29 May 2011 – Fast Movers!

Chased after some fast moving storms, but could not circumnavigate the south Chicago metro area and keep up at the same time.  These storms produced tornadoes around Kalamazoo, MI, but I was 2 hours away as this happened.  At least I got a good look at some dramatic daytime  anvil crawlers. Sorry, no photos. But the GoPro camera is on my Christmas list.  After seeing Chris Gullikson use it so effectively, I want one! I may even go 3D (http://gopro.com/hd-hero-accessories/3d-hero-system/).

The good news is that I passed my Spotter Network exam and have the software for real-time reports set up.  The near real-time positioning works as long as I have a broadband connection up (and the laptop does not hibernate, as it did when I stopped for a quick McDonald’s run).

Was I wasting my time? Maybe. Was it a good storm day? Yup. Check this storm reports excerpt:

000
NWUS53 KLOT 292344
LSRLOT

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO/ROMEOVILLE IL
644 PM CDT SUN MAY 29 2011

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1145 AM     TSTM WND GST     DUPAGE AIRPORT          41.92N 88.25W
05/29/2011  M58.00 MPH       DUPAGE             IL   ASOS
            1135 CDT.

1224 PM     HAIL             KINSMAN                 41.19N 88.57W
05/29/2011  M1.00 INCH       GRUNDY             IL   AMATEUR RADIO
            WEST OF THE TOWN ON GARDNER ROAD.

1253 PM     HAIL             JOLIET                  41.53N 88.12W
05/29/2011  E0.25 INCH       WILL               IL   TRAINED SPOTTER
            INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 30 AND GOUGAR ROAD.

1259 PM     HAIL             NEW LENOX               41.52N 87.98W
05/29/2011  E0.75 INCH       WILL               IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

0103 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     KANKAKEE                41.12N 87.86W
05/29/2011                   KANKAKEE           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER
            CROSSING I-57

0105 PM     TSTM WND DMG     KANKAKEE                41.12N 87.86W
05/29/2011                   KANKAKEE           IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT
            12 TO 16 INCH DIAMETER TREE UPROOTED ON COBB ST. TREE
            FELL ON CAR. DRIVER NOT INJURED.

0105 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     HERSCHER                41.05N 88.10W
05/29/2011                   KANKAKEE           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER
            AT COUNTY LINE RD 8000 S AND RT 45.

0105 PM     TSTM WND DMG     KANKAKEE                41.12N 87.86W
05/29/2011                   KANKAKEE           IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT
            TREES DOWN ON CAR ON COBB BLVD

0115 PM     TSTM WND DMG     KANKAKEE                41.12N 87.86W
05/29/2011                   KANKAKEE           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER
            3 LARGE TREES DOWN ON MAIN ST NEAR HOSPITAL

0115 PM     TSTM WND DMG     KANKAKEE                41.12N 87.86W
05/29/2011                   KANKAKEE           IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT
            TREE LIMBS AND POWER LINES DOWN CITY WIDE

 

 

I am also running with the $25/month AllisonHouse data service subscription.  It’s WAY easier to make chase decisions when you can see fronts quickly (like the warm front below), take the tornado risk ‘blob(s)’  — the purplish contours, below — into account, see dew point contours (green), etc.:

NOTE: This particular screen shot shows why Tempest Tour’s Bill Reid chose to stay at West Point, NE (near KOAX) last night: short drive, big storms right on the doorstep.  His passengers even have time for a Walmart run this morning and a sit-down lunch before scoring a big storm. Good call, Bill!