New Year's Resolutions.....

Hey check out my weight loss blog here.
As far as weather & photography, haven't had much time to peruse the models, but all indications are that we are in for a major arctic outbreak starting Sunday. Here comes the COLD!!

Storm Chasing....and a small Spotter Network rant

Went out for a chase Friday evening and I was rewarded with one of the most intense lightning shows that I have ever seen. I drove up US 169 into Coffeyville Ks, then over to Independence to Moline where I shot the tower that you see below. I then proceeded west toward Udall and Belle Plain. Bailed south just before the storm hit Belle Plain and damaged some buildings and uprooted many trees! I shot the "moon shot" below just north of the Wellington Airport. Then decided to roll south to a developing "tail end Charlie" that Lanny Dean and Chad Berryhill were on just south of the Oklahoma/Kansas border, near the town of Braman.

Got to Braman, and met up with Chad & Lanny while they were shooting lightning. I ran up to Lanny's van, set up the tripod, clicked the shutter on my Rebel XSI, and BOOM! Lanny and I captured the nice bolt that illuminated the Tahoe (below). We sat there shooting for all of 5 minutes and I started to feel raindrops. We decide to go back towards Braman and get off the dirt road when the rain started coming sideways at the truck. I was about 1/8 mile behind Lanny as the rain and wind became ferocious. I soon lost them in the mess and thought to myself "am I in a stinkin' tornado?" The wind buffeted the Tahoe and I wondered if I should stop or keep rolling trying to get south of the wind. The wind wasn't terrible, I estimated it about 60-65 MPH, but I kept wondering if that was it or was stronger winds coming? After about 5 minutes of white knuckle driving on a dirt road that was quickly turning to slime, the rain and wind let up, but not before turning directions. Was it a tornado? I don't think so. But it was a scary moment. I caught up with Lanny near Braman and we discussed what we just drove through, we were all a bit nervous as we started to hear sirens growing louder. A fire truck, ambulance, and no less that 6 Kay County sheriffs whizzed by and entered I-35 heading south. We wondered, what happened?

Lanny busied himself reporting our observance on Spotter Network(55-65MPH wind just NW of Braman), which was quickly flagged-probably by some kid wannabe chaser that has NO experience in the field. We later found out that the sirens were responding to a pickup truck that was blown off the interstate about 1 mile south of our location. There was a minor injury to a child, transported to a local hospital. Verified report? I think so....BTW, Spotter Network has become useless--people that may have a personal grudge or inexperienced "kids" can jump in and flag valid report that was verified by witnesses and law enforcement. This report did not make it into the official LSR probably because of two factors, the inappropriate flagging of Lanny's report and the fact that the Norman boys were asleep and didn't warn on the storm. We actually saw and photographed a persistent rotating wall cloud on the tail end of the storm. Rant over...lol

We found another county road just outside of town and pulled off to shoot more lightning. Boy were we in for a show!! This is where the top pic came from. Spectacular light show provided by ma nature! Sorry about the watermark, if you would like to purchase a picture, contact me but I will not give those away thank you. All in all, a great chase. 10 hours in the truck, storms initiated in my target area, did not see any tornadoes, but was treated to the coolest light show that I have ever seen! It was great to meet up with Lanny & Chad as well. Two of the best guys in storm chasing! BTW...check out Chad's new website-- .

Ramblings...and a couple of pics....

Here's a couple of shots from one of this season's tours.

I just realized that I haven't blogged in a while. (Sorry mom & Heidi). It seems like Facebook has taken over in the "what's going on" area. Instead of searching blogs, I just log on and walla, all my friends are there. So is there use for a blog anymore? Dunno, but I like to ramble on more than 420 characters at a time sometimes...
Just want to give you an update on my tour company that I am proud to be co-owners of, Extreme Chase Tours. We are already booking tours for 2011 and I am excited about the upcoming season. We had such a successful 2010 season and Lanny and I am stoked about 2011! If you have been thinking about booking with us I would suggest stroll on over to www.extremechasetours.com and take a peek at our schedule.

In other news, stay tuned for a major announcement about a three day revival that I am excited to be able to preach in Fort Gibson next month!

....and the boat is running well! Have had it out many times at Oologah this year!

TORNADO OUTBREAK EXPECTED MONDAY!!

