STORM TRACK: September 30, 1987 (Volume 10 Issue 6)

First, it was the tornado drought, and now the lack of hurricanes. What's going on mother nature? It looks like 1987 will go into the record books as having the lowest number of severe weather events in recent history. Some year. Sure, it's possible for a fall tornado outbreak or a November hurricane to occur, but it's rare. I'm afraid severe weather will have to wait until next year. That is, unless you want me to talk about that white fluffy stuff. ...Nah.

As I settle back for the fall season, I'm reminded of spring. The chill in the morning air reminds me of early March. Glimpses of thunderstorms on the horizon make me believe the dryline is active again, but its only a cold front barrelling through. Leaves on the trees are falling, not budding! So it has to be fall. Post chase season depression sets in. What do storm chasers do during the winter? They prepare for spring, of course. But how many times can you change the oil in your car? So, to renew my spirits, I watch a video tape of a past chase. The spring fever chase feeling comes back, although it's temporary.

The vote on the new look of ST was 44 yes, 0 no. The only problem encountered was the unexpected "tire track" or "debris swath" the post office put on the cover. All that ink to cancel a tiny stamp! They tell me hand cancelling each issue is too time consuming. So, future issues of ST will have a piece of paper placed over the cover which will hopefully save the cover from ink marks.

A positive note that occurred this spring was the implementation of the Severe Thunderstorm Outlook by some of the Texas National Weather Services. For years only Oklahoma City had issued this outlook with their own versions of severe weather potential. For chasers on the road away from a data source, this outlook is essential in keeping abreast of the latest weather changes. Thanks NWS.