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VUSIT News Releases
See the New VUSIT
BLOG for current events
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| Convective Field Studies
9A & 9B - May 16-25 & June 3-13, 2002! |
It's that time of year again, for VUSIT's Convective Field Studies! Field Study #9A departs May 16, and returns May 25. #9B will take place from June 3 through June 13. Good luck to all who are participating, and details on the outcome of the trips will be posted as soon as they are available.
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| VUSIT and NWA elections
- Thursday, May 2, 2002 |
Elections for VUSIT and NWA officers will be held Thursday, May 2,
2002. If you haven't already, please nominate someone or yourself for
Director, Deputy Director, Secretary, or Treasurer forVUSIT or President,
Vice-President, Treasurer, or Secretary for NWA.
Anyone in VUSIT or NWA may run. The only requirement is that you be a
paid member of either organization.
These positions are open to anyone who would like to become more involved
with VUSIT or NWA.. Thanks to those who have already nominated someone.
Hope to see everyone at the elections.
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| SKYWARN Spotter Training
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Spotter certification comes through Valparaiso's "Nowcasting"
class. Skywarn spotter training classes are also available. Details will
be forthcoming.
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| VUSIT's First Spring '02
Day Chase! |
On April 18, 2002, VUSIT conducted its first day chase for Spring 2002.
A shortwave trough fired storms in eastern Iowa, which moved into northern
Illinois and Wisconsin. These storms produced large hail as they moved
northeast. VUSIT did not intercept any tornadoes, but it was still a good
chase, as we encountered mammatus clouds, and pea-to-dime size hail with
these storms. Thanks to all who participated in the chase, and everyone
who helped with base support! The chase log can be viewed in the
Chase Diary.
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| Tornadoes Strike Area
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On August 25th, 2001, several supercell thunderstorms moved through Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin, and Northwestern Indiana. Two confirmed tornado touchdowns were reported in Merrillville, IN and in Hobart, IN. Both locations are located less than 20 miles west and northwest of the Valparaiso area. The tornadoes caused major damage to a Kohl's department store in Hobart and flipped semi rigs in Merrillville. While only one injury was reported with these tornadoes, this further proves that the area is prone to tornadoes and that safety and awareness is still needed. This was one of the reasons for the recent upgrade for tornado sirens in Porter County. Hopefully other counties will follow suit with this recent event. For those affected by this latest round of storms, the VU community keeps you in their thoughts.
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| Additional Radar Products
to be Added to Doppler Suite |
According to a recent Service of Change (SOC) Notification from the NWS, 11 new products will be added to the Doppler Suite by the end of September. What this means is that additional products will be available on their radar products page on the NWS Site. Among those being added are base reflectivity to 124 and 248 nm, echo tops, VAD wind profiles, and storm relative mean radial velocity products. See the notice change for more information.
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| A bid farewell...
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One last news announcement... that may or may not be important. Your now former Page-Manager wants to take a short moment of your time to give a huge THANKS to everyone who is associated with VUSIT. Your comments and criticisms have made this page into something for everyone. Most of all, thanks for your patience. Over the past 3 or 4 years, the site has seen some minor (and major) steps toward advancement and organization. Again, thanks for everything. I only wish VUSIT future success... With the beginning of a new school year I will be turning over the VUSIT site to someone new. Good luck and thanks again!
- Matt Hartman
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| VUSIT Completes CFS #8a
and #8b! |
VUSIT has completed Convective Field Studies #8a and #8b. From the sounds of it, they had quite succesful trips on both. Logs and pictures will be posted soon. Sit tight...! Three or four tornadoes were intercepted between the two trips. So, some exciting pictures are anticipated.
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| New NCEP site for Model
Output |
Tue, July 31, 2001: NCEP has released a new web-site with GEMPAK generated Model Output. The graphics are about the cleanest you'll see on the web. To check out the site follow the link - http://www.ncep.noaa.gov/NCO/PMB/nwprod/analysis.
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| Elections for VUSIT &
NWA to be held Thursday, April 26, 2001 |
Elections are being held this Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. If you haven't already, please nominate someone or yourself for Director, Deputy Director, Secretary, or Treasurer for VUSIT or President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, or Corresponding Secretary for NWA. These positions will, obviously be open at the end of the semester. VUSIT and our local NWA Chapter promotes anyone to run for these positions. The only requirement we ask is that you be a paid member of either organization. Do not let class standing be an obstacle. These positions are for anyone who is looking to become more involved with VUSIT or NWA and for those who don't mind the added responsibility. Thanks to those who have already nominated someone. Hope to see everyone at the elections...
Also, as a side note, a Page Manager for this site will also be needed for next year, as this author will be graduating this semester. If you are interested, please let the Page Manager know by contacting him.
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| VUSIT Intercepts a Tornado...!
