing with such jet lag?
3). Currency differences, fuel, car rental - This is I guess where credit cards really help.
4). Language barrier. Getting stopped at a roadblock and having to practive whatever language - I only can say "na me ho" in Chinese ;-)
Now I see some alrady in Japan ... I am referring to those who "spot" chase the storm flying in, intercepting, and leaving like if they went to another state here in the USA, let alone 10,000 miles or so.
1). Cost. Go to Tokyo at the last minute and hop to Taiwan can set you back 3-5 GRAND - Easily. I assume that the lack of several USA hurricane chases (say a grand or so each) helped with funding these endeavors (instead of spending $ on a whole bunch of chases here, sink all the $$$ into one big fun chase in a far-away-land).
2). A bust, like if shear (oh, no - not again, please don't shear me!) weakens the typhoon, or - even worse - it MISSES Taiwan / Japan / Phillipines (or wherever you are) ... I cannot handle an 800 mile bust, 10,000 mile bust must really be painful.
3). Chasing in a third-world country is not reccomended. I would chase in Taiwan long before trying to chase in a place like Jamaica. Most places in Asia are NOT 3rd world. Most are very modern, and people there are not low-lifes in general.
4). Interesting to see a chase vehicle, like a Daihatsu or Yugo, with equipment on the roof, all wired up with gadgets, palms swaying, pictograms on all the signs and red-lanterns all around swinging, and about 2,000 slanted-eyes all staring at you ;-)
5). These chases are a big gamble. But I should say good luck and safety to all that try their hand at such international / overseas chases!
Again, any input or opinions on this interesting topic would be appreciated.
This is not related - but inspired by those chasing Typhoon Krasa.
I see many chasers on this site, hurricane (tropical) chasing in particular, the will go to VERY - more or less - EXTREMELY great efforts to intercept a tropical system. This arouses a few opinions (and questions) too, so feel free to comment or thread on this subject...
With hurricane season 2007 (and 2006 as well) being utterly lame in the Atlantic (and even E Pacific) - I see many chasers literally traveling to the other side of the world to chase tropical systems, particularly Asia, with typhoons.
BTW: Jim Leonard and others, including Roger Hill and Stuart R, I admired your voracious and brave efforts - and success on these intercepts! Good job.
I would try doing this at least once, but here are MY implications (again - feel free to comment on this)...
1). Chasing a typhoon (with all the sleep deprivation, adrenaline rush, and crash) - Bounded by a 18-22 flight from the USA to Asia (I guess sleeping on the plane helps somewhat).
2). Jet lag. It's midnight at 12 AM here in the USA while its lunch time the following DAY in your target area. What's the "secret" / magic pill in dealing with such jet lag?
3). Currency differences, fuel, car rental - This is I guess where credit cards really help.
4). Language barrier. Getting stopped at a roadblock and having to practive whatever language - I only can say "na me ho" in Chinese ;-)
Now I see some alrady in Japan ... I am referring to those who "spot" chase the storm flying in, intercepting, and leaving like if they went to another state here in the USA, let alone 10,000 miles or so.
1). Cost. Go to Tokyo at the last minute and hop to Taiwan can set you back 3-5 GRAND - Easily. I assume that the lack of several USA hurricane chases (say a grand or so each) helped with funding these endeavors (instead of spending $ on a whole bunch of chases here, sink all the $$$ into one big fun chase in a far-away-land).
2). A bust, like if shear (oh, no - not again, please don't shear me!) weakens the typhoon, or - even worse - it MISSES Taiwan / Japan / Phillipines (or wherever you are) ... I cannot handle an 800 mile bust, 10,000 mile bust must really be painful.
3). Chasing in a third-world country is not reccomended. I would chase in Taiwan long before trying to chase in a place like Jamaica. Most places in Asia are NOT 3rd world. Most are very modern, and people there are not low-lifes in general.
4). Interesting to see a chase vehicle, like a Daihatsu or Yugo, with equipment on the roof, all wired up with gadgets, palms swaying, pictograms on all the signs and red-lanterns all around swinging, and about 2,000 slanted-eyes all staring at you ;-)
5). These chases are a big gamble. But I should say good luck and safety to all that try their hand at such international / overseas chases!
Again, any input or opinions on this interesting topic would be appreciated.
