It was an early wakeup for us in Oacoma/Chamberlain, S.D., as we set up our satellite truck and did some reports for the Morning News.
When we were done with that, we met with the team to go over the day’s plan. What I’ve learned so far about storm chasing is things rarely go to plan, as well laid out as it may be!
Anyway, the radar was indicating there would be action near Iowa or Illinois, so we headed east. After around five hours of driving we stopped in Sioux City, Iowa, for lunch and an opportunity for us to feed some fresh video back to the station in Winnipeg.
Then we played the waiting game. At least we got to play it in the Lewis and Clark park. There the team threw around a football and dipped their feet in the water. I looked over some video and did some writing. Then I got about the closest to a chase as I have the whole trip. There was an air of excitement as we hit the road into Iowa’s beautiful, hilly countryside.
I was riding alongside Jay Anderson, a retired environment Canada meteorologist. He did his best to explain the team was “cautiously optimistic.” In spite of that, I was getting excited. Then I learned what a cap bust is. Sort of. From what I understand, the elements were there but then something in the atmosphere prevents severe weather. What that meant for us: Time to find a hotel and turn in for the night. So we did, feeling slightly defeated.
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Lessons learned on Day 2: Storm chasing takes a lot of driving and some days will see empty chases.
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