Storm Spotter-StormChaser
| Brian- K5BWX
Storm Spotter-StormChaser |
 | Brian
is an active storm spotter/stormchaser in Middle Tennessee coordinating
with the NWS of Nashville and the Storm 5 Weather Center. Like
many
weather enthusiasts, he became interested in weather as a child.
His first weather impression, probably around the age of 5, came from
being
frightened by lightning bolts on the horizon which appeared red in
color
as a result of dense humidity conditions at Edisto Beach, SC. At
the age of around 17, Brian and his dad witnessed a rare, large, strong
dust devil in a field in rural SC. He said that dust devils like
the one he saw usually occur more often in the deserts of the
southwestern
U.S. After moving to Nashville, the famous April 1998 Tornado
Outbreak
triggered him into storm action. He attended NWS's Jerry
Orchanian's
spotter classes and studied storm structure on his own. Soon
after,
ThunderChaser.com was created. Brian built the Lakeview Weather
Center
at the school where he teaches music, band, and weather. He said,
"At first I think my principal was a little afraid of the idea.
She
was afraid I would scare the kids, but now the weather center is a
popular
place to visit; especially on snowdays!" The LWC serves as a
weather
education source for the students as well as a tool for protecting the
800+/- students from severe weather situations. Brian says the
LWC
gives the school an advantage because the weather center Doppler radar
can often see severe weather dangers up to 5 minutes before warnings
are
received from the NWS. He said, "When you need to evacuate 800+/-
students, some from outside portable classrooms, every second
counts." SKYTEC 5 is the current storm tracking computer system
used in the LWC.
Brian had the vision of creating this system, but it was the funds
provided by BestBuy Stores that made it possible. In May 2000, Brian met with NewsChannel 5's Meteorologist
Charlie Neese and joined forces with the Storm 5 Weather Team as a stormchaser.
Brian said, "Getting to work and share my storm experiences with Charlie,
Lelan, Kelly, and Ron has definitely been a rewarding privilege." |
Below are a few
things Brian carries during a chase:
Batteries, maps, binoculars, safety goggles, aneometer, compass, cell phone with headset, identification, weather radios, NOAA transmitter list, flashlight for possible night time rescue, tape recorder, timer, camera, a ruler for accurate hail measurement, a Hi-8 video camera, an infrared thermometer, and a laptop for mobile Doppler Radar. |
Brian wanted to thank Stacey and Michelle for taking his photographs for this page. Stacey moved back to Dallas, TX....and he says she is missed! |
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