STORM TRACK: March 31, 1987 (Volume 10 Issue 3)

Ralph Kirste says: "I just received my first copy of ST and I'm glad to have finally found you people with my interests! Since we are not blessed with much severe weather in southern California, I have shifted my activities towards chasing dust devils. I have been able to obtain various environmental readings inside them. After intercepting their trajectories across the desert floor, I have been able to stay as long as twenty seconds within the swirling dust column. Not an easy task with rocks, bushes, and other debris in the way. On a good afternoon, I've been able to sample 3 or 4 dust devils. By using yellow-green polaroid glasses, I can see the vortices several miles away and ascertain their trajectory for interception. Rarely do dust devils grow to large diameters. The largest one I've seen was some 60 yards across. It knocked down a couple of electric power poles in Pomona, CA."

Karl Leiker lives in Westfield, MA and says: "Snow, as a severe weather phenomenon gets boring in a hurry. Already, I yearn for the spring and the green, balmy prairies of Kansas. I plan to be at my mother's house in Hays by the last week of May."

Bill Crouch, MIC-SAT, comments about El Nino: "El Nino this year seems to be weaker than in 1983. As a result, we are expecting increased severe weather in south Texas this spring. West and North Texas through Oklahoma may also see an increase. A weak El Nino, excessive soil moisture, and expected upper air patterns, lead us to believe an active severe weather season is ahead. The Gulf of Mexico surface temperatures are not below normal."

Randy Zipser sent in some interesting information about Florida hurricanes. Presented here is a map which shows the tracks of 136 hurricanes and 234 tropical storms which have struck Florida since 1886. That's right, only during the last 100 years. Source: FSU Beaches and Shores.