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

Why are these people so interested in storms? How long will chasers be around? Will storm chasing ever die? These are just few of the questions asked. Although the wonder of the sky has stimulated the minds of many over the course of time, storm chasing is a relatively recent sport. Prior to the 1950's, storm chasing was limited by our road system, and the lack of weather satellites and sophisticated computers. Although, Dairy Queens may have been around, it was a lot more difficult to chase storms in those days.

J.P. Finley may have been the first known storm chaser in the late 1800's, but he was not a very successful chaser. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to chase storms in the plains with a horse! Not to mention additional chase hazards like crossing rivers and the possibility of being scalped by a hostile tribe of Indians. Finley was truly a man before his time.

The era of storm chasing essentially began with the Thunderstorm Project during the mid 1940's (after WWII). The war brought about a quantum leap in the advancement of knowledge of storms. One of the biggest discoveries was the jet stream -a high velocity stream of air which extends around the mid-latitudes. I've heard stories about fighter pilots being blasted out of the sky over Japan as they encountered this strong head wind which reduced ground relative air speed to near zero. These and other flying hazards brought about congressional funding for the Thunderstorm Prospect in 1945. There were plenty of pilots available after the war. The project was the birth of a new era.

Individuals took to storm chasing within the next decade. Dave Hoadley and the Neil Ward were among the first "die-hard" chasers. These people would make a forecast and drive to a remote part of nowhere in anticipation of that big cloud puff in the sky. The second generation chasers arrived in the late 60's and early 70's, and just in time. The organized effort of the NSSL team to chase storms crystallized a phrase to be remembered: "THE STORM CHASER". The Union City, OK Tornado in 1973 proved that chasing could be successful, not to mention the great scientific value that chase had.

The third generation chasers arrived on the scene in the late 70's and early 80's. More chasers then ever before were spending there vacation time in Woodward, OK. (Their Chamber of Commerce thanks you.) Now a major tornado outbreak will not go unnoticed and photographs abound.

What does the future hold for storm chasing? Although the future of storm chasing may be guaranteed for the short term, what about in 2086? George Orwell may have written something like this.

Storm chasing would no longer be as we think of it today. By 2045 cities would be so large, that storm chasing on the ground would be no longer possible. Ardmore and Tulsa may actually be suburbs of Oklahoma City whereas Wichita Falls and Mineral Wells would be suburbs of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. You could expect hours of traffic jams because of the lack of future highway planning. Air traffic would be the same. It would take hours just to get in and out of an airport.

What weather data? There would be no weather service stations since it will all be computerized right down to the observation.

Satellites will do everything. As a severe storm forms on the earth, a shield could be hydraulically maneuvered to shadow the storm below, thereby, inhibit local heating. This plan would have to be called SCUD (Storm Chaser Urban Defense). With the continued growth in population, storm chasing as we know it would cease.

So then, how lucky are we to have been born in a geologic time period where storm chasing is possible and successful. The future of chasing storms could be preserved if we start now. A group entitled PFTPOSC (People For The Preservation Of Storm Chasing) should be formed to promote the preservation of this sport. I envision a place, say in southwest Oklahoma where chasers can chase in peace. This "Storm Chaser Reservation" would be about 50,000 square miles centered around Hollis, Oklahoma. The name Hollis could be changed to Chase. Envision this if you will, which brings us to our funnel funny: