Piss Poor Media near Hutchinson Today

[Andrew.Gardonia]

Steve Worthington, his navigator Stacy and I were out chasing today near Hutchinson, KS, and I have to say I'm dismayed at the quality of the storm spotters out there.

A particular spotter (Kelly ?) kept calling in on the radio and claiming to have seen funnels lowering almost to the ground, and that he could hear the tornado sirens from 235th Street and something or other.

Steve and I were in the same vicinity watching the same exact wall cloud as this assmunch, and neither of us could see any funnels lowering down to the ground, and we sure as hell couldn't hear any sirens from our location. Not to say that the sirens weren't going off, but we never heard a damn siren all day long. Most we saw was very light rotation, and some wisps of clouds lowering and raising, but nothing organized like a funnel.

As we moved east and came into the town of Goddard, this same spotter came on the radio again, claiming to see funnels lowering almost to the ground, and that the sirens were going off in Goddard. We were driving through the town and there wasn't a single siren going off.

We were listening to 101.3, and this spotter was full of **** on about 3/4 of the **** he called in.

Steve and I were both like what the **** is he looking at?

101.3 should take reports from a more experience and qualified spotter, because this dip**** didn't know his ass from a hole in the ground.

[David Schuttler]

It's a radio station they probably just send someone from the station out, not really a storm spotter.

[Mike Weiss]

Was also in the area....FWIW we did see two funnels south of Goddard. They were extremely short lived and wispy at best. Never heard any sirens till we got to Conway Springs.
Their chasers are usually pretty good. In fact I believe one of their chasers is a member on ST and is very knowledgeable. I heard his name mentioned last night as having some video of a rotating wall cloud. But with all media, there is always a bit of sensationalism to be added!!!!

[Andrew.Gardonia]

I just feel they should have a duty to report accurately, and not just what they want to see. Oh well just my opinion, but i felt it was very aggravating.

[Steve Worthington]

We hit this cell west of Hutchinson and were back roading this cell all the way down to HWY54.
As it looked cool there was no reason to call in a report as there were "NO funnels lowering" at the time or before the reports were made. We chased this cell till it fell apart before it reached Goddard.



We took off south to hit the other cell that did give us a nice show or 3 ;)

Anyway We were there and there was no reason for those reports. I do have it on HD video myself and today I reviewed it and there are "NO funnels lowering "

This should show you we had complete view of the cell

This is a photo Andrew took at the first radar shot. (I think that was the location ??Andrew?)
http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss347/mtsumustang/Chase%20Day%20Hutchinson%20KS%205-15-09/IMG_7822.jpg


2nd photo of the same cell. Hope you dont mind Andrew?
Andrew took some really good shots of this cell at our radar locations
http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss347/mtsumustang/Chase%20Day%20Hutchinson%20KS%205-15-09/IMG_7827.jpg

http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/20359Inflow.jpg

The little lowering was to far forward in the inflownotch to be a rotating funnel. Trust me we checked it out and couldnt see any rotation in it. It did show up as a hook on radar but it was nothing that was going to come together. It would get longer then go back up but there wasn`t enough rotation to make it anything.

http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/20359goddard.png

Moved south to get out of the rain as we were on a dirt road.

http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/20359goddard_1.png

[Andrew.Gardonia]

thanks Steve! You can use those photos anytime. that one funnel shaped cloud on the left kinda threw me, as it looked like a funnel, and it went down and then back up.

but definitely agree those spotters were not of quality caliber, and need to get retrained properly, because whoever trained them, did a crappy job.

[Mike Weiss]

Yes I believe I did see you or at least a vehicle with the "extreme Storm Chasers" sticker on it. I do not know if the illustration with the inflow and the circle was directed at me or who. But I dont need directions!!!!!!! As I have said we did see a couple of short lived, yet wispy funnels. I agree they were not reportable quality, IMO.
As we all know, the media will say what they need to, to keep the public enthralled. But one thing I do know is that particular station, is very good with the severe weather coverage, and they do keep their listening area informed. I am not sticking up for their spotters. I refuse to do that, not knowing any of them, but as I have said, one spotter that was mentioned as having maybe a dash cam funnel, is a member of this forum. I have read several of his forecasts and posts, He is very capable in his abilities.
BTW...I was the yellow dodge dakota, just so you know I was in the same area as you!

