SOUTHWEST GEORGIA STORMTRACK

Tuscaloosa Revisited...

2012-01-30T18:58:00.003-05:00

Went backs over my shots from Tuscaloosa Alabama using a new editing method. It brings out the detail of the storm better than the originals...

Under the bright lights...

2012-01-22T19:20:00.001-05:00

Shooting an approaching severe thunderstorm that offered some awesome displays. Was also teaching my new bride how to shoot lightning as well. She was a quick learner and matched my shots in some cases..!!

2012....whats next?

2011-12-31T19:19:00.003-05:00

Well this year has been one unforgettable year. From beautiful photo shoots in the mountains in the Spring, chasing and capturing one of the deadliest tornadoes on record to finding the love of my life and getting married. My photography and videography got a boost as my video work and photo made it to CNN and other broadcast markets, newspapers across the Southeast this year during the Tuscaloosa Tornado event. Sometimes I wish I had never seen what I saw that day.
2011 saw some decent lightning shots this year but not as many as I would have hoped for. EMS work and photography work was been good and out of the blue this year I found someone that was so unlike anyone I had ever met. Kept everything under wraps, no Facebook updates etc etc.. so it was no small surprise to everyone when I announced I was to be married. Cant wait to get some chase time in next year and some road trips to get some photo work in. Going to really push to grow my photography business in 2012 by getting out of my comfort zone. Yes 2011 was an unforgettable year, make you wonder what 2012 holds in store for us.

One April day.....

2011-12-29T13:19:00.003-05:00

A really good friend and fellow chaser has written his account of the Tuscaloosa tornado of April 27 2011. He has been hesitant to speak of the storm but now has finally brought the event back through his own words. Here is Mike Chase account. It is detailed and personal and even after time has passed Mike, John and myself still remain deeply affected by it. Never having had the time to "decompress" since that day we have dealt each in his own way. Hopefully we will be getting together in February to finally sit down and go over everything and get as much closure as we can. Its been a long time coming and needed.

Here is Mike's video. Raw and unedited...

Here is John's video

I have yet to return to Tuscaloosa. But have returned to my hometown where the same storm tore through. An ugly scar still remains but healing is slowly taking place. It will take some time but it will happen...

New Year ....almost...

2011-12-26T20:04:00.002-05:00

Almost time to ring in a new year. Will be posting a look back over 2011 and the thoughts and ramblings of a weather goob...

Hope everyone had a great Christmas..!!

Weather Purgatory...

2011-11-29T19:38:00.002-05:00

Well nothing to report weather wise. Snow flurries have moved through north Alabama, covering areas I have shot in the past. My hometown got a dusting and I am wanting to be on the road but duty calls as well as reality. Fall colors have come and gone and cold weather is staying around longer as we move into December. Hurricane season is over and with it another over hyped season. The forecast is reading like a broken record with no mention of storms in the pipeline. wishing for some lightning to photograph but for now nothing. Weather Purgatory is now in full affect......

Forever April 27 2011....

2011-10-27T16:57:00.004-04:00

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Six months ago today a monster, one of many, rampaged across my home state of Alabama. Leaving a trail of death, destruction still felt today. I went searching for a monster and found one that day. I question why sometimes and still have dreams of this day. In one dream I was there and knew what would happen and spent the entire dream telling people what was coming but no one would listen and in the end I would cower under a shelter or would watch it come right at me. Every time.. I wake up, pulse racing... feeling of loss. This storm would go on to carve a path across the entire state. It would pass just north of my hometown of Anniston, but not before leveling half my dads church in a near miss and then killing two distant kin of mine.

Later I was able to carry a trailer back to the First Baptist Church of Williams near Jacksonville and spend four days hauling supplies to families homes and also loading supplies to families coming in some with nothing more than what was in their vehicles. I later returned again and spent three days offering free family portraits to those who lost theirs in the storm. Still, I feel sometimes I haven't done enough. I question myself, could I have done anything on that day to help? Was I nothing more than a spectator with a video camera and cameras? I still don't really have an answer to these questions, but my outlook on chasing has greatly changed.

Today the sun is shining and beautiful Fall weather is in full effect. Trees are showing their glory in beautiful colors as chilly nights slowly take hold. But for me its forever April 27 2011....

(ALL PICTURES ARE COPYRIGHTED)

Stars and Strikes...

2011-09-27T12:47:00.004-04:00

Finally a storm that was shootable and from my back yard at that..Nice storm with a developing flanking line..One after another they fired and and fizzled. Love combining the stars with the storm...

Bright one is Jupiter...Cluster in the middle is the "Seven Sisters" constellation.

A reminder.........

2011-09-15T23:41:00.005-04:00

I work hard and go to considerable expense to capture my work. So please consider this before stealing any of my work. If you do, I will find you and the outcome wont be as pleasant. Lets just say I hope my lawyer gets to you before I do"...

I am growing very tired of people stealing my work and some even trying to sell it as their own..If this keeps up as much as it hurts this site will be closed. So if you like the pictures, just ask for usage. If not, the above statement is not a threat but a promise....

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-24T21:14:00.003-04:00

This is Irene in all her splendor and glory. She is planning to do a lot of damage up the east coast and probably will succeed. This is all I will say about her as she is not going to affect me and you will be able to see more with all the coverage that's about to blast everyone on every cable channel out there. Let the media whores loose..

......Deadly but beautiful.

2011-08-13T22:31:00.000-04:00

....helping

2011-07-20T16:54:00.005-04:00

Will be in the road to a very special place this weekend. My hometown area was hit by one of the tornadoes on April 27. I shot and videotaped the monster as it leveled parts of Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. The super cell would eventually drop one destroying my dads church and taking the lives of two relatives before moving on into Georgia. I drove the 330 miles two weeks later to volunteer my time, truck and trailer to haul donated goods and assist with families needing supplies. Now almost 3 months later I return to First Baptist Church of Williams, near Jacksonville Alabama again to offer free portraits to the families that lost theirs in the storms. I haven't been the same since that day in April. Even after 24 years of chasing and also being an EMT, I wasn't prepared to see what I saw. This is a way to heal for me and help my people in my home state.

Thunderstorm gust front...

2011-06-28T22:08:00.003-04:00

Had a strong storm pass though today. Went and shot video a time lapse of the gust front...

Summer in Georgia

2011-06-23T19:47:00.002-04:00

Low topped cells bringing much needed rain...Even a lowly outflow induced wall cloud. Take what we can get here!

...back from vacation...

2011-06-14T23:28:00.000-04:00

...already need another one...

Adel Ga. Straight line wind event...

2011-06-07T20:38:00.005-04:00

We had a severe thunderstorm pass though our county. I was on duty with Ems and had the roof peeling off at the restaurant we were at. Estimated winds were 70+ mph.

Possible lightning strike started a fire at a local doctors office. We were on scene for 6 hours. Crews were still on duty this morning, checking for hot spots.
Taco Bell lost a sign and our 911 Center lost an antenna
We responded to this home during the storm. A tree crushed the end of the home. Luckily the occupants didn't seek shelter in the bedroom as it was completely crushed..
Section of roofing was carried 100 yards and landed in a car lot..Ouch!!
Roof peeled back here in the center of town.

Trees down throughout the city, a few on houses. Was a total mess. Storms can go from average to severe quickly and catch you by surprise...

Summer Fire...

2011-06-04T22:27:00.001-04:00

Small storm gave me a little relaxation tonight...Not hardly any lightning but managed a couple shots..Felt good to get out and watch God trace the sky with fire. Looking forward to more storms this year...

Tis the season...

2011-05-27T12:34:00.003-04:00

That time of the year for afternoon thunderstorms..Love it!!

Tuscaloosa Alabama Storm Chase 04-27-11 Chase Log.

