SE Storm chasing (North/midlands Car-Chase?)

[weatherobsuk]

Apologies to the Mods if this is in the wrong section. But a few have expressed interest in forming a small chase-team for Monday/Tuesdays events down South and instead of the discussion being on the Plume topic I felt it best to create a sub-topic.

As mentioned previously this is for us Northerners/Midlanders interested in chasing down south but for various reasons unable to do so and hopefully we might be able to form a small regional 'chase team' heading into the SE or Norfolk Broads within 48hr time. Petrol costs obviously will be shared between us, aswell as myself pre-preparing food & drink for anyone helpful enough to volunteer with this venture. Anyone with specialised storm chase gear is also obviously more than welcome, as is anyone who just has a car and wants to help out fellow chasers.

Hotels i'm yet to sort out, but there's bound to be some B+Bs, travel lodges or campsites around the SE (its only a nights kip anyway.)

[Rays]

Nice one starting the thread. To get the ball rolling I have no car but am more than willing to pay my share of petrol (no Hummers plz). Anyone starting or passing through the midlands?

[Stu Robinson]

I am at work in Redditch – South of Birmingham until 17:00 on Monday. I am not interested in the warm sector over the South East (2500 j/kg CAPE, -8 LI’s) as this just spells CAP to me. Best dynamics by far are West of the CAPE pool along the eastward moving cold front – providing that storms don’t get undercut by the cold front – I expect the best tornado chance @18:00 to be Warwick to Norwich. As things stand right now.

[weatherobsuk]

I was looking at Kings Lynn myself as a base alternative. However all hotels are fully booked there on Monday (either by tourists or chasers no doubt ) and I don't really fancy taking any chances out on the flood-plains there.

[A.J]

I was looking at Kings Lynn myself as a base alternative. However all hotels are fully booked there on Monday (either by tourists or chasers no doubt ) and I don't really fancy taking any chances out on the flood-plains there.

I'm taking a couple of days off work S_J....am interested in a chase, can you pm me please

[A.J]

I'm taking a couple of days off work S_J....am interested in a chase, can you pm me please

have pm'd you back with contact details

[bazookabob]

I've got monday off work and would be up for driving down but with it being nearly the end of the month i cant really afford the petrol im afraid. Which sucks lol!

[Casper]

I'm off Monday and Tuesday so could be interested. I have a car fit for purpose (Freelander) and i'm over in Swindon Wiltshire so would have to head eastwards if forecasts are as good as predicted.

[Norfolk Sheep]

I'm free and clear to navigate (as it were ) on Monday clear through. Also can provide a base close to Norwich (as long as you don't mind completely bonkers dogs!) for free - plenty of parking and large lounge floor to doss down on just bring your own beer....

Bear in mind that there are only 3 major A roads in Norfolk - the A11, the A47 and the A12, although the A10 and A140, A1067, A1075 etc are good enough as long as you don't get stuck behind a tractor or Mr/Mrs 40 mph... The A47 is only dualled round Norwich and some of the other bits are prone to accidents through dodgy overtaking manoeuvres (Acle straight for example).

Also have a 5 seater Vito Sport for luxury chasing although if I go anywhere the dogs might be in the cages just in case disaster strikes at home so I'll probably stick to Norfolk and N Suffolk, possibly over towards Haddenham as well if need be (lovely views!)

[weatherobsuk]

A couple of good hotels and B&Bs from Kings Lynn down to Cambridge for anyone wanting places to stay overnight along the A10 route. Closer inland towards the midlands it does become more industrialised with less photogenic opportunities outside of the lower Pennines again. The chance of become stuck in rush-hour traffic (given the storms will be initiating afternoon hours) is also a reason i'd avoid the midlands altogether.

Still no feedback yet on hotel enquiries i've fired off to various places across the Norfolk Broads, I'm still crossing my fingers.

Thanks Norfolk Sheep for the offers btw.

Edited June 25, 2011 by SNOW_JOKE

[Staffordshire]

Any idea of a total cost?

