The 2012 chase season is one I would rather forget than remember. It will definitely go down as one of my worst. One of the slowest tornado years on record meant for a low amount of total chases combined with a higher bust ratio leading to an overall poor season. Still though, it wasn’t tornado-less and I did manage to reach some new milestones with some memorable moments.
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March 2nd – IN/KY
First chase of the season is a deadly high risk outbreak in the Ohio Valley. A difficult chase in tricky terrain/roads along the Ohio River, but 2 tornadoes were witnessed.
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March 12th – IN/MI
Marginal setup close to home yields the seasons first bust.
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March 28th – KS
Plenty of large hail and cool supercell structure on a chase where slow storm speeds allowed for easy intercepts.
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March 29th – KS/NE
Largely uneventful chase with a brief core punch.
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April 13th – OK
Frustrating chase in Oklahoma City metro traffic while a tornado was striking Norman. Intercepted crazy HP supercell with awesome inflow band encounter, large hail, a low contrast tornado and a scary close call as we rode out the storm while another tornado passed to the south.
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April 14th – KS
Frustrating daytime chase with a couple weak tornadoes offers redemption at dark with more significant ones during a significant high risk outbreak.
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April 15th – MN
Moderate risk bust with mediocre storms. Spent most of the day goofing around taking amusing pictures and video.
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April 27th – KS
Another Moderate Risk day fails to live up to expectations, but some mediocre structure and a cool experience with a storms gust front gave us a consolation prize.
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May 5th – NE
Blue sky bust spent with good company. Lots of photos.
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May 27th – NE
Under performing setup gives mediocre storms and small hail.
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May 28th – IA/IL
Intercepted outflow driven storms in Iowa and Illinois noting cool anvil structure and outflow driven dust.
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June 9th – ND
First chase to North Dakota yields some hail and mediocre structure.
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September 5th – IL
Even IL blue sky busts in 2012. Same old, same old…
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October 12th – TX
A fall setup actually turns out to be a great chase. Documented tennis ball size hail and 2 tornadoes!
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October 13th – OK
Over-hyped grunge fest gives us a brief core with sub severe hail/wind and some decent backlit sunset structure.
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