tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42224990706707308602011-09-28T13:14:26.089-07:00Focusing on current weather patterns and forcasting around the NW IA regionJoe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.comBlogger441100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-72445908808188037792010-12-28T07:21:00.000-08:002010-12-28T07:21:11.638-08:00

Well it's definitely been a while since I've updated my blog, as far as chases goes the Herrick day was my last chase worth mentioning. This post is going to get into the more personal side of things as in what's been going on in my life lately. First I have been searching for a new job because I am very un-happy with where I'm at right now. The management at this place is horrible. I have 6

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-92225731907455112742010-07-26T10:47:00.000-07:002010-11-23T10:00:23.302-08:00

Well what a needle in the haystack find this was. We left Sioux Falls, SD at 3:30 and headed west on I90 towards Chamberlain. We arrived in Chamberlain around 6:00 and started watching the storms directly west of us and debated on crossing the river and staying on the East side but we could tell the storm was moving slow so we crossed the river and continued West, we got cored just East of Presho

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-55094357508109175532010-07-09T06:00:00.000-07:002010-07-09T06:00:10.517-07:00

It's July already!?!?! WOW, that's hard to believe, this year has flown by. Looking into this past severe season I am super proud of myself and the rest of the team/members that I've chased with and now-casted for. I have my updated 2010 stats on the side of the home page and I am very happy with how 2010 turned out. By far the best chase day that I had was May 22nd in Bowdle, SD we witnessed 7

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-11169015063572804242010-06-18T06:44:00.000-07:002010-06-18T06:44:05.815-07:00

We were determined to stay in IA last night but only being 1/2 of a county away we should have ran up to MN to get to the late show, we could have made it for a couple nados but we wanted to see it keep back building and eventually get crazy in IA. Well that never happened, for some reason it decided to stay insane in MN!!! Marc Hicks, Mike Vetter, and John Stone ended up getting 8 total tornados

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-57134711158610531922010-06-16T11:25:00.000-07:002010-06-16T11:25:04.915-07:00

Well here is the day we've wanted all along, the chances of the SPC (Storm Prediction Center) of jumping this day up to a Moderate Risk is there, they just need to do it!!! This will be a short but easy forecast as I'm sure I'll have more to come later on. There is an enhanced chance for severe t-storms in the hatched area w/ the yellow defining a higher probability! There will be tons of

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-35691873263282089512010-06-10T05:15:00.000-07:002010-06-10T05:15:27.676-07:00

I just thought I should update since I haven't for the past 2 weeks, I've been doing some chasing but staying very local since many of the storms eventually make their way to Rock Valley I need to stay more local just in case something were to happen then I can respond with the fire department. All has gone well, last week we put about 600 miles on and got to punch some cores with blinding rain,

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-83567572295971272812010-05-27T09:34:00.000-07:002010-05-27T09:34:12.244-07:00

NWS rated the wedge tornado an EF-4!!! NWS report HERE, the other report for the rest of the tornado's are HERE. The total for us observing goes as follows: EF 0 - 2 EF 1 - 2 EF 2 - 2 EF 3 - EF 4 - 1 I'm still in awe of this day, it will always be a firm memory in my head. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone that was affected by these storms. We hope and pray that all recovery goes well.

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-53604415075060457352010-05-25T08:38:00.000-07:002010-05-25T08:39:58.452-07:00

Well the setup was looking like a gamble leading up to the 22nd, the CAP that was forecasted was fairly stong and we knew that we could bust but you can't score if you don't play. We ended up scoring big time! A total of 7 touchdowns, including a large wedge and a stovepipe. We took off from Sioux Falls, SD at noon and headed west on I90 to our original target of Chamberlain, SD, while on the

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-83296043624059094992010-04-30T07:27:00.000-07:002010-04-30T07:31:30.408-07:00

Well to start off I swear God was telling me not to go out chasing but as the sinner I am I decided not to follow his signs. The final blow that was telling me not to go was when we were 20 miles away from home I got a call from my wife (Jill) saying that her car broke down in Sioux Falls, it over heated and the cooling fan wasn't running. I should have turned around then and there, but we

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-55197894754765436652010-04-26T09:20:00.000-07:002010-04-26T09:20:22.914-07:00

We took off from Sioux Center, IA at 7:00AM with a target of Marysville, KS. We arrived in Marysville, KS around noon, grabbed a bite to eat topped off our tanks and reviewed data. The SPC issued a torndao watch to our NW, even though I'm not one to chase "dots" after reviewing the data on the 18z model run we knew we had to run a little NW so we took off and ended up in Geneva, NE we were

