Storm Chasers Wanted

(PRWEB) May 2, 2005

The group calls this proposed measure the “H” factor. Where the Fujita Scale measures the all over destructive effects of a storm, the “H” factor will measure the second by second potential danger present in a storm. By identifying characteristic signals that tend to mark dangerous periods during storms and incorporating them into a predictive measure the group hopes to be able to identify super cells that may form a vortex which will touch down and cause damage.

In their first attempt to try and find the predictive clues to touch-down and destruction in a developing tornado, they will investigate signals emitted by storms in the very low frequency, VLF, spectrum. The group believes that clues to the internal dynamics of a storm may reveal themselves in these radio waves.

Steve McGreevy has been using VLF radio waves to track auroras and his work has been collaborated by the University of Iowa, Plasma Wave Group. Steve has been successful in recording aurora electromagnetic fields (use the links to Steve's website to learn more). In listening to the aurora he discovered (to his annoyance) that lightning strikes from thousands of miles away could interfere with his recording.

However we are hoping that clues to predict tornado touchdown and behavior can also be found in the VLF region of the radio spectrum.

The group would like to accumulate 20 to 30 tornado video and audio recordings from start of super cell to finished tornado. They would also like to see recordings of super cells that begin to form tornados but then fail. Using this data they will try and match movement to the recorded signals, and hope to identify characteristic patterns as the storms develop, touchdown, and finally collapse.

To get the data, Storm chasers will be asked film and record the electrical signals from the developing tornado. In addition the group would like them to measure the pH balance in the rainwater and the pH balance of the water after it makes contact with leaves, grass, and lakes. It is believed that acid rain mixed with an alkaline evaporation causes more positive ions to rise into the atmosphere. This material then becomes paramagnetic and reinforces the magnetic field lines of the vortex.

After the footage is collected and studied, the storms will be compared to try and extract a common denominator that will tell us something about the storm behavior.

If this early warning system can be developed according to plans, we will be able to save many lives and maybe even develop a way to detour vortices.

Storm chasers can participate by visiting The Science Detective Research Group site at http://www.tam.la.

The Science Detective Research Group is located in Los Angeles, California. The company investigates unsolved mysteries of science. For additional information on The Science Detective Research Group / Tornados And Mesocylcones, visit their web site http://www.tam.la, e-mail: rickheene@yahoo.com.

Richard Heene is available for guest appearances and phone interviews. (310) 820-3752

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