How was the 2004 chase season for you? [Archive]

Dan Robinson

06-21-2004, 02:34 AM

The June 12 Rock, Kansas tornado for me personifies why this season has been so phenomenal - the storms did exactly what you wanted them to - and then some - over and over again.

After so many years of watching storms 'almost do it' then fall apart for one of various reasons, 2004 was the year when the storms went from high based to low based, from rain-free base to wall cloud, from wall cloud to funnel, to debris swirling on the ground......time and time again. The days of going home disappointed were overshadowed by the numerous days of going home awed, exhilarated and above all, satisfied.

The Rock tornado, while not the longest and most dramatic of the year for me, in my opinion is the epitome of why we chase. A wall cloud that waited patiently for us to stop and set up our cameras, then slowly and perfectly gave us a show from start to finish, topped off with spinning condensation all the way to the ground in front of a golden sunset-tinted sky. The wall cloud even moved west and parked over a break in the treeline in front of us, dropping the tornado in between the gap in the trees so it was completely visible the entire time. The tornado even stayed stationary between that gap for its entire life cycle, not moving out of view once - how could you ask for a better gift than that!!

I had an unofficial 'list' of tornado 'goals' (things I'd like to see in my lifetime) going into 2004, many of which I thought I would have to chase for 20 years to fulfill. The list included things like photogenic tornadoes, to hear the sounds, to get tornadoes at varying lighting conditions (frontlit, backlit), to get a debris cloud shot similar to 6/8/95 Pampa TX, to see a wedge tornado, etc. After 2004, the only item left undone on my 'list' is the wedge. And that's why 2004 gets my vote for OUTSTANDING.

JHadorn

06-21-2004, 03:56 AM

May was an absolute blast for me. I got to do a lot of "spotting" from work being only one of a handful of people in my building that could tell the difference between a wall cloud and some scud. Didn't get to see much in the way of tornadoes. I do believe I saw what might have been the Hallam tornado from work, but I never could confirm or otherwise tell for certain.

It's sort of mean, but I also got a kick out of watching a girl from California freak out because she thought "it was the end of the world."

I also watched that "where the heck did you come from?" supercell that flew through Saunders and Lancaster counties here in Nebraska a while back. I could see the wall cloud on that thing all the way in Beatrice. One of my co-workers is a spotter for Gage and Lancaster counties and we both were scratching our heads trying to figure out where that cell came from because we were certain it was going to be a quiet day.

So it wasn't a bad season for me. I'm a bit disappointed by what June has so far brought me, but they can't all be winners.

Jay McCoy

06-21-2004, 10:35 AM

By far the best year I have had. And that is with 19 yrs of doing it. 3 High risk days in a week in late May with all producing tornadoes.

For the season

Tornadoes for the yr =31
On same day =11

by state
Nebraska =11
Kansas =11
Texas =5
Oklahoma =4

If I could have chased each time I wanted to (work sux sometimes) I could have been around 50 for the yr (cant even imagine that).

Ben Cotton

06-21-2004, 10:47 AM

Well, I haven't been in the game for too long, but my second spring of chasing has so far been my best. I got my first tornado (within an hours drive from campus, no less), which was absolutely gorgeous. I watched the video last night and I stared in awe at it (again!). I'm looking forward to an active fall. (PLEASE)

Ben
(the SDS is setting in again)

Mike Peregrine

06-21-2004, 11:36 AM

This was also my best year - with the week of May 22-29 being absolutely incredible - 17 tornadoes that week. The year got off to a slow start, and I went the longest I've gone without seeing a tornado. But overall the year seemed much more typical of what a good year should be. We'll be cheering for 2004 for years to come ... can't wait to see everyone's videos from this year.

Doren Berge

06-21-2004, 04:01 PM

I flew out from Boston MA into Omaha on May 28. Landed at 2 p.m. and by 5:00 had bagged a nice wedge and an elephant trunk. Less than 3 hours after getting off of the plane! That NEVER happens. Should have bought a lottery ticket too.

After that it was a blue sky week. Save for a minor spin up in the Texas pan handle the following friday.

Just my luck. One of the most active seasons in years and I choose the wrong 10 days. Timing is everything I guess (should have booked a bigger window).

*sigh*

I sill came home happy. Planning 3-4 weeks next year.
Can't wait!

db

Jeff Snyder

06-21-2004, 04:21 PM

I had to vote outstanding also given not only the number of tornadoes for me this year, but the incredible structure and the degree of 'photogenic-ness' of the tornadoes that I did see! Here's my stats, using Shane's table:

CHASES - 12
MILES - 5750
TORNADOES - 22*
TORNADO DAYS - 7* (3/29, 4/22, 5/12, 5/22, 5/29, 6/10, 6/12)
SUCCESS RATIO - 1 IN 1.7*
STATES CHASED - KS,NE,OK,TX
* - Personal records

Additional noteworthy things:
Awesome structure!! The textbook pics I've seen for years came to fruition in the plains this year!
The entire tornadogenesis and tornadolysis (if there is such a word) cycle from start to finish... Incredible.
Finally chased in northern KS and southern NE!
Beautiful anticyclonic tornado on 5/29 north of Calumet.

Again, I count this season a tremendous success not only because of the number of tornadoes I've witnessed, but also because how photogenic they've been. The vast majority of tornadic supercells chased this year have been relatively high-contrast and slow moving! And yes, these collosal synoptic-scale outbreaks of last year were virtually absent this year... The slow-moving nature of the storms (courtesy of relatively weak mid-level flow much of the spring) also helped minimize the overall number of people affected (read: less destruction). Oh, and structure... incredible structure...

Like Dan, the only thing I didn't really see this year was a classic wedge. But hey, with tornadoes like the 6/12 Mulvane tornado, etc etc etc, I can wait another year for a wedge :)

P.S. -- And yes, I was the pessimist when mid-April came and things looked down. The US tornado low bug was biting me... And since OK chases stopped last year after May 16th, I never though the mid-late May and June months to be chasing in OK/KS so much!

