Category: Uncategorized

First Storm Chase of the Year

I went on my first storm chase of the year today. It wouldn’t be accurate to describe the chase as “disappointing,” as I had a very pessimistic outlook of seeing anything today. What’s the saying, “keep your expectations low and you’ll never be disappointed?” Anyway, I saw nothing but rain today. To see a more…

By Brian April 3, 2014 Off

Spring Is Finally Here

Temperatures across northern Illinois (as I write this,) are in the low to mid 40s. More importantly, it’s looking like these temperatures are here to stay; for the most part. Tomorrow the temperatures will dip back down a bit, and Sunday morning could be in the single digits. But by Sunday afternoon, temperatures across the…

By Brian March 4, 2014 Off

Glimmer of Hope, or Maybe Just a Mirage

Looking at the long range GFS (I know, I know,) there is something that caught my eye. (Image missing.) This is the surface temperatures, winds, and MSLP at 276 hours out. Yes, that is super ridiculously far out. Yes, it’ll most likely change. But with the lows position in northern Wisconsin, and northern Illinois sitting…

By Brian February 24, 2014 Off

Re: Next Severe Weather Event

Yeah, the latest runs of the GFS have already completely changed the previously described scenario. The low that was originally progged to move through the area on March 2 isn’t even there any more. But that’s what I get for being hopeful about forecast models at over 200 hours out. The GFS does show a…

By Brian February 22, 2014 Off

Next Severe Weather Event?

With yesterday’s severe weather event in the books, and northern Illinois slipping back into winter, I’ve been looking at the GFS; eagerly looking for the next event as well as some more spring like temperatures. There is a possibility on March 2: A surface low will move through the Central Plains into the Mississippi River…

By Brian February 21, 2014 Off

Joplin, Missouri Six Months Later

I stopped in Joplin again during my latest drive back to Illinois. It was nearly six months to the day since the monstrous EF-5 tornado tore through the city, and killed 160 people. Much progress has been made since my last drive through Joplin. Just about all of the debris and wreckage has been cleaned…

By Brian December 20, 2012 Off

Joplin, Missouri EF-5 Tornado Damage.

This wasn’t actually a storm chase. Alyson and I were on our way to Elgin, IL for my brother’s wedding, and we stopped in Joplin along the way. The destruction we saw there was incredible; unimaginable. And this was three or four weeks after the tornado had gone through. Below are some of the pictures…

By Brian June 3, 2011 Off