STORM TRACK: May 31, 1986 (Volume 9 Issue 4)

Storm Track begins a new era with its 52nd issue. As new editor, let me emphasize that ST will remain a newsletter about storm chasers for those persons interested in storm chasing. The newsletter will remain similar to that of previous issues. I would like to express my appreciation to Dave Hoadley, the former editor, for an outstanding job in the preparation and illustration of ST. Like many of you, I find it hard to wait two months to receive each issue. When ST arrives in the mail, it sort of "makes my day". I read it several times during the following week. Dave has assured me that he will continue to draw illustrations for ST.

ST announces Mr. Phil Sherman as assistant editor. Phil is an avid and dedicated storm chaser who works as a computer programmer for XEROX Corporation in Lewisville, Texas. Phil has been interested in severe storms for many years but was unaware until recently that an organized group of storm chasers existed. He will help in editing and publication of ST.

Spring has arrived this year and so has the severe weather season. April has been very active with several "mini" tornado outbreaks. Damaging tornadoes were reported in Texas on February 5th, Indiana and Ohio on March 10th, and Texas on April 19th. With upper troughs moving through the U.S. every four to seven days, enough time was provided for gulf moisture to travel into the plain states to feed the potent storms. The result was an early fourth of July fireworks display. The chase season in May was divided. The first two weeks, a sloshing dryline produced daily supercells in West Texas, the best days being May 7th, 13th, 14th, and 16th. After the second week, a ridge on the west coast developed moving the severe weather threat area up into the Dakota's. Many storm chasers found themselves stranded, and thus, retreated to visiting local museums and amusement parks. More about May in the next issue.

The editor appreciates receiving video tapes from Mr. Roy Britt, Mr. Richard Horodner, and Mr. Jim Leonard. Any subscribers interested in exchanging slides or video tapes with anyone else, please write ST. A list of persons interested in a film exchange will be published in the near future.