WeatherBrains 192: Chasing and Pressure Drop
WeatherBrains Episode 192 is now online (Sep. 28, 2009). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE netcast audio program for you!
wb092809.mp3
Dr. Tim Samaras is a big time tornado chaser with a web site called thunderchase (see link below). Tim holds the Guinness World Record for measuring the lowest pressure of a tornado and is the only person to collect video from inside a tornado. Tim’s fascination with tornadoes started with a movie, The Wizard of Oz. Now he spend every May and June traveling 25,000 miles after those elusive storms. And he catches more than his fair share. As an engineer, Samaras has developed a unique instrument called a “turtle” which he places in front of approaching tornadoes. One such placement caught a direct hit of an F-4 tornado near Manchester, SD, recording the largest pressure drop ever. The probe sensors measure humidity, pressure, temperature, wind speed, and direction. Tim has a passion for what he does and he’s lucky to combine his electrical engineering with his interest in tornadoes.
Dog trainer Jolanta Benal joins us to talk about dogs and thunder.
Other discussions in this weekly podcast include topics like:
Our mail bag continues to have good attention, and Kevin gives time to our writers.
From The Weather Center:
WeatherBrains 101: This episode of the 101 segment starts at the troposhere and works upward to identify the various layers in our atmosphere. This is part one and part two will air in the next episode.
TWIWH: Bill Murray looks back at the week of September 28th. 1995 was a busy year for hurricanes including Hurricane Opal which posed a unique challenge for forecasters.
Listener Surveys: Okay, we continue to drive this topic into the ground, but we really do like to hear from you. Many thanks to everyone who has taken the time to fill out the Listener Survey. The survey takes just a minute or two to complete and provides us with an opportunity to learn where you are and hear your thoughts and comments on the show. Click here to take the survey.
Web Sites from Episode 192:
Picks of the Week:
Dr. Tim Coleman – Pictures of springs in a river
JB Elliott – No Pick so he gets the HORN!!!
Bill Murray – liveatc.net
Brian Peters – Viewing Glaciers from Space
Kevin Selle – NOAA’s strategic plan input
U. S. Drought Monitor
Boston Big Picture
James Spann – Plymouth State Weather Center (check out the tutorial section)
Join James Spann, JB Elliott, Kevin Selle, Dr. Tim Coleman, Bill Murray, and Brian Peters as they come together for another fascinating netcast about the weather.
We love to hear from you! To leave a recorded message, call 1-888-247-8627. Some calls may be used in future episodes. Also, feel free to post comments to the site and drop us an email at email at (at symbol) weatherbrains dot com.
wild weather and a fascination for it. He attended Rice University where he got his Bachelors degree featuring an unusual combination of meteorology and psychology. His Masters from the University of Oklahoma was also interdisciplinary with journalism and meteorology. His thesis focused on the broadcasting of severe weather warnings on local television. He has been at UCAR since 1989 writing about the wide range of research and related activities at UCAR, UOP, and UCAR’s members and affiliates. When not writing, Bob enjoys bicycling and storm photography.
