Prologue - Trip 11 - Will we actually get there?

In terms of storm chasing the 2020s have not been that great to be honest. Actually, not that great full stop. May particularly, the hot month where it’s supposed to be a made for TV movie of tornado excess has been extremely disappointing. May 2023 had no major outbreaks, no violent tornadoes touched down for the fourth year in a row and for the second time in three years there were no EF3+ tornadoes reported. Oklahoma, which is the bullseye for tornadoes in May reported 15 or so, mostly EFU or EF0 and a single EF1. So basically sod all.

So what’s the craic? Lots of theories, perhaps climate change has caused this anomaly, perhaps something else or tornadoes like holidaying in the Deep South as Dixie Alley has become more prevalent. There’s been lots of handwringing amongst chasers, “gunna find me an alternate (sic) hobby” etc. But I still believe, and I’m back. But can the same be said of the weather?

2024 looks like it’s bucking the trend.

As of writing this blog post there have been 680 confirmed tornadoes in the USA so far in 2024, including 16 EF3s and 2 EF4s. April had more than double the historical average with 325 confirmed, being second only to 2011 and May (as of the 17th) had produced 220 confirmed tornadoes against a historical average of 268 with nearly half the month remaining. And add in last night with a tornado outbreak over Iowa and surrounding states. Wow.

So an amazing start, but surely it can’t continue? Well it’s the 22nd of May as I restart this blog and the Storm Prediction Centre has slight risk for tomorrow which is the day we’re scheduled to land at Will Rodgers, Oklahoma City with a 5% tornado risk. This could really bugger up our arrival, planes and supercells don’t mix. And it gets worse…today we’re getting the train to Manchester for an overnight stay ready for tomorrow’s flight. And guess what? There’s an amber risk for rain over Manchester with the possibility of train cancellations. Oh the irony…severe weather when you don’t want it.

The outlook beyond Thursday looks ok, at least there’s no mention of “Omega Blocks” or “Death Ridges from Hell” party poopers.

This year travel arrangements have settled down, so it’s back to Manchester -> Atlanta -> Oklahoma City. Last year was nice to be able to clear US customs in Dublin (so luggage could be checked straight through, but the three flights, especially on the way back was too much. It’s still an arduous trip, more than 9 hours to Atlanta, and after numerous flight alterations, a now 4 hour layover before getting the more than 2 hour flight to OKC. 

Tech remains unchanged, blog posts will be uploaded on the hoof using the iPhone hotspot with photos airdropped to a MacBook Air which worked great last year. iPhone photos for the blog are excellent, chalk and cheese better than the 2mp phone I started out with back in the day, clever computational wizardry giving outstanding dynamic range. Gone are they days of getting to a hotel late at night, downloading DSLR photos, choosing a selection then hoping the wifi had enough bandwidth to upload it all, which often it didn’t. It used to take forever, sometimes I’d still be up swearing at it at 2 a.m. Heck, the cell network out on the Plains when I first went in 2006 was pitiful, went for days without signal and called home over Skype (remember that?) from the hotel. Proper hardcore back then.

Alex accompanies me again for this year, his second trip after 2022. He’s not short of tech either, with a drone, GoPro and who knows what else. I’ve suggested he also packs extra pairs of briefs in case there is a rerun of Murdo ;o).

I’ll try and keep on top of the blog but beware of the usual typos, miss spelt place names and general gibberish as I bounce around in the back of a Chevy Suburban, sleep deprived and generally grumpy. 

See y’all soon.