[Andrew.Gardonia]

i think Steve was directing that inflow and stuff at me. That was my first experience seeing rotation and wall clouds, so I still have some stuff to learn.

[Steve Worthington]

I remember seeing a bright yellow truck on the west side of the road as we were bailing on this storm and heading south for an intercept on the south storm cell.

The "directions" or the "illustration" is for who ever called in.
Making calls like that do nothing but up-set people in town as they know no better. They take the words of others to try and stay safe.

Stacy and I were on an early cell this year 3/07/09 and they were doing the same thing.
We were in the exact spot of the report and again there was nothing.

Some people complain about our way of chasing because we don't report often and are always on the move and looking for only the Extreme cell`s. I feel better about not reporting then I would about making faults reports.

I didn't report the Tonkawa, OK tornado last week because there was a Vortex2 car 5 miles up the road and I figured he`d report it???? I don't think that is a good way of thinking and I feel I should have called it in because "What If" we all thought some one else would make the call? But to make faults reports is just insane and a complete waste of time for everyone.

OK I`m done ;)

BTW.... I own 2 Camaros that will blow "Tornado Tims" off the map.....ROTFLMAO

[Mike Weiss]

Steve, I agree with you, that reports are useful, but also that if you get 20 ppl calling in the same report...It would rack my nerves as the report taker!!! We did also get on the Conway Springs storm...It had better rotation for a moment just east of CS.
Andrew...Welcome to the world of chasing...95% sitting around doing nothing and 5% shear excitement...LOL But hey its all fun to me....
"Tornado Tim"....Is an idiot....IMO! oh well till the next chase...see ya on the YBR.

[Andrew.Gardonia]

Steve, I agree with you, that reports are useful, but also that if you get 20 ppl calling in the same report...It would rack my nerves as the report taker!!! We did also get on the Conway Springs storm...It had better rotation for a moment just east of CS.
Andrew...Welcome to the world of chasing...95% sitting around doing nothing and 5% shear excitement...LOL But hey its all fun to me....
"Tornado Tim"....Is an idiot....IMO! oh well till the next chase...see ya on the YBR.

yes, Tornado Tim is an idiot. I saw that video on the weather channel, and it's amazing that they failed to mention the moron was driving 115 mph just to catch up to the storm, and endangering others.

sorry not use to all the jargon yet, but what's the YBR?

I wish we could get a PDS Warning from the NWS here soon. I love days like that. My previous time chasing before Friday was May 5, 2007, (day after Greensburg got smashed by that brutal F5) and my brother and I were in Dorrance, KS. They had a PDS Warning that day, and tornadoes popped up all over the place, but all we got was a rain wrapped tornado we couldn't see, but we sure saw the debris flying around! 111 tornadoes reported across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska that day.

[Andrew Ryan]

YBR= Yellow Brick Road

BTW, there is no such thing as PDS Warning only a Watch and they are issued by the SPC and not the NWS. :)

[Dan Robinson]

For the record, 'Tornado Tim' Baker is not 'Camaro Dude'.

[Steve Worthington]

Mike
That south cell was trying real hard ;)
We kinda got back off in the woods on the east side of I-35.....lol

http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/20359Kansas5-15-09-4.jpg
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/20359Kansas5-15-09-5.jpg

[Danny Neal]

For the record, 'Tornado Tim' Baker is not 'Camaro Dude'.

I was just about to comment.....

I don't know how THAT confusion started but definitely not the same people. I know "Tornado Tim" did get within the circulation of the Kirksville storm, but as far as I can tell he wasn't doing anything wreckless to anyone but his own well being.

[Andrew.Gardonia]

For the record, 'Tornado Tim' Baker is not 'Camaro Dude'.

ok now I'm confused? :confused:

who was the guy that ended up driving his car into a real low lying area, and had all the debris flying over the hood of his car, and had the video on TWC?


and the camaro dude driving 115 was a moron, who shoulda been arrested for public endangerment or something like that.

