School me on HP chase strategies
We were able to stop at one point well ahead of the storm and get an incredible structure shot. That's right, I said structure. Once the storm gave me a tornado, I was more than happy to appreciate it in all its entire splendor :-)
lol - welcome to the club. HP is the preferred mode in eastern Kansas/western Missouri (not preferred by me, but it certainly seems to be preferred by the atmosphere), so we have grown quite accustomed to them around here.
You can attack them like you do other storms, but don't count on seeing anything until you are well into the notch. Flank development and rain are heavier (of course) ... so my eye is always looking through and ahead of rain bands. You have to train yourself to re-think the way the storm is structured/organized. I've learned to spot wall clouds through downdraft and wrap, and this is the biggest thing about chasing HP storms ... always keep your eye upstream. The action may have been where you were a few minutes ago, but keep an eye on what's going on up the road. You can still see features like inflow bands pointing to the areas of interest, but they often look more disorganized than in classic storms, which throws people. They can look choppy and outflowish. They're also ridiculously cyclic at times, and will look like they are totally falling apart one minute, only to kick butt a few minutes later (so if there has been any rotation at all, STICK WITH IT).
We were chasing a tornadic HP storm in 2004 near Skidmore, Missouri ... as we approached the meso (which was totally obscured), it was obvious that there was something behind the curtain because we started crossing damage. As we neared the notch, we got hit with strong RFD winds but still couldn't see the thing. As soon as we cleared that mess, there was pure, clear air up around the tornado. We just needed to force our way up into the notch.
While HP chasing may not be for everyone, it's what we get the most of, so we deal. It's one of the reasons we will often see things that others may tend to overlook. A lot of what may appear to be lucky or accidental catches weren't actually that much of an accident - I've just learned under brutal conditions. It's like learning to snow ski in a place like Missouri before you go to Colorado. The conditions where you learn the ropes are so bad that when you do finally get to enjoy the good stuff, it almost feels easy.
Seriously though, that is terrible advice, especially when you consider how fast the storms will be moving tomorrow. I've only bumped into tornadoes in the bears cage a few times and it will make your hair stand up. I would advise against it if you've never done it before, but then again I guess we all have to do it for the first time sooner or later. I certainly wouldn't do it tomorrow though with fast storm motions and a distinct possibility of strong tornadoes (if we get HP storms). You don't want to screw around with that. Here is a good link showing pictures and details of HP supercells.
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gl)/guides/mtr/svr/type/spr/hp/flw.rxml
Very good advice, this is basically what we saw from HP that had produced tornadoes near New Liberty, Iowa back on Aril 25th:
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/69/chase42508007gy0.jpg
We were indeed looking west into the horseshoe updraft region, you can see a "something" just at the edge of the 'clear slot'....you can better see it here with contrast enhanced:
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4263/chase425080072sl8.jpg
To safely view an HP will often leave you with those "what was it" debates. To get closer often times is indeed a pretty hair raising situation. Theres not much more I can add, the most important thing you can do is know your storm structure, what direction it is moving, and what your road options are.
And above all, stay in the clear. HPs not only have pesky rain to cloak the tornadoes (and effectively get you lost as you're searching for the tube) but some of the nastiest hail you'll ever encounter. HPs are better chased conservatively, not "REAL-TV" style
Shane's right, that is so true. I was going to mention that but instead I'll just say "Yeah, what he said". Right-movers can do it suddenly too, like they have a mind of their own. A right-moving HP east of I-35 when the sun is going down among hills and trees can be icky. In my newbie days I would get suckered by those at the end of a chase (because I didn't want to stop chasing and there was lightning to be had) and end up in Arkansas after dark. You don't have to do that to yourself :p
One advantage to being further back from an HP (other than safety) is the nice structure shots and not having to wide angle so much to get the whole beast in. Close proximity can mean some ambiguity and losing sense of scale. The mothership look provides some context because usually there is some ground stuff in there too, like grain elevators or the everpresent watertower.
An HP is a machine. I love the looks of them but I do like the whole thing in frame. Further back is better for me, but I'm a photog.
And above all, stay in the clear. HPs not only have pesky rain to cloak the tornadoes (and effectively get you lost as you're searching for the tube) but some of the nastiest hail you'll ever encounter. HPs are better chased conservatively, not "REAL-TV" style
I was wondering why you would want to stay "on the northeast quadrant."?
To me that would be the most rain dense area and also the
most dangerous if the cell is moving East or Northeast.
Am I missing something here? (wouldn't be the first time)
Thanks,
Tim
One thing that really scares me about storm chasing is, if and when you do put yourself northeast of a large tornado in the bear's cage/inflow notch of an HP monster, what the heck do you do if your car dies??? Or you get stuck in the mud. Not worth the risk IMO.
If you chase long enough, you'll get a good lower precip/classic structured day where you can safely view tornadoes a bit closer.
...And above all, stay in the clear.
Some great advice there. This mode quite frankly frightens me but I chase whatever I can get here.. so I sure as hell make sure I have some maneuvering room to get out of the way if things get wild.
Sticking to the NE and well forward of the cell makes great sense to me.
However, I've often found that on many HP days, the storms forming further west or south, outside the HP flow pattern will exhibit more classic structures, but not always.
Then again, I'm picky now days and blow off a lot more than I use to.
W.
Seriously though, that is terrible advice, especially when you consider how fast the storms will be moving tomorrow. I've only bumped into tornadoes in the bears cage a few times and it will make your hair stand up. I would advise against it if you've never done it before, but then again I guess we all have to do it for the first time sooner or later. I certainly wouldn't do it tomorrow though with fast storm motions and a distinct possibility of strong tornadoes (if we get HP storms). You don't want to screw around with that. Here is a good link showing pictures and details of HP supercells.
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gl)/guides/mtr/svr/type/spr/hp/flw.rxml
That makes sense, a little on the risky side but it would afford
a better view into the cell if the air was clean on the inflow.
I wouldnt want to try it with a cell speed of 55 mph though....ouch!
You would have to duck in and then back out fast before it
ran you over.
I'll have to find a slow mover running along I90 here in WI sometime :)
Tim
1) The storm not be moving, or moving very slowly
2) Absolutely great road network
It's just not worth the risk in my opinion. I'd just rather watch the storm evolve into a beast.
If you haven't done it before, Mikey's point is good - take it easy for heavens sake ... until you get your bearings.
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