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On April 11, 2001, exactly 36 years after the Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak ravaged Nrn Illinois and Nrn Indiana, VUSIT intercepted its first tornado since last year's Convective Field Study #7B. Ironically, this one was also intercepted in Iowa. The tornado was intercepted a few miles just to the west of Kalona, IA. The tornado formed under a low-topped HP Supercell which itself had formed along the dryline earlier this evening. The storms were small, but they packed quite a punch. This Supercell was georgeous!! And hopefully very soon, we will have some pictures in the gallery for everyone to see what I mean. The log will be up this weekend along with logs from our day chases on Friday, April 6 and on Monday, April 9. We all had a tremendous day. A HUGE thanks goes to our base-support. Without them, we would have never reached the dryline in time. They did a tremendous job. Participants on todays chase, also did an outstanding job. If it hadn't been a team effort, we would have never been in position to view this beautiful storm. Unfortunately, VUSIT found out that the same storm had dropped a tornado to the east of Ottumwa killing two people. On behalf of VUSIT, our hearts and prayers go out to those persons affected by this unfortunate event.
View a loop of the storms here. The storm that dropped our tornado is the one furthest south on the line moving northeastward. If you either slow the loop or stop it and step through the loop, manuever to Frame 28. This is probably where the storm was when we were looking at the tornado. It was about 5 or 6 miles to our west at that time.
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| SPC - Day 3 Convective
Outlook Now Experimental |
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As of March 1st, the SPC has promoted the Day 3 Convective Outlook (AC) to Experimental. The Day 3 AC is similar to the Day 2 and is issued at 12Z each day for the Day 3 period. For more information or to view the graphic and discussion follow this link: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/exper/. |
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| Final Candidates to Arrive
Soon for Mock Classes and Informal Meetings |
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The final candidates have been selected for the open tenure positions and will be arriving over the next couple of weeks. If you have misplaced the schedule for the class presentations or meetings sent out on the mailing list, contact any VUSIT member who may still have the message. As the message stated, your opinion counts! So please attend these class presentations and informal meetings. Two of these candidates are going to be your future professors. A huge thanks to those of you who attended the first candidate's class presentation and informal meeting this morning. We're looking forward to meeting more qualifying professors. |
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| SPC Probabilistic Forecasts
to Become Operational |
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No big news here, but to let everyone know, NWS Service Change Accouncement #00-114 is stating that SPC will begin issuing their probabilistic forecasts for Day 1 probabilities for hail, high winds, and tornadoes and combined severe probabilities for Day 2 operationally starting January 31, 2001. See the announcement for further details. No mention of the Day 3 AC as of yet, however, will keep monitoring. |
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| Interested in chasing
this spring? |
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If you haven't received Bart's e-mail or hand-outs, he is seeking information from candidates that are interested in chasing with VUSIT this spring. Bart is asking that you provide him the information by February 1st. If you are unable to get it to him through e-mail or other mediums, please let him know. Here is a copy of the e-mail if you did not receive it. Thanks! |
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| Free Doppler Radar Data!
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As discussed previously and below, the NIDS Contract was allowed to expire at the end of the year. Free Doppler Radar data is now available on specified pages on the NWS Site. Follow the link below for the data. Right now, only Base Reflectivity, Composite, 1-Hour Precip Estimate, and Storm-Total Precip Estimate products and all of their respective loops are available. Follow this link for imagery. |
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| NIDS Contract to Terminate
on 12.31.00 |
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Update -- 11.06.00 |
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As title states, the current NIDS Contract will be allowed to expire on December 31, 2000. What this will do is allow for some WSR-88D Data to become public domain. This data will be posted on a NWS Website to be determined. For more details, read the Systems Operations Center Change Notice. |
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| NWS to Terminate DiFax
Services. |
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NWS is now starting to phase out DiFax Charts. Termination of the service is set to be April 30, 2001. For more details read the Systems Operations Center Change Notice |
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| VUSIT Completes Field
Studies #7a and #7b!! |
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Field Studies #7a and #7b have now returned. Preliminary reports show that the first trip had a tornado interception NE of Des Moines in the final days of their trip and the second trip created another first for VUSIT, by chasing in Montana! From what the webmaster has heard, it may have also been the longest amount of time that a Field Study has spent chasing storms officially outside of "Tornado Alley." Nevertheless, on behalf of all MET majors, I want to congratulate all of those who attended the chase trips on a job well done! We're all looking forward to seeing pictures and reading the logs of your adventures... |
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| Convective Field Studies
#7a and #7b Underway! |
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Fifteen students and Prof. Wolf took off on May 22nd and will be leaving again on June 5th for our annual Convective Field Study Course. The first of the two trips has returned, however, this webmaster hasn't heard exactly what was seen or how they did in the field. Their log should be posted soon, along with (hopefully) some pictures. The second trip will be taking off next Monday. Their respective log and pictures will also be posted once it is presented to the webmaster. |
