Storm Chasing Utah Style Begins

Photo: Josh Wurman, Center for Severe Weather Research

The Center for Severe Weather Research Doppler on Wheels polarimetric research radar arrives in Salt Lake City this evening, marking the beginning of what I am jokingly calling the Storm CHasing Utah Style Study (SCHUSS).   Let me know if this is too weird, or you can suggest something better.

Friday and Saturday will be training days for several of our students, followed by a down day on Sunday.  After that, everything depends on the weather.  Right now, I can summarize the forecast for next week in one word, DRY.  Some of the GEFS ensemble members call for a weak upper-level trough passage on Monday that is expected to be dry.

Source: Penn State E-Wall

After that, all the members park a big ridge over the western United States.

Source: Penn State E-Wall

This is how it works in storm chasing.  Arrival of DOW + Excited Scientists = Development of Ridge.  This isn't all bad news as it will give us a chance to get some experience with the system and conduct some outreach activities on campus and at area schools.  Stay tuned for details.