STORM TRACK: March 31, 1985 (Volume 8 Issue 3)

It's that time of year again, when nervous anticipation grips storm chasers everywhere. The inexorable cycle of the seasons turns, as the first warm days breeze in among still bare limbs. On sun warmed slopes of somber fields, a slowly opening quilt unfolds in scattered streaks -- the first rainbow buds of gem-like lavenders and gold. While, far overhead, the constant sky deepens into cerulean and ultramarine, as silver mare's tails silently sweep the rim of space -- and distant towers brighten ominously in the sun. Once again, creator and destroyer walk, with irony, upon the land.

In this respect, storm chasers should remember to be circumspect in expressing their enthusiasm for tornadoes and severs storms, while visiting local weather stations, restaurants and other public places. Some of those within earshot have experienced great personal tragedy and financial loss from these storms. A few still lie awake at night listening to distant thunder and remembering. They won't understand your attitude, so you should make an effort to anticipate and understand theirs.

You are also reminded to be considerate when dropping in on local National Weather Service (NWS) or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight service stations, during a chase. Even when storms are already building nearer, and you're impatient for access to the data or quick answers, be courteous. Their primary job is to provide general forecasts to a wider public, briefing pilots on specific weather problems, and sometimes providing life saving information. The handful of people who chase storms are, appropriately, farther down on their scale of priorities. Also, remember that they've been sitting there all day, week after week, doing an often-monotonous and tedious job. When you breeze in for five minutes, don't expect instant reaction or intelligent answers to strange questions like, "Where are the tornadoes?" Also, don't ask endless questions, expecting to be educated on everything you should know. Study the charts first, make some reasoned guesses, then ask a few questions and leave! Don't hang around like Aunt Matilda, where they'll stumble over you whenever they turn around. In fact, you will find most such staff to be cheerful, helpful and sometimes even interested in what you're about. But keeping them that way depends on being patient and considerate. This will make it easier on other chasers who follow you -- and the return visit much more agreeable. And you will return, again and again, because we need this information and the willing cooperation of those who provide it.

Oh, yes. Be sure you are there to return. LIGHTNING, LIGHTNING, LIGHTNING!!! This is the greatest, single danger to storm chasers. Think lightning safety anytime you're within 5-10 miles of a storm. I have seen a charge arc out from a mid-afternoon, central Indiana thunderstorm, seemingly a "bolt from the blue" that struck ground 5-8 miles from the base and a mile from the anvil! I've also seen lightning strike a prairie hillside, almost 100 feet below the crest (so much for the high-ground-always-gets- the-strike theory)! Sometimes, even extensive experience can give a false sense of security (The following account is adapted from an earlier ST article by John Weaver). --- One of the most skilled chasers, Gene Moore, has been twice struck! The last time was on May 23, 1981, while with a local Oklahoma City television station film crew (UHF 43) out looking for tornado film footage (he did their weather shows at that time). Near Katie, about 50 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, they found their storm. "The scene was almost pastoral. A mile and a half to the north-northwest, a tornado had touched down. It was quiet -- birds could be heard singing in the vicinity. They had seen no lightning, heard no thunder, nor felt even a drop of rain. Another group of chasers had arrived, and one (Chuck Robertson) was leaning against a wire fence which ran beside the road. The location seemed perfect. Then, all hell broke loose. -- Gene suddenly began hearing a loud, continuous buzzing, and his hair reacted to the static by literally standing on end. An anvil to ground bolt struck a nearby power pole. The charge traveled down the pole, to the fence, and jumped out, to Gene before he realised what was happening." (Gene told the Editor that he just had time to say "Oh.." and was knocked to the ground, ten feet back, before he could finish "..God!") "Gene flew off his feet, spinning, and as he did so a spark, accompanied by a loud crack of sound, flew from his hand" (like a Darth Vader storm trooper) "and hit Steve Cone. Steve went down. Mike had already been knocked to his knees, when the charge crossed the cable connecting the mini-cam to the support package. Gene landed near the road, on the brink of consciousness, feeling 'numb' from head to toe. Meanwhile, Chuck

Robertson, who had been leaning on the fence, caught the brunt of the shock in his hands, and rushed out into the road. Gene raised himself to look around. Mike Neese of the camera crew was trying to rise. The other crew member, Steve Cone, was up on his feet but a little wobbly. As Gene sat up, then stood, a tingling washed over his body similar to what one feels when a foot or leg has been asleep.' The tingling was overpowering and forced him to sit back down." He found that he had great difficulty concentrating on anything, such as looking at one's sock but not really understanding why it was there or what its function was -- in other words complete perception but without logical understanding.

'After a few more minutes of recovery time, the group tried to resume the chase" (Gene told the Editor that, after driving a few miles up the road, one of his two passengers asked why he was driving north while the tornado was moving east. Gene turned around and said something to the effect that, "Why, I'm chasing the tornado." At which point, one of the crew turned to the other and said, "I think we've got problems." At this point, they took Gene home to recover). The next day, Gene reports, all of them had symptoms very similar to the flu; namely, a feverish feeling, nausea, aching muscles/points and an overall weakness. Within 48 hours, small portions of Gene's hair had turned gray. However, all subsequently recovered, and none reported any long-term effects. Of course, each was exceedingly lucky not to have fried to the spot where he stood!

The purpose in this repeat of an earlier ST article, which many new readers have not seen, is to emphasize such dangers -- especially when least expected. With lightning, preventive precaution is essential! Don't plan on a second chance if you slip up! The safest place to be, when out chasing, is completely within your car (no arms hanging out) and looking through an open window. With intense, local lightning, you should not be touching any metal trim. However, I have seen very few accounts of any automobiles ever being struck. People in the midwest and plains seem to drive safely through all kinds of electrical storms, so your car is a pretty safe bet. If you must leave it for a better photographic angle, the safest place to park and exit may be midway between two utility poles and underneath the connecting power or utility line. Together, they should form an approximate 45 deg "cone of protection" from the poles and along the line to the ground.

However, be sure not to stand near to either pole, especially on wet ground, since a strike to either pole can send a lethal ground-conducted charge more than a hundred feet and end your day, vacation, and 'ever after' right there. Warnings of imminent discharge which may be present are (1) static on your car's AM radio band, especially a steady "buzz" or "zipper" type sound (antenna discharging) or (2) hair standing on end, when in the open. If the latter happens, drop immediately down on your haunches; don't lie flat, since wet ground can carry the charge to you, and is more likely the more of you that is in ground contact. One extreme hazard and temptation to the professional photographer is in use of a metal tripod to steady the camera in gusty inflow winds. Other chasers have encountered electric shocks from such set-ups. This is a high risk exercise! Please note, this advice is only based on informed conjecture and on limited personal experience. No one should assume 10 ft protection, and all take a calculated risk when exposing themselves to lightning. (Storm Track disavows any responsibility for advice given in this regard or for any other safety advice from prior or future STs.)