Severe Warning Systems | How we plan for severe weather

Here is a briefing of what we do behind the scenes. Prior to a severe possible event we do analysis of the following. Here are a couple of examples of what we look at. The video is showing what we monitoring in a general sense while in the field. We use GR level 3 for severe thunderstorm live radar when intercepting a storm as wireless card allows. Internet site knowledge is important when wireless cards cannot gain sufficient access..

The severe event noted below... we will outline is from May 22 until May 25th 2008.

Oceanic Behavior: We analyze the currents, jet stream, and fetch "wind field" associated with the approaching cold front storm out of the pacific. Next we look at the low level wind out of the Gulf of Mexico. Pictures below show this.

PACIFIC OCEAN	GULF OF MEXICO

Storm Prediction Center: We really follow this to verify what the trained meteorologists are predicting. The storm front pressure gradients, as well as their one week prior outlook is observed and taken into account.

THE 8 DAY OUTLOOK	THE FRONTS PRESSURE GRADIENTS

Text Documentation Analysis: Our team studies all the above and details the data along with all possible meteorologist text leading up to the severe event. This usually consists of about 50 pages of data we analyze. Upon our review, we then decide if we need to be on site for the event.

Travel Planning: If we determine that an event is going to be a severe outbreak, the next step is taken. Flights are booked, data for the event is printed out, maps of targeted area are outlined, and we frequently arrive in Colorado prior to the possible outbreak event.

On Site Upon Arrival: We analyze the latest SPC data the minute we can get the laptop running. The targeted area of severe possibility is mapped out and the travel begins. All Radar links are observed as well as any SPC Public Severe Weather Outlooks, Mesoscale Discussions, and Initial Weather Warnings.

THE RISK PROJECTED	PREDICTED TORNADO OUTLOOK

In the Zone: This is where the fun begins. Once we get to the target area, proper placement in a supercell is very important. Radar readings is our key for this as well as SPC analysis of the wind fields, shear, dewpoint, and probable time of rotation. The targeted supercell usually start showing a "hook echo" in our radar readings, this is a sure sign that the cell we are on is tornadic. We use so much data to determine this possibility, it would be too complicated to list all of them. The target is usually on the southwest portion of the supercell. There are instances where we need to be northeast to gather data. It gets pretty dangerous in this area sometimes. We do visually document these events in photos and video, as our goal is to be in early prior to rotation. Our team has achieved this on numerous occasions.

THE 500 MB ISOTACH	PARTICULARLY DANDEROUS SITUATION WWA

The Particularly Dangerous Situation "PDS": These warnings are the most intense of the weather warnings. This warning means that a serious severe weather event will occur. This day, 5-22-2008, was one to remember as rotating supercells were everywhere. The final tornado count for the day was 48. The red area on the last image shows the area of tornadoes. Amazing chase day in Kansas

WEATHER WARNING PDS RADAR	THE FINAL TORNADO COUNT FOR THIS DAY