Spring 2019 - Severe Weather Thread

[bugalou]

Thanks to the era of social media mayhem, this is happening:

http://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/its-a-ticking-time-bomb-meteorologist-claims-storm-chasers-are-becoming-mobs-who-block-roads-create-traffic-jams-and-drive-on-the-wrong-side-of-highways-in-a-desperate-quest-to-capture-viral-content/ar-AABKSNc?ocid=ientp

I first saw evidence of this with the EL Reno tornado on YouTube.  The sad thing is, most aren't doing this for science, but for the thrill and the number of likes on Facebook.  You never saw this sort of thing before the era of social media, and the term "going viral."

I see it like this: We live in a free country and the chasers have every right to be out as anyone else. However, my support for them stops when they are blatantly breaking traffic laws, interfering with EM, and using any type of strobe on their vehicle trying to look pseudo official. I also think the storm chase community should do a whole lot more to organize car pooling just to try and attempt to have less cars on the road.

[Eric]

Thanks to the era of social media mayhem, this is happening:

http://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/its-a-ticking-time-bomb-meteorologist-claims-storm-chasers-are-becoming-mobs-who-block-roads-create-traffic-jams-and-drive-on-the-wrong-side-of-highways-in-a-desperate-quest-to-capture-viral-content/ar-AABKSNc?ocid=ientp

I first saw evidence of this with the EL Reno tornado on YouTube.  The sad thing is, most aren't doing this for science, but for the thrill and the number of likes on Facebook.  You never saw this sort of thing before the era of social media, and the term "going viral."

No, and very soon, some of these people are going to get hurt and/or killed. 

[JayCee]

I see it like this: We live in a free country and the chasers have every right to be out as anyone else. However, my support for them stops when they are blatantly breaking traffic laws, interfering with EM, and using any type of strobe on their vehicle trying to look pseudo official. I also think the storm chase community should do a whole lot more to organize car pooling just to try and attempt to have less cars on the road.

I agree to a point.  If they want to risk their own life, that's one thing.  There are more than "free" to run up to the nearest tornado and wave hello.  However, when they are putting others at risk for a selfish need to catch the best video shots, I have a problem with it. 

[bugalou]

I agree to a point.  If they want to risk their own life, that's one thing.  There are more than "free" to run up to the nearest tornado and wave hello.  However, when they are putting others at risk for a selfish need to catch the best video shots, I have a problem with it.

You can chase storms and still follow the traffic laws, allow EM through, and just generally be respectful to the situation.  If a town has been hit by a tornado avoid driving through it to get to your next storm.  Pull off the road for sirens.  Pay attention to more than just your camera.

[mempho]

I agree to a point.  If they want to risk their own life, that's one thing.  There are more than "free" to run up to the nearest tornado and wave hello.  However, when they are putting others at risk for a selfish need to catch the best video shots, I have a problem with it.

We do have laws against endangering others. 

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[JayCee]

You can chase storms and still follow the traffic laws, allow EM through, and just generally be respectful to the situation.  If a town has been hit by a tornado avoid driving through it to get to your next storm.  Pull off the road for sirens.  Pay attention to more than just your camera.

That's the problem, perhaps.  They are too caught up in the adrenaline of the chase, or getting that perfect shot to think straight.  They have "tunnel vision."   

Maybe I'm just too old to understand the fascination with social media and pouring so much time and energy into it, and it's not just tornadoes.  People fall off cliffs attempting to get that perfect pic or video to rack up the "likes", go viral, and win the popularity contest.  Maybe that's what it boils down to--the same contest that begins in high school never really ends. 

[Eric]

Prelim survey of Jeff City TOR is EF3.  Survey still ongoing...

[StormNine]

Snowbird, UT still has 116 inches of snow on the ground heading into Memorial Day Weekend.   

[Curt]

Snowbird, UT still has 116 inches of snow on the ground heading into Memorial Day Weekend.

Alta and snowbird look to extend their season past July 4th- latest on record I think.

[ryandourius]

I find it absolutely astonishing that the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma have been under nonstop tornado watches for over the last week. Those people cannot catch a break. 

[MSR041933]

And D4 has a 30% that looks to b a doozy👀👀

[BRUCE]

I find it absolutely astonishing that the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma have been under nonstop tornado watches for over the last week. Those people cannot catch a break.

that's why they call it tornado alley...

[MSR041933]

El Reno just took a direct hit and the reports do not look good. Buildings completely destroyed and 2by4s look to be impaled into the ground...saw a report of 34 missing and also UNCONFIRMED reports of 9 fatalities at a hotel/motel that took a direct hit..not good..incredible debris ball associated with that storm appears to line up with type of damage reports coming in..looks to be EF3 type damage
Post Merge: May 26, 2019, 12:34:05 AM [ Guests cannot view attachments ]
 From twitter of Tyler Stanfield
Post Merge: May 26, 2019, 12:36:04 AM

El Reno just took a direct hit and the reports do not look good. Buildings completely destroyed and 2by4s look to be impaled into the ground...saw a report of 34 missing and also UNCONFIRMED reports of 9 fatalities at a hotel/motel that took a direct hit..not good..incredible debris ball associated with that storm appears to line up with type of damage reports coming in..looks to be EF3 type damage
Post Merge: May 26, 2019, 12:34:05 AM (Attachment Link)
 From twitter of Tyler Stanfield

Post Merge: May 26, 2019, 12:40:45 AMAlso looks to be ANOTHER TOR on ground..appears it could track through to the south side of Tulsa..100MPH+ velocity scans and debris ball..same QLCS spin up from El Reno storm.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[StormNine]

El Reno, OK and tornadoes seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly.  This is the 3rd such deadly tornado occurrence in the El-Reno area this decade (2011, 2013, and now this one).   
Post Merge: May 26, 2019, 09:58:49 AMToday may be a doozy in far E Colorado/Western KS and down into the panhandles of OK and TX.  A Moderate Risk including very large hail and tornadoes strikes again.

[Charles L.]

Another west TN earthquake. 2.9 near Ridgely.