[weatherobsuk]

Working it out earlier it came to around £117 for fuel, that's from Buxton to Cambridge, with hotels being in the range of £40-£60, or B&Bs cheapest at £20. Of course the option is always there to simply long-haul it through the night (of course taking subsequent breaks.) Car-sharing with a minimum of 4 the TOT comes to just over £40 per head, but I'm sure a few will add 'interest' on top of that for the hospitality friendship gained.

[Raidan]

It's a shame there isn't anyone travelling from my neck of the woods as would gladly pay my way and supply 3 crates of beer.A night of storm watching and a few drinks Happy Days

[ZONE 51]

good luck all on the chase down here!! don't forget the cameras, batts!, phones, and snacks!

Edited June 26, 2011 by ElectricSnowStorm

[weatherobsuk]

I'm starting to look at more realistically a chase further up into the East Midlands/A10 area *IF* the current charts stay as they are. The situation is currently fluid so even this might have to change by the end of today, no doubt not just for myself but anyone else also chasing within Norfolk.

[Coast]

Good luck to all moving into the area, I'm hoping to get away and catch up with a couple of chasers in the SE tomorrow, radar and detector permitting!

[Staffordshire]

You live in Buxton then snow joke, must be good got snow in the winter! I'm wondering wether to stick to my guns here in staffs and maybe chase a few round here if the cape increases here for monday.

[weatherobsuk]

It can be eventful living in these parts B) I think the planned epic 'netweather northerners chase' is looking less likely by the hour as it stands, so for now i'm relying on a relative to get me around the East Midlands instead. Perhaps i'll bump into a few on the way and exhange ideas on chase targets/locations.

[Neilsouth]

I'll be chasing between Canterbury and Herne Bay

[Norfolk Sheep]

I'm starting to look at more realistically a chase further up into the East Midlands/A10 area *IF* the current charts stay as they are. The situation is currently fluid so even this might have to change by the end of today, no doubt not just for myself but anyone else also chasing within Norfolk.

I'll be using the "last minute decision" method but allowing myself an hour - hour and a half to get to wherever I need to get to. On the other hand I might just have to do a 10 minute drive to my optimum viewing point So for me no concrete plans until around 3pm, assuming that there aren't any major developments

[Bluebreezer54]

Im staying in Hastings with friends, excellent viewpoint right across the channel less than a mile from me. But depending on what pans out I'll be prepared to cover the South Coast from around Eastbourne to Camber/Dungness

[Rob]

It might be worth me going for a drive to the coast tomorrow night, there seems to be a storm barrier around Maidstone over recent years, maybe tomorrow could break it?

[Dorset_Weather]

Well I've got all batteries charged, laptop and laptop holder fitted, mobile internet dongle sorted with Netweather V5 radar , satnav, strikealert,, camera, camcorder, my HTC phone with mobile broadband as a back up, and a tank full of fuel and a packed lunch

I'm travelling from Dorset and hoping to cover the whole of the south coast from here heading East as far as Kent if needs be to catch any MCS moving out of France in the evening and through the night as I have booked Tuesday off work.

Hoping to get on the road about 17:00ish after work tomorrow, going to be glued to the forums and charts tonight in case things change, hopefully also have my brother along for navigation.

Any advice on better location or plans welcome and hope to see any other chasers out and about

[weatherobsuk]

My own target area (with the help of family) is now finalised and will be around the northwest Peterborough area, thinking Rutland Water for a base, but may move further South to Eyebrook Res. Intercepting the cell that may come out of the Warwick area which Stu may also be on.

This location is also handy for the MCS later on in the night, having to go only tens of miles East/West for interception.

[sunnijim]

Im staying in Hastings with friends, excellent viewpoint right across the channel less than a mile from me. But depending on what pans out I'll be prepared to cover the South Coast from around Eastbourne to Camber/Dungness

Are you talking about the Hastings country park? The area known locally as the Firehills? Thats where i'll be. As you say high ground with panaramic views over the channel to the East/SE and West and also inland.