Fabian Guerra

06-21-2004, 04:52 PM

This year has been most excellent for me. Having never seeing a tornado my goal this year was to only witness one...just one. Well, I accomplished my goal seeing a total of 4 tornadoes on 3 different days. I chased in 11 states and loved every minute of each chase...yes, even the busts. In addition to the incredible storms I witnessed this year I was quite fortunate to have learned a lot from the more experienced chasers that I hooked up with.

Ok, this may sound corny but I want to take this time and space to send out a few "THANK YOU'S" to some of people who helped make this year great...

Damon Shaw, Ft Smith AK (Meteorologist): Thanks man! I learned a lot from you on our chases this year. Your forecasting was right on the money and your nowcasting on my IL chase really helped me see a nice tornado.

Jerry Funfsinn, Peru, IL: Jerry, you may be one of the best unsung chasers around. You always have a cool head under pressure. I learned a lot from you from the couple chases we went on this year.

Sara, my loving wife: For putting up with my growing obsession and holding down the fort whenever I have been on the road.

Scott Miller, Peoria, IL (founder of Stormtalkers.com). Thanks for all the nowcasting and a big THANKS for calling in the Secor tornado for me. It's pretty amazing to think that our report, which warranted the warning, may have saved someones life.

Pete McConnel, Gladstone, MO: Pete, your enthusiasm and dedication was awesome and you also deserve a big thanks for driving 7 days straight on our May trip. Congrats on your success this year too!

Tim Vasquez: I took your class at the storm convention in Denver and was really humbled. I realized how much I DIDN'T know about tornado forecasting and you helped point me in the right direction in terms of what I need to study up on. Your book is incredible as well. Thanks!

Dan Robinson, West Virginia: Dan, you are the man! It was a pleasure chasing with you the few times that we did this year. You are truly a dedicated and disciplined storm chaser with a great eye for taking pictures and video. I look forward to seeing you out there next year and hooking up again to do some chasing.

Dave Crowley, Tulsa, OK. Dude, you are the BBQ King. That was the best filet mignon I've ever had especially after living off beef jerky and double cheeseburgers for a week straight. Thanks for the hospitality and I'll see you next season!

STORMTRACK: To all of you at Stormtrack.org a HUGE thanks for making this the best storm chaser website in the world, period.

Sincerely,
Fabian

Richard Halter

06-21-2004, 06:26 PM

Hard to follow that Academy Award Acceptance Speech :)

Anyhow, far and away my best week ever. 3 PDS days, 4 days in tornado warnings, the start of the McCloud tornado in Missouri on the 24th, 6 tornados at Jamestown on the 29th, and running out of the way from the Belleville anticyclonic on the 29th as well.

Uber structure, a wedge, winds galore, kids huddled in the hallway of the hotel under a tornado warning asking me if they are going to be ok, and then how a doppler radar works. And catching a Royals/Twins game in KC.

Meeting Amos Magliocco, Angie from Tennessee, Matt Crowther, John Moore, Al Moeller, and a couple of dozen other chasers who's names I am blanking out on.

The nice guys at the Springfield, Mo NWS office (and letting the air out of Evan Bookbinder's tires)

The nice people we met everywhere who were full of questions, the great hotel (Victorian Inn) in Beatrice, NE and the good hotel (Best Inn) in Salina, Kan.

4 nights excellent hospitality from Bill Winkler in Lawrence, Kansas that left us well positioned for most of the action.

3300 miles in a nice 2004 Rav 4 that we think chasers had driven before (how else did a 6 month old car already have 25000 miles on it before we rented it?)

It will be at least two years until I can make it back, here's to 2006!

PS: I really didn't flatten the tires on Evan's Miata, but I wish I would have thought of it at the time :twisted:

JHadorn

06-21-2004, 10:36 PM

the great hotel (Victorian Inn) in Beatrice, NE

Maybe I can talk them into using that for a marketing angle in the summer:

Chasers welcome, stay half-price!

Angie Norris

06-22-2004, 10:26 PM

Outstanding, awesome, incredible!! This was my best chase year yet, starting with May 22 in Nebraska, my first Plains tornado west of Beatrice, NE, the incredible supercell that went on to produce the monster that unfortunately destoyed Hallem, NE, then the incredible series of tornadoes on May 29 in Kansas, not to mention a couple of quick little neighborhood chases in OK that yielded a quick little funnel near Union City (Rich...Jo and I were on that one, too). The only thing that was disappointing... Panhandle Magic was missing this year...only got one storm near Pampa.
Many thanks to George Tincher for nowcasting for me...George, you are the best!! and Shane Adams who is the world's best navigator (and Shane...I do forgive you for that sand road in Kansas :wink: )!!
Looking forward to next year already!! 8)

Angie

Mike Hollingshead

06-23-2004, 12:51 AM

Outstanding year. I would say I missed out on either the tors of a bunch of big days, or the day all together by not chasing it more times this year then probably any other. This is what is crazy though, all that missing out on and still saw more tors this year then any other and on more days then any other. I would say for what was being produced I did as well as any other year I've chased. I screwed up a ton of days in other words, but caught enough to keep me comparatively happy. I've never been that great at catching tornadoes, let alone good ones(0-30 in 2002). Not terrible no, but I hate not catching them all no matter how much a reality it is for *most* of us. I envy the hell out of those that seem to nail every damn thing. I want to pull YOUR hair out on those days I miss out on and get to read all about.

Chased May 22, May 29, and June 12 and did not see a single tor those days. On the Big Springs NE storm I was late(June 10) and got 30 seconds only of that tor show. Opted out on March 27(DOH!!!!!! as it turned out). Opted out on May 10, Colorado(DOH again, but there is probably no way I'd of been down there for the tors). Opted out on May 12(double DOH!!!!). What day was that Bradgate IA and other IA tors? May 21? I screwed the pooch good on that one too, missing not only the IA tors, but the tor near Norfolk NE that day too.

My tors for the year fall way short of what most saw this year, but I'm not complaining. I love those INSANE class storms and was lucky enough to see them on 4 days. June 13th Waverly NE surprise storm would certainly fit the insane category. The May 22 Columbus non-tornadic SUPER meso was also insane. I don't think I'll probably ever see a meso/supercell like that again. The May 28 ne NE sculpted like hell inflow beast was easily the best sculpted sup I've seen. That will be hard to beat in it's own little category. The May 16 holt co. tornadic sup just slips into the insane category. I don't think personally I'll ever top this year as a whole for me, and I don't hope to. Years like this can 'ruin' a guy I think. This year also holds a rather amazing feat. The utter lack of cap bust days. I have forgotten what it's like to sit in the sun waiting on a cap to break. I can only recall one no storm bust drive home that took place in nw IA on that mod risk wednesday most all of us busted on. And even that day had those crazy cyclical sups along the wf after dark in nc IA.

