Text and embedded images ©1994-2006 by Roger Edwards, last updated 24 Dec 6
list of favorite web sites, Storm Intercept Forecasting links list, Roger's Rants essays and editorials or my "Weather or Not" blog. 
Break out the pork rinds, pop open a cold Diet Dr Pepper, sit back, and get ready to wade in a sea of government acronyms!
Right now, I'm a meteorologist for the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, Oklahoma. [SPC was the Severe Local Storms Unit (SELS) of the National Severe Storms Forecast Center (NSSFC).] SPC is part of the National Weather Service, which is (for now) part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is (for now) part of the Department of Commerce.
I joined the old NSSFC as a "SELS Assistant" (now called SPC Outlook Forecaster) in April 1993 ,and was promoted to the mesoscale desk in September 1995. [Later, both positions were combined.] My responsibilities include writing Mesoscale Discussions, watch Status Reports, and Day-1 through Day-3 Convective Outlooks and experimental in-house products (i.e., Day 4-8 outlook composites). Although I intensly dislike experiencing both coldness and prolonged drought, the challenges of winter and fire weather forecasting has arrived at SPC; and I've plunged right in, training for and filling in at that desk. I used to also write the National Weather Summary, which became extinct on 30 September 1995 due to budget cuts and privatization. Other duties include extensive analysis of maps (by hand -- the right way!), assisting in preparation of tornado/severe thunderstorm watches, coordination with local NWS offices, research projects and publications. I was SPC's web master from 1995 to early 1999, and remain active on the SPC website with The Online Tornado FAQ and a bunch of other pages. Add to all that a veritable plethora of occasional quasi-secretarial duties including quality control of automated severe weather report logs, data archival, paperwork filing for forecast archives, and computer troubleshooting. The automated severe weather report system feeds the very preliminary SPC Severe Storm Reports Logs and Killer Tornado List.
Before accepting an appointment to SELS, I spent over 3 years at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, FL -- my 2nd favorite city on the face of the planet. Working mainly in the Tropical Satellite Analysis and Forecast unit (TSAF, a.k.a. TAFB), I wrote the Atlantic Tropical Weather Discussion, the east Pacific TWD, Satellite Interpretation Message (now part of the TWDAT), Atlantic high seas Forecasts, as well as the NHC 6-hourly tropical/midlatitude map analyses. I was also the focal point for the VDUC computer system, a McIDAS -based mainframe IBM system with several terminals for satellite/radar image display and weather analysis, which SPC also has. Best of all, I got to experience the most destructive natural disaster in U.S. history -- Hurricane Andrew, front-row center, since my apartment complex was located in the north part of the eyewall. Here are my photos of its destruction.
My McIDAS work dates back to my days at the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, where I was a student research assistant and storm intercept team member for all 4 years of my undergraduate life. At NSSL, I also did a lot of Doppler radar data analysis and interpretation, and managed the NSSL severe storm photo/video collection. I got my B.S. from the School of Meteorology at the University of Oklahoma in 1989. During my first couple semesters of grad school there, I was also a teaching assistant.
I was on my way to an M.S. with no idea what would happen thereafter, when NHC suddenly called, offering me a job as their first entry-level meteorologist (derisively known in most old-time NWS circles as "met-intern"). You don't turn down THAT opportunity! Needless to say, I said "hasta la vista baby," leaving my M.S. in hibernation and heading for the sun, sand, and surf of South Florida. No regrets at all: At age 25, I had already worked at NSSL, NHC, and NSSFC -- a dream-come-true multiplied by 3 -- and the valuable experiences that each place gave me made the next one possible. What a great ride! But I have settled down in Norman, and plan on staying with SPC there for a long time.
I don't show up in a lot of photos (for which some say they're thankful! :-)) but here's a field pose in Goodland KS with Matt Foster and the Meatwagon; on a relatively warm day atop the highest point on Colorado's Mt. Evans, at 14,264 feet; atop orphaned sandstone in the Ogalalla National Grassland (NE); and in the Texas Panhandle doing what I love most -- observing and photographing storms.
I have two beautiful children (here comforting an injured kitty near Obertrum, Austria). They're compassionate and brilliant, but also possess the innate destructive power of the 4 hurricanes they were named after. My 13 year old son, David Andrew ( here seeking adventure at age 4, in the Atlantic off Key Biscayne) is bright, outgoing, extremely energetic, very talkative and enthusiastic. He loves storms, math, hiking, fishing, Pokemon, rodeo, watching football and playing basketball. He is also a great big hoss for his age -- off the growth charts since he was 2 months old -- strong as a little moose. His name was inspired by the south Florida hurricanes David (1979) and Andrew (1992). Read of some of his hilarious weather quotes from early childhood on the Kinderweenies list.
