The Storm Chasers Tell Their Stories - with 2009 updates!
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The Storm Chasers are back again this year, with more new chasers and new vehicles that up the chances of scoring more and bigger tornado intercepts. Sean Casey and the Tornado Intercept Vehicle are back in action with a modified TIV2 that's lighter and faster. Reed Timmer's team has completely overhauled their original TVN vehicle into the armored, super-stabilized Storm Research Vehicle nicknamed the Dominator SRV. It not only has enhanced radar and camera equipment, but Reed's even going to experiment with a remotely-controlled flying drone! Josh Wurman and the DOW have joined the massive VORTEX2 tornado research mission, but they'll be around part of the time to join in the chase. New teams include the veteran chaser Tim Samaras and his TWISTEX team plus a light scout vehicle, nicknamed the "DOGHOUSE, that will chase as part of the TIV team. Read all about the veterans and the new team members in their own words.
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Danny Cheresnick - SCOUT Navigator/Meteorologist
"On June 15, 1988, at was at a summer camp in Denver when the area was struck by the largest tornado outbreak in its history. Before the day was over, I'd had my first up-close contact with swarms of tornadoes and "golf ball" hail and I was hooked on extreme weather. In 1998, I left my Colorado home and moved to Norman to study meteorology at the University of Oklahoma. Most of the research for my two degrees has focused on the radar detection of both tornadoes and severe hail across the Great Plains. I have since returned to Colorado and have been working with Josh Wurman at the Center for Severe Weather Research. Lately, I have been working day and night with Justin and Herb to get the DOW, SCOUT and PROBE vehicles ready in time for the 2008 chase season. This will be my eleventh year storm chasing and the third season with the DOW program (which has also include some hurricane intercepts). I have witnessed dozens of tornadoes over the last decade, while spending countless hours and miles on the road. Aside from my weather life, I' m a big sports fan, primarily for Denver teams and the Sooners. I play a lot of poker, and especially enjoy when Reed (from the TVN team) is in the game, since he is always dead money at the table."
Aaron Ruppert - SCOUT Driver
"I am originally from Maryland, but moved to Norman, OK in 1998 to attend college and study meteorology. While earning my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Oklahoma University, I spent much of my free time traveling across the plains observing the power and beauty of our dynamic atmosphere. Since graduating I’ve continued to chase storms mostly as a hobby and to help with reports and spotting, but last season I had the extraordinary opportunity of riding along with a team of scientists that collect data on supercells and tornadoes. My chase partner was my good friend Danny Cheresnick, and we pushed the “Scout” vehicle to its limits chasing everywhere from Wyoming to Texas and Arkansas. Last season was tons of fun, and I am excited to team up with Danny again this year as an independent research team in a new and improved vehicle. We are excited to have more flexibility and independence this season, which should help us achieve our goal of collecting valuable data by deploying cameras and instruments near supercells and tornadoes. Specifically we look forward to learning more about the internal structure and wind speeds of tornadoes using photogrammetric techniques and tornado probes, so hopefully the weather will cooperate and we’ll have a successful season. Storm chasing is easily my number one passion and hobby, but when I’m not out chasing you will often find me gambling it up on the poker table, and taking Danny’s money!"
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