I am very serious about that ruining a guy comment. It may seem like a damn silly comment, half wanting to see less cool stuff. It is. But, at the start of this year I was excited seeing weak showering cu that couldn't spark a cg if they had to. Excited enough to snap pics out the window of my apt, edit them, and forward to a fellow chaser on msn and say, "Cu!!!!!". June 12 in se NE that lead 'sup' started cranking out the nastiest cg fest you could imagine while being very outflow dominant and grungy. A year ago, I'd of been thoroughly giddy at this site. At this point, it was doing very little for me. As if it sucked because it was not able to produce. What a pity, huh. Just recently, I caught myself stopping the camcorder on a less then impressive tornado. I for a second thought it wasn't worth recording. Like a funny comment Amos made in chat, "Ho hum, another tornado". This was so true, and that is not good, I don't think. Like fishing in an aquarium filled with anorexic starving fish. Just not as fun as a severe farmers 'tan' from tooling around a small lake all day for.....a severe farmers 'tan'. But, alas, I can look back to all those SOBs that get them all, and get them all from this most amazing angle, year after year. I still see them chasing, and not seeming too ruined. I guess I just fear being ruined to the point of expecting too much and then becoming unsatisfied to the point chasing doesn't seem worth it anymore. I know come next February though, when I see that first little piece-o-crap Cu that I'll be snapping pics and forwarding them once again.

Mike

Laura Duchesne

06-23-2004, 10:58 AM

Well, here in Ontario, I've only been on two chases thus far this season and still got many more to go on... but so far things have been excellent.

May 23: Went on a 9 hour chase (that's considered a good long chase where I live!) with some friends. I saw a full condensation funnel, hard to say if it was actually on the ground, so I will just pass it as possible tornado... but it was beautiful... it is just too bad my partner forgot to bring the video camera Doh!!! :oops: Saw an inflow "stinger" for the first time on this chase, as well. Watched an incredible lightning show near the end of the chase.

June 14: Saw an incredible rotating meso and wall cloud on a brief but exciting chase. It didn't drop a tornado, but it was very close. Can't get any better than that here. Got great video on this one!

Mike Umscheid

06-23-2004, 03:09 PM

Compared to other years I have chased, I voted "outstanding". Even with just one chase day this season... May 29... I would have voted "outstanding". I don't think I will EVER observe what I witnessed on May 29th in Harper and Sumner County, KS. The rest of the season was merely icing on the cake. The "chase pattern" this season will go down among the best mid-upper tropospheric patterns for May-June since upper air observations have been made in the 1940s.

For you statistic buffs in the crowd, here's a summary of my season... up to this point, because who knows how the rest of the summer and fall end up!

Tornado days: 8
* April 20 near Beggs, OK
* May 16 near Scott City, KS
* May 24 Belleville, KS
* May 29 Harper-Sumner Co., KS
* June 6 McLean Co., ND
* June 9 Bennett to Woodrow, CO
* June 10 Big Springs, NE
* June 11 Webb, IA & Otho, IA

Tornadoes: Depending on counting philosophy, anywhere from 19 to 27
States chased: 7 (KS, NE, ND, CO, IA, OK, TX)
States tornadoes observed in: 6 (KS, OK, NE, ND, IA, CO)

Another interesting stat: my first tornado 3-peat! ...June 9, 10, and 11. (Hell, I've never even had a 2-peat :roll: )
* I observed a tornado at the farthest north latitude to date on June 6 in ND... 47.75N ~35 SSW of Minot

I think "tornado days" is a more interesting statistic for me personally, and I keep track of this number, versus actual number of tornadoes... because after all, what really is a tornado?

This, by far, was the best season for me in terms of tornado days. This crushed last year's 5 tornado days. Tied for third with 4 tornado days is 1999 and 2001... making a career number of tornado days 28 since 1998.

Like Mike H, I have had my frustrations, like many others (well, except for Eric Nguyen!!). My most notable "misses" on days that I chased were May 24th, when I just caught the last tornado (at Belleville KS) of this prolific tornado producer. I was also late for the first round of tornadoes in northern Iowa on June 11th, only catching the Webb, IA "narrow elephant trunk" tornado from a distance. We were also minutes late for the first Fort Dodge tornado from the southward propogating tornadic storm, but managed to observe the other subsequent tornadoes.

June 12th hurt, not so much that I missed the Mulvane event, but the fact that the NE-KS target, which I was 100% confident in... failed due to too many storms and too much cold outflow.

All in all, a year that will be very difficult to top for many, many years. This year has risen the bar for sure, in terms of observing long lived, high contrast tornadoes.

Mike U
www.underthemeso.com

Amos Magliocco

06-23-2004, 04:10 PM

Approximately 25 tornadoes in five states (OK, KS, CO, NE, TX) on eight tornado days.

27-March (4 in OK)
12-May (7 in KS)
16-May (2 in NE)
20-May (1 in CO)
21-May (1 in NE)
22-May (2 in NE)
29-May (7 in KS)
1-Jun (1 in TX)

I still haven't looked at most of my video. With my other project going full steam and a serious deadline approaching, reports and imagery will probably wait until winter.

We weren't very good on May 24th, but as time passes I feel better and better about it. Our decision-making was sound, just had bad luck. Did a lot better on the 29th, though our north Kansas tornadoes weren't nearly as photogenic as Harper County. May 12 was the highlight for me personally, a front row seat at every tornado, racing one across the highway, and general tornadoesque frolicking all around. My last chase was June 1 when my truck suffered major hail damage in northwest Texas. So I missed some big days, but you can't chase them all. I'm always grateful for the time I'm able to spend in the plains.

