Storm Chaser Coaching

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Most storm chasers miss tornadoes not because of bad luck, but because they don't know how to read the atmosphere. In this episode, you'll learn how to analyze surface maps, interpret Skew-T soundings and hodographs, and identify the boundaries that separate a good chase from a life-changing one.

00:00 Podcast Intro

00:53 Identifying Surface Lows on a Weather Map

01:33 Reading Cold Fronts, Warm Fronts & Dry Lines

03:49 Why Boundaries Drive Storm Initiation & Tornadoes

05:08 Skew-T Soundings: Instability & Capping Explained

07:05 Hodographs & Tornado Potential

In this episode of the Storm Chaser Coaching podcast, host Gabriel Harbor and Coach Trey Greenwood break down the final piece of the storm chasing forecast puzzle: surface analysis and atmospheric soundings. Together, they walk through exactly how to read a weather map, interpret upper-air data, and identify the conditions that separate a tornadic supercell from an ordinary thunderstorm.

The conversation begins with surface lows — how to locate them using isobar analysis and counterclockwise wind circulation — then moves into the art of identifying weather boundaries. Cold fronts, warm fronts, and dry lines are not found by looking at a single clue. Trey explains that confident boundary placement requires a confluence of signals: wind shifts, temperature gradients, moisture gradients, and pressure tongues on a fully analyzed surface map. The dry line in particular demands attention to dew point contrasts, with high moisture on the eastern side and drastically drier air to the west.

From there, the episode dives into why boundaries matter so much for storm initiation and tornado potential. Surface convergence along boundaries focuses lift, while the enhanced low-level wind shear and vorticity along boundary zones gives supercells the raw spin they need to produce significant tornadoes. Storms that track parallel to a boundary — rather than crossing it — stay in the most favorable thermodynamic environment and maintain elevated tornado potential.

The final two topics cover the Skew-T sounding and the hodograph. The Skew-T reveals atmospheric instability through the relationship between the temperature profile and parcel trace, while capping inversions — identified by a warm nose in the low levels — help forecasters anticipate explosive storm development later in the day. The hodograph, meanwhile, maps wind shear through the atmosphere: a sickle-shaped or meat hook curve in the low levels is a hallmark signature of environments favorable for tornadic supercells.

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Most chasers waste precious time on chase day glued to model runs — but that's the mistake that costs them the storm. Listen to this episode and learn why observed data like soundings, surface obs, and upper air maps become your most powerful forecasting tools when it matters most, and how to use them to make confident, real-time decisions in the field.

00:00 Why Observed Data Is King on Chase Day

00:55 Best Observed Data Sets for Storm Chasers

02:09 What Is the SPC Mesoanalysis?

05:38 The Cheat Code: Vorticity & 3CAPE Overlap

08:23 How to Use Convection Allowing Models

10:18 Why You Can't Rely on a Single CAM

11:27 Why the 3km NAM Is Worthless

On chase day, the models have done their job — now it's time to put them aside. In this episode of the Storm Chaser Coaching podcast, host Gabriel Harber sits down with Coach Trey Greenwood to break down why observed data is the single most important forecasting tool on the day of a storm chase, and how to use it to make confident, real-time decisions in the field.

Trey explains that while forecast models like the NAM, GFS, and European Model are essential in the days leading up to an event, they're simply an estimate of what the atmosphere might do. On chase day, observed data — including upper air maps, surface observations, and morning soundings — tells you exactly what the atmosphere is actually doing. Soundings reveal the instability profile, capping inversions, and wind shear in the vertical. Surface obs help you pinpoint moisture boundaries, surface low positions, and dew point trends in real time.

The episode also dives deep into the SPC Mesoanalysis page, one of the most valuable tools in a storm chaser's arsenal. Trey walks through the "cheat code" — the surface vorticity and zero-to-three kilometer ML CAPE overlap product — and explains why strong low-level instability co-located with surface spin is a powerful signal for tornado potential, especially in landspout and cold core setups.

When it comes to Convection Allowing Models like the HRRR, FV3, and NAM-3km, Trey urges chasers to use them only as a "check your work" tool rather than a primary forecast driver. Every CAM carries its own biases — the HRRR notoriously overmixes and cratering dew points — so model agreement across multiple CAMs is key before placing confidence in any single solution. And the Three Kilometer NAM? Trey's verdict: ignore it entirely.