[Andrew.Gardonia]

YBR= Yellow Brick Road

BTW, there is no such thing as PDS Warning only a Watch and they are issued by the SPC and not the NWS. :)

that's kinda strange though that it's not a warning, because the times I've seen a PDS issued by SPC, all hell has broken loose and major tornado outbreaks have occurred. but thanks for the correction.

this young grasshoppa still has much to learn. :D

[JWallentine]

Kevin Rider and I were also on this storm for most of its life. We were also listening to KFDI(101.3). We're both from the ICT area(both live on the west side)...and I even went to school in Goddard, so we know the road system pretty well around that area. Anyway, we were 3-5 miles ESE side of the meso to this supercell once we caught up to it near the Mount Hope area and stayed in that position relative to the storm until we decided to jet down to the south HP beast in Sumner CO. Never once when we were on the storm did it look remotely "threatening" as far as a a tornado threat goes...to us it was far too high based...and you could tell it really wanted to shelf out and become outflow dominant. It was probably still good it was tor warned though. There was some broad rotation and maybe a couple VERY short lived and high based funnels assoicated with the unimpressive wall cloud as it moved through sedwick CO; however, we never saw any funnels reaching halfway to the ground or rapid rotation within a low hanging wall cloud like that spotter was reporting. We too had the reaction of "wait...where the heck is this guy looking?...we should be looking right at this and we can't see anything." Anyway, was relieved to see we weren't the only ones who were questioning some of those reports.

[Jason Foster]

I'm not a moderator, but using names as was demonstrated doesn't seem like the right way to go about it....and it certainly should not be done unless you know for sure who it is. I called into question who it might be to see if any did know of this person in the Camaro (in the other thread), but never would I or anyone else try to call out a name unless they are very sure who it is....you can get into serious trouble for calling out the wrong person.

[Andrew.Gardonia]

Kevin Rider and I were also on this storm for most of its life. We were also listening to KFDI(101.3). We're both from the ICT area(both live on the west side)...and I even went to school in Goddard, so we know the road system pretty well around that area. Anyway, we were 3-5 miles ESE side of the meso to this supercell once we caught up to it near the Mount Hope area and stayed in that position relative to the storm until we decided to jet down to the south HP beast in Sumner CO. Never once when we were on the storm did it look remotely "threatening" as far as a a tornado threat goes...to us it was far too high based...and you could tell it really wanted to shelf out and become outflow dominant. It was probably still good it was tor warned though. There was some broad rotation and maybe a couple VERY short lived and high based funnels assoicated with the unimpressive wall cloud as it moved through sedwick CO; however, we never saw any funnels reaching halfway to the ground or rapid rotation within a low hanging wall cloud like that spotter was reporting. We too had the reaction of "wait...where the heck is this guy looking?...we should be looking right at this and we can't see anything." Anyway, was relieved to see we weren't the only ones who were questioning some of those reports.

I'm sure glad someone doesn't thing Steve and I were crazy.

I'm not a moderator, but using names as was demonstrated doesn't seem like the right way to go about it....and it certainly should not be done unless you know for sure who it is. I called into question who it might be to see if any did know of this person in the Camaro (in the other thread), but never would I or anyone else try to call out a name unless they are very sure who it is....you can get into serious trouble for calling out the wrong person.


not to be an ass, but what's really going to happen because I called someone a liar? I'm so scared. :rolleyes:

If they'd like to show me video of what they claimed they saw, with this "rapid rotation" and funnel clouds "almost" to the ground...then I'd be glad to retract my statement and issue an apology.

I may be new at storm chasing, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know what "rapid rotation" is and what a funnel cloud that is "almost" to the ground, of which NONE was the case. This storm had weak rotation, and very high based and extremely brief funnel development, and very minor lowering of which none of it was anywhere near the ground.

Kelly (Blank last name because I don't know his last name) the stormchaser who called into 101.3 during the first storm over Hutchinson from the Hutchinson area, is a liar in my opinion, and I think he perhaps got just a little too over excited, and because he "wanted" desperately to see something, decided to report what he wanted to see, rather than what he really was seeing and in term induced the sirens being sounded, which in turn caused an unnecessary public panic. It's all too apparent he needs more spotter training. Which is pretty sad, because I have yet to attend a spotter training course (going Thursday of this week), and I know for a fact of what I saw with my own 2 eyes, was not what was being reported.

[Chris Allington]

not to be an ass, but what's really going to happen because I called someone a liar? I'm so scared. :rolleyes:

If they'd like to show me video of what they claimed they saw, with this "rapid rotation" and funnel clouds "almost" to the ground...then I'd be glad to retract my statement and issue an apology.

I may be new at storm chasing, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know what "rapid rotation" is and what a funnel cloud that is "almost" to the ground, of which NONE was the case. This storm had weak rotation, and very high based and extremely brief funnel development, and very minor lowering of which none of it was anywhere near the ground.

