The Storm Report

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Preparing A Storm Chaser Playlist


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January is when we meander through the winter doldrums.  This year a pandemic has made it even more confining.  But just like a nine-year-old in November who makes a Christmas list, we are making one of our own too.

Storm chase season is just around the corner.  And while last year’s road trips left much to be desired, there is always a chance this year might be more active with severe weather. 

In the 90’s we could have created our own cassette mixtapes of cool weather songs.  You know, the perfect mood music to witness Mother Nature at work.  Thirty years ago, we didn’t have the technology we had today.  Listening to a mixtape would have taken away from monitoring AM/FM weather coverage, NOAA weather radio, a Bearcat police scanner, and thumbing through a Rand McNally road atlas. That’s truly how we found our way to bad weather.

Having Internet access in your vehicle has changed it all.  So, while browsing computer models, upper-level data, and real-time radar this May, it’s plausible you need a storm chase soundtrack for your trip.  That’s where we come in. 

These are the top-10 must-have songs for your 2021 playlist: 

#10)  ‘Lightning Strikes’ – Lou Christie – This one may not be familiar to the younger generation of storm spotters.   It hit #1 in 1966.   A few listens, and you’ll catch on.   

https://youtu.be/HaX6ApRyzSI

#9)  ‘Stormy’ – Classics IV – Another 1960’s staple.    More of a mellow tune that might be ideal for the long drive home. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18Sua_QTDs0

#8)  ‘Ridin’ The Storm Out’ – REO Speedwagon – Perfect to play when you sit in a little blue shed waiting for high winds to subside. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVFgEBq0EKM

#7)  ‘Against The Wind’ – Bob Seger – This 41-year-old song lives in every digital jukebox in America.   You may recall it was also featured in the movie “Forrest Gump’ as he went jogging across the country.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBJRD1VkxmI

#6)  ‘Rock You Like A Hurricane’ – Scorpions – This one would rank at the top if you rode-out Andrew, Camille, or Katrina. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yP1tcy9a10

#5)  ‘Oklahoma – Wheatfield’  – From the Twister Motion Picture Score – It is one of two instrumental selections among our downloads.   Perfect for the first track on your trip.   You can’t help but think of Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt as the music soars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrPe3J82elk

#4)  ‘Respect The Wind’ – Eddie and Alex Van Halen  – The second of two songs from the 1996 movie ‘Twister’ that made our special playlist.   This track with no-vocals is truly the dark side of nature.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP6nKTu6TGY

#3)  ‘Tornado” – Little Big Town – Country music represents.   Like most songs, this one is about a relationship but uses all the weather lingo to be a perfect pick.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaEmQJG2HHU

#2)   ‘Thunderstruck’ – AC/DC – Heard at almost every sporting event across the country; this one is near the top of our list.   Best selected when adrenaline is running high.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2AC41dglnM

#1)   ‘Riders On The Storm’ – The Doors – Don’t settle for the single version.   Load up the album track, which is just over 7 minutes long.    Best repeated when driving into the first sign of dark clouds.

https://youtu.be/iv8GW1GaoIc

Have a successful and SAFE 2021 storm season!  What’s on your storm chase playlist?

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Scientists Are Certain St. Nicholas Will Stay On Schedule This Season

Officials at the North Pole, the home of the legendary Santa Claus, say the world’s most famous elf has rarely encountered a season quite like this one.   After consulting with sleigh scientists, this year’s trip around the world will be similar but remain within seconds of the total flight time in 2019.   

The traveling team of reindeer and elves along with Santa Claus will wear masks and carry plenty of “Santatizer”.  However  the additional weight on board will not be enough to slow dropping off packages and toys.  

“During the Spanish Flu of 1918-1920, Santa Claus was extra careful on his deliveries,” said Odds Bodkins, head of Physics at the University of The North Pole.   “He’s never late for a delivery, no matter what occurs in the world.”    

St. Nicholas has approximately 31 hours to finish his work because there is an overall difference in the Earth’s rotation and time zones.   He visits over 1600 homes per instant, flying at nearly 1800 miles per second which is more than 8000 times the speed of sound.   Bodkins says “most reindeer can only run at 40 miles per hour, because they haven’t consumed the magic dust needed for high speed flight.”