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Most people think tornadoes are all about wind — but the real secret ingredient is hiding in plain sight. Watch to discover how a single number, the dew point, determines whether the atmosphere will erupt into violent storms or stay completely quiet, and how understanding moisture can transform the way you read any severe weather setup.

00:00 Intro: Moisture as a Storm Ingredient

01:04 Why Moisture Is Critical for Severe Storms

01:46 What Is Dew Point & Why Not Humidity?

06:11 Dew Point Ranges for Tornado Outbreaks

07:47 Temp-Dew Point Spread & Storm Outflow

09:30 Upslope Regimes & High-Elevation Storms

In this episode of the Storm Chaser Coaching Podcast, host Gabriel Harber and Lead Coach Trey Greenwood break down one of the most fundamental — yet misunderstood — ingredients in severe weather forecasting: atmospheric moisture. Whether you're a beginner storm chaser or a seasoned weather enthusiast, understanding dew point is essential for evaluating any severe weather setup.

Trey explains why moisture acts as storm fuel, and why storms in low-moisture environments rarely produce the kind of robust, chase-worthy activity forecasters look for. The episode then dives deep into dew point — what it actually measures, why it's a more reliable indicator than relative humidity, and how it directly relates to cloud formation and convective potential. Unlike relative humidity, which fluctuates with temperature, dew point is an absolute measure of moisture in the atmosphere, making it the gold standard for severe weather analysis.

The conversation also covers the dew point thresholds that signal a favorable severe weather setup — generally 60°F and above for springtime events in the lower elevations of the Plains — and how those benchmarks shift depending on the time of year and local terrain. Trey and Gabe walk through why a tight temperature-dew point spread at the surface is critical for reducing outflow-dominant storms and maximizing tornado potential. Finally, the episode tackles upslope regimes in high-terrain regions like Colorado, Wyoming, and the Texas Cap Rock, where dew points in the upper 30s to mid-50s can be just as potent as 65°F readings in Oklahoma City or Wichita.

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Most chasers think they can see a tornado coming — but HP supercells hide their deadliest secrets behind walls of rain. Watch this episode to learn how to identify high precipitation supercells on radar, recognize their unique hazards, and make smarter decisions that could save your life in the field.

00:00 Introduction: Hidden Tornado Danger

0:48 What Defines an HP Supercell?

1:29 Why HP Supercells Are Deadly

2:28 El Reno & Real-World HP Encounters

5:13 HP Supercell Radar Signatures

6:19 Hazards: Hail, Floods & Tornadoes

High precipitation supercells are among the most dangerous and misunderstood storm types a chaser can encounter. Unlike classic supercells with their clean, rain-free bases and well-defined wall clouds, HP supercells bury their most deadly features — including tornadoes — behind dense curtains of rain and hail. In this episode of the Storm Chaser Coaching Podcast, host Gabriel Harber and Lead Coach Trey Greenwood break down everything you need to know about chasing HP supercells safely.

Trey explains that the defining characteristic of a high precipitation supercell is the co-location of heavy precipitation with the updraft base, masking critical storm features that chasers rely on for situational awareness. This forces chasers to depend almost entirely on radar interpretation rather than visual cues — a significant and potentially fatal challenge.

On radar, HP supercells often appear as a thick, kidney bean-shaped reflectivity signature rather than the classic well-defined hook echo. The inflow notch, normally clean on a classic supercell, is flooded with precipitation, making it extremely difficult to identify the mesocyclone. Velocity couplets remain readable, but getting close enough to use them puts chasers dangerously inside the Bear's Cage.

The conversation highlights the 2013 El Reno tornado — the widest tornado ever recorded — as the most notorious example of an HP supercell claiming lives, including veteran researcher Tim Samaras. Beyond tornadoes, HP supercells bring additional hazards: giant hail embedded in the precipitation core, flash flooding on rural back roads, and powerful cold-air outflow winds.

Whether you're a beginner or experienced chaser, understanding HP supercell structure, radar signatures, and escape routes is essential knowledge for surviving the field.

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Did you know the shape of a wind profile can reveal what a storm will look like on radar — hours before it even forms? In this episode, you'll learn how veering and backing wind profiles influence supercell structure, tornado potential, and storm visibility so you can make smarter, safer decisions on your next chase.

00:00 Intro: Wind Profiles & Supercell Structure

01:02 What Is Veering Wind with Height?

01:32 What Are Backing Winds?