2011-04-30T23:42:00.002-04:00

After getting off work at 745 am Tuesday morning I got home and began looking at weather models, forecast, the usual things you would look at on any given severe weather threat. This day was different in the fact that a outbreak of weather was forecasted across the South, potentially a "High Risk" day. I decided to take the next shift off and get together with some fellow chasers, Mike Wilhelm and John Brown, over in Alabama. After some quick phone calls Cullman Alabama would be the meeting and starting point. I left south Georgia around 630 pm and arrived in Cullman a little after midnight. Mike was snoozing in his vehicle as I pulled up and moments later we were discussing the next days chase. Not to long after John pulls up and after catching up and small talk we get to the business of where and when. We decided to head into Mississippi at Tupelo to intercept some storms that were firing during the overnight hours, several which had tornado warnings. I am not a big fan of nighttime events but I didn't come all this way to turn around. Safety has always been a issue when chasing and with the promise of good data flow and communications we ventured off into the night...

Our first encounter was near Hamilton Alabama as a severe thunderstorm rolled in and got the blood pumping rather quickly. On we traveled finally arriving in Tupelo MS around 5am. Setting up shop at a Waffle house i got about an hour nap before getting up and meeting John inside for breakfast. Mike was awake already going over models, forecasts and then the "High Risk" was broadcast. Not gonna be a good a day in Dixie. We intercepted a tornado warned storm near Corinth Ms and shot pics of the gust front but the rotation was rain wrapped and nothing could be seen. This storm would follow us back to Tupelo and we made the call to go ahead and make a run for Tuscaloosa as a starting point for the main event later that day.

Driving down to Tuscaloosa was uneventful, save the loss of cell service and data stream. Beautiful countryside, but I wondered what it would look like by the end of all this. With John and Mike leading the way we began to get cell service and data service once back in close enough to Tuscaloosa. The sun was beginning to shine and the temperature difference between Tupelo and Tuscaloosa was amazing. At least a 15 degree difference. Tupelo was almost chilly with the wind blowing and in Tuscaloosa we were actually beginning to sweat. We parked at a Burger King and grabbed some food, relaxed as best we could knowing that soon the storms would begin to initiate and things were gonna get rough..."How rough" was the question that was about to be answered with no doubts left whatsoever.

The storms began to fire and the one that got our attention was still in Mississippi but making its way towards the Alabama state line near Aliceville Alabama. We left our location traveling west on Hwy 82 to Reform and then headed south. Even at the distance you could see the huge anvil overhead. We set up at McMullen Alabama. We were there about 10 mins when the rotation began to come into view. Pics and video began to roll. The storm had weakened slightly as it approached us. We could hear an odd hissing roaring sound coming from the clouds as it passed over with the cloud deck no more than 500 feet above as it rotated by. We began our pursuit and after only a mile we came to a halt as it had brought trees and power lines down. We had no choice but to back up and go back the way we came. John and Mike got ahead of me as I made a wrong turn and had to turn around. I continued to follow this storm as it began to restrengthen. We didn't realize what was about to happen as we had grabbed a beast by the tail and it was about to show us it's true power as it set its eyes on the city of Tuscaloosa.

Still separated by about two miles John and Mike went on through town to set up as the storm came into the city. Mike called me as I was coming into town and asked my location. I had been able to get around and in front of the storm for the next shots. He gave me directions on where to turn and as I crossed the river he told me look to my west, that there is a huge tornado coming into town. I looked and will never forget the sight that met me there on the overpass of I-59/20. A monster had come to town. I set up and began shooting video , but due to intense lightning didn't get out of the truck just yet. The lowered cloud base had two areas of lowered rotation, one on each side of the interstate. the southern rotation looked impressive and I placed my bets on it as I taped. But in an instant the rotation vanished and the northern side began a quick and tight rotation with vortices working their way down........Tornado on the ground!

I jumped out of the truck and began shooting, heart racing the wind was blowing incredibly hard. I had to watch for people driving by me, giving me odd looks yet oblivious to the approaching tornado (Crazy guy on overpass with video camera call 911) It was hard to keep the camera on subject due to

1. The wind was blowing very hard

2. Drivers going by

3. It was moving right at me and I was thinking when is enough , enough.

A mental countdown began in my head as it got closer and closer. It began to move slightly to my right as it closed the distance between us. It was growing larger and larger with each passing second. For the first time in my life as storm chaser the fight or flight mode kicked in. I chose flight and drove further to the other side of the interstate overpass with an exit ramp to my back in case I needed an escape. I turned to look and I couldn't believe how fast it went from a small tornado to this roaring monster.

I could only tape from the inside of my truck as the winds began to roar and inflow to the tornado approached 80 mph. One foot on the break with the engine running, I continued to film, looking overhead to make sure no debris was inbound, only stopping long enough to snap pictures as it passed me. The sound is something I will never forget. At approx 800 yards it made its closest approach and began its rampage through the center of the city. It passed and I sat there, trying to control my emotions. John and Mike were up the interstate a couple miles filming it as it roars through town. It moved out of Tuscaloosa leaving death and destruction. Not weakening only getting warmed up and now...Birmingham Alabama was next in line.

I drove up I-59 looking at trees down all over the place as i drove on. Every now and then I would look to the north only to see this monster pacing my speed. Who would get to Birmingham first? It was a tie. I noticed the storm getting closer to me as i got closer to town. a quick look at the computer let me know it was gonna be another meeting and very soon. I found John and Mike shooting from the side of I-59/ I puled over and began shooting the tornado. At this point it was a boiling mass on the ground possible a mile wide as it churned up the northern section of Birmingham. I followed Mike and John for a ways but noticed I was very low on fuel , so I circled around I-459 to find somewhere that was still open and had power. The smell over natural gas was in the air from the destroyed neighborhoods on that side of town as they continued on filming the wrath that had been unleashed. Then looking at my computer to see if I was clear to the south I had another problem. Another tornado moving in behind me and cutting off my escape out of town.. At this point it was beginning to get dark and I wanted out of this mayhem. Too many tornadoes were touching down and Rick didn't want to play any more. Looking at the radar and seeing the rotation to my south I came sliding into a convenience store. When I say sliding I literally mean sliding. Jason Statham of "The Transporter" fame would be proud. (In all honesty it was an accident wet concrete is very slick) I glanced up and figured I had 6 maybe 8 mins tops before it go to me. A elderly gentleman in his new Cadillac looked at me and we had the following conversation.

Cadillac Man: "Well they say its gonna miss us".

Me: "Sir its coming right at this location".

Cadillac Man: "No, they say it will go south of us"

Me: "Sir, look at the radar right there...

Cadillac Man: "Naah, it aint gonna hit".

Me: Sir, you see that stuff falling out of the sky??? That's called debris..

Cadillac Man: "Where do I need to drive too..?

I gave a quick point to interstate and I left with a full tank and no time to spare. It passed over the station 2 mins after I left, but with no serious damage. I finally made it to 280 and my road to Auburn and home. At this point they had stopped all cell phone service. no calls out and not even texting. I could receive calls only for a second before it would drop. i could receive, but couldn't respond. they had locked the system for use by the local EMA and other emergency services. I could get a call out until i was 50 miles from Birmingham...I met a huge line of Alabama National Guard vehicles coming into town on 280. Eyes teared up at this sight and the thought of what they would be in for.....