Kelly (Blank last name because I don't know his last name) the stormchaser who called into 101.3 during the first storm over Hutchinson from the Hutchinson area, is a liar in my opinion, and I think he perhaps got just a little too over excited, and because he "wanted" desperately to see something, decided to report what he wanted to see, rather than what he really was seeing and in term induced the sirens being sounded, which in turn caused an unnecessary public panic. It's all too apparent he needs more spotter training. Which is pretty sad, because I have yet to attend a spotter training course (going Thursday of this week), and I know for a fact of what I saw with my own 2 eyes, was not what was being reported.

I am pretty sure Jason was referring to you thinking the Camero dude was 'Tornado Tim' which it in fact was not... not the situation involving the spotters in the Hutchinson area. If you just want to keep flaming away at people that are trying to help you out, thats fine.

[Andrew.Gardonia]

I am pretty sure Jason was referring to you thinking the Camero dude was 'Tornado Tim' which it in fact was not... not the situation involving the spotters in the Hutchinson area.

ahh, i missed on that. sorry, my bad.

[Austin Funderburgh]

that's kinda strange though that it's not a warning, because the times I've seen a PDS issued by SPC, all hell has broken loose and major tornado outbreaks have occurred. but thanks for the correction.

this young grasshoppa still has much to learn. :D

A tornado watch is issued (by the SPC in Norman) when conditions are favorable for tornadic development. They're issued on a larger scale and often before convective development.

A tornado warning is issued (by a local NWS office) when a tornado is occurring or has been detected by radar. They're issued storm by storm.

That said, a PDS tornado watch is like a tornado watch on steroids. Usually issued when conditions are favorable for a large number of tornadoes and possibly strong tornadoes.

A "PDS warning" somewhat coincides with a tornado emergency which (correct me if I'm wrong) can only be decerned from the actual warning text. It's intended to be used when a large tornado is on the ground moving toward a populated area (this is a whole different debate though).

Anywhoo, sorry to be so basic but I try not to assume what anyone is or isn't already familiar with. Just remember that in the weather world a warning is not issued in advance of an event, it's issued during a specific, small-scale event.

As for the real topic of interest, I got on this storm late just as it was approaching Goddard and, as we all seem to agree, didn't see a real tornado threat. And I also heard the reports that certainly seemed uncalled for. As Jake said, the warning was warranted, but I also look down upon any media sensationalism during a potentially dangerous situation.

[Darrin Rasberry]

A "PDS warning" somewhat coincides with a tornado emergency which (correct me if I'm wrong) can only be decerned from the actual warning text. It's intended to be used when a large tornado is on the ground moving toward a populated area (this is a whole different debate though).


Dunno if I've ever seen something called a "PDS warning," although DMX, who does not use TE's, issued an "extremely dangerous and life threatening situation" warning-wording for Parkersburg. (LTS warning?!? :) )

[Tim Vasquez]

(Retitling the thread from "spotters" to "media" since this clearly is not a spotter.)

Tim

[Steve Worthington]

I am pretty sure Jason was referring to you thinking the Camero dude was 'Tornado Tim' which it in fact was not... not the situation involving the spotters in the Hutchinson area. If you just want to keep flaming away at people that are trying to help you out, thats fine.Ok First off I`m the one that made the 'Tornado Tim' comment.
I saw on TWC they were saying this guy in the Camaro called himself 'Tornado Tim'
No disrespect to anyone not even the guy in the Camaro I was just making a funny as I have 2 kick a$$ Camaros that can hit well over 115mph...lol... I was just joking around with my comment. I didn't know there was a real spotter or chaser named 'Tornado Tim' just like most never knew I was out there till now.
I`ve been a chaser since 1992 but I have been low profile till this season.
I only used the name 'Tornado Tim' because that`s what they called the guy in the Camaro and like I said I have to really fast Camaros. Someone should let TWC know this guy in the Camaro is not the real chaser that calls him self 'Tornado Tim'

Here are my 2 Camaros so you will understand my joke....

http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/15497021509_2012_00_-med.jpg

http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/154973119767532912-1991-CAMARO-TUBE-CHASSIS-TURN-KEY-BBC.jpg

http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/15497092608_2137_00_-med.jpg

http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/1549783_Camaro.jpg

Now will the real 'Tornado Tim' please Stand Up?
I would like to tell the REAL 'Tornado Tim' Sorry!!!!
I blame it on TWC for using the wrong name ;)
Steve

I just went and looked on TWC and they have taken down the camaro dued video

[Andrew.Gardonia]

(Retitling the thread from "spotters" to "media" since this clearly is not a spotter.)