Snow is the one ingredient that assists in Santa’s quick take-offs and landings.   The reduced friction with ice or snow on the ground allows the sleigh to quickly get airborne.    While not every location worldwide has snow, any additional snow will make this year’s journey easier.

“Air traffic control at the North Pole has much better technology than in year’s past.   After a software upgrade, the crew can guide Santa into a strong tailwind which accelerates the overall flight time,” Bodkins said.   

The sleigh is expected to depart the North Pole at around 3:00am Central Standard Time on Christmas Eve.  

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The Storm Report Radio Network Surpasses 300 Affiliate Stations

In the midst of a pandemic, more radio stations are operating remotely, and that has allowed the weather forecast service from The Storm Report to flourish.    More than 300 signals from coast to coast and online now utilize the weather team’s audio updates which also include breaking information about rapidly changing weather. 

“We began in 2005 as a daily feature on radio and have since diversified to provide 24/7 timely information.   Listeners greatly rely on radio as a trusted source for weather in their local communities, said Dan Holiday, president of The Storm Report.   “Our staff meteorologists wrap themselves inside the culture of each community.    We mention local events and business happenings and brand ourselves as the station meteorologists.” 

Radio companies in Denver, New Orleans, Salt Lake City, Baton Rouge and Springfield, Missouri, are some of the latest additions to The Storm Report roster.   To learn more, visit www.thestormreport.com or call (800) 967-0130.

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Kansas Association of Broadcasters Convention Features Seminar on Improving Severe Weather Coverage

For the first time in its history, the annual Kansas Association of Broadcasters convention was conducted virtually on October 19-22nd, 2020.   While members did not converge in Wichita this year, they did join seminars online from across the sunflower state.  

The Storm Report Radio Network conducted an interactive tutorial on how broadcasters could improve coverage of severe weather.    Panelists included KMBC-TV Chief Meteorologist Bryan Busby, Dr. Laura Myers, a Research Scientist with the Center for Advanced Public Safety at the University of Alabama, Chad Omitt who is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Topeka and Jennifer Narramore, Radio Meteorologist at The Storm Report.   The panel was moderated by The Storm Report’s co-founder, Dan Holiday.  

Dr. Myers discussed new research that indicates how residents most commonly receive severe weather information.   Myers also said they typically look for two sources to insure they can trust the weather warning that when issued for their area.

Busby told broadcasters to be natural on-air and avoid over dramatizing threatening weather to viewers.    He told future TV meteorologists that while weather enthusiasts may get excited about a tornado, the audience is often ridden with anxiety.   Therefore, Busby said it is important to be factual and empathetic.  

Omitt reminded broadcasters to emphasize the dangers during winter weather which often claims more lives than spring severe storms.    Narramore advised radio broadcasters to paint a picture of the situation on the air so the audience could visualize what is happening and react appropriately.   

The seminar is available for online viewing through December 31, 2020, for members who have purchased a convention pass at kab.net.  

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Mississippi Leads Tornado Total for 2020

The tornado season for 2020 has been anything but typical, and that goes hand-in-hand with the Coronavirus pandemic which has altered social norms across the world.   

The Deep South region has had more active weather this year than the Central Plains, which didn’t rack up the number of tornadoes that usually occur in an average season. 

According to the Storm Prediction Center annual summary of severe weather, at least 112 twisters were reported in 2020 in Mississippi ranking them #1 in the U.S.   That’s nearly 3 times the number of tornadoes that hit the state in an average year.    In second place is Texas which has had nearly 100 reported tornadoes.   Alabama, Georgia and Illinois land in in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th spot.  

Kansas and Oklahoma which are known for a busy spring storm season were outdone by the state of Nebraska.   Residents in Husker territory tallied 35 tornado reports while both Kansas and Oklahoma had less than 30.    There are 9 areas that have yet to receive any reports of a tornado.    West Virginia, Idaho, Nevada, District of Columbia, Vermont, Rhode Island, Hawaii and Alaska so far have 0.  

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