Tom Lynch

Kendal resident Tom Lynch sets off for his annual trek to Tornada Alley in the mid-west US to chase storms. Tom is going to blog about his adventures over the next month.

Kendal resident Tom Lynch sets off for his annual trek to Tornada Alley in the mid-west US to chase storms. Tom is going to blog about his adventures over the next month.

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Playing with a dangerous storm

We played a dangerous storm yesterday ( a monster) we managed to get awayfrom a tornado by the skin of our teeths. We got caught in the circulation but got away.

All quiet on the western front

It has been a quiet few days on the plains. There have been one or two storms but nothing worth getting excited about. There has been more chatter about the Atlantic storms which have battered the west coast of Scotland. The strange thing is I don't want that type of storm, it only makes work for me. So the lull gives me time to organise for my 2009 trip.

When is the best time to go storm chasing?

You can get tornadoes any time of the year, however there is an increase during tornado season. Tornado season April, May and June. The peak being mid May, well in theory at least. The last few years have not entirely fallen in line with those expectations. The tour groups generally go from the last week in April through to first week in June. During the spring, warm moist air starts to invade the plains. This clashes with the cold dry air coming down from the north. The result is huge monster storms.

Where is the best place to go storm chasing ?

Whilst you can get storms in a variety of places and we do get more tornadoes per square mile in the UK than in the USA. The best place to go to be in with a chance is America. The Great Plains to be precise. Located to the east of the Rockies in the mid west is an area known as "Tornado Alley" Some of the states situated to the centre of Tornado Alley are Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska. I generally make my starting point Oklahoma City. Our chases take us to all of these states and most of the surrounding states. From as far north as Montana, down to within a few miles of the Mexican border in Texas.

Why do you go storm chasing

To be a free bird and go where the weather goes. To witness one of natures most awesome displays of power. When we arrive on the plains we only ever know where we set off from, after that we go where the storms go. The open road, the warm spring winds blowing across the wheatfields of Kansas. To stand and watch the dust devils as they develop a life of their own on the Texas Panhandle. To see the storms in all their majesty as the initiate on the Rockies and drift onto the High Plains. To end up in a different town every night or to drive through the night following a spectacular lightning show. I think I know why I chase storms.

Do you want to go storm chasing?

Why not have a go. There are quite a few organised storm chasing tour groups who work out on the Great Plains of America. However if you don't want to learn American you can always go out with a UK tour group. There are 4 ten day trips starting 27th May. The tours start an finish in Dallas, Texas. If you want more information about these trips drop me a line.

Home safe and sound

Nearly missed trans-Atlantic flight Oklahoma to Chicago flight delayed for over 3 hours DUE TO STORMS , Can I complain? I would say not. Anyway it seems that my decision not to go with the team up to Nebraska was a good one. They encountered a large tornado and had both vehicles totalled. I would never had made my flight home.

Good move on my part

I decided not to head up to Nebraska with the team, because I would have had to drive 600 miles at least to get back to the airport for my flight. The tornado outbreak that was on the cards transpired and they all got caught by 120 mph flying debris in a gas station. All shook up and both vans damaged. I would have then had to drive all night , if my car wasn't too damaged. I went to try and catch what was local. I went up to Dodge City, Kansas and then over to Liberal, Kansas to intercept some storms coming in from Texas. Unfortunately they fizzled out as they came into the drier air. Nice sunsets though. I fly home tomorrow so will post some of the tornado shots when I get home.