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-2070552225219730062010-04-21T08:20:00.000-07:002010-04-21T08:29:42.158-07:00

It's happened, the Gulf has opened it's gates and we're back in business. Moisture is finally inching its way up to the plains and creating plenty of instability to go around. Today is going to be a precourser on what will happen Thursday and Friday. Thursday, Childress, TX is the target for quite a few chasers and EXWX team members Marcus Hicks, and Derek Davis, The CAPE value is 2750+ which

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-29990247722459404632010-04-07T10:24:00.000-07:002010-04-07T10:24:14.171-07:00

Well to start off there is nothing else to say but "dissapointment". Marc Hicks and I left Rock Valley, IA at noon with our initial target area of St. Joe, MO. We get down to St. Joe at around 4:00, top off the tank of gas, and check data. The surface plots were showing great dew points a little to the west of us so we figured why not and headed west to Hiawatha, KS where we meet up with some

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-79418218647458830462010-03-09T07:55:00.000-08:002010-03-09T07:55:46.504-08:00

For those of you that pay attention to chasing, streaming, and weather in general here is a chance to view what is going on in my playground. To view the stream you can either navigate to Extreme Weather Chase Team's Website and click on the " Streaming Live Watch Now" tab or go to Chaser TV's Website and look for me in the list under "Current Live Video Feeds". I hope you enjoy this opportunity

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-13425748454897868632010-03-03T07:07:00.000-08:002010-03-03T07:07:53.736-08:00

I know it's a little early but it truly is around the corner. I set my truck up with a laptop mount, web cam and video camera for streaming with Chaser TV . You can also go to Extreme Weather Chase Team to view my live stream.  Here are the pictures

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-19295970903436021262010-03-01T09:50:00.000-08:002010-03-03T07:01:33.310-08:00

Well as I figured it might, the forecast got pushed back to this coming weekend. This looks as though it'll be a cold core setup, there will be plenty of cold air aloft circulating to create some great instability. Credit to Verne Carlson, I would have run the same models but I'm too lazy!

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-71334780377359576192010-02-18T12:09:00.000-08:002010-02-18T12:13:23.395-08:00

The models are still showing a good dryline in Cntrl/Wstrn TX. Like my previous post said the CAPE model run still has something to be desired but it's showing stronger than the last run. This is a good sign, the closer we get the more accurate the models will be and I like the 750J Kg jump in the CAPE. The Shear is showing a great 90degree cross over right on top of San Angelo, TX that is where

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-52444483521015415772010-02-16T07:23:00.000-08:002010-02-16T07:27:25.919-08:00

There looks to be a GFS run that is consistantly showing a Dryline & Trough in W TX on March 2! I've been watching this model the past couple days and it hasn't changed too much either which normally means that this could really be a good day for the "1st chase" of the season for may chasers! All the surface plots reflect a strong trough with eastern, Gulf winds rotating and blasting south

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-11972396349159024812010-01-25T07:58:00.000-08:002010-01-25T07:58:49.725-08:00

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee is helping people in Haiti! You can help relief efforts in Haiti by donating to the CRWRC. Donate $5.00 by texting "support crwrchaiti" to 20222 or donate $10.00 by texting "crwrc haiti" to 20222. You can also donate online by clicking HERE American Red Cross helping the people of Haiti! You can help relief efforts in Haiti by donating to the

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-6201164241128071992010-01-22T07:03:00.000-08:002010-01-22T07:10:00.387-08:00

Currently we are sitting at the calm before the storm. This storm is a very interesting one as our temperatures are sitting above normal for mid January temps. There is a low pressure system brewing off in E CO right now that is heading our way and will be centered over E SD by tonight. This low pressure system will be pulling upper level moisture and allowing that moisture to condense into rain

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-79012050331837917402010-01-19T09:37:00.000-08:002010-01-19T09:41:09.942-08:00

First to start out locally, this week we are looking at a week with solid precipitation, starting tonight with freezing rain on into Thursday. Then Th into Th night we are looking at snow, up to 2". It's not much but with the 40" we've already had and with the freezing rain that will create a blanket of ice we are looking at a pretty serious situation. Next we go to CA, there are a number of

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-81024299404160082232009-12-23T08:28:00.000-08:002009-12-23T08:28:23.013-08:00

I'm still sticking to my guns 8-10" is what I'm calling for... I think this storm is over rated and who know's I can be wrong but hey if I'm right then what can I say but "I'm awesome" HAHA HAHA Just Kidding!!!

