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Posts And Comments For October 2013

Posted: Oct 31, 2013, 5:25 PM

Chris Collura updated his status.

Thinking about and really missing my mom right now. God bless her ... She brought nothing but hapiness and inspiration into my life from infancy to adulthood. Now's the time to remember your mom - Alive or not - And the good things she blessed you with - Even some of those "things" that may not be so obvious.

Posted: Oct 31, 2013, 5:22 PM

Chris Collura added a new photo.


Departing Phoenix, AZ to the east (looking North). Camelback Mountain and Scottsdale is to the upper right of the photo. Picture taken in mid October 2013.

Posted: Oct 31, 2013, 5:13 PM

Chris Collura added a new photo.


While looking DOWN at a cirrostratus deck of clouds from an airliner flying at 41,000 feet, a brilliant "copy" of the sun appears below us! Ice crystals, in the shape of hexogonal plates, reflect back the sunlight in a shimmering fashion (like a retro-reflector on a bike). This was in the fall of 2013 over West Virginia.

Posted: Oct 31, 2013, 5:04 PM

Chris Collura added a new photo.


Cold-core convective shower (snow mixed with rain) near Toronto, Canada in late October 2013. The freezing level is a mere 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL).

Posted: Oct 31, 2013, 4:58 PM

Chris Collura added a new photo.


Here is a cold front (with stratocumulus behind it - North is to the left) pushing southward over W Pennsylvania viewed from an aircraft (flying at about 41,000 feet MSL) in late October 2013.

Posted: Oct 31, 2013, 4:48 PM

Chris Collura added a new photo.


No - This definitely NOT 'HAARP'! Just a bunch of contrails from high-flying jets on a Monday morning somewhere between Toronto, Canada and Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Over the Eastern USA at 41,000 feet) in late October 2013.

Posted: Oct 30, 2013, 3:53 PM

Chris Collura updated his status.

2013 ... The 'year' of two to three mile wide tornadoes and a hurricane season that was non-existant. Getting ready for Halloween and then thanksgiving. With my mom gone - I'll try my hand this year at the cooking!

Posted: Oct 29, 2013, 7:17 PM

Chris Collura updated his status.

Not much going on - Sorry...

Posted: Oct 24, 2013, 7:43 AM

Chris Collura updated his status.

OK ... Just did a major clean house on my Facebook account. Eliminated a LOT of "friends" off my list (things like "Meteo Italio" and "Swiss Chasers" and such - Totally irrelevant to US), plus eliminated frequent gamer / SPAM requesters.

If you still see me - Yes - You are still my friend! If I accidentally removed someone, I can easily re-add them. Also, I will review carefully who I add going forward (to avoid "noise" and non-interests).

Posted: Oct 23, 2013, 5:17 PM

Chris Collura added a new photo.


The tropics has appeared to finally shut down for good for 2013 - After the most disappointing season I've seen since the 80's (if that). So that famous 'fat lady singing' thread appears again (sigh)... LOL ... She's not singing a happy song as 2013 didn't have much in this (western) hemisphere - It must be the Blues ;-) I think she was singing since June 1 and we did not want to hear it!

Posted: Oct 22, 2013, 1:22 PM

Chris Collura added a new photo.


Close up (macro) of a bee on my windshield (S Florida in October 2013) ... Not a bad Macro shot for an iPhone!

Posted: Oct 21, 2013, 4:41 PM

Chris Collura added a new photo.


Hiking on Camelback Mountain - Near Phoenix, Arizona - October 2013 - Walking along steep ridge.

Posted: Oct 21, 2013, 4:41 PM

Chris Collura added a new photo.


Hiking on Camelback Mountain - Near Phoenix, Arizona - October 2013 - Cactus.

Posted: Oct 21, 2013, 4:41 PM

Chris Collura added a new photo.


Hiking on Camelback Mountain - Near Phoenix, Arizona - October 2013 - Sheer cliff.

Posted: Oct 21, 2013, 8:46 AM

Chris Collura updated his status.

Back in S Florida after pretty good FoxPro / SQL conference. I see another fish storm developing way out in central Atlantic (boo) ... As well as more pictures of cats posted on here lately - Not a good sign when you are a storm chaser!

Posted: Oct 18, 2013, 7:42 AM

Chris Collura updated his status.

Change of pace ... Working in Phoenix for few days!

Posted: Oct 13, 2013, 9:03 PM

Chris Collura likes a video on YouTube.

YouTubeMr. Bill Skydive Lake Waleshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrdeJuAnx10

Posted: Oct 12, 2013, 5:13 PM

Chris Collura updated his status.

