Hello again!

Byron here. It feels like forever since the last chase, and yet, when watching the commercials or seeing pictures of billboards in NY or hearing about movie trailers(!?!?) starring TIV2 all those memories rush back as if they happened yesterday.

It's that time of the year again. That time when I get random text messages from friends, "I just saw you in a commercial with that tank!" Then of course, while working at home I keep the TV tuned to Discovery Channel to see how many times I can catch our commercial, and to catch the split second of face time I get.

I try to enjoy this part, I admit it. Part of it is because I never planned on being in front of the camera, but the bigger part is that I am really excited about this season. Lot's of crazy stuff happened and a lot of very hard working people were involved in front and behind the cameras. Imagine that term paper you stayed up for a whole week writing being read to the whole class and everyone telling you how cool that tank was afterwards. I mean term paper. So, I am very eager to see the show and enjoy all the excitement of the chase season from the safety of my living room.

If you haven't seen the updated main page, GO LOOK AT IT NOW. Link is somewhere on the right side of this blog. Amazing new stuff, a cool chase game, pictures, and MORE.

Reflecting back, this year was a tough one all around. When things were not going well it was really tough, and when things were going well it was a lot of work to keep up with the weather. I had a weekend of relaxation after returning home before my body gave out. Viral throat infection, in non-doctor-speak, and it put me down for a whole week. I have since recovered and spent time with family and friends whom I missed while away, and resumed work freelancing. I've also picked up ice hockey again and am trying to talk someone into putting clips of me scoring goals into the show. I know at least one person who may or may not be writing this blog that would love to see that.

Watching the new episodes of Storm Chasers is likely going to bring back a lot of memories. I may take to driving around town wearing my helmet and wake up in the middle of the night yelling, "CLAWS GOING DOWN!" You know, nothing unusual just a few little quirks to work out again.

So, the new season of Storm Chasers airs October 19th (a Sunday) at 10PM. Between then and now I will have a couple of Team TIV return blogs from Ronan and Sean so keep checking back. For now, here's a list of chaser terms from Scout Navigator and ace meteorologist Danny Cheresnick. They'll help those of you unfamiliar understand a little more of the chaos of the chase.

Supercell - A rotating thunderstorm.  Supercells are the type of storm which most commonly produces tornados.

 

Mesocyclone - A rotation within the updraft of a thunderstorm.  It is a broad rotation from which a more intense local rotation develops, which is where a tornado can form.

 

Wall Cloud - An area of the cloud base which is lower than the rest of the base.  Wall clouds can be rotating or non-rotating. Non-rotating wall clouds can be a sign of outflow.  A rotating wall cloud is an area of a contracted rotation connected to a mesocyclone. It can be a precursor to a funnel cloud or tornado.

 

Tornado - A tight rotation connecting between the base of a cloud and the groun.  It is not always visible with condensation or dust and a debris.  The side of the tornado is also not clear just by looking at a tornado.  The core flow of the winds can be wider or narrower than the width of the condensation funnel or debris cloud.

 

Rear flank downdraft (RFD) - A region of dry descending air on the back side of a supercell.  Its also known as a clear slot because of the appearance, commonly a clear erosion into the base of the supercell.  The development of an RFD frequently occurs before the development of a wall cloud and possible tornado.

Core - The area of a storm with the heaviest precipitation, and where the largest hail is located.  typically to the northeast of the area where a tornado could be.  Not a good location to see anything, hard to drive in, and frequently in the path of the tornado.

 

EF-Scale - The Enhanced Fujita Scale is a method for rating the strength of tornadoes.  It is based upon the damage done by a tornado, and the expected wind speed to cause this damage.  Full details can be found here: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/efscale/

Thanks for reading! Oct 19th!

B

Comments

[Richard Cave]

Looking forward to it Byron, not next year but the year after I will be available to come out to America. Armed with the latest video and stills cameras. You can have me for a couple of weeks pro bono.

rich

[Steve]

I hope to add some of your videos or blog feeds to my site

http://www.tornadoblogs.com

[caitlin]

"I may take to driving around town wearing my helmet and wake up in the middle of the night yelling, 'CLAWS GOING DOWN!' You know, nothing unusual just a few little quirks to work out again."

I've been wanting to do that ever since the new season started up. xD

[term paper writing]

The good thing about your information is that it is explicit enough for students to grasp. Thanks for your efforts in spreading academic knowledge.

[term paper writing]

The good thing about your information is that it is explicit enough for students to grasp. Thanks for your efforts in spreading academic knowledge.

[discount gucci]

Hey guys. Wish I was chasin' with you. I remember seeing the original TIV several times in 2005 while out west with Dr. David Arnold and the Ball State University Storm Chase Team. It was a dream come true and I still long for the pursuit. I can't help but laugh at the people who think storm chasing is like the "Twister" movie. You need more than a truck and a tube-top if you want to drive into a storm. One more thing, case ya'll didn't already know..chanting "Big Fat Wedge" repeatedly, did NOT produce desired results. Just a little tip from your buddy Brian! (grin) Keep up the good work! http://www.handbags.vc/ 2945abc45 0426

[Imogene23Hess]

That's cool that we can get the mortgage loans and that opens up new chances.

[MBT Shoes]

Thanks for the cool badgees! When do we find out who the Petties nominees are???