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Tornado!!! Storm chasing thread

Started by CNGL-Leudimin, March 13, 2016, 04:55:24 PM

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CNGL-Leudimin

Since there has been no tropical cyclone activity since February 26 (when Tropical storm Yalo in the South Pacific dissipated), I create this thread for storm chasing. If a supercell storm gets severe enough, it may spawn one of several tornadoes, and since the Central Plains (the so-called Tornado Alley) is the most active area, the present topic will get interesting. However, as like it happens with tropical cyclones, tornadoes form worldwide (Surprisingly the UK gets the most tornadoes per square mile, and some years ago an EF0 struck East of my area) and all-year round, and also can move in any direction, though in the Central Plains they tend to move Northeast.

If I'm not mistaken tornado activity starts increasing from now, correct me if I'm wrong. Good storm chasing!
Supporter of the construction of several running gags, including I-366 with a speed limit of 85 mph (137 km/h) and the Hypotenuse.

Please note that I may mention "invalid" FM channels, i.e. ending in an even number or down to 87.5. These are valid in Europe.


jakeroot

Seeing as you're not from the US (you may have a better perspective), is the rest of the world fascinated by places like Tornado Alley? Every time a huge tornado hits somewhere in the US, foreign press agencies inevitably devote some article on their respective websites to demonstrate how these tornadoes form, and how the Midwest is so unique compared to many other places in the world. You never see mile-wide tornadoes ripping through suburban Madrid or Frankfurt, so I'd imagine it's quite a shock to those not from the US (or Canada -- they get twisters too).

Quote from: CNGL-Leudimin on March 13, 2016, 04:55:24 PM
Surprisingly the UK gets the most tornadoes per square mile

Indeed. Though if you restricted the US' square mileage to just the midwest, where 90% of tornadoes occur, it would be no contest.

ET21

Set your markers for West central IL, NE Missouri, and SE Iowa today. As long as you don't interact with a cooling and stabilizing lake breeze coming from Lake Michigan, great chance to see the first storms of the year for the cornbelt and southern Great Lakes
The local weatherman, trust me I can be 99.9% right!
"Show where you're going, without forgetting where you're from"

Clinched:
IL: I-88, I-180, I-190, I-290, I-294, I-355, IL-390
IN: I-80, I-94
SD: I-190
WI: I-90
MI: I-94, I-196
MN: I-90

Chris

Quote from: jakeroot on March 14, 2016, 01:54:35 AM
Seeing as you're not from the US (you may have a better perspective), is the rest of the world fascinated by places like Tornado Alley?

There are weather enthusiasts in pretty much every country I suppose. Tornado Alley is quite well-known in the Netherlands, Discovery's 'Storm Chasers' aired in the Netherlands, and the movie 'Twister' was a childhood fixture for many people now in their late 20s / early 30s.

There are storm chasers in the Netherlands, some of whom are not hesitant to travel over 400 miles away to see storms. The problem in the Netherlands is that storms are often fast-moving and hard to keep up with, and while the road network is dense, so is the system of rivers and canals, posing travel barriers. The road network is also more organic and less predictable as it is on the High Plains. And the high population density often creates congestion. Plus there are many more trees and there are generally fewer places where you can pull over, as most roads in Europe do not have paved shoulders except for freeways.

The Great Plains are ideal for storm chasing, not just because most tornadoes form there, but also due to the consistent road network (grid), low population / traffic density, flatness and lack of trees. These conditions are much more unfavorable in much of Europe.

I've seen F4 tornado damage in Europe. In 2008, there was a tornado outbreak that produced an F4 tornado in the town of Hautmont in northern France. I drove through there a couple of days later on my way to Spain. There were houses with the top floors blown off. I suppose the brick rowhouses are bit more sturdy to avoid being swept off their foundations as you can see with violent EF4/5 tornadoes in the U.S.

paulthemapguy

'Tis the season for NWS Trained Spotter classes!  Learn to become a trained spotter who knows what to look for in dangerous storms.  I just signed up for one.  The NWS website has pages showing the schedule for upcoming classes.

Examples in IL/IN/WI:
http://www.weather.gov/ind/spotter_talks
http://www.weather.gov/lot/spotter_talk
http://www.weather.gov/mkx/spotter-schedule

If you simply go to www.weather.gov and click on your locale on the US map, there will usually be a link on the top of the new page to something about spotter training.
Avatar is the last interesting highway I clinched.
My website! http://www.paulacrossamerica.com Now featuring all of Ohio!
My USA Shield Gallery https://flic.kr/s/aHsmHwJRZk
TM Clinches https://bit.ly/2UwRs4O

National collection status: Every US Route and (fully built) Interstate has a photo now! Just Alaska and Hawaii left!

vdeane

One of the local news stations recently purchased a van to chase after storms.  Winter has been so mild though, they've been using it on every minor flurry because that's all we've got.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position of NYSDOT or its affiliates.

Scott5114

There is the possibility of significant weather on Tuesday for Oklahoma and Kansas. Tornadoes, plural, some long track and dangerous, are possible.
uncontrollable freak sardine salad chef

Scott5114

Tuesday's severe weather event ended up being somewhat of a bust. A few small, weak tornadoes formed, but nothing major.

