STORM TRACK: November 30, 1984 (Volume 8 Issue 1)

Aaah, gray November! But, only three weeks to the REAL New Year for storm chasers; the Winter Solstice, when the sun reaches its southernmost journey and begins returning northward, with longer and warmer days and the promise of a new, untried and perilous spring. - - - A brief comment here to those new readers that may feel a little late or left out in joining the ranks of other storm buffs and chasers who have been at this somewhat longer. Don't let it bother you! One of the nice things about observing or chasing storms is the occasional, interesting one that you encounter, which no other chaser sees. If it was severe or unusual in some respect, being the only one to record it is especially satisfying. On the other hand, if someone else sees and photographs that storm from another angle, and you hear about it, it's nice to exchange pictures and compare notes on what each saw. Every storm is surprisingly different, even for those who have seen and chased hundreds. Each presents some different challenge and must be "read" a little differently to put yourself in the right place and at the right time. Thus, just because others have preceded you, don't despair. This science is still very young. Some very basic things are still going on out there that aren't fully understood. Even veteran chasers are occasionally fooled and miss the big vortex. Sometimes, the alert "amateur" is the only one there. Learn what you can, pace yourself and then enjoy this most fascinating, capricious and powerful part of the natural world. Like the Indian, "... come to see with a trained eye, and read the book that is the sky."