I agree with MikeU that the tornado count is becoming less meaningful for me. On both May 12 and 29, I filed reports saying I saw X tornadoes, only to see later damage surveys count X+Y, bascially increasing the number I had used for the same events. Considering that the definition of a tornado has become a matter of personal preference anyway--and there's nothing wrong with that--I think 'tornado days' and imagery have eclipsed these numbers for me.

Most importantly, the season was incredibly fun. Some catch phrases from 'ought four':

"Better call Doug!"

"Tomorrow is always better" [man did this turn out to be true or what??]

"Save as many as you can" [from Day After Tomorrow previews]

and last but not least,

"What county are we in?" [an inside joke that won't make sense until people see my May 12 video]

So, what else is there to say? I can't wait for October! 8)

PS: had to edit this as I'd forgotton about March 27!

Graham Butler

06-23-2004, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by Amos Magliocco

I agree with MikeU that the tornado count is becoming less meaningful for me.

After March 27th and June 12th I most definitely agree with this. I sit back and look at my photos from these days and it was the whole package that made it such a memorable day. Having a great photo (be it structure, lightning, or tornado) is more important than another nader for the list imho. (sorry shane.....you can start the "stills" bashing anytime now; I still can't believe I almost let the Mulvane tornado drift out of video cameras frame while snapping slides :shock: , lmao)

That being said getting 15 tornadoes this year made it not only my best year but my most memorable so far. I had a number of firsts this year one of which was being able to chase the northern plains. This can be directly linked to the fact that I moved to Lubbock Tx in Jan. Many thanks to David Drummond for kicking me into chasing shape and making me blow off many a weekend to chase!! Oh, and for setting up my chase vehicle!!!! I will post a page on my website sometime in the next month!!He did a first class job.

Who knows......the year isnt over yet!!! What else might happen???

Graham Butler, wx5svr
graham.butler@ttu.edu

Shane Adams

06-23-2004, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by Mike Hollingshead

I am very serious about that ruining a guy comment. Just recently, I caught myself stopping the camcorder on a less then impressive tornado. I for a second thought it wasn't worth recording. Like a funny comment Amos made in chat, \"Ho hum, another tornado\". Mike

I know what you're saying, but I think the "ho-hum" factor is a relatively-loclalized emotion......ANYONE becomes desensitized after multiple tornadoes......not neccesarily unimpressed or thrilled, but just "better able to deal with it." I know this year, I was getting used to seeing tornadoes, and eventually expecting to see tornadoes. On my videos, I seem pretty composed and "unthrilled" sometimes, but that's just something I HAVE to do to keep from doing handstands in the middle of the road and yelling HOLY **** YEAH!!!!!" I get so damn crazy emotionally when I'm seeing a tornado, I have to put up a "defense" mechanism, which is just maintiaining myself like a pro videographer or whatever and just dealing with it, otherwise I'd still be doing what I used to do in the old days....come home thrilled as hell, then put in my video and sit there pissed off or disappointed because a great EXPERIENCE yielded **** for video.....bouncy, out of focus, not on the tornado, whatever. I had to get out of that habit of losing myself in the experience and forgetting that I had a job to do, which is document the thing on video.

My mindset is, I'm never satisfied with a year until the moment it's over - and then I'm very thankful and pleased. I just can't be like "I've had a good year, I'm happy" when there's still half the year left, and who knows what can happen. No matter how long I do this, I will never stop believing my year is "done" before the actual calendar year is doen, I'll never be able to concede before New Year's Eve. That's just the fire in me that fuels this whole thing, lol.

Man, I talked a bit there didn't I?

Amos Magliocco

06-23-2004, 06:28 PM

Richard Halter

06-23-2004, 08:24 PM

Hey Mike Umschied, I notice you don't say "28 tornado days since 1997"

LOLOL :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

To make a long story short, Mike U. and I chased in 1997 with Mark Hill when Mike was just a pipsqueak of a graduating high school student. We ended our chase 3 days early after one of the most dissappointing efforts - the ridge of death to synoptic systems was locked in. We got in on one tornado warning in New Mexico, but other than that - nada.

And Mark's truck ate all our cash (I think it used to break down when I looked at it).

But I really think that you should count 1997 in that little tally. :roll:

KMcCallister

06-24-2004, 12:10 AM

My best chase season ever!

While I won't get into reporting "tornado totals" in public anymore, I did find the most stunning statistic for this year compared to my previous chase seasons was this: I saw at least one tornado on 7 different days, and more than one tornado on most of these days. I've never had the opportunity to chase enough before to have that happen.

March 27th
May 12th
May 20th
May 22nd
May 24th
May 29th
June 12th

October ???

Mike Kruze

06-24-2004, 04:15 AM

This chase season definitely goes down as 'outstanding' in my books. I've only been chasing since the fall of 2001, and only in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio for that matter. Those first 2 1/2 years were filled with a lot of squall lines, grunge, and marginally-severe cells moving 60 MPH. It didn't take much more than seeing 1/2" hail to consider a chase a successful one. That said, 2004 absolutely BLEW the last few years out of the water. Like Fabian, my goal this year was to see _A_ tornado. I figured unless that tornado was going to be a brief rain-wrapped F0 embedded in a squall line at night, I was going to have to get out of Indiana and see what the Plains were all about. So late in the winter I planned a chase vacation with some friends that would take place during the last 10 days in May.

Turns out I wouldn't need to wait that long. On April 20 Ben Cotton and I intercepted a series of photogenic tornados near Jamestown, IN that dropped from one of the only slow-moving, truly isolated supercells I had seen since moving to Indiana 4 years earlier. We each saw our first tornado that day, and if the season ended right there it would have been an amazing success. But there was still the chase vacation to the plains during the last 10 days of May to look forward to :)

It doesn't need to be said that I got lucky with the week my friends and I picked to go to the plains. On 5/21, we just missed the Norfolk, NE tornado but still observed a gorgeous, backlit rotating wall cloud.

On 5/22, we watched a large, dark mass move to the northwest of us somewhere near the town of Hallam, NE. While we suspected there was more than rain in there, it wasn't until later that night that we learned what we really saw.

Two days later, 5/24, went beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of. We arrived early on the Nuckolls/Thayer County, NE cell and watched numerous tornadoes before it transitioned into a gorgeous LP in northern KS.

