Storm Chasing Chronicles

One of the most interesting aspects of being a meteorology student at SDSM&T is the availability of good storm-chasing opportunities in the area, and willing persons to share the adventure. Several of our current M.S. degree students in Atmospheric Sciences will head out to experience the thrill of finding a good storm and taking pictures. Although the Black Hills area does not see frequent tornadoes, we do get thunderstorms that carry with them dangerous hail and deadly lightning. Tornado-producing storms are often not so far away as to keep the weather-watchers from going for a drive. As forecasters-in-training, they will often keep an eye on the weather models and anticipate where to go for the next great opportunity. And they aren't just in it for the great photo op - they are learning all about the storm systems in-the-field, not just from a model.

 

 

 

 

Posted 7/21/2011

From a June storm chase:

Photo above left is a supercell thunderstorm northwest of Farmingdale, SD looking northwest (taken June 26, 2011). Farmingdale is a community about 20 miles east of Rapid City, SD. The photo on the right shows an incredible multi-layered and wide shelf cloud north of Crawford, NE looking west, taken July 11, 2011. Please follow the link below for more great weather photos. More photos (May-June-July 2011)

Check out previous adventures by our students in the following storm chasing summaries:

Alliance, Nebraska (June 7, 2010)

Dupree storm of June 2010 (check this page out for two videos of the storm)

June 14, 2009

May 23, 2008

May 24, 2008

April 21, 2007

March 28, 2007

June 13, 2006

April 17, 2006

File updated 7/18/2011.