2015--Day 3

Started the day in unearly fashion in Ellis, KS.  While checking some weather data, I noticed this set of instructions, which really brings me back...to 1996 (look closely at the last line).

It's a gorgeous spring day, mild and somewhat dry, the kind of perfect day that I would have killed for in mid-summer St Louis...unless you're trying to chase storms.  We decided to launch a test balloon to see what it takes to make the system work.  After a great deal of wailing and gnashing of teeth, the myriad parts spoke with each other and off the balloon went.  The low-level winds are weak, so the balloon didn't drift a lot from where it was launched.  Interesting, but no good for storms.  There was really good veering (southerly winds to northerly winds), but still, weak winds = poor storm chances.  After the balloon reached 200 hPa, we called it and loaded up.  All told, it took about 2+ hours from start to finish.  Hopefully the next launch will be more streamlined.  Now it's off to Hays for some training.

We sat in on a PECAN briefing, a project where what seems like 493 scientists are converging on the Plains to study nocturnal elevated convection.  The parking lot of Fort Hays State University is littered with instrumented trucks and mobile Doppler radars.  Afterward, we trained on mobile mesonet pod deployment and picked up a scout vehicle.  The hope is to deploy a set of weather instruments along the way as we chase.  

After spending several hours on the training, we're aiming for Kearney, NE for the evening.  After a wonderful meal in Hays, we were on our way out of town when we drove past another fantastic example of that Kansas sense of humor: an 'adult' store named Ticklers.

All in all, a long day but a short drive, about 150 miles.  Let's hope for good storms on the first real chase day.

2015--Day 2

Left STL in the clouds and KSHE on the radio.  It's damp and cool.  Headed on 70 west toward Hays a little after 9.  This route brought us through St Charles in the rain.  (I'm sad to note that Mr. Steak, a favorite of mine from way back, appears lifeless.  Ditto for the Warrenton Outlets.)  

There were numerous accidents in a short span.  It's amazing how a little rain causes so many people to forget how to drive.  It's like their licenses (and their road skills) are water soluable.  Melting! What a world!

Two interesing billboards so far: one for the Budget Motel ($29.99 a night), and the other for tours of the Missouri State Penitentary.  Oddly enough, I think I'd rather spend the night in the latter than the former, as it probably has fewer bedbugs.

We've been joined by a group of bikers.  One has the good sense to wear a hunter orange T-shirt with the message 'Can you see me now ASSHOLE?' on the back.  Good to be proactive, I guess.

Eventually made it to Ellis, Kansas, just west of Hays in the evening.  The hotelier suggested what turned out to be a phenomenal Mexican place.  Not much else to report, as it was relatively uneventful.  Just lots of driving, albeit not nearly as far as the day before--let's call it 520 miles.  See you tomorrow,

2015--Day 1

Once again, on the road.  Left Le Roy around 9:15 am and headed west down the Thruway.  The vans are great, and even have a mounted laptop holder that suspends the computer in front of the passenger that I hope doesn't kill me.  We're looking at a long ride today, as we need to be in Hays, KS Saturday afternoon.

We hit the first of probably many Subways in Erie, PA.  Amazingly crowded, even without 19 chasers.

Oh Ohio...let me list all the ways of just how wonderful you are:






Well, my dad lives there with his lovely bride and their great kids, so there's that.  Other than that and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, ugh.  It felt like we were there forever.  We did take the long
way through (NE to SW).  It was great to see the Indiana state line--how often can you say that?

While in Indiana we saw a couple of interesting things.  The first was the reason we came: a modest little storm that produced a bit of lightning (and there was more to come in Illinois).  The other was
an overturned Fed Ex truck that spilled its load all over the side of the exit ramp.  If your package is late in arriving, now you know why.  You heard it here first.

The reward for a long day's travel was seeing the Arch out in front of the St Louis cityscape sometime before midnight.  Never fails to take my breath away.  The trip to Westport on Highway 40 was a trip down memory lane (minus the traffic).  The final tally for the day (for me) was 815 miles or so, but that meant six states (NY, PA, OH, IN, IL, and MO).  Thank you, St. Louis, you've been
great!  Hope to see you again soon!  Good night!