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Geography 490/590 Informational Meeting Weds. Oct 8, 2014

Geography 490/590 Informational Meeting Weds. Oct 8, 2014. Dr. Dave Call /// Ball State University. The Forecast. Please sign in Presentation on Who When Where What Why and How of Geog 490/590. 1. Who. Instructor: Dr. Dave Call Penn State (Meteorology) Syracuse (Geography)

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Geography 490/590 Informational Meeting Weds. Oct 8, 2014

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  1. Geography 490/590Informational MeetingWeds. Oct 8, 2014 Dr. Dave Call /// Ball State University

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

  3. 1. Who • Instructor: Dr. Dave Call • Penn State (Meteorology) • Syracuse (Geography) • At BSU since Fall 2007 • Chased over 65,000 mi. • Driver/Asst: Dr. R. Allen • Instructor of Geography • Been on 9 chase trips

  4. 2. When • If 16 or more students, we’ll run 2 trips • Classroom portion for everyone– • One per week, evenings, in March and April • Field portion – • Trip 1: May 7-19 • Trip 2: May 29-June 12 • If fewer than 16 students, we’ll run 1 trip • Classroom in early May; trip afterwards

  5. 3. Where: The Great Plains • On average, • Enter 11 states • Chase in 6 • 7,000 mi. Yellow – been there (22) Orange – chased there (13) Hatched – tornado seen (5)

  6. 4. What: Classroom • Eight two-hour class sessions • Equivalent of about 5 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 briefing • 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 • (continued) • Afternoon: Chase! • Could begin anytime between 2 and 6 PM • We chase until dark (~9:00 PM) • Dinner: Time unknown. • Often fast food. • Sometimes gas station or vending machine food. • Evening: Drive more • 11:00 PM: Check-in someplace new

  9. What: Wx Briefing • Two groups of two students will lead the discussions and chases • One group: Day 1 • Second group: Day 2 and beyond • Then we will decide where to go! • 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 (my pictures) • Sightseeing

  12. 5. Why: Realistic Expectations • Should you expect to see a tornado? • Well, we do average one per trip… • …but zero in 2009…2012a… 2012b… or 2014  • Seeing a tornado is like seeing a “grand slam” • Or this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYNqxXDMGHw&

  13. Why: Realistic Expectations • Why is it hard to see tornadoes? • Unfavorable weather pattern (55% of trips) • Tornadoes are outside of the Plains (44%) • Tornadoes are at night or rain-wrapped (44%) • Poor road network (66%) • Incorrect forecast (77%) • We pick the “wrong” storm (55%) • Or other reasons…(100%) • Most veteran chasers see tornadoes 5-10% of chase days • This is roughly our success rate, too.

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

  15. See Amazing Structure! • Almost every trip… no guarantees

  16. Academic Benefits • Everyone: 6 credits toward graduation • Geog-Opt 4: Counts toward regional requirement (check with your advisor)

  17. 6. How: Cost • Trip cost is $1,450 or so. Due April 1. • Depends on # of students, transport rates, and other factors. • Tuition/fees: $110 fee + tuition. Due June 1. • Undergrad rates: $1704 instate (or $2994). • Grad rates: $800-$3500, see me for details. • MUST resolve tuition before leaving • Financial aid is available for TUITION AND FEES. Speak with Judy Nichols in Financial Aid. • 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? • Obtain the first $500 of the cost (non-refundable deposit) • Sign up and pay beginning on Friday, November 14 at 4:00 PM*

  19. Questions or More Info • http://dacall.iweb.bsu.edu/stormchase.htm • E-mail: dacall@bsu.edu • Drop by: CL 463E, MW 12-1:15 or appt. • Ask Dr. Allen or past students: • Anyone working in the MetLab (CL 465) • Most upperclassmen; grad student Candace Boren • Thanks for your attention!

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