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METC 490/590 Class Information for 2019

METC 490/590 Class Information for 2019. Dr. Dave Call /// Ball State University. The Forecast. Please sign in Presentation on Who When Where What Why and How of METC 490/590. 1. Who. Instructor: Dr. Dave Call Penn State (Met.) Syracuse (Geog.) At BSU since Fall 2007

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METC 490/590 Class Information for 2019

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  1. METC 490/590Class Information for 2019 Dr. Dave Call /// Ball State University

  2. The Forecast • Please sign in • Presentation on • Who • When • Where • What • Why • and How of METC 490/590

  3. 1. Who • Instructor: Dr. Dave Call • Penn State (Met.) • Syracuse (Geog.) • At BSU since Fall 2007 • Led 15 trips / More than 100,000 mi. • Driver/Asst: Dr. Allen or Hitchens

  4. 2. When • If 16 or more students, we’ll run 2 trips • Classroom portion • Fridays 3-5 PM, in March and April • Field portion • Trip 1: May 9-21 • Trip 2: May 31-June 14 • If fewer than 16 students, we’ll run 1 trip • Classroom May 9, 10, 13, 14; trip afterwards

  5. 3. Where: The Great Plains • On average, • Enter 11 states • Chase in 6 • 448 miles / day (~7,000 / trip) Yellow – been there (23) Orange – chased there (14) Hatched – tornado seen (6)

  6. 4. What: Classroom • Feb/Mar meeting & 8 two-hr. class sessions • Equivalent of about 6 full weeks of class • Topics • Storms and tornadoes • Tools for forecasting: Skew-Ts, Indices, etc. • Storm chasing tips & safety • The Great Plains

  7. What to Expect: Field • A typical chase day • Rise and shine…somewhere. • Along with a few roommates • 8:30 AM: Morning wx meeting • 9:30 AM: Depart or wait • 1:00 PM: Lunch • On a chase day, this will usually be our “major” meal

  8. What to Expect: Field • Afternoon: Chase! • Begin anytime between 2 and 5 PM • Often chase until dark (~9:00 PM) • Dinner: Time unknown. • Likely fast food. Maybe gas station food. • Evening: Drive more • 10:30 PM: Check-in someplace new

  9. What: Wx Briefing • Two groups of two students lead the discussions and chases • One group: Day 1 • Second group: Day 2 and beyond • Group decisions

  10. What: Tasks • You’ll be assigned a daily task • Watching Radar • Navigating • Trip Planning • Spotter • Driving • These tasks will rotate. • Your success = group success!

  11. Non-chase days: We explore! • Sightseeing

  12. 5. Why: Realistic Expectations • Should you expect to see a tornado? • Well, we average two per trip… • …but none in 2009, 2012a, 2012b, 2014, 2016b, 2017, 2018  • Seeing a tornado is like seeing a “grand slam” • Or this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfgptokGlgk

  13. Why: Realistic Expectations • Why is it hard to see tornadoes? • Unfavorable weather pattern (67% of trips) • Tornadoes are outside of the Plains (35%) • Tornadoes are at night or rain-wrapped (50%) • Poor road network (50%) • Incorrect forecast (65%) • We pick the “wrong” storm (55%) • Or other reasons…(100%) • Most veteran chasers see tornadoes 5-10% of chase days • This is our success rate, too.

  14. Okay, so what should you expect? • Learn A LOT about weather tools, storm forecasting, and storm dynamics • Amazing scenery • Explore a new region • Meet great people!

  15. Amazing Storm Structure! (Not guaranteed, but almost every trip)

  16. Academic Benefits • Everyone: 6 credits toward graduation • May count towards electives (check with advisor) • METC majors: Counts toward your regional requirement

  17. 6. How: Cost • Trip cost is ~$1,500. Due April 1. • Depends on # of students, transport rates, etc. Our budget hasn’t been approved yet. • Tuition/fees: $110 fee + tuition. Due June 1. • Undergrad: $1824 instate ($3060 non-resident). • Grad students: ~$800, see me for details. • MUST resolve tuition before leaving • Financial aid is available for TUITION AND FEES. Speak with Financial Aid Office in Lucina. • Meals and Incidentals: You pay while on trip. • Budget $20-30/day. $25 x 15 = $375

  18. How to Sign Up • Check your schedule for May and June • Weddings? Graduations? • See how the course fits in your program • Figure out how you’ll pay; financial aid? • Sign up meeting: Fri. Nov. 16, 3:30 PM • Then pay a $500 non-refundable deposit to the Bursar – you’re in! On academic probation? You’ll have to wait until spring semester, sorry.

  19. Questions or More Info • Web: http://drdavecall.com • E-mail: dacall@bsu.edu • Drop by: CL 463E, MW 11:00-12:30 • Ask Allen/Hitchens or past students: • Anyone working in the MetLab (CL 465) • Most meteorology seniors and juniors. • Thanks for your attention! Questions?

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