STORM TRACK: May 31, 1984 (Volume 7 Issue 4)

"Chase 1984" is over now for many, both those who've returned to other parts or were al- ready at home in Oklahoma and Texas. This May was "the pits!" During the normal peak of the season, from the Dakotas to Texas, the total number of tornadoes could probably be counted on both hands. Even those that occurred were widely scattered and, occasionally, appeared (surprisingly) under extremely weak upper air support (one day had several west of the Pecos). During my twenty days in the plains, from May 6 to 25, I only recall one reported tornado south of Chautauqua, KS, in or near "tornado alley." I photographed one small one (thin dust tube) 16 miles east of Stapleton Airport, Denver on May 14, and a Jack Corso/Tim Dorr team caught up with a cold air funnel in the Texas Panhandle. Other than these isolated events, most of us chased ghosts (towers that wouldn't, caps that held, and Cbs that rained out!). I was in two "Kansas City" (National Severe Storms Forecast Center) tornado watches that never verified, based on closely monitored radio reports. Lou Wicker called it the worst season in five years. Jim Leonard mumbled about warm air aloft and weak difluence. I lingered as long as I did, banking on recurring Pacific waves that started to develop, then collapsed with landfall into either flat zonal (coast to coast) or almost full longitudinal meridional flow (Chihuahua to Winnipeg). No happy medium!

Oh, yes. Credit, where credit is due! Ken Crawford, Meteorologist in Charge and Area Manager of the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Oklahoma City certainly called it on March 18 in the Sunday Oklahoman: "...it looks like there will be below normal tornado activity ... by and large, Oklahoma's weather will be mild by severe weather standards." Looks like we'll all have to listen to Ken a little more closely in the future.

Like some of you, I had a lot of explaining to do, on my return, to friends and relatives, expecting dozens of pictures from Kentucky!? ...and Georgia!!? Hey, folks, give us a break! Hilly country and winding roads! Trees right up to the shoulder! Greater moisture with more low clouds, haze, and poorer visibility! Anyway, how many twister pics were published from these storms? None that I've heard. It's just poor chase country.

Early April was none too active per Tim Marshall (See LETTERS... section), but the latter half picked up somewhat in Oklahoma. The most destructive day was the 26th, when a dozen or more touched down, beginning near Stillwater and Guthrie. Early towers were rotating into Cb anvils as cloud bases dragged the ground, and 4-inch ice bombs rained from the sky. Gene Moore recorded these on video tape while filming the most dramatic storm he had seen in ten years. However, it was also the worst day for Morris and Terlton, OK, where ten fellow humans ceased their life's journey against a relentless wall of wind. It was also, unfortunately, the last day for a fellow chaser.

The Editor of Storm Track is saddened to report the loss of a University of Oklahoma student meteorologist, Christopher Phillips, on April 26, 1984. Chris lost his life in a one car accident in Logan County while chasing an Oklahoma storm. The car went out of control into a ditch and rolled, also injuring two passengers. This is the first known fatality to any "chaser" during or after a storm intercept. In this instance, the chase was an independent one and not an OU or NSSL sponsored research-project. Although not personally acquainted with Mr. Phillips, the Editor deeply regrets the loss of personal fulfillment and professional potential of this individual. The contributions which he might well have made to the science shall never be known. Those, such as this one, who share our fascination with severe storms also share a common bond and although we may be occasional strangers there is a kindred spirit which unites us all, a silent bond of respect and acceptance. Farewell Chris -- your loss diminishes all of us.

While driving through central Arkansas on my first chase day, Sunday, May 6, a tornado watch was issued from late morning to afternoon across the northern half of the State. However, with low overcast and visibility only 10-15 miles through the central part of the State, I quickly wrote this one off upon hearing that storms were moving at Interstate speed across the Ozarks. However, I did continue monitoring the Little Rock NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts as I drove. It was interesting that, despite a tornado watch, the local 9:30 AM radar report was still being issued at 10:35 (when I left broad- cast range), despite the fact that storms were moving at 50 MPH! At least this station gave me the coordinates of the watch, which an Indianapolis one did not, the year before. Observation: NOAA Weather Radio demonstrates some interesting inconsistencies and inflexibility. Maybe changes are needed here?

On a more positive note, Eric Rasmussen (storm network-expert, of the NBC Connie Chung show) and Lisa Walters (the rare distaff graduate student, who is -actually- pretty) will become a real chase team on August 18, when they exchange vows and become Mr. and Mrs. Now that two of them will "have their heads in the clouds," they may only be seen occasionally in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

In case you missed it, the May issue of The Atlantic magazine has an excellent article by William Hauptman about the NSSL chase team, "On the Dryline." It features Don Burgess, Robert Davies-Jones and "Raz" in pursuit of the same tornado that I saw, with a writer from Science Digest, which leads to a personal observation on that April Digest article.

While I thought that it was generally good (showed chasers having some community responsibility), there were areas of literary excess which should have been edited. However, I had no opportunity to review it before going to press, so saw most of it for the first time just as you did. One item: I did not throw up my hands in "panic" as the tornado approached. The reporter's perception at that moment reflected more her own anxiety than mine. Also, a quotation of mine, at the end of the article, was taken out of context, and thus looks a little out of character on a subject where I am normally somewhat more reticent.

However, without belaboring this, those of you who have yet to face the press should draw a lesson or two from this: (1) Be somewhat circumspect in what you say. At such times, you're representing all the rest of us. (2) Try not to say anything that would embarrass someone else. I've heard several very funny stories over the years that I wouldn't even consider passing on to the press because of the extreme embarrassment it would cause to certain fellow chasers. (3) On the other hand, don't let the final story bother you. Keep in mind that, whatever care you take in an interview, the reporter will ultimately construct his or her copy from many pieces of conversation. Therefore, neatly logical discussions or elaborate explanations can be quickly reduced to a few oddly disjointed passages in the final copy. So be natural, as well as thoughtful. If a few lumps and warts stick out, so what? That's you! Just know yourself and hold to that central core. What you've seen and experienced is so much more, always, than any printed page can ever hold.

Finally, a follow up to the very interesting Steve Leitch article in the last issue of Storm Track on lightning-safe locations from which to view storms in open country. The Editor checked with a knowledgeable professional source at the National Severe Storms Lab, who fundamentally confirmed Steve's findings! Others at the Lab also have shared his experience of a noticeable decrease in automobile radio static when driving under a phone or power line. The presence of static on the AM band, especially a steady buzz or "zipper" type sound, indicates electrical discharge from your antenna and a likely nearby lightning strike. The single, important exception which my NSSL consultant emphasized is that proximity to power or telephone poles is not recommended, due to possible lateral

Figure 1

Figure 2. Green of the Fifth Hole at the Corona de Tucson golf course, Tucson, Arizona. Grassburned by lightning strike to fiberglass flag pole (E. Krider, Weatherwise, cover and page 111, June, 1977).

Figure 3

ground strokes from the base to nearby conductors (you!). Thus, while the so-called "45 deg cone of protection" from the top of a pole, tower, lightning rod, etc may protect you from ground to cloud bolts (Fig. 1), it doesn't assure you against ground conduction (Fig. 2). The safest location in your car, appears to be on a road about midway between two utility poles and underneath a phone or power line (Fig. 3). If you have to get out of the car for that one good picture, this may be the safest, location. However, the advice given here is only informed conjecture, based on limited personal experience. No one should assume 100% protection, and all take a calculated risk when exposing themselves to lightning.