On 5/26 we observed a non-tornadic supercell west of Oklahoma City with incredible structure, and on 5/29 I unfortunately arrived too late to observe the tornadoes near Concordia, KS but still caught some beautiful structure and mammatus.

What made this season truly outstanding was not just the storms I observed, but how much I learned in the process. I saw things this year that I had previously only read about in books or on the Internet. And without a doubt my forecasting skills improved. 2004 will be a year to remember.

-Mike

P.S. Anyone know the correct pronunciation of "Norfolk, NE?" On NWR and local news broadcasts I could have sworn I heard it pronounced "Nor-fork." Where does the 'R' come from?

Shane Adams

06-24-2004, 07:41 AM

Originally posted by Mike Kruze
P.S. Anyone know the correct pronunciation of \"Norfolk, NE?\" On NWR and local news broadcasts I could have sworn I heard it pronounced \"Nor-fork.\" Where does the 'R' come from?

I pronounce it "Nor-fuq" :lol:

But the NE town that drives me nuts is Beatrice. I pronounce it "Bee-tris"....I refuse to say "Bee-aaa-triss."

Everytime I hear the Roboto voice say this town, I think it's gonna say "Biiiaatch"

Mike Hollingshead

06-24-2004, 02:16 PM

Everytime I hear the Roboto voice say this town, I think it's gonna say \"Biiiaatch\"

I love being near the county of Menehaha in South Dakota. It always sounds like the robot is laughing.

Mike Hollingshead

06-24-2004, 05:49 PM

What is making this season even better then outstanding chasewise is now that it's late June, it's freaking PERFECT out. I have on jeans and a hooded sweatshirt....in Nebraska....in late June.

.TONIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE
EVENING. NEAR RECORD LOWS IN THE UPPER 40S.

It has been so nice for days and days now and it's getting yet another shot of fall-like air. Might have to kick the furnace on tonight yet again. Tornadoes galore in the 2 months that matter the most chasewise, and then instead of 100/75 with no wind day after day, 62/44 with lows in the 40s at night.....

mrobinson

06-24-2004, 05:53 PM

Originally posted by Mike Hollingshead
What is making this season even better then outstanding chasewise is now that it's late June, it's freaking PERFECT out. I have on jeans and a hooded sweatshirt....in Nebraska....in late June.

.TONIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE
EVENING. NEAR RECORD LOWS IN THE UPPER 40S.

It has been so nice for days and days now and it's getting yet another shot of fall-like air. Might have to kick the furnace on tonight yet again. Tornadoes galore in the 2 months that matter the most chasewise, and then instead of 100/75 with no wind day after day, 62/44 with lows in the 40s at night..... AMEN!! I'm in sweats and a t-shirt with the windows open at the end of June!!

Susan Strom

06-24-2004, 08:48 PM

My season doesn't taper off until Sept (lightning). 8)
This year added Iowa & Illinois to chase states - I think that's 11 now. confessed drive-a-holic

John Farley

06-25-2004, 01:32 AM

Good, but not great. Circumstances kept me in the wrong geographic areas at the wrong times, with a couple exceptions. I was too busy with work to chase until mid-May, then had a travel day May 12 flying past the awesome storms in Kansas that day en route to a New Mexico vacation for the remainder of May. Had hoped to chase the panhandle area or NE NM, but the pattern was nothing like the past week or two, storms way north. (Now that I'm back in IL, there have been storms a-plenty in that area. And there were lots of storms here while I was in NM in May, too! One tornado hit 5 miles from my house while I was there. :x )

Still, I did have a good day May 29, catching the awesome supercell in OK. However, because I suckered north on the first good storm, I played catch-up with what became the storm of the day, missing most of the tornadoes but getting a low-contrast view of what was likely one of the tornadoes west of Geary. Also, a nice high-contrast landspout funnel or tornado on the flanking line (which dissipated before I could get a pic, naturally :cry: ), and a strongly-rotating anti-cyclonic wall cloud and funnel, along with the biggest hailstones I've ever seen :!: . Aside from that, I've only had two chase opportunities, but did catch an impressive HP supercell in SW IL June 18.

So, given that the combination of work commitments early in the season and geographic mismatch since have limited me to just 3 chase days, it hasn't been bad. Had the work and geographic timing worked out differently, it could have been great. Still hoping for some July opportunities in northern IL, IA, or northern IN, though.

UPDATE - JULY 11 - This year could make it into the "great" category yet. Got in 2 early July chases right out my back door, including the massive and photogenic July 5 storm that knocked out power to 200,000 in the St. Louis area. And this time, when a tornado was reported 5 miles from my house, I didn't miss seeing it, though I am awaiting verification because I was too far away and in town to see what was going on under the lowering. And, like the May 29 landspout, I didn't manage to get any pics of it either - I need to work on being quicker with my camera! At least I got some nice backlit structure shots of the storm earlier in the chase, though.

Tony Laubach

06-25-2004, 04:52 AM

How was 2004... unbelievable!!! I don't think there is a word anywhere in the world that can describe the 2004 chase season.. to start things out, some stats using Shane's thingie...

CHASES - 21*
MILES - 13,965*
TORNADOES - 28*
TORNADO DAYS - 5*
STATES CHASED - CO, WY, NE, KS, OK, TX, IA, MO

*Personal Records

Noteworthy Stuff...
May 29 saw the most tornadoes in a single day than any other previous chase (15) (http://www.tornadoeskick.com/log040529.html).
March 27 was my earliest chase conducted with earliest tornadoes (3) (http://www.tornadoeskick.com/log040327.html).
May 12 was an incredible chase with (as Amos says) front row seats to 7 different tornadoes (http://www.tornadoeskick.com/log040512.html).
I spent nearly 70% of my chase miles on or north of I-70, yet saw all but 1 of my 28 tornadoes south of I-70 (most along Hwy 160).
Hwy 160 yielded 22 of my 28 tornadoes between Medicine Lodge and I-35
I got my first DCVZ tornadoes on July 15, breaking a several year drought (http://www.tornadoeskick.com/log040615.html).

As June comes to a close and I begin to prepare for a new apartment and the upcoming Fall semester, I have given in to the fact that my 2004 season is likely finished with the exception of some very local stuff that may get me outside the Denver city limits.. I still have hopes of peaking the 15,000 mile mark, but won't even begin to complain!