Skydive today ... 2 jumps with exit and open at 14k feet with buddies doing canopy maneuvers and front riser turns (wicked)!

Meanwhile ... With mom gone and rising costs of living here in S FL (as well as dashed tropical chase prospects that probably will last years) I'm considering moving to California during the next year for better job opportunities.

Who knows, the NEXT Tim I see winds over 100 MPH on a tropical system - It may be in the pacific (or in a typhoon) the way this patterns goin'!

Not many nice folks here in FL either. Most of my friends are in CA. We'll see how the next several months goes...

Posted: Oct 11, 2013, 5:05 PM

Chris Collura likes a video on YouTube.

YouTubeExtreme Hail / Car Destroyed - Ogallala, NE - June 27, 1999http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ4X1lYrEKk

Posted: Oct 11, 2013, 9:39 AM

Chris Collura updated his status.

Chasing is DONE for the year - The tropics (in this hemisphere) are done.

It's been real... Thanks W-PAC!

Posted: Oct 10, 2013, 11:12 AM

Chris Collura updated his status.

That's it ... I've had it with this BS.

I'm saving my $$$ so I can join in on the typhoons next year IF the Atlantic remains like crap.

Maybe I'll be interested in joining in with the folks from the iCyclone team!

Never been over there ... Would be nice seeing a WORTH WHILE storm there too...

Posted: Oct 9, 2013, 1:01 PM

Chris Collura added a new photo.


Anyone know that these two distant "stars" are in this image? This is the view of the Earth and the Moon from near Saturn's rings (the rings making the sky appear dark blue) a billion miles away from the Cassini space probe in July 2013. Yes ... All our children, plants, life, celebrations, wars, achievements are on the little 'bluish white' dot to the left.We are very small indeed (sigh).

Posted: Oct 9, 2013, 9:12 AM

Chris Collura updated his status.

No chase this week ... Figured I'd do better at work where money is to be made. I did not like the linear / meridonal flow, fast motions, and night-time event for 10/10 near NW KS / Nebraska.

Why waste time and money on any US chase this fall (after 10/4, that was the ONE to be on - But was too expensive = Thanks NASCAR!) ... Especially when some buddies of mine are catching 2 (or even three now) typhoons in the W Pacific... I'd be quite embarrassed to chase.

Posted: Oct 8, 2013, 8:31 AM

Chris Collura updated his status.

Damn ... So tempting: Take Thursday and Friday off and chase W KS area? Or just stay here and finish some extra projects here at work?

The shear looks fantastic, HOWEVER ... This is the issue: Meridonal flow aloft (SE at surface, but S all the way up to 250 mb, not the SW and then WSW we need. Fast storm motions, possible linear forcing (remember May 29 this year?) ... And, most importantly, lack of good moisture (50-55 dewpoints).

It's a tough call, but I have until Wednesday morning to decide...

Posted: Oct 6, 2013, 7:37 PM

Chris Collura updated his status.

Miami Dolphins lost by a missed field goal today (10/6) to Baltimore 23 - 26 in a tough fight!

Weather wise, big upcoming trough will be moisture starved towards weeks end - probably in chase there.

The tropics? Forget it. Want some 'asian action' (I mean tropical cyclones)? Well then try jumping across the planet and check out what Josh Morgerman and James Reynolds are up to - They seem to have the 'floor' for some time ;)

Posted: Oct 6, 2013, 12:01 PM


Go Dolphins!!!Place: Sun Life Stadium (25.957209528659, -80.239151716232) Address: 2269 NW 199th St, Miami Gardens, Florida 33056

Posted: Oct 5, 2013, 7:07 AM

Chris Collura updated his status.

It's Saturday (10/5) after probably one of the WORST weeks of my life. I am still not taking my loss of my mom very well. On top of that, has not been a good week here socially OR at work...

To add salt (or more rheotorically - LYE) in an already infected wound ... I'm watching buddies of mine enjoyng a typhoon in the W Pacific, and missed a great tornado outbreak (simply because of bad timing and high airfares) ... And the old real plans for Karen got - well - quite literally - torn apart.

I'm watching another big trough possibly affecting the central US by late next week - This time there should be no funeral, work is lighter (where I can take off), and a better choice of cheaper airfares (IF it verifies).

I was in the supermaret and just passing the pancake aisle made me get into tears (the same pancakes mom made me as a kid). I was so embarrassed, a woman there saw me all messed up (I was turning my face cuz I was crying) and asked me if I needed help...