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-4166312665966247442009-12-21T13:41:00.000-08:002009-12-21T13:41:33.517-08:00

OK, still pretty early to tell but geesh the NWS is really blowing this out of proportion I think. Here is the latest graphic that they have.

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-85470662772398806362009-12-21T08:25:00.000-08:002009-12-21T08:44:06.469-08:00

First to start out there are going to be 2 systems moving in, one tonight through tomorrow morning and Wednesday through Christmas day depending on frontal speeds this system could linger until Saturday AM but it's a ways off so a little too early to tell right now. System#1This one is looking like it's going to dump a max of 3" on the area, NW is going to be hit the hardest with the max of 3"

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-34307337511317035112009-12-11T13:31:00.000-08:002009-12-11T13:42:03.247-08:00

Looks like next week is going to be very similar to last week but without the heavy moisture in the air like Tuesday when the blizzard struck. There is however a slight chance of snow Sunday night into Monday AM. This will be a 1/2" possible tops, there just isn't enough mixing of moist air coming in from the gulf, this is shown in detail with the pics below. What's happening is we have 120Kts

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-33787391605758348642009-11-24T11:34:00.000-08:002009-11-24T11:40:19.140-08:00

I know it's not storm chasing or forecasting but here are some pics of a fireworks display in Rock Valley that we (the FD) had to supervise I always enjoy watching the fireworks so close, it's really amazing to watch when you're right under them.

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-25373143216813774022009-08-20T06:43:00.000-07:002009-08-20T06:59:41.835-07:00

First off I knew I wasn't going to want to drive a ton because the set up wasn't the best so I figured that I will conserve a little gas until the next big event. Well this storm started to take shape around Parker SD and looked as though it was heading straight E, as soon as it hit Harrisburg, SD it changed to a SE course looking to blow right over RV. At 4:45 I took off to sit 6mi W of RV and

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-52184571272125824132009-08-18T06:23:00.000-07:002009-08-18T06:27:49.620-07:00

There looks to be a pretty decent chance of svr wx tomorrow afternoon/night. There is a low cold front moving in combined with 500mb moisture flowing in @ 65kts. They are expected to meet over NW IA :) right along the hwy 18 line :) Hopefully there is something worth while writing about tomorrow, I will post more as the system unfolds.

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-2923362391459269222009-08-06T07:19:00.000-07:002009-08-06T07:28:10.509-07:00

Tonight there is a chance for large hail for all of SD and western IA, these hail stones can get up to the size of golfballs. Reminder if you get stuck in a hail storm don't go outside, golfball size hail can fall at a speed of 171mph. The terminal velocity of this size hail stone can cause severe concussions so just stay where you're at and don't go outside unless you have a helmet but even that

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-92187395661234001312009-08-04T10:18:00.001-07:002009-08-04T11:17:42.421-07:00

Well it's been 2 months since my last post and I thought I should fill you in on my current activities in the field of chasing and forecasting. I am still staying very current with my forecasting but I haven't been able to chase as much as I was hoping this spring mainly because there just wasn't crap worth driving for. I have done quite a few smaller "backyard" chases around NW IA and SW MN.

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-1531839762715844082009-05-27T06:54:00.000-07:002009-05-27T06:56:43.339-07:00

The trough looks pretty shallow out to the west if it is even starting to build. The outlook looks to be Sunday afternoon-evening for a chance at severe storms in our area. I think that the chance will be further east of us but there might just be something chaseable that comes out of this. If anything there will be some good cloud to ground lightning. More to come as this system unfolds

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-8827716722154041852009-05-22T07:07:00.000-07:002009-05-22T07:25:11.143-07:00

I'm hoping by early next week we can finally have something to maybe look forward to. This has been a fairly common picture of May that I just don't like to see. There hopefully will be a trough building in the west coast come the end of May beginning of June that could finally spark the severe weather season. Don't get me wrong, there has been a few severe storms in the US and even tornados but

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-12925254323200394292009-04-24T13:19:00.000-07:002009-04-24T13:23:52.878-07:00

Check out these little towers just starting to develop, this is textbook. This is right over Omaha and Mo ValleyThe coolest thing is to watch the wind shear from the N hit the shear from the S and start to form the towers.

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-46335705423555458262009-04-24T05:53:00.000-07:002009-04-24T06:01:30.911-07:00

It looks like the cold front moving in from the NW moved faster than expected last night pretty much knocking any chances of severe storms today and tonight out of the question for our little region. 100 miles south of us and there will be a better chance of running into something. Overall it's dissapointing but only to be expected this early in the year for this far North.

