Friday, June 02, 2006
Storm Clouds (not a metaphor)
byIt’s summer here in Fargo (Sundog headquarters). That also means thunderstorm and tornado season. In spite of those images you may have seen of a frozen, barren snow swept expanse from the movie, Fargo, winter here does give way to a pleasant spring and incredible summers. However, similar to almost anywhere on the Great Plains, that weather can be the source of some nasty storms. In fact, next year will be the 50th anniversary of the infamous Fargo Tornado, an F5 twister that tore a hellish path through the north side of the city on June 20, 1957, and killed 13 people.
I was a small boy living across the Red River from Fargo in Moorhead, Minnesota and remember watching from our back door as the monster spun past Moorhead to the north. I can only describe it as scary and awesome at the same time. It’s the memory of that tornado that captured my attention when I saw a link to this site (via CNET) with incredible photos of tornados and thunderstorms. These photos from storm chaser, Mike Hollingshead, are really extraordinary.
I know storm chasing doesn’t sound like a rational hobby (it’s not), but I have done it and must admit, it is extremely exhilarating. Technology gives modern storm chasers a real advantage. Doppler radar via a laptop computer provides real-time information. If you’re unable to access the Web on your laptop, you can also track the storms on a Web-enabled cell phone. Then, of course, there is GPS navigation that lets you move with efficiency over unfamiliar roads. Lastly, digital cameras and video let you capture the action in stunning detail. When (not if) vehicles get reliable, fast, Internet access, you will see Doppler radar images overlaid on the actual road maps on your car’s GPS navigation screens. Planes have it now. Technology and the Web have really changed weather forecasting/tracking and made an awesome amount of information available to the consumer and storm chasers.
It is sunny and warm today with not a cloud in the sky over Fargo. I hope it stays that way all summer, but if black clouds gather to the west, for some, the chase will begin.
