2009 National Storm Chaser Convention recap

February 16, 10:28 AMDenver Weather ExaminerTony Hake

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Denver played host to the 11th annual Storm Chaser
Convention this past weekend.

This past weekend Denver played host to the 11th annual National Storm Chaser Convention.  This event brings together everyone from folks with a passing interest in the weather to professional storm chasers.  All are given a chance to mingle, play with the latest weather toys and hear from some of the foremost experts in weather and atmospheric science. 

Friday began very casually with a simple ice breaker get together where guests mingled and swapped stories from last year and their hopes for the coming season.  Saturday morning began the event in earnest with opening remarks from the convention’s organizers and famed storm chasers Roger Hill and Tim Samaras. 

Leading off the speakers was meteorologist and storm chaser Jon Davies with a discussion about nighttime and rain wrapped tornadoes and the specific dangers they present.  Jon Davies is also the author of a great book about severe weather and storm chasing for kids called, “Storm Chasers! On the Trail of Twisters” that I have mentioned before.  Other speakers on Saturday discussed the recent hurricane season, the 2008 severe weather season, and more.  Most notable to the general public were the lectures from Dr. Greg Forbes, the Weather Channel’s severe weather expert, and Dr. Josh Wurman of the Discovery Channel’s Storm Chasers series.

The evening brought a dinner banquet as well as the keynote speaker, Dr. Steve Lyons the Weather Channel's hurricane and tropical weather expert.  Following Dr. Lyons was the famous ‘video night’ where everyone enjoyed videos from the 2008 season – at least until the hotel made them shut down at 11:30. 

In the wake of last week's deadly twisters in Oklahoma,
storm chaser Shawna Davies highlighted the possible need
for storm chasers to serve as first responders. (AP Photo)

Sunday brought more lectures, this time primarily focused on forecasting severe weather and tornadoes.  I personally found the most compelling presentation of the entire weekend unrelated to forecasting or even directly about storm chasing.  Storm chaser Shawna Davies gave a presentation titled, “Beyond the Storm:  Chasers Helping with Communities and First Response.”  This one lecture truly helped to drive home the dangers tornadoes present to the general populace and highlighted how important it was for storm chasers to be prepared to assist and actively serve in a first responder role when disaster strikes.  This presentation particularly hit home in light of last week's deadly twisters in Oklahoma.

The convention closed with a National Weather Service sponsored storm spotter training session that was open to the public.  If you are interested in storm spotter training but were unable to attend this session, click here for more information on others happening in the coming months in Colorado.

Throughout the event a bevy of weather-related vendors offered their wares for sale.  There were of course chaser-related clothing, DVDs and photos.  Highlighting the latest in electronics, Davis Instruments was showing off their weather stations and Baron Services demonstrated their extraordinary Mobile Threat Net System.  In a very unique display, Severe Studios highlighted their products and services that allow storm chasers to broadcast live video to the Internet when they are on a chase. 

In the end the convention was just as it was billed – a gathering of weather enthusiasts, storm chasers, meteorologists and scientists with an extraordinary wealth of information available.  The convention held something for everyone from a layman to a seasoned chaser and I would highly recommend attending the 12th annual convention in 2010.