I came into the 2004 season with 3 goals:
1. To break the 10,000 mile mark
2. To score double digit (>10) tornadoes
3. To get my first Nationally televised tornado

After May 29 concluded, I had accomplished all 3. A trip of tornadoes would await me in June between Nebraska and Colorado, but I had basically scored what will likely be a career month in May, nabbing 22 tornadoes between the two big chase days for me (May 12 and 29).

This season was the most fun I have had chasing. Although some major disappointments and outside stress did come into play from time-to-time, this season will go down as one of my best, not only in terms of tornadoes, but just in how I was able to be out as much as I was. Add to that the people involved with my season, especially those whom I had the privilage to chase with; namely Blake Naftel, Amos Magliocco, the Weathervine Crew, Todd Sprinkman, and many others whom I ran across in my journeys. The experience was priceless; I learned so much this season in terms of forecasting, nowcasting, and field stuff. This was an incredible year all the way around.

I'm sure I'll have a few more small chases to add between now and September, as hopefully the monsoon season will kick in a bit and give me a few chances to score some good lightning shots. Maybe the Eastern Plains will yield a couple more twisters to bring my count to 30. Who knows? All I do know, I could retire as a chaser tomorrow and feel very happy with what occured for me this year. Again, major thanks to the earlier mentioned as well as the dozens of others who aided me along the way. Trust me, I know at least a dozen names I can't recall added to the many nowcasters myself and those I chased with kept on the phone.

Happy hunting for those still wandering around.. I, myself, hope to get a few more trips, but only Nature and time will tell.. be safe!

For a complete list of chase logs, visit my website at http://www.tornadoeskick.com and hit up the Chase Logs Section (http://www.tornadoeskick.com/logs.html).

Blake W. Naftel

06-29-2004, 08:13 AM

I never dreamed that the 2004 severe weather season would be so prolific in forms of tornado production following the amazing spectacles of nature encountered during 2003. The first chase of the season (27-March) began with four tornadoes and amazing storm structure following the excellent Iowa NWA severe storms and Doppler radar conference. Followed weeks later by numerous April chases:

17-18 of April across N. Central Iowa and Albert Lea, MN (one of two sweet spots for me this season); 20-April: near Cedar Lake, Indiana (a dusk/evening chase which resulted in a very close call); 22-April: Tulsa/Haskell, OK tornadoes (the Haskel, OK tornado made the season for me); 23-April: Psuedo-HP supercell which resulted in massive Dr. Pepper spillage, a flat tire that was fixed with two helpings of regular flavor Bubble Yum, and an empty water bottle which flew off my vehicle towards the windshield of a on-coming vehicle containing Dr. Howard Bluestien.

After the active March and April (early season) events; May madness marched towards the chasing masses; literally at times! Missing out on the 12-May tornadic events in S. CEN. KS (the second of two sweet spots); Tony Laubach (who was recovering from his then record day near Attica/Argonia) and I chased to Wichita Falls, TX and points south on the 13-May. This chase resulted in utter jackassery, massive spillage of carbonated beverages, and "the booger" heard round SPS. This was one of the most hilarious chases I've ever been apart of; but hey, at least we witnessed a rip-roaring and picturesque bow echo w/ stationary swirlies. The following weekend was spent in Norman; and attending Rocky R's rockin' storm chaser BBQ in Piedmont. Finally met Shane Adams (in person) for the first time; coupled with numerous other chasers I had been in contact with dating back to 10 years prior. Good times; of course I did become a security breach at the National Severe Storms Laboratory following a debacle of jackassery on my behalf. Life goes on however ;0)

My "tour of duty" for Tempest Tours began following my annual Iowa bust on 19-May; experiencing the bust with me were chase partners Steven Jascourt and Tim Jones; eventually meeting up with Todd Sprinkman and Scott Weberpal. Tour 3A of Tempest found me driving for a meteorology/geography class (of seven) from Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL. Bill Reid, Kinney Adams, Brian Morganti, Keith Brown, the IC folks, and myself were treated to the most prolific period of photogenic, slow-moving tornadic events in recent memory. Personally, I had never experienced a year such as this! From 22-May to 26-May; Bill, Kinney, and I had witnessed 11 tornadoes (22-May: Dewitt, NE; 24-May: Theyer Co. NE and Belleville, KS; 26-May: Red Rock/Sooner Lake, OK. I must say this was the *best* tour group I have ever taken out since embarking on the chase tour scene in 2001; and the weather finally cooperated in terms of tornado production.

The pinnacle day was 29-May near Argonia/Wellington/Wichita, Kansas. The chase tour was over; and I was finally free act independently. I was fortunate to have a wonderful chase partner/navigator this day; Melissa Moon; eventually meeting up and chasing with Tony Lauabch (whom we split off from prior to the tornadoes); Chris Nuttal and Kyle Moesley (whom accompanied us for the duration of the main event). This day resulted in the most photogenic large tornadoes and storm structure ever encountered together! I've seen tornadoes like that of the Argonia wedge; and structure; but never together! For the second time in a week, I was witnessing three tornadoes on the ground simultaneously. Totally, Mel, Chris, Kyle and myself viewed 11 tornadoes; and had the chase of our lives to date!

The season wasn't through yet; and while it wasn't a financially savvy chase; I certainly do not regret chasing to the Hawkeye state on 11-June. Scott Kampas and I witnessed a 15-minute photogenic tornado; coupled with the best and (only; to date) photogenic supercellular structure encountered in Iowa. This chase broke the long standing five-year curse of busts; and concluded in Rochester, MN with a gourgous "stormset". Scott and I chased into NE Kansas on 12-June; and tornadogenesis was oh-so-close near Riley, KS; but no cigar!

Finances, academic and personal commitments concluded the 2004 chase season (outside of local chases). Through the entire process, I learned several new life lessons; and or one's that stuck with/changed me as an individual; and made me a better human being (IMO) overall. I made so many new connections this season; namely at The University of Oklahoma; where I plan to pursue grad school (MS in meteorology) in a couple of years. I chased with a host of individuals; all whom were great, leaving lasting impressions that never will be forgotten... or at least should make for one VERY interesting chase highlight video later this year.