Now the fun was to start all over again as I now had 6 tornado warned storms between me and Auburn Alabama. I began a night time cat an mouse game of speed up and slow down as i let each storm pass in front of me or would outrun it to get across and out of the way. At one point was squeezed between two as I had one in 8 miles in front and one 6 behind me. I was able to make it out of that and had only one left. Dadeville Alabama was the last city between me and a nice hot shower and sleep. At this point I was approaching 46 hours straight and already logged over 1000 miles on this chase. The closer I got to Dadeville it seemed to be matching my speed. I was already too close in and then I noticed something really bad. My software and GPS had locked up on my computer. I was looking at old data and not new. I also noticed that I was under the lightning core of this storm and that tornado was gonna be right behind it. I reset the software and the new radar shot showed me 2 miles from the tornado on a collision course at Dadeville. One thing you can do, only thing you can do.

I let the big girl eat some asphalt.

I floored the accelerator and Abby responded as if saying "bout time stupid"..Rain, intense lightning, high winds and rotation was starting to showing in the rain bands as they began to change direction on me. I figured I had no choice and no one was gonna argue the fact as I blew though town with tornado sirens wailing...As I left the outskirts of the small town, the tornado was coming into town. Close call....Too dang close for comfort.

A friend had gotten me a room in Auburn and I pulled up to my hotel, wind blowing, rain pouring but no tornadic storms near me. Soaking wet I hauled all my gear to my room. All was quiet save the rain hitting my window and the constant lighting. At this point i pull out my video camera and watch my footage. Removed from the scene and storm I realize I have videotaped the death and destruction of a beloved city of mine. I sat there for a while...numb...Thinking...Reliving the day. Praying for those in my home state. I was now safe but these beasts were still on the ground elsewhere and far from being though with their mayhem. John and Mike returned to shoot damage across the area the next day and both made it home safely as did I. John and Mikes video footage would eventually make it to Night Line on ABC with John being interviewed... I would do a call interview into CNN as they showed my footage....As I sit here tonight I hurt for my home state. In some way they are all my family..

Roll Tide....

2011-04-30T01:13:00.002-04:00

This is the video I shot in Tuscaloosa...Words cant even begin to describe what I saw and felt at the sheer power and size of this monster. At its closest I estimated it to be about 800 yards away from me...Thats 800 yards to close for me.

Tuscaloosa Tornado

2011-04-29T01:13:00.007-04:00

...46 hours with no sleep and a 1268 miles chase. We caught the super cell coming out of Mississippi. I positioned myself slightly out of the direct path in Tuscaloosa and waited. I didn't have to wait long.

As I left Birmingham help was already on the way. Alabama National Guard.

Chase is on......04-27-11

2011-04-26T17:30:00.002-04:00

Will be in the "moderate area" chasing what natures serves up....

From the past.

2011-04-23T22:50:00.002-04:00

Going over some older, (most from 2007) shots and seeing if my newer editing software would make any improvements from when there were done 4 years ago. Some came out out very well, while some went to the trash bin.

...Severe Weather Guidlines...

2011-04-21T20:22:00.003-04:00

Did you hear the National Weather Service has picked up the Homeland Security color alerts? It's actually a great idea now that people are driving into tornadoes while the kid films it on an iPhone.

Chaser Idiots, Posers and Darwin Award Winners...

2011-04-18T10:49:00.004-04:00

Here is a recent post from my good friend Jenn, aka "Dewdrop." After watching a man sit in a parking lot, watching a tornado approach him and not make any attempt to save himself but just videotapes his own possible death. This man is not a storm chaser, he is an idiot and NOT even close to being storm chaser. Not going to give hm the satisfaction of linking it here....

As Jenn so nicely puts it...

As time passes, more and more video footage of so-called "storm chasers" are being revealed, are popping up on You Tube... I say "storm chasers", but the storm chasers that I know, understand weather. They are highly trained with excellent tools at their fingertips that keep them (for the most part) out of harm's way. Their training, in many cases, is right up there with meteorologists. They understand weather; they understand the dynamics of the storm. They know how to be safe. This other group... is really just people with video cameras, putting themselves in the tornadoes path for a "good shot", for 15 minutes of fame. They are clueless about weather. They are clueless about storm motions and structure. They just see a funnel descend and think... "Hey, maybe TWC will show this on the air" or "I wonder how many hits this will get on YouTube?!" Meanwhile, they are putting themselves directly in the path of imminent danger. They are making themselves a burden to more prudent rescue efforts. Or how about this one? "Come to the window class... there's a huge wedge tornado headed right for us, let's stand at this 2nd floor classroom window and watch it while I take pictures. That teacher should be in big trouble for that! She was literally putting those children in harm's way! It disgusts me!

Hello, morons, most true storm chasers are doing a service. They are well-trained, connected to the National Weather Service, know what they are looking at, and they are reporting back what's happening at the ground, so that they can issue warnings that help protect life and property. They are helping protect the morons... My thoughts are that TWC, Discovery and yes, even WE have generated a fame seeking group of people, looking to get their amateur footage aired, despite the cost and danger. It is a whole population who see it on TV and think... "How cool. I could do that!" It is truly dangerous though and tremendously more so when you don't know what you are doing. The complacency scares me.

-----------------------------------------------------

So there you go. Well said and I couldn't agree more..Was the video great sure...any close up video of a tornado lends us valuable clues to its inner workings but there is a correct way to do it. Videos of this type do nothing more than create an atmosphere of "Hey I can do that and get an even better shot". I loathed the day when chasing became "trendy" or "cool". For years I and several friends had a certain freedom as we chased before people had a clue what it was. This was a perfect world for chasing as there were no crowds and no one to bother us. We weren't looked at as "those guys on TV."....We were doing what we loved, learning more into the workings of weather and life was good. The well was poisoned long ago and chase wannabees, posers, whatever they are, will continue to grab a video camera and put themselves in harms way, with nothing more in mind than being the 5 o'clock news hero..One day one will become a victim and all will be blamed for the actions of chase idiots.

....waiting.

2011-04-17T21:56:00.002-04:00

Missed out on the tornado outbreak in Alabama due to some photography work upstate and having to work the next day. You cant catch them all and you cant chase them all...there will be others...there always is.

Miller County Chase

2011-03-28T15:59:00.003-04:00

Was able to stay ahead of the storm, but barely.
Looking into the "Bears Cage".

First chase of the year and it was a great one!

Lazy afternoon....

2011-03-22T13:24:00.001-04:00

closer.....

2011-03-16T13:40:00.000-04:00

....road trip coming soon.
.

Wanted: WEATHER!!

2011-02-23T21:42:00.001-05:00

If you have any weather that your not using at the moment please send it my way...Haven't heard the sound of thunder in a long time...Depressing!!

Severe weather??

2011-02-05T14:01:00.003-05:00

Severe weather season is just about here but all we have in the South is snow..Whats up with that?? Well maybe we will have a chance at something this year..once again , time will tell...

White Christmas 2010..

2011-01-12T20:25:00.004-05:00

Shots from Christmas 2010..Roaming around Eastern Tennessee..You can view the rest next door at Wayfarers Journey.

White Christmas 2010

2010-12-31T19:45:00.003-05:00

Took some time off to drive up into Eastern Tennessee to capture some video and shoot pics of the heavy snowfall. Not to often we get snowfall this widespread and close to home here in the South..Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Meanwhile they having severe weather over in Mississippi but not expecting anything but rain here..and that we need as its been a dry year. Will take this time to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Merry Christmas!!

2010-12-10T22:21:00.002-05:00

This is our courthouse here in Moultrie Ga...Elsewhere in the world of weather its gonna get good and cold...very cold..Bring it on!! Lows in the teens. people seem to nut up when it gets that cold around here. We had a very cold winter last year and i really enjoyed it. Everyone have a great and safe weekend!

My big, albeit short, movie debut!!...sorta..

2010-12-03T00:08:00.003-05:00

Playing around with the Facebook app for the upcoming Tron movie. It lets you put your face on one of the characters in one of the scenes...Now if I can get some royalties that would be nice..Maybe even a romantic scene with Olivia Wilde..Oh yeah! No weather to speak of, so nothing more here...Merry Christmas all!