01:54 Wind Profiles & Storm Radar Presentation

04:18 The Meat Hook / Sickle Hodograph Shape

04:47 Precipitation Wrapping & HP Supercells

06:12 Chasing Safety by Hodograph Shape

In this episode of the Storm Chaser Coaching podcast, host Gabriel Harber and Lead Coach Trey Greenwood break down one of the most critical — and often misunderstood — concepts in storm chasing: how wind profiles shape supercell structure, tornado potential, and storm visibility.

The conversation begins with a foundational question: what is a veering wind profile? Trey explains that veering winds turn clockwise with height — for example, shifting from southeasterly at the surface to southwesterly just above. This clockwise rotation in the low levels is a key ingredient for supercell development. The more pronounced the veering, combined with wind strengthening with height, the more curved the hodograph becomes — and a strongly curved low-level hodograph is widely associated with increased tornado potential in right-moving supercells.

Backing winds, by contrast, turn counterclockwise with height and are generally less favorable for classic supercell tornado environments, though wind profiles are rarely black and white.

The discussion then turns to how hodograph shape directly influences a storm's radar presentation. The "meat hook" or sickle-shaped hodograph — featuring a tightly curved low-level portion with a long, extended mid and upper-level segment — is the textbook signature for well-organized, visually spectacular supercells. This shape promotes efficient precipitation venting away from the mesocyclone, leading to visible storm structure and tornadoes that are easier and safer to chase.

When the hodograph folds back on itself into a semicircle, however, precipitation gets thrown out in front of the storm rather than vented away. This produces high-precipitation supercells with wrapped, rain-obscured tornadoes — a scenario common in the Southeast and one of the most dangerous situations a storm chaser can face.

Trey closes with critical safety advice: semicircle hodographs demand more space and respect. These storms hide their most dangerous features, making positioning extremely difficult and dramatically raising the risk for chasers.

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Most storm chasers know how to pull up radar — but do you actually know what you're looking at? In this episode, you'll learn the key radar signatures every chaser must recognize, from reflectivity and velocity basics to supercell structure and tornado vortex signatures, so you can make smarter, safer decisions in the field.

00:00 Intro: Radar Basics for Storm Chasers

01:02 Reflectivity vs. Velocity Explained

01:38 What Reflectivity Tells You

02:13 Best Reflectivity Product to Use

03:00 What Velocity Data Reveals

03:40 Base vs. Storm Relative Velocity

06:17 Supercell Radar Signatures

08:10 Identifying Tornadoes on Radar

In this episode of the Storm Chaser Coaching podcast, host Gabriel Harber sits down with Lead Coach Trey Greenwood to break down the essential radar skills every storm chaser needs to stay safe and make smart decisions in the field.

The conversation starts with the two foundational radar products every chaser should master: reflectivity and velocity. Reflectivity — often called the "how hard it's raining" mode — reveals precipitation intensity, hail location, and storm structure. For the best results, Trey recommends using Super-Res Reflectivity, the high-resolution product available in apps like RadarScope, over products like Composite Reflectivity that tend to overestimate values.

Velocity data, the "how fast is the wind blowing" mode, shows wind speed and direction, making it critical for identifying rotation, microbursts, and straight-line wind signatures. Trey explains when to use each velocity product: storm relative velocity is ideal for spotting rotational signatures and tornado vortex signatures, while base velocity is best for identifying microburst and MCS straight-line wind events.

The episode then dives into supercell identification on radar — from spotting the kidney-bean updraft shape at storm initiation, to reading tight reflectivity gradients, hook echoes, and strengthening low-level mesocyclones as storms mature.

Finally, Trey walks through how to identify a developing tornado on radar: look for a strong velocity couplet — tight reds and greens side by side — and watch for a drop in correlation coefficient as a sign that debris is being lofted. Throughout, both coaches emphasize that radar must always be paired with visual storm observation, since radar scan intervals of four to five minutes can mask rapid, dangerous changes in storm behavior.

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Watch the original Convective Chronicles video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLSQrwxjdc4

00:00 Intro: The Quad-State Supercell Event

01:29 Trough & Surface Low: Long-Track Tornado Setup

03:52 Model Trends & Low-Level Cyclone Amplification

05:16 Nighttime Warm Advection Chasing Strategy

08:04 Radar Cues: Three Body Scatter Spike Explained

09:59 Velocity vs. Storm Relative Velocity

12:11 Occlusion Cycles vs. Brief Mesocyclone Disruption

On the night of December 10th, 2021, a single long-lived supercell thunderstorm carved a path of destruction across four states — Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee — leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Known as the Quad-State Supercell, this historic storm system produced multiple violent, long-tracked tornadoes that obliterated communities including Mayfield, Dawson Springs, and Bremen, Kentucky, making it one of the most destructive tornado outbreaks in recorded history.

