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mprovod

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Everything posted by mprovod

  1. What data connection package do you use when stormchasing? I'm also from the UK and have been chasing in the US every spring since 2011 and this year I've got the best package so far, which is unlimited data for a month for $80 from Verizon with no need to have a contract. I really welcomed that as there was no limit whereas in the past I had to buy 10 GB bundles. However, I'd like to find out what data package other UK chasers go for when chasing in the US. With regards to operator, Verizon seems to have one of the best signal coverages. Regarding the cost, I'm happy to pay $80 for unlimited data, but it's still much higher than what I pay in the UK for unlimited data. If anyone knew a better US unlimited data deal that doesn't require a contract I'd be interested to know more details.
  2. I've got an unlimited pay-as-you go from Verizon for $80 a month. Just walked into their store and said I need a lot of data for a month and that's what they offered. I used to pay for 10 GB increments, at least $50 per 10 GB, so this is much better offer they have now. No contract needed. But you have to have a Verizon compatible modem, currently worth $199. Their coverage was fine for stormchasing during the last 2 years. I'm not live streaming, but will consider it for next year.
  3. I'm chasing with my father in the US, flying to DFW tomorrow. We're originally from the Czech Republic, but I live in the UK so hopefully count as a half UK chaser:-) Our first day will be probably Tuesday if there's anything interesting.
  4. I would think as long as there is no lightning it's a "shower", if there is lightning it's a "thunderstorm". However, there are terms such as "thundery shower". Not sure what is exactly the difference between "thundery shower" and a "thunderstorm". Probably no exact scientific meaning, but only depends how one uses it. If there was a shower and it produced a few rumbles here and there, max. e.g. 5 per hour not in close succession I'd call it "thundery shower" and if more than that then I'll call it a "thunderstorm". But then there are "hailstorms", which don't have to have lightning and possibly "windstorms" (e.g. dry microburst under a shower that hasn't produced any lightning). Weather observers also sometimes report "thunder nearby" instead of "thunderstorm", I've seen these reports either when there was up to 2-3 discharges detected nearby or if there was a stronger thunderstorm, e.g. 5-10 miles away, but not overhead.
  5. I've chased in Canada once as well a couple years ago and the signal coverage, even near the border, was extremely poor (just used my roaming data plan and Verizon where I could get it from the US). I also have Mobile Threat Net and for some reason it just froze at the time we entered Canada so it was useless there (guess it's the same problem as when a time zone is crossed I have to change laptop time manually so it updates the radar). I can easily see that with such a fast moving storm and radar being delayed due to poor signal and no Threat Net it'd be very easy to loose control of where the storm is and get hit, especially with a limited road network. I was chasing this storm from the US side, but it was moving extremely fast, couldn't see much from the south so just gave up and tried a few storms developing further south later on, but didn't see anything of great interest that day other than incredible mammatus (for some reason moderate and high risk days have never delivered tornadoes for me). My advice would be to research canadian mobile coverage and make sure data is available as much of the time as possible before heading there, especially if it's a high risk. I wouldn't rely only on the warnings, other than perhaps if I know there is a tornado warning and I have no data, I'd get out of the way fast. Having said that, I've done a fair share of my dangerous approaches including a few "hook slices". The conditions in the hook were similar to those observed in the video, though I haven't seen leaves flying off trees like that. Could have been an embedded EF0, did you have any instruments or feel any cracking in ears etc.? Anyway, I'm from the UK as well and wish you best of luck and many safe tornado encounters. Miroslav P.S. Is the last tour still streaming video?
  6. Looks like the "snow-storm" decided to make an "eye" around my location at Queensbury, Bradfod:-) It's been like this radar image for about an hour. We're at elevation of ~350m and normally get the worst of the snow, but for the last hour I haven't seen a snowflake while a friend at Bradford at ~200m already has a very slight covering. Guess it's influence of descent on east side of the Pennines or some kind of orographic wave reducing precipitation in our area...
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