Here are a couple of maps. The first is courtesy of the National Weather Service in Tulsa and is a graphic of what is expected for Monday afternoon & evening. The second is courtesy of the Storm Prediction Center and shows what is called a moderate risk of severe weather for Kansas & Oklahoma tomorrow. Bottom line is there will be severe weather, and please make praparations now for tornadoes, large hail, and severe winds. Listen to local radio and TV for updates and keep your NOAA weather radio on. This could be pretty nasty but if everyone will stay calm, we will get through it.....

Photos of the sunrise....

Well, let's post something!!!

Wow. Just looked at my last post and it was about the historic ice storm that couldn't..lol. Let's see, what have I been doing...new heater core in my truck, can't find my Ram laptop stand, bought a 2001 Tahoe 4X4 to chase in this year, recovering from bronchitis, been busy with Extreme Chase Tours, being a dad, husband, youth pastor, working, and whatever else I have forgot. Oh yeah, and been seriously trying to avoid all the chaser drama that is happening. Like every other year, chasers get a bad case of SDS and think they own the world, and get on each others' cases. You can always find good entertainment with the chasing community!!

ICE STORM UPDATE!!

Graphic courtesy of NWS Tulsa. Models continue to show a slower, more northerly track. IF this verifies, that would put Tulsa under the gun for another historic ice storm!! Sperry-Piltx index of 4 to 5 through the Tulsa area. Please make preparations today...

Models are showing that temps at the surface will be below 32F while there will be a warm layer aloft that will in turn make rain instead of snow. That's the short version.

If you live in Oklahoma, be sure to stay tuned to media!!!
It's coming!!!
Jeff

ICE STORM COMING!!!!

I POSTED THIS ON OUR EXTREME CHASE TOUR BLOG EARLIER. PLEASE READ & TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS NOW!!





Ok, here is one of the factors of this impending winter storm that has us here at ECT alarmed. The possibility of a crippling ice storm is a real threat across NE Oklahoma Thursday into Friday. This chart is the Sperry-Piltz ice index forecast from the NWS Tulsa and is a forecast of the possible ice storm impacts. This could rival the ice storm of 2007 but before you mets climb all over me, just listen. The ice forecast might not be the 2.0-2.5" of ice that we recieved in 2007 but .75-1.00" of ice combined with post-frontal winds of 15-25 M.P.H. will provide the same results. Catastrophic damage is possible.

Props to Lanny Dean and David Moran for calling this ice storm several days ago!!

Further to the northwest of the ice storm, very heavy and possibly record-breaking snow is possible. I just looked at the 06z NAM and it shows a 24" swath in central to north-central Oklahoma with 12" plus likely into the Tulsa area!! Not sure if 24" will verify, but the possibility is note worthy. Now combine the heavy snow with 15-25 M.P.H. winds and you will have white-out conditions.

Area emergency management agencies are already on alert and have industrial generators pre-placed along with truckloads of water to equip shelters that likely will be needed during and after this storm.

Please check on your neighbors and the elderly regularly.

Please listen to local media and keep track of our blog for further updates.

Lanny and I will likely be out during the storm streaming on ChaserTV so you don't have to get out in it.

PLEASE BE READY FOR THIS STORM!!

Ok folks, here's the SCOOP!!!

Well, guess I can let the cat out of the bag now. I am proud to announce that I have partnered up with Lanny Dean, a well-known and repsected storm chaser. The result? What Lanny has begun with Extreme Chase Tours is now being taken to the next level. Our website is here. Click on over and check out the site where you can see previous video and pictures, team bios, and book a storm chasing tour! Trust me, it will be your ultimate vacation experience!!

Are you ready for a vacation???

If you were to go on a vacation......
Where would you go?
What would you do?
Who would you see?

Let me offer you an exciting and unique vacation idea. Have you ever thought of chasing storms on your vacation? Let me introduce you to http://www.extremechasetours.com/ ECT is owned & operated by veteran chaser & good friend Lanny Dean, who has witnessed over 250 tornadoes! Check out his website and book a tour. You will not be disappointed. Yes, a tour is expensive, but when you think about it, most family vacations can be very costly and ECT offers many tour options and discounts!! I understand that not all people are fascinated by severe weather and tornadoes therefore a storm chase tour would not be for folks wanting to sit at the beach & watch the pretty sunsets. It is for those wanting to witness stunning views of our planet's wildest weather and those that want to witness the exciting thrill of the chase!!

No, Lanny didn't pay me for this, but he is a good friend of mine and Lanny is a stand up guy. There are lots of chase tour companies, but ECT will treat you right and your money will be well spent!! Who knows, you might even see me out there chasing!! Book your tour today!!