....and we are back...

2010-11-25T21:12:00.002-05:00

..sorry for the lack of updates but we haven't had any type of weather worthy of blogging about. Very sparse rain forecasted for tomorrow it wont be much..Stop by my photo blog to see where I have been of late..www.wayfarersjourney.com

Chasin the colors....

2010-10-28T21:09:00.003-04:00

Time for my Fall road trip to capture the colors in the mountains. We had storms pass through the mountains and I am sure they took some of the leaves down, but I have adjusted my destination to an area I scouted last year in the late Spring. I try to make a scouting trip in the spring and then return in the Fall but last year wasn't able to do this.

Above you see two areas. The one on the left has been scouted, the area on the right was visited on the same trip, but not really scouted. So I am heading back to the area on the left. Thats the plan and I hope I can get some great shots as the colors are awesome this year.. Below is a video of pictures shot from that area. Enjoy!

Hello TS Richard...

2010-10-22T20:04:00.005-04:00

This storm has my attention due to the fact of it making it into the Gulf of Mexico still somewhat organized. Once in the Gulf there is no way out and landfall is inevitable somewhere along the gulf coast. As you can see the various models below track TS Richard in different location over the next 120 hours. But the majority of the models bring it into the warm waters of the gulf.. Trying to approximate where it will be in a week is impossible of course but I have my yearly Fall photo shoot in the mountains planned. What I don't want is a major storm paying my region a visit while I am gone, thus causing me to cancel my trip. I wait patiently all year to capture autumn colors at their best and this is a major deal breaker here..All I can do is wait and see....

..My opinion.

2010-10-17T20:50:00.001-04:00

..Think this sums it up...and yes this is my truck.

Fair weather is unfair..

2010-10-11T21:06:00.002-04:00

No weather to speak of. Been absolutely perfect weather for far to long. After a while you begin to crave the rumble of thunder, dream of lightning flashes and yearn for the sound of rain on the roof. Its that time of year where it is normally dry for us and all chasers start having withdrawals ....

Dead Zone..

2010-09-22T09:55:00.003-04:00

......sorry for the lack of updates, but this is due to the lack of any weather. We have had a pesky ridge parked over the area for a few weeks. This has kept us rain free. Everything is about dried up, leaves have been falling of the trees and the grass has already died for the most part. It looks like late November outside. We seem to have a change in the over all pattern as the weeks comes to a close. Rain chances are edging up as the ridge is forecasted to weaken and move on. Been a busy hurricane season but like a few years ago everything recently has curved of the the north before approaching land. So all I am doing is awaiting Fall and cooler weather...

Igor....

2010-09-14T14:43:00.002-04:00

Beautiful as storms go but not a threat to the US. but it probably isn't a good time to be in Bermuda. Igor is being followed by Julia, also not a threat except to fish and shipping.

Chase Ready......but......

2010-09-08T22:08:00.004-04:00

All set and ready but one slight problem...nothing to chase, no weather to speak of. Its been this way for some time now..Fall is slowly making its way here and with it frontal passages that bring thunderstorms..Another case of wait and see...Well at least the truck is now set up and ready. My checking account bears the scars...

Mid Life Crisis..

2010-08-15T21:18:00.003-04:00

Was on the road with portrait work in Columbus Ga and it "followed me home." Still in the process of what we will do as of getting it chase worthy. 303 miles on the odometer, first "new" vehicle I have ever owned. updates if we ever have any weather to speak of, things real quiet now..

August in a flash...

2010-08-02T23:35:00.004-04:00

Storm fired on some outflow boundaries from earlier storms..almost on top of my house..
One was a little closer than I liked...
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Big Dipper is visible just to the right of the cloud..
Always check the focus on the camera..LOL..Was trying to set up and wasnt quite ready and missed this awesome CG..
....to close for comfort...
August is off to a fine start!!

Lightning...nuff said.

2010-07-31T22:56:00.004-04:00

One of my favorite things to do is shoot lightning. Today I had a bolt strike about 50 feet from my truck while I was at the mailbox. I happened to be looking right at the tree when it was struck. I saw only one bolt that hit on the side of the tree but after the storm passed and my pulse rate came down I went out to look. A stroke had came from the top and spider webbed all the way down the pine tree. It blew the pine straw away from the base of the tree and left a shallow trench about 6 ft long away from the trunk..Sweeet!! But to close for me..! While I didnt get that strike on camera I did manage to play out late tonight a grab a few..

Southwest Georgia Weather...Same as last year folks!

2010-07-25T00:09:00.004-04:00

It's late July...
98+ degrees on any given day...
120% humidity..(If you breathe you begin sweating)...
This is the South...
Its like this every year this time of year...never fails....bet on it.

So why do the weather forecasters "nut up" when describing the weather and act like this is the first time in history its gotten this hot before!!??

Incoming!

2010-07-16T20:09:00.002-04:00

Captured this one as it hit about a quarter mile away from my hotel room...
While on the west side of the hotel I witnessed several CGs that were mostly hidden by the rain and didn't make very good pics for me. The storm went severe on me as it moved directly on and over my location. I kept pressing my luck as the bolts got closer and closer. Telling myself, "Just one more shot"...One finally did "find me"and nailed the ground about 200 yards away from my location. The only warning was the "hair standing up" as they say. There was no time to react just "Oh Crap" and Boom! It didn't take just a few seconds for me to make haste back to my room and go inside..Time to go when you go from being a photographer to being a target..

Storm on the horizon..

2010-07-09T14:38:00.003-04:00

WARNING! Not weather related...Watch if you will. Its a storm of a different kind and this time there is no hiding from it...
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Weather Purgatory....

2010-07-01T21:31:00.003-04:00

Tropical air mass over the area means heavy rains and nothing more..Even seems like the thunderstorms this year have been lacking in any real excitement. Lightning has been sparse and not really shootable..Hurricane season is on and watching Alex hang a hard left moves across Mexico is a good thing as the oil spill continues in the Gulf. AS far as hurricanes go yes chasers want them but right now with the spill we don't need them. Pushing the oil ashore contaminating everything. People not allowed to return home possibly ever depending on the level of contamination. For now all is fairly quiet but somewhere something is preparing to rear its ugly head... Welcome to hurricane season on the Gulf...
Hurricane Alex at landfall...

Oil Spill vs Gulf Storm...

2010-06-25T22:24:00.004-04:00

This doesn't bode well for anyone near the gulf oil spill. The storm my push the oil ashore contaminating everything...What and see...

T

Southern fireworks

2010-06-15T23:36:00.001-04:00

...back home..

2010-06-07T21:32:00.002-04:00

Been on a kayak trip for a few days and now back home..I am working EMS tomorrow and then on the road shooting portraits for my company once again. It helps to finance these getaways that save my sanity..

My First Photo With SWB

2010-06-01T10:11:00.000-04:00

...Thank you...

2010-05-31T11:39:00.002-04:00

Thank you for our freedoms.

Gone in a flash!

2010-05-31T11:29:00.003-04:00

Doing one of my favorite things as we have had the perfect weather for it....chasing the bright stuff!

Moonrise with a storm...

Summertime Lightning...

2010-05-23T20:36:00.003-04:00

Finally had some storms cooperate and last after sunset. These storms were about 40 miles away when I started shooting. Being the distance was great and the bolts hid inside the clouds camera settings were constantly changing to find the right setting. These were a tad grainy due to the low light and having to bump up the ISO setting.. Enjoy!

Chase Idiots....

2010-05-20T14:20:00.001-04:00

Rainy day in Georgia..