Tim

Well the radio station called them spotters. :confused:

Kelly was Spotter #22 according to the radio station.

but it's all good.

[Robert Edmonds]

Since this the thread is renamed to media spotters, I have to say chasers with "ch# storm chaser" written on the side of their vehicle were awful on this day. I repeatedly came across these chasers, who could not for the life of them pull off to the side of the road. Just cause you work for a news network doesn't give you a pass to whatever the heck you want.

[Mike Johnston]

Well the radio station called them spotters. :confused:

Kelly was Spotter #22 according to the radio station.

but it's all good.

FYI, KFDI has been deploying their own in-house team of storm spotters since at least the early 1970's, if not earlier. I know they used to refer to them as, eg. "mobile unit #7", etc. I can't speak to your evaluation of the specific guy you're criticizing, but KFDI has provided live, mobile storm coverage to the Wichita area for a long, long time and has a loyal, faithful following.

[Kyle Soldani]

Well you've got to realize, a ton of people out there can mistake a scud from a shelf cloud as a tornado. I'm basically the only storm chaser at school, and just about everybody knows. Anytime there's a hint of severe weather outside, people come screaming TORNADO!! and asking me if it is a tornado, always a scud.

I don't listen to media unless it's a chase team from a television station. Even still, I listen to NOAA and Skywarn with my scanner over all that other stuff.

Steve, I love the camaro's. We've got a '72 Z28 355. ;)

[Eric Flescher]

Interesting thread

Just because people say they are storm spotters and/or stormchasers,and have "the training" , does not necessarily mean they can differentiate scud vs a wall cloud, funnels, tornadoes. It is one thing to show a slide show at storm spotter training sessions and to think, now they know it all since they have had the training and can now do it all. It's also another thing to internalize all the visuals that may look like tornadoes, wallclouds but are not.

During my classes each summer, I use my resources so students gain a better understanding of the differences. Many would rather maybe look at the tornado footages etc, but I have structured the learning situation so that they will come away with knowing more about what happens in tornado alley. It seems that through feedback, they appreciate and understand the differences and will be better off in the future if they see a dangerous storm or tornado. I hope it never comes to that but they need to be prepared and just watching the newscasts doesn't cut it.

Unless you are a very seasoned veteran and seen it all ( I will have to say I have not seen everything -I've chased in earnest since 2000- hey I am a teacher too!) , there's still more to learn under almost any situation. The two guys that I chased with , we quickly found such a situation in our encounter with the Kirksville tornado (see my slide show on my blog 5/13/2009 thread ). :eek: But we knew we wanted to be say and played it that way.

I was really peeved when that Chaser had his tornado encounter splashed all over youtube ( I forgot was that the Kirksville tornado?). Not only was he way too close, his blathering and his inaccurate observation (close but he was not in a tornado) just too get himself some fame was dangerous and ridiculous. I am glad his video was pulled.

Last year, I heard spotters on the air claiming there were wallclouds in the area but many were probably looking at scub or wallcloud wannabees. Both can be tough to decipher and analyze. Gustanadoes and landspouts are also confusing (jury is still up with many people consider them tornadoes or not as I last heard or saw noted on Stormtrack).

All in all, it seems that precaution now really has be taken in earnest even more , to watch out for not only the weather, storms and tornadoes but to watch out for other chasers, spotters (Tornado Tim or not) camera crews or etc who drive too fast, don't look where they going, filming etc etc. And that also means even if you are with a group chasing or alone (which many seem to prefer but I do not).

That is another thing I have learned (from this thread!).

::
Well you've got to realize, a ton of people out there can mistake a scud from a shelf cloud as a tornado. I'm basically the only storm chaser at school, and just about everybody knows. Anytime there's a hint of severe weather outside, people come screaming TORNADO!! and asking me if it is a tornado, always a scud. ;)

I don't listen to media unless it's a chase team from a television station. Even still, I listen to NOAA and Skywarn with my scanner over all that other stuff.

Steve, I love the camaro's. We've got a '72 Z28 355. ;)