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| VUSIT's First Day Chase
of the Year! |
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On Friday, April 7th, 2000, fifteen of VUSIT's finest took off into the field to take part in our first day chase of the year! We experienced a nice looking arcus cloud in association with a gust front, heavy rain, and pea-sized hail. This turned out to be one of the best group efforts on a day chase. We all had our say, and were very enthusiastic about the chase even though we had a rather frustrating day. On behalf of VUSIT, thanks to all those students that attended the chase, for those of you that provided base support, and for Ken Wood at the Mt. Carmel Municipal Airport for giving us the opportunity to check out his radar and watch the storms roll in. Thanks everyone! It couldn't have been done without all of you! A detailed log is posted on our chase diary page. |
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| VUSIT's New HAM radio
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VUSIT has purchased a its first HAM radio to be added to our chase equipment. It is a triband Yaesu VX-5R, also known as the smallest HAM radio of its kind! The radio comes with a rechargeable battery pack, cigarette adapter, 220 memory channels and outputs 5W. We can't wait to test it out! |
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| VUSIT member is elected
Student Body President! |
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Congratulations goes out to Russ Schumacher the 2000-20001 Student Body President! Russ has been a great vice president this year and has now moved up in the ranks. VUSIT wishes Russ good luck in his reign next school year. |
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| Upcoming Spotter Talks
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Are you interested in becoming a certified storm spotter? If so, be sure to attend
the upcoming spotter talks. The first session will be Monday March 20th, with the second session on Monday March 27th. The training will be from 6:30-8:30 PM at the Valparaiso University Student Union. If you have further questions, please contact Prof. Bart Wolf, Ph.D. |
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| February Weather Contest
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VUSIT held its second annual weather contest for the month of February. All VUSIT members were asked to send in their guesses for the high/low temperature, high/low barometric pressure, and high wind gust. The winners were:
Overall Winner - Stino Iacopelli
High Temperature - Marshall Huffman
Low Temperature - Josh West
High Pressure - Stino Iacopelli
Low Pressure - Stino Iacopelli
Wind Chill - Josh West
High Wind Gust - Jason Reese
Congratulations to all!
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| T.O.I.L.E.T. Version 2.0!
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VUSIT members are currently in the process of making a new TOILET body. The new body of our transportable lightning detector will be made totally of PCP piping. The new model includes a screw on top, making the actual sensor easier to attain. It will no longer have the "toilet float" look but more of a sci-fi appearance. Plans have been made to retire T.O.I.L.E.T. Version 1.0 in a meteorology display case. |
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| VUSIT Heralding New Internet
Software! |
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On Monday, February 26, VUSIT welcomed in another new piece of "equipment" for the weather lab. We are now the proud owners of our own WeatherTap Account. VUSIT members that have seen the new graphics and capabilities that come along with WeatherTap have been very impressed with it. We now get WSR88D coverage around the country and excellent satellite imagery with optional county overlay, which is especially nice! Also, we now have access to near real time lightning displays on the national scale. If you haven't seen our newest addition to the lab "equipment," drop by sometime. During normal hours, someone should be in the lab to show you where to go and how to view many of the graphics and textual data from WeatherTap. By the way, FYI - anyone can receive an account at WeatherTap. If you would like additional information on billing or the setting up of an account, you may visit their web-site at: http://www.weathertap.com |
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| VUSIT Featured In Oklahoma
Newsletter! |
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On Friday, December 3rd, 1999, Asst. Professor Bart Wolf, Ph.D. received a package in the mail from an employee at NSSL located in Norman, OK. Inside was a newsletter from Oklahoma featuring VUSIT and their choice for City of the Year, Guyman, OK. On behalf of those that attended Chase #6b this past spring, we feel honored to be featured in your newsletter. The newsletter also included our URL, so we are still receiving more and more exposure to the world. Again, thanks and we feel very honored. ...Way to go VUSIT! |
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| VUSIT receives Student
Senate Funding |
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On Monday, October 25, 1999 Student Senate funded VUSIT $1350.00!! This money will be used to purchase the upgrade for TOILET, a GPS dashboard system, two CB's, and a HAM radio. We look forward to using these new tools come this Spring. |
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| VUSIT Carwash is a Successs!
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On Sunday, September 19, 1999 VUSIT raised $283.00! VUSIT sends out a thanks to the Shell Gas Station on Lincolnway for supporting our fundraiser. Almost 20 members showed up to help wash the dirty, as well as clean, cars of Valparaiso. After the carwash members were then able to celebrate their hardwork at the equi"Knox" party at Professor John Knox's house. Thanks goes out from VUSIT to Professor Knox and family for food, fun, and fellowship! |
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| VUSIT completes Convective
Field Studies #6A and #6B!! |
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On May 17th and 31st of 1999, fifteen VUSIT members and Assistant Prof. Bart Wolf, Ph.D. took off for the southern and central plains. By the end of the 10-day trips, our storm interceptors managed to catch some outstanding video and pictures of downbursts, wall clouds, and funnel clouds, as well as an amazing hail storm near Hobbs, New Mexico on the first trip. A few images and the logs for #6a and #6b are now available. Additional images will soon be posted. A big "thanks" goes out to all who participated to make these trips a huge success! |