In this episode of the Storm Chaser Coaching podcast, host Gabriel Harber sits down with Lead Coach Trey Greenwood to break down the unique meteorological dynamics that allowed this supercell to remain tornadic for so long. Unlike typical springtime setups, this event was driven by a subtle shortwave trough embedded in southwesterly upper-level flow — a configuration that reduced forcing for storm mergers and kept the supercell discrete and isolated for hours. Crucially, a rapidly deepening surface low tracked alongside the storm, continuously transporting warm, unstable, moisture-rich air into the storm's inflow region, giving it virtually unlimited thermodynamic fuel.

Trey and Gabe also explore key forecasting signals to watch on model trends, including low-level cyclone tightening, surface wind backing, and low-level shear amplification — all critical indicators of long-track tornado potential. The discussion extends to nighttime chasing strategy, explaining how strong warm advection and a ramping low-level jet can actually intensify tornado production after dark rather than suppress it.

On the radar analysis side, Trey breaks down rare signatures observed during the Mayfield tornado, including a three-body scatter spike emanating from the debris ball — an extraordinarily rare phenomenon typically associated only with large hail — as well as deep debris lofting visible in correlation coefficient data. The episode also clarifies the critical difference between standard velocity and storm relative velocity products, and why storm relative velocity is the go-to tool for identifying tornadic signatures and velocity couplets.

Finally, the hosts examine the difference between a classic mesocyclone occlusion cycle and the brief disruption the Quad-State Supercell experienced near the Kentucky-Tennessee border — and why the favorable kinematic environment prevented a full cyclic occlusion from ending the storm's destructive run.

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Watch the original Convective Chronicles video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERfutNwc7Ic

What happens when a single supercell produces 13 tornadoes in one day? In this episode, we break down the Dodge City "Tornado-Fest" and explain the meteorology, radar clues, and storm-chasing strategies that helped create one of the most prolific tornado-producing storms ever observed.

00:00 Dodge City Tornado-Fest Overview

01:48 MCS Outflow Boundary and Tornado Setup

03:53 Dryline Outflow Boundary Intersection Target

05:50 CAPE, Hodographs, and Tornadogenesis

07:28 Radar Signs of a Cyclic Supercell

09:25 Chasing a Storm With Multiple Tornadoes

11:26 Visual Cues for Deviant Tornado Motion

On May 24, 2016, one of the most remarkable storm chasing days in recent memory unfolded across the High Plains near Dodge City, Kansas. In this episode, storm chasers Gabriel Harber and Trey Greenwood break down the legendary "Dodge City Tornado Fest," a cyclic supercell event that produced an astonishing 13 tornadoes from a single storm. The discussion provides an in-depth storm chasing analysis of the meteorological ingredients that led to such prolific tornado production and explains why this event has become a case study for both forecasters and storm chasers.

The setup began with a classic spring High Plains environment featuring a moist, unstable air mass east of a dryline stretching across the central Plains. However, the key ingredient that elevated this day from a typical severe weather setup to a historic tornado outbreak was a stationary outflow boundary left behind by a morning mesoscale convective system (MCS). As the MCS weakened and moved away, it left a wind shift boundary that remained in place across western Kansas. Unlike many outflow boundaries that surge southward with cold air, this boundary destabilized on both sides as surface heating continued, creating an ideal environment for tornadic supercells.

The most explosive storm development occurred near the intersection of the dryline and the outflow boundary, a location well known to storm chasers for maximizing surface convergence and low-level wind shear. When storms initiated along this boundary intersection south of Dodge City, they quickly latched onto the boundary and began producing tornadoes in rapid succession. Extreme instability, including very large convective available potential energy (CAPE) and particularly strong low-level CAPE, combined with highly curved hodographs to create an environment favorable for efficient tornadogenesis.

The episode also explores how radar signatures revealed that the storm would become a cyclic supercell, repeatedly producing tornadoes as new mesocyclones formed during the occlusion process. Chasers observed classic radar features such as a hook echo and boundary interaction that signaled the storm was anchored to the outflow boundary and capable of sustained tornado production.