Yeah, maybe I do ... I just need "a storm or SOMETHING" to get my mind off my mom.

Posted: Oct 4, 2013, 8:26 PM

Chris Collura updated his status.

It ain't over till it's over ... No hurricanes but spring type SVR weather instead!

By late next week (October 10-11 or so) ... Many models are showing another intense trough entering the west!

If we get moisture to return, another round of violent weather may be on tap (central USA) ...

Posted: Oct 4, 2013, 8:01 PM

Chris Collura updated his status.

Finished with chasing (or worrying about it) until 2014...

... Good night all and thanks for the great chase posts from (10/4).

Posted: Oct 4, 2013, 5:39 PM

Chris Collura updated his status.

Following along this Friday evening (wishing I was there - But just could not be this time) on the tornadoes in IA / NE. I really hope no one got hurt on this day chasing. God bless any of the victims losing property and / or lives :-(


Meanwhile here in S Florida ... NOTHING - Beautiful here. Karen is a ball of sheared mush at this time, stalled in the Gulf off Louisiana. Buddies Josh Morgerman and James Reynolds are way out in the W Pacific for Typhoon Fitow.


A little WX action WOULD be nice, but maybe seeing the Miami Dolphins play sunday would be nice! God bless my mom ... I'm sure she's looking down on those storms!

Posted: Oct 4, 2013, 4:50 PM


Wow...

Posted: Oct 4, 2013, 6:18 AM

Chris Collura updated his status.

When the world comes to an end ... S Florida should be the last to "go".

Posted: Oct 3, 2013, 2:40 PM

Chris Collura updated his status.

Moms funeral went very well today (10/3). Thanks everyone who came!

Not much to say about Karen due to her west movement (if she went NE = less shear)...

Speaking of 'shear' ... Use extreme caution in N Iowa / S MN Friday (10/4) ... Not chasing that thanks to $700+ R/T airfares.

Posted: Oct 3, 2013, 2:49 AM

Chris Collura updated his status.

Funeral today ... Then what? Tropical chase in gulf coast or a $700 plane ticket to MN / Iowa?

Posted: Oct 2, 2013, 5:25 PM

Chris Collura updated his status.

My mom's funeral is tomorrow ... So toNITE - I am gonna get really (and I mean 'REALLY') fucked up :(

Posted: Oct 2, 2013, 1:04 PM

Chris Collura updated his status.

I am here today to speak about a very special person - Geraldine Collura. She was stricken with an illness she fought hard with since mid 2010 - And during the night on September 12, God decided her time was done here and she passed on to be with him.

Geraldine was a kind lady who meant very well. She had two wonderful parents, who I called "grandma and grandpa" - Whom which Geraldine now rests with forever in peace, and joy, and - most importantly - in our hearts.

She is survived by her husband, Richard, whom which she just finished celebrating her 48th anniversary with ... And her two children, myself, and my brother Ricky. Geraldine influenced much of us in many ways, and in particular, only in ways a loving, caring mother can do.

When I was sad, she went to great lengths to cheer me up (example: Using an air pump to dry my eyes). I was terrified of thunderstorms as a child ... And she was there, along with her parents, to turn that “fear” into inspiration ... Now I am a storm chaser.

She made sure I never missed a class ... Now I am an engineer. Every school morning, she made me pancakes - just with butter and sugar - with two little Flintstones vitamins and a glass of milk.

She scolded me when I was bad, and rewarded me when I was good ... Keeping me going in the right direction, away from harm’s way. She struggled at times in her marriage, but never gave up loving and making it work out, no matter what.

Now may her soul go on to a better place, with her loving parents, and grandparents ... As well as in ALL of our hearts and minds. Geraldine will be everywhere. Always. God bless my beautiful “mom” Gerie.

Posted: Oct 2, 2013, 9:35 AM

Chris Collura added a new photo.


Vertical Stackiness is LITERALLY a "world away"...

Posted: Oct 1, 2013, 6:03 PM

Chris Collura updated his status.

This country just keeps getting better ... And I get more and more 'itcy' to get OUT of it (soon). NO - That's besides the fact that a hurricane WONT hit the US until 2025.

Uptight, nasty and money grubbing people. Yes, I'm 44, still single. I'm NOT rich either, maybe that's the problem?

All the fun things are 'goin away' ... No more airshows. No national parks. Sorry we're closed folks (Wally World - Punch the Moose) - Sorry.

And the IDIOT in office (our president) ... LOL - but you know what I'm implying...

It's going to be a looooooonnnnnggg ride - Enjoy :(

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