2010-05-04T20:32:00.003-04:00

We received 3 inches of rain since yesterday evening. Seems the guys in the NWS at Tallahassee had the amounts right on the money. No severe weather for our area but a really good soaking of rain. Plenty of flooding to our west and of course in Tennessee. Beautiful weather in store for us for the rest of the week as we begin to play with the 90 degree mark.

til next time ....

2010-04-29T21:15:00.004-04:00

Having to say goodbye is never easy. Me, and Jenn had our final goodbyes at dinner with Mike Smith this evening, "Smittty" as he is known to the rest of the chase team has been in the US Air force for a number of years and now he is called on to move on once again. Next stop will be South Korea. In the time Mike spent here in our area we have chased some great storms and had quite a few good times shooting lightning. Never a shortage of laughter when we got together. During dinner tonight we had a chance to remember the good times, chases, missed storms, and about everything we could think of. Most everything ending in a hardy laugh. Hate to lose a best friend to distance. Even though his blog will still be active (more so now) and we have FaceBook to fall back on there will be a empty spot. Best of luck Smitty and can't wait till next Spring!! Remember, if life begins to suck, it means ya got great inflow!

Godspeed my friend...

My thoughts exactly....

2010-04-27T11:18:00.004-04:00

Watching the aftermath coverage of the Yazoo City tornado is a sobering sight. I chatted with a fellow chaser, Dewdrop , concerning some of the "storm chasers" that have been featured. Some have done an awesome job with their work and under extraordinary circumstances. She has posted a blog entry at I must say I agree with 100%. We don't need storm chasing superstars or for that matter instant storm chaser wannabees, vying for a quick shot on TWC for instant fame. It brings the public's scrutiny on us all and then it takes only one yahoo to poison the well for all of us with the nation watching on. Public perception is everything....

Click on this entry to be taken to here blog...

West Alabama Stormchase 2010

2010-04-25T20:47:00.003-04:00

I had a chance to chase some weather over in Alabama on Saturday. Took a day off work as we had a rare "High Risk" here in the South. I left home at 4am to catch up with some friends to try and intercept some storms. As I drove through the early morning darkness lightning was already dancing across the sky. Ominous signs of high instability and things were only getting worse before it got better. I met up with Mike and Sarah just outside of Birmingham and storms were already going up and producing tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. As is the case most of the time here in the South they are all rain wrapped and hard to see. We drove on letting some tornado warned storms pass to our south and set up for a while near Tuscaloosa Alabama. While watching the radar, forecast models and planning on a final place to intercept we began to hear of a large and violent tornado on the ground over in Mississippi. Then the news of a direct hit on Yazoo City. Not something you want to ever hear, but the die had been cast and we prepared to hear more news like this for the rest of the day. Leaves a bad feeling in your stomach knowing these beasts are dropping from the sky and in populated areas. Time for some quick planning to decide when and where to meet these storms inbound for our region. We decided to head north and get into position to capture images and video of the long track super cell that dropped the tornado on Yazoo City. Heading quickly north out of Northport Alabama things were lining up good. Storms to the west of us and we had the luxury of time to get into position. Road options were pretty good with escape routes in various directions. Safety first when involved in a chase. Its not about getting close at all costs. Its doing it safely and living to chase another storm, another day. (Keep watching the Discovery Channel..Someone will get killed one day) With a good road network in place it takes a little tension off of you. Then you begin to rely on the gear you brought. GPS mapping and "live street level radar" is a must when chasing. We rely heavily on these items but sometimes things can go wrong no matter how well you prepare. We just had no idea how true that was about to be..
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Not to far out of Northport I noticed a lag in the radar updates. No real problem as sometimes it happens due to servers at the NWS being hit with lots of web traffic. They always catch up and resume operation. We drove on but soon it was obvious that a serious lapse in radar updates was occurring. I radioed Mike and he and Sarah had noticed the same thing. I switch over to a different data stream with higher resolution and got a update. The Yazoo City monster was moving quicker that we thought, but we were still safe and still in range of catching it. This storm is what they call a "long track super cell". Its tornadoes can stay on the ground for a long time. It's also associated with violent tornadoes. It keeps it rotational characteristics and continues mile after mile, sometimes crossing whole states and dropping numerous tornadoes. Well, this is what was heading our way and we were headed to the small town of Fayette to set up and wait. 30 miles out I lost data service. Mike and Sarah radioed they were having the same problems. I figured we would pick up another cell tower soon so onward we went. 40 miles later? No service and now our cell phones were dead. We rolled into Fayette with zero data and no way of getting any. So you improvise. You steal wi-fi from wherever you can. (insert evil laugh) We rode around and finally found a weak signal from somewhere and got a update. Looks like we were now in the path of the storm. Oh this couldn't get any worse...right?
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When this happens it gives you a lot to think about. What do we do, where do we go, Do we make a run for it, where can I get some real good sushi today. Ok ok ok..that last one really did cross my mind as I had a craving for some. Mike and Sarah found a Wi-Fi spot at a gas station and I did recon, driving around town and some nearby county roads, trying to find a place where we could see the western horizon. The areas was very lush with trees and hills blocked every view and after a quick 20 min trip I found nothing. The countdown was on and we were running out of time. When I got back Mike and Sarah had met up with some Skywarn volunteers and they were busy trying to help us get data and a good place to set up. They succeeded and we wound up, of all places, a funeral home. Yeah, I did see the irony in this. As luck would have it the funeral home network was security protected. Mike had been up the road trying to grab a signal and I somehow grabbed a weak signal from who knows where and captured an image that showed we were out of time. The sirens began to wail across the city and then........ I lose my data stream.
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What do you do? There it is, its what you drove 400 miles to behold in all its power. So what do you do?.... There was no choice but to let the beast pass by and not try an intercept. So frustrating to be so close and cant make the chase. Then you think of the people back in Yazoo City that are being pulled from the rubble, some alive some not, lives changed forever and you snap back to reality. Live to chase another day. There will be more storms...
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After the storm passed a gentleman from the funeral home ran out to my truck, smiled and said here is the passkey. He thanked us for what we did and wished us a safe trip. With data in hand we had several storms south of us trying to cut us off. some were having tornado warnings issued on them. We decided to make a run for it and try and beat them before they cut us off. True, it was a calculated gamble but we felt it safe enough at the moment. We grabbed one last radar update, judged the distance to the area we had to be past before we get nailed. Then you drive...I am not one for driving like an idiot and we were safe as we could be. But lets just say we were not letting any grass grow under our wheels. A few miles out of town we broke through the heavy rain and found ourselves looking at a large tree across the road, blocking both lanes. Not a problem, snapped a quick picture and then drive right under it on the shoulder! Hey, gotta improvise sometimes and with tornadic storms just miles to our west this time was definitely one of those times. We did make it south just as the area behind us was issued several severe thunderstorm warnings.
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Later we entered Northport and then Tuscaloosa. My phone began to go crazy. Catching up on all the texts, emails, voice mails, missed call notifications etc etc..I even think I heard it make noises I didn't even recognize!.LOL! My air card lit up, showing it now had a signal. Mike and Sarah were logging back in, catching up on their Twitter updates and issuing their own,looking at storms off to the west once again....

AAHHHH!!! Civilization!!!

So after all of the days events we find a place to stop, decompress and finally laugh and let off stress. Being with good friends on a chase is something special. Sure the chase is exciting, but its the other half that completes it all. Friends of the chase, in the chase. Wouldn't have it any other way! Special Thanks to Mike "Alabama Mike" Wilhelm, Sarah Vines for a rather interesting day LOL!. Also want to thank the Skywarn volunteers in Fayette Alabama who really came though when we needed help. Unsung heroes you were that day guys...Thanks!!
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So now I have 400 miles to drive to get home and storms are already building in my path. I could only think of one thing..

Where is some sushi!!!!!

Dead Zone..