..Blake..

Scott Currens

06-30-2004, 04:48 PM

2004 is by far my best chase season. I can’t imagine I’ll ever having a better year.

For those of you that like stats.

Year 2004
# of chases 25
# of busts 1
# of tornado days 7
# of torndoes 41
# of hail (>2in) days 5
# of miles driven 14641
tornado time (minutes viewing tornadoes) 323
miles/tornadoes 357
Tor minutes/chases 12.9

Scott Currens

Eric Nguyen has posted pictures from our chases.
http://www.mesoscale.ws/

Dan Robinson

06-30-2004, 05:29 PM

Although I still have a lot of work yet to do on chase reports and photos, here is my season summary/stats for 2004, using this thread's format:

- Chase days: 16
- Tornadoes: 12
- Tornado days: 6
- Miles: 12,400
- States: 14
- Round trips from West Virginia: 3
- Total time in the Great Plains: Just under 4 weeks
- Tanks of gas: Approximately 32
- Oil changes: 3
- Brake pads: 2
- MiniDV tapes: 35
- Fuel cost: Approximately $1000
- Total season cost (not counting equipment): Approximately $2000

I owe a big thanks to:
Dave Crowley & Justin Teague for excellent forecasting; Dave Crowley for the guest room and steak cookout in Tulsa, Pete McConnell, Damon Shaw & Fabian Guerra for an enjoyable week-long chase team-up; Bill Coyle, Dave Crowley and Tim Vasquez for nowcasting, and most of all thanks to the Lord for blessings of a great season, new friends, safety on the roads, and keeping the truck running for every one of those 12,400 miles.

I was thankful to be able to meet a lot of fellow chasers out in the field this year, I apologize for not being able to remember everyone's names, but it was great to see you all out 'under the meso' and look forward to meeting again in the future. If the Lord is willing I will be back in 2005!

Shane Adams

06-30-2004, 06:35 PM

Originally posted by Scott Currens
# of torndoes 41

Congratulations, Scott!!! You've tied the all-time known record for most tornadoes in a single year, that's amazing.

Mikey Gribble

06-30-2004, 08:44 PM

This year was incredible and I couldn't be happier. I got to see some amazing storms including the Hallem storm from the start which was hands down the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed. Every thing just kind of went my way this year. The tornadic storms that I saw this year were the 3/27 Woodward County, 5/12 Harper County, 5/22 Hallem, 5/24 North Missouri, 5/29 Harper County, and 6/12 South central Kansas. In all I saw 21 tornadoes. I had some world class skunkings to go along with it though. I made the trip from Wichita to St. Cloud Minnesota, made an appearance in NW Nebraska, and saw every inch of Iowa, but the busts just made it all the sweeter.

Dan Robinson

06-30-2004, 11:02 PM

Originally posted by Shane Adams+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Shane Adams)</div><!--QuoteBegin-Scott Currens
# of torndoes 41

Congratulations, Scott!!! You've tied the all-time known record for most tornadoes in a single year, that's amazing.[/b]

Wow Scott, that is quite a number!!

That got me thinking - if one were to be fortunate enough to have picked the right storm (the 'storm of the day') on every tornado day this year (IE, May 29 Harper County, May 24 NE/KS border, May 12 Attica, June 11 Storm Lake, etc.) what would the maximum theoretical tornado count for a single chaser be? On that note, did any chaser actually bat 1000 on ALL of the big days in terms of being on the storm that everyone wished they were on?

Just off the top of my head it seems like a very skilled and lucky chaser could have seen 60 or more tornadoes this year. I can't think of another year where a number like that has been possible (IE maximum tornadoes a chaser could possibly see in a single season).

Jeff Snyder

06-30-2004, 11:33 PM

Originally posted by Dan Robinson

Wow Scott, that is quite a number!!

That got me thinking - if one were to be fortunate enough to have picked the right storm (the 'storm of the day') on every tornado day this year (IE, May 29 Harper County, May 24 NE/KS border, May 12 Attica, June 11 Storm Lake, etc.) what would the maximum theoretical tornado count for a single chaser be? On that note, did any chaser actually bat 1000 on ALL of the big days in terms of being on the storm that everyone wished they were on?

Just off the top of my head it seems like a very skilled and lucky chaser could have seen 60 or more tornadoes this year. I can't think of another year where a number like that has been possible (IE maximum tornadoes a chaser could possibly see in a single season).

I and my chase friends got on the "storm of the day" May 12th, May 22 (if Thayer county - Hallam storm was the S.of.the.Day, which it may not have been), and June 12th... Well, we were on the storm near Haskell and Muskogee OK April 22nd a netted a decent tornado...

Whatever the case, I agree that if someone, through some undeniable luck, got on the storm-of-the-day for all chaseable events, I could definately see someone bagging 60 tornadoes this year. I'd be up to over 30 had I been on the May 29th Harper co storm rather than the central OK HP beast. It HAS definately been an incredible year... Despite this, more than 50% of the chases I went on included a tornado (or 2, or 8)... The ONLY "cap bust" that I had this year was May 18th, when we waited around Wellington and ICT for initiation and got robbed as the cap held, but even that was an interesting chase since we got to view the damage from the 5/12 Harper F4 and others... I seriously can't imagine a better chase year. Sure, I could have gotten more tornadoes, but I'm 100% satisfied with the way things went this year... Welll, not 100%, only 90%, given how May 29th turned out. LOL you know it's been a good year if you witness an HP MONSTER with a couple of tornadoes (including a very nice anticyclonic tornado) and consider it not a complete success...

JHadorn

06-30-2004, 11:47 PM

Originally posted by Shane Adams

But the NE town that drives me nuts is Beatrice. I pronounce it \"Bee-tris\"....I refuse to say \"Bee-aaa-triss.\"

Everytime I hear the Roboto voice say this town, I think it's gonna say \"Biiiaatch\"

You pronounce it like the name (as in, "Here is my daughter. Her name is Beatrice.") which is semi-correct. The town was named after the founder's daughter and perhaps that was the original way to say it (my last name is pronounced "Hay-dorn" in the US, but the true way to say it is "Haa-dorn" but we've learned to accept it as "Hay-dorn" and have said it that way for a long time). People in Beatrice have generally come to accept the fact that nobody can say the name right, so we don't care much anymore.

