I get questions from time to time asking what program I am currently using on my Surface Pro 4 for maps and navigation while chasing. I do still use Microsoft Streets & Trips 2013, but it’s usually just running in the background zoomed out as a reference map. My go-to mapping application now is the standard Windows Maps application by Microsoft.
Read more
Watching a few Dixie Alley setups come and go during February meant that my traditional chase season was approaching. For a few days prior to March 15th, models had been indicating a pretty decent system moving into the Mid-Mississippi Valley drawing up moisture into Iowa and Illiniois and signs were pointing to this being an opportunity for the first chase of the year for me.
Read more
So I had the day before Christmas Eve scheduled off at work because I hadn’t taken a day off just to relax in a long time. When I take time off it’s usually to chase, so of course when the 23rd started approaching, there was a chance of severe weather in the midwest. No chill day for me!
Read more
November 11th presented an opportunity for the first chase in a while. A powerful system with a 120kt 500mb jet was moving into the Central Plains atop a deepening surface low that was going to pull 60 degree dewpoints into the target area. Coupled with a strong low level jet in the 60-70kt area provided more than adequate shear atop marginal to modest instability through southern Iowa and Northern Missouri.
Read more
July 13th presented a decent opportunity for severe weather across Northern Illinois and being within driving distance of home, it was pretty easy to pull the trigger and head out. An overnight MCS diving southeast through Illinois and Indiana into Kentucky as it followed the frontal boundary would probably lay down some nice outflow boundaries in the clear air behind in Northern Illinois and Eastern Iowa.
Read more