2010-04-20T19:57:00.002-04:00

Finally had some showers and storms push through today. Actually got to hear some thunder for a change. Been a while since that has happened. Was greeted this morning by the Space Shuttle Discovery flying overhead at mach 10. It was overcast but her twin sonic booms rattled the windows. Good to have them back on the ground safe and sound. Bit the bullet and purchased Gibson Ridge Level 2 and Analyst. Trying to update everything for this year. Even purchased a new vehicle..Bwahahahah! (Translation: Evil laugh) pics be up soon. Photography work is on the rise as I inked another wedding this year. More on the road EMS shots have been ordered up as well. All we need is some weather to play with now....until then, it's a dead zone here in the South.

Dewvoid in full effect........

Storm chasing Superstars?

2010-04-07T18:48:00.004-04:00

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Been pondering this subject and posting an entry on it since we had a high profile storm chaser visit a local college. As I have mentioned in the past one of the advantages of having a blog that isn't read by many allows me to indulge into subject mattes outside of weather or just rant about anything that bothers me. That couldn't be done on one with a large readerships where I would have to be politically correct.. With that being said I am in no way "flaming" or criticizing one or any chaser(s) out there. But I am criticizing the the current portrayal of storm chasers. If this entry offends you then get over yourself and your ego and post on your own blog.
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In the early nineties when I became an active "chaser" if you will, I had no idea what to do or that there was even a name for it. Just see a storm follow and study its characteristics and patterns. Do this every summer and as often as I could was the game plan. I had read all I could on weather since I was a child as it was a huge interest of mine, not to mention I was scared of rough weather. I had no idea there were people out there doing the same thing as me. Then years later the movie "Twister" hit the theaters and things really started moving in the soon to be "chaser world". I came across an ad for Warren Faidleys book on chasing and subsequently bought the book and video. As he claims to be the first professional storm chaser it would be much longer for others to follow and they did...In droves. Fast forward to today and you have the plains full of people in search of one thing and that being tornadoes. Thus the interest about tornadoes began as the movie was released and that video cameras were affordable and open to the masses. From this point the frenzy hasn't died down on bit. Today we have the Discovery Channel with its series on Storm chasing. They have their various hits with "Deadliest Catch" and and the newer "American Loggers" series. I admit to liking the series where they people do what they do for a living. Storm chasing isn't about that. The public wants drama and they want Grandpa's house to land in the next zip code and all of it in HD. The average person doesn't realize its nothing like what they see on TV....
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With all this there has to be people to do the chasing. Granted the people who do this have captured many, many storms and are good at what they do. Go where the storms are plentiful and have at it. But do we have to slowly turn something dangerous into a spectator sport, by numbing it down and making it look like there is no danger? Commonplace sights of the highways in the Plains lined with car after car following the storms. The monster must be fed and there are the networks to do so as long as the ratings are there for it. Place your various personalities in it, throw in a competitive angle and there ya go. I am no fan of the show and have never watched one episode. Kudos to the chasers as they catch what they seek wherever they find it, but when is close enough close enough? With the two main "intercept vehicles" vying for the inside view of a tornado its a matter of time before the "TIV" gets tossed and the "Dominator" get dominated and demolished. Sad part is people will be inside these vehicles at the time. But hey, ratings will going through the roof!
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Back in the day I wanted to see how many antennas and strobe lights I could place on my vehicle..The more on there the more official looking I was. I was a "cool chaser". (Pardon me while gag) LOL! The more crap in the vehicle the better. Like some sort of badge of courage to have all this set up at my fingertips. Fast forward a decade and I have very little things in my truck and no fancy lights. I have learned something from all the madness and that being, "Chase smarter not harder". I chase now for the photography aspects and that's what I love from the scenes out west. There some really talented photographers that seem to get the shots no one else is able to. But these doesn't bring ratings to the networks, video does and up close and personal with the beast is what they want.
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I dont want to come across as sounding bitter, God knows I am not bitter nor even jealous. I hope one day to go out to the plains and enjoy some chasing and see the beauty that is the Great Plains. Maybe when I venture there the circus will already left town....but I doubt it.

Godspeed Discovery...

2010-04-05T08:58:00.005-04:00

...waiting for the show to start.

Got up early this morning to watch the shuttle Discovery head to the space station. This is the last planned night launch before they retire the shuttle fleet this year. Only three launches remain. I have seen early morning launches before but never with the shuttle flying to the space station. It launches heading up the east coast and this gave a view of a right to left passing with her full glory showing. The exhaust plume was simple amazing to behold. I set up my cameras too far to the southeast direction at first and had to quickly readjust everything. This also messed up the focus on both cameras, and put me shooting into traffic on the highway with power lines showing( thank God for photoshop) but I was able to get one back and one last attempt with my new "L" series lens. It proved dead on before she passed over the horizon in the last pic.

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T10:03:00.001-04:00

stuck....

2010-04-01T22:39:00.004-04:00

Stuck with all this beautiful weather. Also stuck in the mud while out shooting landscapes at our local state park. Had to get a family member with a 4 wheel drive to come get me....Had to sit there and laugh the whole time!..Seriously debating about trading back to a 4x4.

Weather for sale??

2010-03-24T12:49:00.002-04:00

Another beautiful Spring day here in the South. We have our new color and that being yellow, from all the pollen. I washed my truck off and within 30 minutes it went from crimson red to yellow with crimson red highlights all over it. Rain helps to wash away the pollen, but once everything dries out its back to the same thing again. So we endure and we sneeze a lot. I see the oak trees have their small eaves budding out. Pecan trees are starting to get ready as well. They usually are the last to bud out but even now they are showing signs of bud growth with slight swelling under the bark. What does this have to do with weather?? Nothing, Nada, Zip, Zilch. We are in a stagnant pattern for now. Yes we have the fronts pass through , but so many ingredients are lacking we cant even get a rumble of thunder out of them. Everything is still very wet from the wet winter we had. Farmers are slow to get in the fields as most are still too wet to begin prepping for this years crops.
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We have rain and even thunderstorms in the forecast for tomorrow evening. Like to see some but I will be at work and cant take any lightning shots. So we will watch spring slowly evolve into warmer temps, sun and showers. Anyone with surplus severe weather they aren't using at the moment please send it our way.

We need you Mr. Reagan!!

2010-03-21T19:24:00.005-04:00

Weatherwise we have nothing but rain. Otherwise we have the beginning of the end for our country.
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WARNING Rant ahead!!....
"Obama and his clones are bent on reforming health care at all costs. Grant you it does need fixing. I work in the medical field and see the abuse every day. People can point fingers at the insurance companies and they have a right as they do rip people off from time to time. But people milk this system in its current form everyday as well. There is enough blame to go around folks. Amazing how recently on the news our country came close to losing its credit rating and it was never covered by the mainstream media. Everyday jobs are being lost and the economy sinks ever so closer to oblivion. They, the Democrats, want to pass health care so our wonderful long legged mac daddy of a president can claim something that he has accomplished since taking office. Great, sinking the country into new levels of debt and collapsing any hope we have of recovery will be a nice addition to his resume. He is really letting the community organizer experience shine through eh?. He doesn't care, the democratic leadership doesn't care all they want is for the government to have more control in your life and mine. No I am not some right wing nut case. I am a guy who believes in working for what i have and helping those less fortunate to better themselves. (A help up, not a hand out)..I deplore people who are too sorry to lift a finger to better themselves yet expect help when they need it. I DO NOT believe in being equal or "wealth redistribution". I got what I got by working and working hard for it. This is America and you have the chance to make something of yourself if you try. TRY being the key word here. Democraps want everyone to be equal, except them. Rules don't apply to them. Am I angry? YES I am furious with the government of this county. We have not been represented by our elected officials and they need to be reminded that we sent them there to work for us, not the other way around. Obama, Pelosi, Reid, and the others are starting down a dangerous road here. You want to start something you can finish? Well my friends you just took the first step in that direction...We have spoken and you refuse to listen to the majority of the people. This isn't a "Right vs Left" thing, it's about the survival of our country.