David Sallee

07-01-2004, 04:12 AM

Can't really say I had a "great" year but for my experience level and # of chase days, it was good for me...

Chase Days = 5*
Tornado Days = 1* (my very first Tornado)
Funnels seen = 4* (my 1st funnels too)
Hail Size = 1.5*
States Chased = 2* - Mo & Ok
Miles Chased = 1200*

*= Personal best or highs

Last year (my 1st year) I chased a total of 2 times... mostly got lightning shots....

Dave

James McCormick

07-01-2004, 11:48 PM

I voted this chase season an 'excellent' chase season for results and success of chases. I enjoy the hunt, and it truly was outstanding in the number of days that I was able to get out and about in Nebraska and northern Kansas. Just a couple of decision from being an oustanding season for results as well. Still hoping for a shot or two on the high plains here in July.

The season seemed a lot better for photogenetic tornadoes in Nebraska. The past couple of years it has always seemed that we have been fighting precipitation or precipitation wrapping around the tornado for photos. This year, several tornadoes (Amelia, NE; southern Rock county, NE - 5/16, Hader, NE - 5/21, Precept, NE - 5/22, Mound City, MO - 5/24) were very photogenetic with the wall cloud seperated from the precipitation. Another big plus this year was the lack of hail we encountered. A couple of golf balls from an RFD near Orleans, NE on 5/22 were the biggest hailstones we saw. I was particularly thrilled to see a couple of storms from the point of the cap breaking through the tornado (5/21 in C/NE Nebraska most notably).

Strangest/Most exciting day was May 22nd. Started in Furnas county, NE, around 4:30 and spent most of the next 5 hours south or southwest (and eventually east) of tornadic supercells, viewing numerous wall clouds and funnels while bagging three confirmed tornadoes, all south of the formidable precipitation core to our north.

One big item I missed this year was the cyclical supercell that kept producing tornadoes. Also fell out of position early with bad initiation points on a couple of big days (May 29th most notably). Only 'bust' was a day (June 15) in which nothing really materialized after models had indicated the day was worth taking off 48 hours in advance. Missed June 13th in Nebraska big time by not paying enough attention to the radar data on the storm when it first strengthened. Tough to miss a tornado that close to home.

Not sure how many miles we chased - May 21-24 was over 2,000 miles in 3 chases alone, and May 16th, June 10th, June 12th, and June 15th were long days as well. Was well over 3000 miles (maybe over 4K), which is well over the distance for any season I have ever traveled before.

James

Jamie Lahowetz

07-02-2004, 12:42 PM

This season was excellent. I learned so much and even though i did not spot any tornadoes (I'm still a rookie) i gained a mound of experience and have came off this year very happy. I observed a wall cloud and a few occurences of golfball size hail. Having so much "action" around home this year gave me plenty of chances to practice my meteorology and link it to actual observations. It was Great.

Bill Tabor

07-09-2004, 02:28 PM

It was good for me. Obviously there were a lot of good tornadic episodes and I chased a fair amount (10 chases or so), but I purposely chose not to go on the best events even though I forecasted them very accurately. My target areas were usually within one county of where the tornadoes occurred. Too bad it had to go this way for me, but I just had other priorities this year which preempted me going. There were a couple of instances where I went that didn't turn out as good as they could have. On one of my early chases I caught the Tulsa Sapulpa tornado, but couldn't get a place to park, and videotape it well while it was still on the ground. Even though I caught the tornado, my shots of it are not good. On May 29th I left late to catch my intentional target in KS, and in OKC pulled the antenna out of my cell phone causing me to lose any current updates. I went west instead (because of time) to catch the dryline. I caught a great storm with tornadoes, but didn't know about the Harper storm on the KS border. Had I had data it may have been different. The day of Mulvane I actually did a poor forecast IMO and stayed north too long. Once again I was unable to get hardly any data in KS (for some cellular reason) and was able to decide only too late to break for the area south of Wichita (aka Mulvane). I arrived and chased the storm in the dusk / dark, but missed the great daytime show spectacle.

Not sure of my stats, because I haven't bothered to try and calculate them yet. I can't complain though because it was my choice not to go after numerous storms such as Attica, or near the Tx / Ok panhandle another time, and also the series that occurred early in IA/NE. No doubt I would have had bunch of torns on video like a lot of others had I made the effort.

Also, I can't complain because I did capture a lot of weaker torns, and saw some incredible supercells and storms. A lot of these are on my website with pictures, accounts, and some video. Check some of them out here: http://www.tornadoxtreme.com/2004_Chases/2...004_chases.html (http://www.tornadoxtreme.com/2004_Chases/2004_chases.html)

In summary had I chose to chase all of it I believe I would have categorized it as excellent for me; however since I didn't I would rate it as good.

Jimmy Deguara

07-11-2004, 12:09 AM

Hi,

http://www.australiasevereweather.com/video/thumbs/2004/0512jd034.jpg David Croan and I enjoyed the 2004 season immensely - excellent structures and quite a few tornadoes whilst we were in the US. Being in the US for 6 weeks total, mostly 3 weeks were productive. The following are some of the photographs and video stills for SOME of the events.

http://www.australiasevereweather.com/photography/thumbs/2004/0523jd03.jpg
http://www.australiasevereweather.com/phot...jd20040627.html (http://www.australiasevereweather.com/photography/photos/new/jd20040627.html)
http://www.australiasevereweather.com/photography/thumbs/2004/0524jd08.jpg
http://www.australiasevereweather.com/phot...jd20040627.html (http://www.australiasevereweather.com/photography/photos/new/jd20040627.html)

12th May 2004
http://www.australiasevereweather.com/vide...4/20040512.html (http://www.australiasevereweather.com/video/stills/2004/20040512.html)

24th May 2004
http://www.australiasevereweather.com/vide...4/20040524.html (http://www.australiasevereweather.com/video/stills/2004/20040524.html)

29th May 2004
http://www.australiasevereweather.com/vide...4/20040529.html (http://www.australiasevereweather.com/video/stills/2004/20040529.html)

Regards,

Jimmy