Thread: Tornado Warning!!!!!

Here is the latest radar. See that little pink triangle, that is called a TVS signature and it is a pre-cursor to a tornado. If it continues to rotate there, it will touchdown eventually. If it were daytime, you should be able to see a funnel cloud or wall cloud.

Ur not that far from that, right? It looks like its almost at the state line

Nope that was actually pretty close to me. I am actually just to the west of that. The rotation started closer to me but then turned into a TVS as it passed further east.

What does TVS stand for?

Here is yet another radar update. I zoomed in so you could see a bit more. You can see the two pink triangles. These are further south and not that close to me, but the storm is definitely twisting around and cause for concern.

TVS stands for Tornadic Vortex Signature. It is the last of three stages before a tornado touchdown. Typically, not always, if a TVS is seen, they will sound the sirens and you will hear them use terms on the TV like "Radar indicated tornado". The other two stages are Meso and 3D Shear if I remember correctly.

When's the best time during tornado season for us to go down there to chase storms with you?

April and May seem to be the best most active months, but Ive chased storms in November and I even once chased on Valentines day and got a few shots. But there is no guarantee that anything will develop. The storm patterns have RADICALLY changed in the last few years.

Just a few years ago I was chasing so many storms and over such distances that I would leave work, go pack up the vehicle with all my gear go intercept the storm, and chase all night, pull into the parking lot at work and get an hour or two of sleep and work all day and sometimes go back out the next day.

It was nothing for me to capture from 300 - 500 lightning strikes on camera. Last year if I managed 50 I would be surprised.

Here is another one for ya. I zoomed in a little closer so you can see the city names and its relation to where I live in Bartlesville. This TVS is about 50 miles or so away:

If you look to the right at the information panel you will see in the block labeled Warnings, that there is now 1 Tornado warning. Its not close to me though.

There is nothing quite like it. Though I do so more for the lightning than anything. I just cant put into words what capturing a good lighting strike on camera does for me. It is super exhilarating and fascinating.

People that win large amounts of money, like in the lottery, buy houses, cars, clothes and tons of other stuff. Quit their jobs and try and live in peace and the lap of luxury. Me, I would have a decked out vehicle with computer gear, weather information and link ups and I would be all over this country chasing storms.

I'm glad that it's not close to u. It's moving NE and we might get some rain tomorrow morning and it looks like it's going to be raining all day tomorrow and then turn to ice then snow. I'm working on Dave on when were going down there!

Originally Posted by SyntheticShield

There is nothing quite like it. Though I do so more for the lightning than anything. I just cant put into words what capturing a good lighting strike on camera does for me. It is super exhilarating and fascinating.

People that win large amounts of money, like in the lottery, buy houses, cars, clothes and tons of other stuff. Quit their jobs and try and live in peace and the lap of luxury. Me, I would have a decked out vehicle with computer gear, weather information and link ups and I would be all over this country chasing storms.

Count me in I'll help you!!!

Originally Posted by 2Fast4U

Count me in I'll help you!!!

x2....

what do you use for your chase vehicle?

Make him come down here and rebuild my tranny so I dont have to, LOL. Nahh, I wouldnt do that to him. I got back up vehicles now so I can take my time on the GP. My back up vehicle is out in the rain and my GP is in the garage, trying to show it that I still love it and havent turned my back on it.

If you get storms in your area and you want some details on whats going on, just let me know. I usually dont monitor much outside of Oklahoma, but if someone asks me to or I think of someone that might be affected I'll keep an eye on things. Just send me a PM or something and I'll see whats going on.

Still storming like hell in tulsa......Tomorrow real forecast is snow

Originally Posted by 3800SE

x2....

what do you use for your chase vehicle?

I was using the GP. But its not well suited for it as the ground clearance in some of the areas I end up in is not up to par. I nearly set a hay field on fire last year because of my exhaust.

Before that I owned and used a Ford Focus which was a bit better suited for the job since it was a hatchback and had a couple inches more clearance. Before that, I used a Dode Neon. Again, ground clearance issues resulted in its demise as I bottomed out and cracked open the oil filter and was not aware I had until the oil pressure light came on with the ensuing shut down of the engine.

Now I have the Isuzu Rodeo that once I get it up to snuff and the GP back on line I will probably use nearly exclusively for chasing storms. Lots of room for computer set up and maybe a TV and I can fold down the rear seat and set up a camera there and take photos without getting so wet.

Originally Posted by SyntheticShield

Make him come down here and rebuild my tranny so I dont have to, LOL. Nahh, I wouldnt do that to him. I got back up vehicles now so I can take my time on the GP. My back up vehicle is out in the rain and my GP is in the garage, trying to show it that I still love it and havent turned my back on it.

If you get storms in your area and you want some details on whats going on, just let me know. I usually dont monitor much outside of Oklahoma, but if someone asks me to or I think of someone that might be affected I'll keep an eye on things. Just send me a PM or something and I'll see whats going on.

Thank you!!!! He laughed when I told him that! He would be more than happy to go down there to help u out!!!!

I know. I wish I could get all the parts treated like I wanted and then just have him assemble it all because thats where I most lacking in confidence. Despite all his information and help and the books I have, I just hate to put something together wrong, 'cause you wont know until you get it all installed in the car.

Its all cool though. It will be one tough tranny when I get done with it. I'm getting some more funds together to start sending stuff to him to work on and to buy more parts. Now that I got the transportation issues worked out for the most part I can get back to focusing on the GP.