Push the American people far and hard enough and you will see what will happen....."1776" ring a bell?? Sadly, I feel trouble is coming and that's what they want. Create enough turmoil and strife and the government will swoop in and crackdown all in the name of security and "our safety"..Disagree with me? Thats ok, it's your right but please hand them over your as you leave the room. I will be willing to fight for mine..

out..

First day of Spring...

2010-03-19T22:55:00.001-04:00

Beautiful weather.....

Waiting..

2010-03-17T21:52:00.002-04:00

Thats what we are doing here in the South. Waiting on severe weather. Nothing going on, only light rain and breezy conditions this week. We are already way overdue for thunderstorms. I hope this isn't a taste of things to come.

angels...

2010-03-06T23:09:00.002-05:00

One went home today...You and your family are in our prayers Mike...

Hornets!

2010-03-03T22:16:00.002-05:00

Was piddlin outside with my camera gear and heard some jets flying overhead. Not normally a big deal but these were not the usual A-10 "Warthogs" that are based nearby. These were fighters and a flight of four were passing by. Grabbed the zoom lens and snapped a couple pics. At first I thought them to be F-16s Falcons, which were based near here a few years back. No these were F18 Hornets. Navy aircraft! That's a surprise. They were heading west and had nothing loaded on the aircraft so I assume they were heading to Pensacola to the Naval air station there. other than this we are dead in the water concerning chaseable weather..Nothing looking promising and this is our first severe weather period of the year! ARGHH!! Time will tell and as always gotta wait and see..

Weatherless...

2010-02-27T22:38:00.002-05:00

Nada..Zilch..Nothing going on here in my neck of the woods. I did wake up to the sound of thunder about a week ago. It was very relaxing to hear the rain falling, the sudden flicker of lightning and then the gentle rumble of thunder. But beyond that, nothing since the heavy snow event. Surprised we haven't had any thunderstorms. Its that time of the year but it seems every system that passes though is watered down and there isn't anything to them when they get here. Nothing to do but wait...and wait some more.

Weather Goob Channel...

2010-02-15T20:45:00.006-05:00

Goofin around while out and about shooting pics of a rare South Alabama snowfall event..

Snow Chase 2010

2010-02-15T18:36:00.003-05:00

Me, goofin around while out shooting pictures of the rare heavy snowfall in South Alabama..

Southern Snow Storm...

2010-02-13T22:04:00.010-05:00

Weather Goob self portrait!!
Chaser convergence!! Terry Sasser and his son mushed their way down to Evergreen Alabama. We meet for some breakfast at the BK and watched the snow and discussed where to go. Turns out we were in the hot spot for the whole event! Always great to meet up with members of the Alabama gang!! Terry Sasser's weather site is located over in the links. Pay him a visit and say hello!!
Just a shot of how hard it was snowing for most of the day! Snow is rare in the South. We get a little from time to time, but this was off the charts!! Heavy snow for a whole day??!! Gotta love it!!
On top of a bridge spanning I-65
This is the spot where I found 7 inch accumulations. Found an another spot with 6 inches. Filed a report with the Mobile NWS office. Turns out I found the highest accumulations for the state
Out and about shooting pics and video. I set up at Andalusia for a while but then felt that a little further west would be better. I was on the money for once. Conecuh county Alabama was the place to be for the highest snow accumulations for the state. I spent the event riding the back roads looking for photo and video opportunities and taking measurements as the snow grew heavier. Clink on the link to my photoblog "Wayfarers Journey" There you will see the rest of my shots of this weather event!

Snow Job...

2010-02-13T00:33:00.002-05:00

Very rare snow event in the South. I was able to log the highest measured amount at 7 inches..It was a great day to ride around shooting pics and taking measurements of the snow around Conecuh County Alabama..Will be posting more pics soon..

Southern Snow Job...

2010-02-11T22:24:00.002-05:00

...on the road in Evergreen Alabama...A very rare heavy snow for the South and I plan to be here when its arrives...pics and video when I am able to make it back home..plannin on being snowbound for at least one day..Fun!!

...just shoot me now.

2010-02-07T22:09:00.002-05:00

Weather Forecast: Rain. That's it nothing more...AARRGGHH!!!

waiting...

2010-01-31T20:31:00.000-05:00

Springtime light show cant get here soon enough...

Weather Warthogs??

2010-01-26T19:59:00.004-05:00

Two A-10 "Warthogs' Decided to dogfight over my house for about 2 hours today. I estimated them to be about 8000 feet up and sometimes about 8 miles out from time to time. Was a good excuse to play with the new camera...This is about all we have going on at the moment..Beautiful sunny weather for now..
r

Ok Ok...

2010-01-08T19:57:00.000-05:00

I realize I haven't posted anything on here..Forgive me but we are in that season where we have NOTHING..The colors are brown, gray, brown and gray with blues skies thrown in on any given day. Weatherwise its been COLD. Its all over the news of course. Where is Al Gore with the global warming goons at now?? Oh I am sorry, its "climate change" now being they got busted with those emails recently(idiots!!).But here in my area its been really nice. The cold weather has killed off the remaining bugs and insects from the summer months. But you would think its a new ice age when watching the news. Yes its snowed, sleeted, ice pellets, ice, etc etc, in the South. It does it every few years people..Calm down everyone. I have seen snow in my area and while neat to see I haven't lost my mind over like some of my counterparts nearby. They do provide me with humor though. We will see warmer temps mid next week and it will be nice to get out and catch up some projects. But until then I am enjoying a favorite chili recipe and hot chocolate.. Severe weather season is just around the corner for us and I am feeling rather optimistic about this year..Hope everyone is staying warm and safe!

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-01T15:28:00.002-05:00

Hope everyone is having a great new years day today. Cold weather is putting the hurt on us down here in south Georgia for the next several days. Temps will be in the 20s every night. This is good as its something we need to help kill off the remaining insects from this past summer. No severe weather in my future so I am no looking for some winter snow shots here in the South. With every cold front I watch the mountain area forecasts. There are some areas of snow on the ground but its farther than I want to drive at the moment. January has shown us some pretty strong tornadoes in the past so that's another thing to keep an eye open for as well...Other than that there isn't nothing going on, just cold clear weather. Time to break out the favorite chili recipe!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

2009-12-24T11:30:00.002-05:00

Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday season this year..Merry Christmas.!!

Just have to wait...

2009-12-18T22:32:00.002-05:00

waiting on springtime...

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!

2009-12-14T19:31:00.000-05:00

Time to fly...

2009-12-11T23:40:00.004-05:00

Finished up two months worth of photography work today..Everything ended with a photo shoot with Mid Georgia Ambulance and Air Evac LifeTeam...After all was said and done they asked would I like to go up..They couldn't start her up fast enough for me..LOL!! More pics later

Now hiring...

2009-12-03T20:39:00.003-05:00

People that can forecast the weather...Once again we were told of an awesome system to affect our area and once again a bust! We received much needed rain (3.03 inches) but that's it. All the severe weather or what was reported happened well to our east. Maybe next time guys. I have really ticked off an Indian shaman somewhere. No weather for me!

Weather inbound..Bout time!

