Welcome to the 2008 VT Geography Storm Chase
Please read the following carefully!
Current VT students: if you are interested in joining the storm chase, contact the trip leader, Dave Carroll (carrolld@vt.edu), for up-to-date information on any available positions.
For 2008, National Geographic's Jason Project will join the Virginia Tech Geography Department's annual storm chase. In addition to a select number of spaces reserved on the actual trip, the Jason Project will track the chase team live online.
Virginia Tech students AND Jason Project Argonauts should read all information below. Application directions for both are found at the end of this page.
Both VT students and Jason Argonauts will be trained in forecasting techniques, model and radar analysis, and will run the instrumentation during storm intercepts.
Syllabus(for those opting to take the course for credit)
Background:
The idea for adding a storm-chasing segment to Applied Meteorology is a natural one: to actually use some of the forecasting tools we have studied in a real-life, time-intensive field course. We will combine technology with classic field work and observation to track severe weather on the road. Without a doubt you will finish the chase trip with a much deeper understanding and appreciation of severe convective storms.
A special note:
Forget what you have seen at the box-office and on television movies: real life chasing requires a great deal of skill (& luck) in forecasting, a great deal of time spent logging mile after mile on the road, and a sustained effort in locating your team in a favorable (safe) position relative to a storm. It is important for each chaser to understand that there is a good chance that we will NOT see a tornado. However, there is an excellent chance for witnessing severe convection (and supercell thunderstorms) in the Great Plains environment. Before committing to the storm chase trip, you must ask yourself two questions:
1) Are you prepared to ride in a vehicle for very long periods of time, for days on end, without seeing any storms? (and if so, can you be civil to those who share your vehicle?)
2) Do severe storms frighten you? If so, this is most definitely NOT the trip for you, and don't undertake this trip for therapeutic reasons!
Are you a good candidate for a storm chase?
Storm chasing requires a great degree of patience and persistence, with long hours of riding in vehicles. You must be flexible with a daily routine: chasing exerts a toll on team members, and you must be adaptable to the conditions of the day. You may have to be satisfied with a sandwich or chips on the road instead of the 72 oz. steak at the Big Texan Steakhouse in Amarillo! The storms dictate our schedule while we are out there, and every team member must "go with the flow" on the road.
Please note: this trip is NOT appropriate for those with a casual interest in severe thunderstorms and tornadoes! Only those with an intense interest in the subject should enroll.
Risks associated with the storm chase:
There are certain risks inherent to storm chasing, and each student must be aware of these risks and agree to release the Department of Geography, Virginia Tech, and the instructors of any liability. Participants will be required to sign a release of liability statement prior to departure. Travelling long distances on highways is perhaps the greatest risk involved on the storm chase. However, when intercepting severe storms, rapidly developing tornadoes, high winds, and large hail capable of damaging vehicles and causing injury to those in the open are sometimes encountered. Flash-flooding and driving on wet roadways can also prove to be hazardous. Lightning is perhaps the greatest storm-related threat while chasing, and the lightning threat is constantly evaluated by the chase team leaders BEFORE anyone is permitted out of the vehicles. Safety is the primary concern, and decisions in near-storm environments are made with safety in mind before anything else. We strive to be observers and NOT participants in severe weather events!
Activity Cost (not including tuition):
$1500
This includes ALL lodging and travel expenses, as well as breakfasts and lunches each day. Each van has a cooler packed with lunch items, drinks, snacks, etc., and team members can chow on these items at any time. Dinner costs are left up to each individual chaser, as many times this meal is often eaten on the road, or after arriving at our lodging for the night (which can be rather late). Some chasers elect to eat from the vans at dinner as well, cutting costs even further. It is recommended that chasers bring an additional $50 - $100 for dinner costs, snacks on the road, souvenirs, etc.
Storm chasing is not cheap. However, by combining expenses among team members, we are able to offer the chase at a fraction of the cost compared to most storm chasing tours (a comparable trip could run $3000 - $4000...NOT including transportation costs to and from the Plains, and even most food costs).
Dates:
May 11 - May 31 (return date is dependent upon the weather pattern, but could be as late as May 31).
Chase vehicles:
Each chase vehicle will be outfitted with:
- 2-way radios (CB for general communication between vans, FRS for active chasing)
- wireless Internet & laptop for accessing weather radar and model information
- GPS units
- Weather Instrumentation
- NOAA weather radio w/ external antenna
- Emergency services scanners to monitor state police and ham radio frequencies
- Ham radio to access the SKYWARN network
- APRS (a GPS/ham radio combination which provides our location in real time on the Internet
- Cell Phone/Speaker phone to access weather information if signals are lost on the road (we will call back to WDBJ-7 & NWS for outlooks and guidance)
- digital video cameras
Prerequisites* (see note below)
- Introduction to Applied Meteorology (CEE3324/GEOG3324)
or
- Introduction to Meteorology (GEOS3114/GEOG3114)
*for VT students: if you have not taken either course and are seriously interested in going, contact the instructor Dave Carroll at carrolld@vt.edu as we do reserve spaces for those without these supporting courses.
T-Shirts & Videos/DVD's:
- After the trip, each chaser will receive a complimentary customized t-shirt from the storm chase (with storm graphics from our chase), and a Storm Chase Highlights video/DVD.
How to Register:
Contact the trip leader Dave Carroll (carrolld@vt.edu) as soon as possible prior to submitting an application (this will save you some time and trouble if all spaces are taken).
VT Students :
The storm chase will be open to qualified chasers based upon the response on the application form. The primary prerequisite is a driving desire to learn about storms!
1) Print and complete(or complete the form online) the small application form (find it here) .
2) Get it in the mail soon(or e-mail to carrolld@vt.edu), as spaces are very limited. We will accept applications now!
3) If you wish to take the storm chase course for credit, you must have completed either Applied Meteorology (CEE3324/GEOG3324) or Intro. Meteorology (GEOS3114/GEOG3114), or NWS Skywarn training prior to the trip. Those not taking the course for credit should still complete the application form and send it in as soon as possible. Students taking the storm chase for credit will have priority over non-credit chasers.
5) Please make sure that you have both the time and the money for the stormchase before you sign up!
Jason Argonauts:
The storm chase will be open to qualified chasers based upon the response on the application form, and teacher recommendations. A number of spaces will be reserved for Jason applicants.
1) Print and complete (or complete the form online) the application form with contact information and short essay (find it here).
2) Get it in the mail soon (or e-mail to carrolld@vt.edu).
3) Distribute teacher recommendation forms, and have them send the information via mail (Dave Carroll, 540 Edgewood Lane, Blacksburg VA 24060) or e-mail (carrolld@vt.edu).
4) Deadline for all application materials is Dec. 1, 2007.
5) Please make sure that you have both the time (approved with your school) and money for the storm chase before you sign up!
6) There may be an opportunity to earn college credit for the trip through the Virginia Tech Department of Geography . If you are interested, contact me about it.
7) A $200.00 deposit, due by January 30, 2008, will be required to reserve your space on the chase.