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

As noted in the last ST, here are some specific references for your research and understanding on the nature of severe storms. The principal focus is on tornadic and severe wind storms over land (as opposed to hurricanes over water). In alphabetical order:

1. The American Weather Observer; a newspaper style publication for amateur observers, data recorders and general enthusiasts. The emphasis is a little more technical than Weatherwise but more "newsy," with weather notes, anecdotes and news of clubs and associations around the country. Write: Association of American Weather Observers, P.O. Box 455, Belvidere, Illinois 61008. Price - $15.00 for an annual subscription. Phone: 815-544-9811. Add $5.00 for foreign subscription dues. The price is $7.00 if you're a member of the National Weather Association, Blue Hill Observatory Weather Club, or the North Jersey Weather Observers.

2. The Atlantic; May, 1984. An excellent account of an actual chase by the author, with a research team from the National Severe Storms Lab in Norman, Oklahoma. Page 76+, by William Hauptman (Several of the team members mentioned are ST subscribers). Check your local library for this issue.

3. 12th Conference on Severe Local Storms, 1982; -or- 13th Confsrence on Severe Local Storms (Extended Abstracts), 1983; each an inch thick (or more) collection of technical papers (about 4-10 pages each) on various aspects of severe storms; some illustrated with charts, schematic sketches and photographs. This is the definitive source and most current thinking on state-of-the-art severe weather knowledge. The Editor considers it his primary reference. Although most material is very technical and beyond the average non-meteorologist reader, enough abstracts, summaries and conceptual conclusions appear to offer real insight into the storm environment. I am unsure whether these can be ordered without membership in the AMS but, for information write: American Meteorological Society, 45 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108. Price - $25.00, plus $2.00 for non-members of the AMS. Phone: 617-222-2420. If membership is required, you will receive a monthly magazine, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, which is very technical and includes many ads for technical equipment and professional services. However, it does provide (a) complete listings of recent publications in the field, an excellent source reference and (b) complete listing of forthcoming meetings around the country on various meteorological subjects. AMS members may attend these.

4. Oklahoma Weather; -or- Texas Weather; a 5 1/2 X 8 1/2" soft cover booklet with color photos of tornadoes and other storms and basic, non-technical text on safety rules, terminology, causes, etc. This is a good primer book for the beginner, with very good pictures. I am unsure if either book is still published, but they were about $2.00 back in 1976. Write: England and May, 2234 N.W. 39th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112. Phone: 405-524-2261.

5. Scientific American; April, 1984. An excellent article on current knowledge about tornadoes and their causes, which summarises many recent advances in research study. As with most, of the articles in this magazine, it is written for the average non-scientist reader. page 86+, by Dr, John T. Snow. Check your local library.

6. Storm, 1982. One of the Time-Life Books series on the "Planet Earth." This presents a good, basic overview of storms and tornadoes in the typically graphic, colorful and clear Time-Life style. The photography is, of course, super. It may be available in your library or write: Reader Information, Time-Life Books, 541 North Fairbanks Court, Chicago, Illinois 60611.

7. Storm Data; the definitive source of concise, detailed information on daily severe storm occurrences throughout the U.S., including some tornado, hurricane, satellite cloud and damage pictures. Data presented by state, county, day and hour of occurrence. Write: Publications Section (E/CC413), The National Climatic Data Center; National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service; NOAA; Federal Building, Asheville, North Carolina 28801-2696. I don't have current price information.

8. Storm Track; Vol. 7, Issues #1, 2, 3 and 4. Some basic information on storms and safety tips while in their pursuit; prompted by an inquiry from an Iowa meteorologist and an article from a Canadian subscriber. Price: $0.70 each issue. Write: David Hoadley, 3415 Slade Court, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.

9. Weatherwise; a bi-monthly slick cover magazine for the general public, with illustrated articles and interesting letters to the editor on all kinds of weather, including storm cloud photos. Write: Editorial and Circulation Offices; 4000 Albermarle Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016. Phone: 202-362-6445. Price - $16.00 for a one year subscription; add $6.00 for postage outside of the U.S, payable in U.S. dollars. This magazine may also be available in your local library.