Midwestchasers.com/Kurt Hulst

First to note SPC will update today outlook to a HIGH risk in TX/OK/KS. Wish I could be chasing today. Only 3 days more till I can take a few days out west.

Yesterday I was able to get out and test my gear. This year was the first year i have actually had my own cell phone as a modem.  It worked wonderfully. There was only one point that i did not have signal even with an antenna (booster would of been handy) But it was short lived.  I had EVDO all but once as well. I was using the spotter network BETA program and it was making my computer become buggy.  I deiced to use to old Client 2.2.  After that i had zero problems other than my phone deciding to turn off on its own several times.

After sampling a few storms near Wayland and Dorr MI. I dropped south to Schoolcraft where i was able to follow this cell.

This was taken 2 miles east of Schoolcraft.

Developing a beginning shelf cloud 3E of Vicksburg:

Near Fulton: Followed this sever warned storm to Homer east of I-69 then headed back to Kalamazoo where several waves of storms trained along I-94.

Caught this shelf south of the 131 and I-94 corridor.

I then repositioned and caught this shelf off another cell north of Manhattan East of Kazoo.

I decided to call it a day and headed north to GR, and made a quick stop in Plainwell to shoot some lightning and came away with these.

Not bad for a first chase especially in MI.

Today my wife and I went to the Fredrick Meijer Gardens butter fly exhibit. I was really pleased with the shots I was able to capture today.

Later in the day I was able to witness some anvils. Its been way to long since I have seen any convective action that was more than just rain.

Click on images for larger viewing:

Some unexpected storm/showers popped up this evening south of Grand Rapids. Even though they were weak and wispy it was nice to finally see some anvils they were in context of thunderstorm activity.

The strongest storms were near Cold Water MI.

Well nothing really cures SDS other than a storm. But today I decided that my chase vehicle needed some reorganization. I would like to go to Kansas tomorrow, however, school projects need completion. Only one more year of school, I just have to remember that and work hard toward that goal.

Below I am posting some pictures of my chase vehicle setup. I only set it up like this when I know I am going to be chasing that day or the next. Other wise everything is out of sight and antennas are off the roof.

For starters I am chasing in a Pontiac Vibe 2006, thankfully now fully owned.
Click on Pic for larger images:

On the roof is my Cell Phone antenna (no amp yet), CB antenna, and 2m NMO Ham antenna (KD8ATP).

Communications center: Ham Radio mic, HT CB connected to an external antenna (rarely used mainly for WX radio), FRS radio, Samsung Hue (Alltell) cell phone for data or calling, and a USB hub for GPS, WX Worx and whatever else that needs USB.

Laptop running GR3, WX Worx, Delorme ST Atlas 2008, Firefox Spotter Network. I am not streaming this year. The switch below the steering wheel turns on the power inverter under the passenger seat.

My dash cam sort of because its not really on the dash but works well. It is bolted to the white bar that slopes to the floor towards the engine. Here also is my no holes Ram Mount computer mount. I custom made the desktop. I set my laptop on an air desk.

Under the passenger seat is my power inverter hard wired to the battery, velcroed to the floor. The WX Worx data receiver is velcroed to the top of the inverter.

So I have been watching this system since the beginning of last week. I was thinking of chasing today but felt that i should focus on school projects so i don’t get behind. So yet again school conquers my desire to chase. Well not really but it plays a large part in my ability to chase. So last night i made the decision that i was going to sit this day out since it was along the OH MS rivers, and in KY, Southern IL, and IN. I never thought about trying to make it to TN. I have class in the morning on Tuesday. On top of that the terrain and trees would make it difficult to chase as well. though i have chased there once before and there are descent breaks in trees with some open fields.

Today there is enough instability and moisture in the northern target near the low with the most backed winds and a nice jet aloft with a trough digging in pushing through AR. A nice clear slot has slipped in to allow for ample heating. Last night though I knew I wasn’t going to chase I still wanted to play with this set up to see how close I would be to something had I chosen a target. Last night I chose Owensboro KY just on the S side of the Ohio river. That was were I was going to start the day and head east with the best instability and storms. So I am watching initiation and storms are firing right over Owensboro and points SSW and SSE at 18z. I’ll likely head east now since there is a nice cell that has supercell Characteristics to it near Hardinsburg, KY. Already has a hook on it, however, the difficulty is the terrain, lot of hill and trees in that particular area. I think i may head north of the river now back into IN, I like the looks of the warm front and it has cleared out. The line of convection that has popped over head is looking better.

Oh wait i’m still sitting at home. Time to do home work.

Edit: I am currently on a tornado warned storm in South Central IN. near Medora 1941z. Why don’t i ever chase when i know i should go out but don’t. Arrggg!!