KFOR in Oklahoma City in particular is taking a lot of flack for hyping up the outbreak, even forecasting F4 tornadoes. NWS was much more conservative about the event, increasingly so as the day approached.
uncontrollable freak sardine salad chef

ET21

KFOR prides itself on making accurate tornado forecasts. They get serious ratings especially with Reed Timmer running around in his modified shoe for the station.
The local weatherman, trust me I can be 99.9% right!
"Show where you're going, without forgetting where you're from"

Clinched:
IL: I-88, I-180, I-190, I-290, I-294, I-355, IL-390
IN: I-80, I-94
SD: I-190
WI: I-90
MI: I-94, I-196
MN: I-90

Scott5114

uncontrollable freak sardine salad chef

ET21

Big severe weather day tomorrow. I'll be out!
The local weatherman, trust me I can be 99.9% right!
"Show where you're going, without forgetting where you're from"

Clinched:
IL: I-88, I-180, I-190, I-290, I-294, I-355, IL-390
IN: I-80, I-94
SD: I-190
WI: I-90
MI: I-94, I-196
MN: I-90

JMoses24

Quote from: ET21 on June 22, 2016, 12:56:36 AM
Big severe weather day tomorrow. I'll be out!

Did you see anything? I got to see 113 mph winds near Lafayette, IN.

ET21

Quote from: JMoses24 on June 24, 2016, 07:41:13 PM
Quote from: ET21 on June 22, 2016, 12:56:36 AM
Big severe weather day tomorrow. I'll be out!

Did you see anything? I got to see 113 mph winds near Lafayette, IN.

Caught two brief touchdowns, beautiful storm structures
The local weatherman, trust me I can be 99.9% right!
"Show where you're going, without forgetting where you're from"

Clinched:
IL: I-88, I-180, I-190, I-290, I-294, I-355, IL-390
IN: I-80, I-94
SD: I-190
WI: I-90
MI: I-94, I-196
MN: I-90

paulthemapguy

There was a roadmeet in Ashtabula just last weekend, and now there's a tornado warning in Ashtabula County!  What did you guys DO!??
Avatar is the last interesting highway I clinched.
My website! http://www.paulacrossamerica.com Now featuring all of Ohio!
My USA Shield Gallery https://flic.kr/s/aHsmHwJRZk
TM Clinches https://bit.ly/2UwRs4O

National collection status: Every US Route and (fully built) Interstate has a photo now! Just Alaska and Hawaii left!

Brandon

Quote from: paulthemapguy on October 02, 2018, 02:35:01 PM
There was a roadmeet in Ashtabula just last weekend, and now there's a tornado warning in Ashtabula County!  What did you guys DO!??

Must've been a bunker blast to end all bunker blasts.
"If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention." - Ramsay Bolton, "Game of Thrones"

"Symbolic of his struggle against reality." - Reg, "Monty Python's Life of Brian"

Hot Rod Hootenanny

<shrugs shoulders>
There was a tornado touchdown in Geauga County the week prior to the Ohio roadmeet. That storm came within 4 miles of the original Magyar Estates.
Please, don't sue Alex & Andy over what I wrote above

Hot Rod Hootenanny

Quote from: Brandon on October 02, 2018, 03:06:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on October 02, 2018, 02:35:01 PM
There was a roadmeet in Ashtabula just last weekend, and now there's a tornado warning in Ashtabula County!  What did you guys DO!??

Must've been a bunker blast to end all bunker blasts.

Not a laughing matter anymore.
https://fox8.com/2018/10/02/tornado-spotted-in-ashtabula-county-tornado-hits-nursing-home-in-pennsylvania/
Please, don't sue Alex & Andy over what I wrote above

ET21

More expected across the North Woods of Wisconsin. Initial development will be key before the storms go linear
The local weatherman, trust me I can be 99.9% right!
"Show where you're going, without forgetting where you're from"

Clinched:
IL: I-88, I-180, I-190, I-290, I-294, I-355, IL-390
IN: I-80, I-94
SD: I-190
WI: I-90
MI: I-94, I-196
MN: I-90

PAHighways

NWS confirmed two EF-1 tornadoes touched down on Tuesday in my county, which now leads the state in recorded touchdowns:  https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2018/10/04/nws-confirms-ef1-tornadoes-westmoreland-county/

paulthemapguy

Central Illinois is going through a bizarre tornado outbreak...on December 1.  There's been a large dangerous tornado on the ground in Christian and Macon counties in the past hour.  Taylorville (county seat and central town of Christian County) has seen extensive damage.  Two other tornadoes have tracked across more western portions of central Illinois around 3-4pm.  One was photographed near Beardstown (Cass County).
Avatar is the last interesting highway I clinched.
My website! http://www.paulacrossamerica.com Now featuring all of Ohio!
My USA Shield Gallery https://flic.kr/s/aHsmHwJRZk
TM Clinches https://bit.ly/2UwRs4O

National collection status: Every US Route and (fully built) Interstate has a photo now! Just Alaska and Hawaii left!

MNHighwayMan

I love me a good December tornado. Hope no one was hurt, though.



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