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-37585355095920684272009-04-23T06:00:00.000-07:002009-04-23T06:20:38.863-07:00

Late Friday afternoon through Friday Night we are looking for some good activity in western IA. To start out with look at SPC's probability outlook, we are just on the line of 30% for tornadic activity in NW IA where as 100 miles south is right in the middle of it.Next look at the wind shear, at the surface we have great southerly winds blowing in moisture from the gulf intesecting with colder

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-27636050468531645032009-04-13T11:45:00.000-07:002009-04-13T11:58:16.164-07:00

April is looking to be pretty lame around here with anything that does come our way won't be worth chasing until at least the end of April if we are lucky. The moisture barrier has froze in KS and isn't allowing us sufficient moisture or humidity to get us fired up into spring weather patterns, hence the cold and dry air that has granted us with its presence. I have a feeling the blog will be

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-6593049070274774552009-04-03T11:44:00.000-07:002009-04-03T11:49:25.147-07:00

Well the NWS took it a step beyond what I thought would happen but UGH... if they are right... I'm going to be pissed!!!

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-16419248542546210402009-04-03T08:16:00.000-07:002009-04-03T08:32:17.216-07:00

Well as I said in the previous post we had a chance for rain and snow for this weekend but it is definitely looking like we are going to be getting more than we bargained for. We are getting slammed with moisture from the SW and then just to our east cold dry air is going to be taking over and creating enough instability to drop in temp and moisturize (for lack of a better word) the cool air,

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-40515871968886823202009-04-01T11:17:00.000-07:002009-04-01T11:23:08.986-07:00

Doesn't really make sense does it? Oh well doesn't really matter.This past week really sucked around here for weather, cold & wet days then the next day it's in the 50's then next thing it's cold and wet again. UGH it's spring already give me something to chase!!!The outlook for the next week is where the irritated comes into play, nothing besides a chance of snow and rain again for this

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-11398257944934643892009-03-23T09:03:00.001-07:002009-03-23T09:11:42.572-07:00

All the models suggest a little west of here but still for it being this early in the year this is very exciting to be this close to severe weather. We have a pretty good possiblity of seeing some strong thunderstorms over NW IA this late afternoon/evening. This trough is slamming moisture from the gulf right into us and creating instability with the cold trough being brought in from the rockies.

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-52326972780949478962009-03-19T07:04:00.000-07:002009-03-19T07:17:36.731-07:00

The forecast models are looking rather promising to have some thunderstorms from Monday -Tuesday next week. There is going to be a strong upper level trough that is pulling into the central planes during the day Monday along with a deep surface low pressure system in the same region. This could really spark up some great weather events throughout late afternoon Monday through Tuesday (Tuesday

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-80048851395973330782009-03-16T07:56:00.000-07:002009-03-16T08:03:08.168-07:00

Well as we approach this week we are looking for a pretty mild run of weather. We are getting pounded by a warm front that is keeping us around 20 degrees above normal today and tomorrow. Tomorrow night there will be a cold front rolling over but don't expect it to get to cold because Wednesday is still supposed to be up in the low 50's the coldest day this whole week is looking to be Thursday

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-86360452597169346852009-03-10T12:27:00.000-07:002009-03-10T12:46:04.807-07:00

Well as there is an artic blast blowing by just to our N NE it is helping fuel some instability in IL and MO. This afternoon looks like it could be an interesting day, I would say hail and high winds would be the mail concern but there could be just enough fuel to drive some tornados down. I notice TVN chaser Andrew Pritchard is in central IL as we speak getting read for a chase. I wish him the

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-47784773698928435122009-02-25T07:15:00.000-08:002009-02-25T07:34:01.895-08:00

Well my rookie instincts were pretty close other than the fact that I was thinking it could be Thursday before it get's crappy but it's looking like late tonight the weather will be rolling in. NWS in Sioux Falls is showing some pretty good predictions, after looking at the surface maps they are right on what I would say too. As this system rolls off tomorrow afternoon to the East it's going to

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4222499070670730860.post-71050985347787856322009-02-24T11:39:00.000-08:002009-02-24T12:02:43.081-08:00

Lately there hasn't been much excitement with our weather in NW IA except the constant up and down days where one day it's 20 degrees and now today it's in the 50's! Tomorrow is looking to get as high as 60 but we will have to see if this front that is rolling in gets this far north. It's looking like it might turn more into Missouri . Leaving us with 45 degree weather. There is a chance for

Joe Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355436877891196709noreply@blogger.com0