Beyond the meteorology, the discussion provides practical storm chasing strategy and safety insights, including how to position around a cyclic tornadic supercell and how to anticipate deviant tornado motion, a phenomenon where tornadoes move differently than the parent storm. Understanding this behavior can help chasers avoid dangerous situations when tornadoes deviate northward during the occlusion process.

Overall, the Dodge City tornado event stands as a textbook example of how boundary interactions, extreme instability, and favorable wind shear can combine to create one of the most prolific tornado-producing supercells ever documented.

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Most chasers use satellite imagery—but a lot of them use it wrong. In this episode, Trey Greenwood breaks down the most common satellite mistakes and how to avoid them. From visible to IR to RGB products, we'll help you chase smarter.

00:00 Intro & Why Satellite Matters

02:26 Mistake #1 – Misreading Visible Imagery

05:04 Texture, Height & Storm Maturity

07:43 Mistake #2 – Misusing Infrared Cloud Tops

10:17 IR Trends vs Snapshots

12:48 Mistake #3 – Ignoring RGB products

15:26 Final Thoughts & Satellite Best Practices

Satellite imagery is one of the most powerful tools a storm chaser can use—but only if you know what you're looking at. In this episode, we dive into three of the most common mistakes chasers make when using satellite products, and how to fix them to improve your targeting, timing, and decision-making on chase day.

We start with visible imagery—arguably the most intuitive tool, but also one of the easiest to misread. Trey breaks down what many chasers overlook: storm height and the importance of cloud texture. A tall, bubbling storm with coarse texture may indicate strong vertical development, while flat, smooth anvils could suggest weaker or more stable environments. Recognizing that difference in real time is critical.

Then we move into infrared imagery (IR). While IR is great for night chasing and general storm tracking, many chasers rely too heavily on cloud-top temperatures without context. We explain why cold tops don't always mean strong storms—and how to combine IR data with trends and structure for better insight into storm intensity.

Lastly, we touch on RGB products and less commonly used imagery types. These can be incredibly helpful for identifying features like overshooting tops, gravity waves, or dry air intrusion—but only if you understand how they're built. We emphasize that satellite should never be used in isolation—it's about integrating what you see with radar, models, and surface obs.

Whether you're just starting out or you've chased for years, this episode will sharpen your satellite skills and help you avoid the easy traps that cost chasers good intercepts. If you've ever made a bad target decision based on satellite alone—you're not alone. This one's for you.

#stormchasing #weather #satellite

50 years ago, the U.S. experienced one of the most violent tornado outbreaks in recorded history. With 148 tornadoes in just 24 hours, the 1974 Super Outbreak changed the way we forecast and understand severe weather. In this episode, Trey Greenwood breaks down the meteorology behind the chaos.

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00:00 Overview of the 1974 Super Outbreak

02:00 Human Impact and Iconic F5 Tornadoes

03:40 Meteorological Setup and Ingredients

08:10 April 3rd Dynamics and Storm Development

16:40 Convective Bands and Long-Track Supercells

24:30 Radar Evidence and Simulations

27:30 Why Everything Aligned So Perfectly

On April 3–4, 1974, the U.S. experienced what is still considered one of the most violent and wide-reaching tornado outbreaks in history. In just 24 hours, 148 tornadoes touched down across 13 states, including 30 violent tornadoes and seven rated F5. The Super Outbreak left a lasting mark on the field of meteorology, tornado forecasting, and public safety—and 50 years later, it’s still a benchmark for atmospheric chaos.

In this episode, Trey and Gabriel revisit the Super Outbreak on its 50th anniversary, breaking down what made the setup so volatile. From an unusually strong upper-level trough to deep Gulf moisture and extreme instability, this was a “perfect storm” of meteorological ingredients. They explore how multiple boundaries intersected, creating ideal conditions for storm initiation and rapid intensification.

The conversation also dives into how the science—and the tools—have changed since 1974. Trey explains how modern satellite, radar, and modeling might have captured key features of this setup better than the tools available at the time. The discussion also touches on changes in public communication, the evolution of the SPC, and how an event like this might look today through the lens of 2024 forecasting techniques.

They also highlight specific lessons from the outbreak—like the role of discrete supercells in high-CAPE, high-shear environments—and how storm chasers and forecasters alike can still learn from the patterns of the past.

Whether you’re a meteorology student, storm chaser, or just fascinated by extreme weather history, this episode offers a powerful look at one of the most defining tornado events ever recorded.

#stormchasing #weather #tornado