2009-11-30T21:32:00.004-05:00

Just got in from my final photo assignment for my company..Tired and looking forward to some down time. With this being said seems like we have a very potent system heading our way. We are expecting up to 5 inches of rain, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flooding, just a full boat of severe events expected. All remains dependent on the final track the low pressure decides to take, but regardless we are expecting a major rain event. Shear levels are cranked up and I imagine some tornadoes will make their presence known sometime during the next 48 hours.We have need some measurable rainfall for sometime. Seems we will be catching up on it in 24 hours. Keeping it short n sweet tonight as I am dog tired..Hopefully we will be able to chase something, but with these heavy rain events it curtails most chasing with me as I don't subscribe to running blindly through a core trying to find a twister. If you want that crap watch "Storm Chasers" on the DC..

out..

Happy Thanksgiving all!!

2009-11-26T20:14:00.004-05:00

Weather Purgatory Warning in effect...No weather but bright sunshine over our area. Time to hunker down and await Spring. Maybe we will see an active second season in my neck of the woods, but right now there is nothing on the horizon...I finish up my photography work for my company in a couple weeks. Tonight I sit here in another motel on the road trying to figure out future work, equipment needs purchases, etc..Lots going on as new photography gear is coming in and I plan to offer session photography work as well as doing wedding photography. Its a different world from landscapes and lightning but its a change I feel ready for..

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving. We do have a lot to be thankful for!

New Chase Vehicle??

2009-11-18T22:00:00.002-05:00

Nah..Was on the way home from shooting some photo work for my company, stopped for gas and heard it coming over. Grabbed my camera and fired off a few pics. Took a little liberty with photoshop.;-)..As for weather?

Gonna be nice here in my area, but there is rain on the way this weekend. then slight chances during next week. Not to bad.

Rare pic of the G-Man...

2009-11-15T19:59:00.007-05:00

He was spotted getting out of the car, camera in hand. I was careful not to make sudden moves. Its easy to spook this creature..He was lured into camera range with a McDonalds Iced Coffee...As he came closer he bolted, whipped around his camera, fired, and then the infamous Jeff Gammons was gone...

Well, actually a little chaser "mini" convergence in Lake Okeechobee this weekend. Down in Jeff's neck of the woods to see a friend and met for coffee and talked shop. After 4 hours of pickin his brain on every subject possible it was time to go and see some friends who also lived in the area. We hooked up later that afternoon for sunset shots over the lake. It is simply BEAUTIFUL at sunset with all the various colors. Last time I was down was during TS Fay..nice to see everything in sunlight for a change... Looking forward to a return trip when I can get a chance too..

Ida know..do you?

2009-11-08T20:40:00.002-05:00

Hurricane Ida slowly heading our way. Was hesitant to blog to early about her as she didn't look like she would live very long, but she is going to be paying us a visit. She will be passing over me right around noon on Wednesday. We are expecting rain and maybe breezy conditions for now. It still a little bit before she makes landfall along the coast so lots of things can change. Just got to wait it out..

Yes, we have no weather...

2009-11-03T21:18:00.003-05:00

Grabbed a weeks vacation in between company photo work and my regular EMS shift. Back to the grindstone tomorrow. Will be back on the road again this month not as much but the work will be somewhat more demanding as I will escort EMS crews on calls, photographing them as they work. Cant photograph patients as that's a major no no..Looking forward to the challenge and hooking back up with friends at the other stations around Georgia. Weather is going to be beautiful for the next week..SDS is getting worse...

.....such a dirty girl..finally got a bath today after 1200 miles on the road.. Enjoy a few pics from the photo roadtrip this year. More are being posted over the next week at www.wayfarersjourney.com

Chaser Convergence in Alabama!

2009-11-03T20:27:00.006-05:00

Below is Bill Murray and the honorable J.B. Elliot. The official voice of NOAA Radio in Alabama for years. It was an honor to meet him!
James Payton in person. Huntsville in da house!!
Sarah loves the camera! Not bad for an Auburn fan..;-)
...the man, the myth, the legend ..John J.B. Brown
"Iron Chef Alabama.....Alabama Mike. with special guest from Auburn, Sarah, I just had to do that Sarah! LOL!!
Smile Stepahanie!!
It was great to get together and have food and fellowship at beautiful Oak Mountain State Park in Birmingham Alabama. Met several people I had only met as friends on FaceBook. Getting together talking about weather, college Football and just enjoying the weather. awesome food and great company. Sure chasing is a common interest, but it all comes down to friends at the end of the day.. Looking forward to the next get together!

Smitty strikes again..(pun intended)..

2009-10-24T23:21:00.002-04:00

Smitty sent these to me and from a recent shoot. Awesome captures!. .Booyah Smitty...!!

The Weather Channel..Rated "OMG"

2009-10-21T18:49:00.004-04:00

Please tell me it isn't true..Say it ain't so!! Oh the humanity!...Not to mention ratings...Does it surprise me?? Not the least bit. It started out with global warming agendas, allergy updates, home and garden thrown in for good measure and now of all things "weather related movies"!!!! That will eat up air time when no one is watching. This is so sad to see them come to this. I have mentioned in previous blogs that The Weather Channel needs to go back to their roots and do the weather, not try to entertain us. It's like a train wreck in slow motion. Read the article below.
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The Associated Press

Date: Tuesday Oct. 20, 2009 4:20 PM ET

NEW YORK — The Weather Channel plans to show movies for the first time in its 27-year history and it's easy to guess which one is leading off. "The Perfect Storm," of course.

The George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg movie about a horrific storm off the New England coast will air on Oct. 30, the 18th anniversary of the actual storm. Network executives had been thinking about adding movies, and the timing proved too good to pass up, said Geoffrey Darby, the network's chief programmer. The network in recent years gradually slipped in longer programming, including a morning show hosted by Al Roker, to complement its constantly rotating forecasts. "The Perfect Storm" begins a four-week period in which The Weather Channel will try some Friday night movies. The films are either weather-themed or have plots in which weather plays a key role, Darby said. Meteorologist Jennifer Carfagno will host movie night and offer commentary. Other movies include the documentary "March of the Penguins," the thriller "Deep Blue Sea" and "Misery," for which Kathy Bates won an Academy Award.

The weather angle is pretty clear in "The Perfect Storm," but "Misery"? Darby noted the nightmare endured by James Caan's character begins with a blinding snowstorm. For The Weather Channel, the risk lies in alienating its regular weather-obsessed viewers, who tune in for news of high pressure systems rather than high drama. The potential reward is that new fans will tune in, and they'll stay on the station for a longer period, pleasing advertisers. Darby said most viewers on Friday night aren't interested in much more than the weekend forecast, and that will be updated on the screen six times an hour. It's a way to respond to at least a significant portion of our audience that says, 'Let's expand the definition of weather,"' he said. The idea predates NBC Universal's purchase of The Weather Channel, Darby said. None of the first four movies are distributed by NBC Universal.

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Be prepared to be shown "Twister" until you you know the lines and all the credits by heart. In today's online world TWC will find it even harder to keep an audience with the more crap they are putting into their programming. They need to take up my idea of allowing the TWC "Weather Babes" to forecast the weather in swimsuits. Hey, just an idea....just sayin..

Still on the go!

2009-10-18T20:11:00.002-04:00

...Sitting in Macon Ga, workin on my 12th straight day with no break..Tired but getting a lot accomplished...We had some pretty good weather come through recently but I was up in the Columbus area (actually Auburn) and had to watch via my laptop. Smitty seemed to have fun roaming around in it. LOL! I will briefly mention a hurricane with my namesake is currently churning in the Pacific and made it to a Cat 5!! Hurricane Rick Cat 5...Has a nice ring to it!! Back home we are looking a frost advisories just to our west. Wouldn't be surprised to see some small patches in some of the colder locations at home. So nice to have this cooler weather moving in. Vacation for me in less than two weeks..I am so going to need it!

Nuff Said..

2009-10-10T21:57:00.003-04:00

No weather to speak of so...

Roll Tide Roll!!