53.467 SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS: STORM CHASING & FIELD TECHNIQUES

1. Back Row(standing; from left to right): Dr. John Hanesiak, Dr. David Sills, Linda Pic, Kyle Swystun, Chris Hanline, and Pat McCarthy Middle Row(standing; from left to right): Dave Carlsen, Robyn Dyck, Erin Shay, and Shawna Wolfe Bottom(crouching; from left to right): Ruth Bonneville (Free Press photographer) and Jen Skerritt (Free Press writer) 53.467 SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS: STORM CHASING & FIELD TECHNIQUES John Hanesiak, Pat McCarthy, Dave Carlsen & Jay Anderson Department of Environment & Geography, Faculty of Environment Earth & Resources, University of Manitoba C o u r s e D e s c r i p t i o n a n d O b j e c t i v e s The understanding of severe convective storms is often considered one of the “final frontiers” in weather research. Atmospheric scientists who research this phenomenon must often take unique approaches to unlock the mysteries that confront them. One of these approaches has been recently popularized on television and in film: storm-chasing. The purpose of this course is to provide students with a basic understanding of atmospheric convection, severe thunderstorms, and the challenges of forecasting and researching this phenomenon. The course will be a combination of class work and field experience. In class, students will learn convective processes, wind shear, the climate of Prairie severe thunderstorm phenomena, methods of analyzing and diagnosing weather data to predict severe and non-severe convection, basic use of weather radar and weather satellite information, and visual storm structure identification. The fieldwork follows the class work and comprises five consecutive days on the road with experienced storm-chasers where methods learned in class will be applied to predicting severe thunderstorms. Students will also be able to observe thunderstorm phenomena. • B r i e f O u t l i n e • Introduction to atmospheric convection • Convective processes • Atmospheric instability basics • Lift mechanisms • Divergence/convergence • Climatology of severe thunderstorms • Analysis and diagnosis of surface weather data • Wind shear (basic concepts/soundings) • Miller technique • Analysis of the middle to upper troposphere • Storm types • Predicting severe thunderstorms • Satellite info • Guidance: Models, Indices, SPC Outlooks/discussions • Storm spotting • FIELD TRIP July 15-20 2006 Log DAY I Left Winnipeg for Brandon to chase North and West of Brandon, then headed to Regina for overnight stay. Some nice convection but too much shear and not enough CAPE. DAY II Arrived in Regina near midnight. Left Regina at 8:30am and headed towards Alberta. Chased very nice rotating storms in Central AB on Day 2 (refer to the three poster photos), then drove to Kindersley for overnight stay. DAY III Arrive at Kindersley, SK at 1am. Took off from Kindersley, SK towards Russell, MB. Chased around Riding Mountain and saw some nice storms with wall clouds and hail. After chasing around Southwest Manitoba, took HWY #10 from Brandon, heading for overnight stay in Grand Forks, ND. Expecting severe weather and tornadoes on Day 4 in NW Iowa. DAY IV Arrive in Grand Forks at 2am local time. Left Grand Forks at 9am. Stopped in Fargo for WiFi and weather update. Stopped in Sioux Falls, SD for WiFi and current weather update. Sat in Sioux Centre from mid afternoon until 7PM as part of chase day … busted (nothing happened)!! Then drove to Sioux City for overnight stay. Arrive in Sioux City 8pm local time. DAY V Leaving Sioux City at 10am and heading home. Drove all day towards Winnipeg. Arrive in Winnipeg at 8pm. Total distance traveled was nearly 5000 km in 5 days (see maps to the right)!!! R e l a t e d L i n k s Photos http://s96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/wxcentral/ Blog http://wxcentral.blogspot.com/ Weather Central http://www.umanitoba.ca/environment/envirogeog/weather/ C o n t a c t f o r I n f o r m a t i o n Dr. John Hanesiak Phone: (204) 474-7049 E-Mail: John_Hanesiak@Umanitoba.ca