In December '95, hurricane Donna Camille made landfall in my cyclonic family. (The real hurricane Donna caused immense devastation up the east coast from the Florida Everglades to New England in 1960; and Camille was the strongest mainland U.S. hurricane ever recorded.) Donna is a relatively quiet but brilliant little girl who enjoys storms (yes, she did that on her own at age 6!), loves books and animals, and wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. She has always had a rich vocabulary for a kid her age -- using words like "actually" and "explain" in the right context at 2. [She was doing 3-digit addition and subtraction on her own before her sixth birthday, and demanding more.] She is a straight-A student, sees herself as a rival and equal to her big brother and firmly believes she can do anything he can. Why not? Here is Donna serenely contemplating the world at age 1 from atop Mt. Scott.
Needless to say, I love these kids and watching them grow and learn. Being a parent (not "parenting") is very hard; but the rewards come in moments such as one in fall 2000, when Donna said, "Daddy, you make me so happy to be a little girl." Here's a few examples of why they make me happy to be a dad -- from my old Dallas park, Virginia Beach, at the final StormTrack party, Flower Mound, and building a stone river crossing in the Italian Dolomites. Yes, we like to travel. I believe not in giving kids stuff (which stay here when you die), but instead expereinces (which are forever). I would much rather afford them a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, a splash from an orca in Miami's Seaquarium, or a majestic view across the Ontario side of Lake Superior, than anything material at all, except for books. David and Donna are avid readers, she having read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe the summer after kindergarten, he having read over 100 books from 2004 through 2005 and 25,000 pages in the summer of 2006 alone.
I can't fail to give credit to some great friends, too. Rich -- my college roommate, former best-man, most trusted and reliable storm intercept partner over the decades, and current co-worker -- has been there through it all. David the "Joisey Boy", RJ "Lightning Magnet"...a dude can't ask for better friends, who prove that great people show up in life at the right times.
And last but definitely not least in recognizing special people, there is my wife Elke -- a phenomenally intelligent, insightful, spiritual, artistic and compassionate woman, gifted photographer and storm observer, creativity exemplified, a uniquely deep appreciator of the wonders of those sweeping Great Plains skyscapes, and much more: my confidant, soulmate, consanguinuity, and partner, in severe weather and in life.
New to the household is our black longhair cat Iniki (yes, also named after a hurricane); though at various points in life I have had other pets...cats, dogs, fish, snakes, tarantulas and even a roadrunner.
I'm extremely proud to be a native Texan from Dallas -- the city itself, not the suburbs -- born there to Virginia and (the late) Otto Edwards in May 1967 -- lived there from birth to the start of college. Click here (155K GIF), and you'll see just a small one of the many reasons why this is my favorite place on the face of the planet! I attended Woodrow Wilson HS, Alex Spence Middle School (TAG Academy) and Robert E. Lee Elementary. My longest-lived nickname, El Gran Rogelio (Rogelio for short, pronounced ro-HAY-leo for those unfamiliar with Spanish), was given to me by a long-lost barrio buddy in the "East Dallas Lowriders." A classmate and fellow school newspaper editor at Woodrow, Tim Brown, has had some notable athletic success; and Woodrow is the only high school in America to have graduated two Heisman Trophy winners (the other being Davey O'Brien.
How in the world did I get into weather? Growing up in North Texas, I was in numerous severe thunderstorms, up to baseball size hail, and at least a dozen supercells...even saw a tornado (26 May 76) from my front yard. [Sorry, no picture. My mom's old Brownie 620 camera had no film in it!!!] When I was a baby, I'd crawl to the door to look at lightning. I can't remember NOT being fascinated by violent storms. Now I'm a professional severe storms forecaster, with violent weather as both my profession and main hobby. It's great to get paid to do what I enjoy most!
Through all my notorious hard luck in storm intercepts, I have had been fortunate to witness a few of weather history's greatest headlines. Shortly after arriving in Kansas City, and less than a year after riding out the north eyewall of Hurricane Andrew, I got to watch first-hand another epic disaster -- the Midwest Floods of 1993 -- the costliest flooding on record. Six years later I observed 11 tornadoes (including the Oklahoma City F5) during the $1.2 billion 3 May 99 tornado outbreak. This means I have had the dubious honor of witnessing in person the most destructive weather disasters of their kind (hurricane, flood and tornado) in American history. Despite that, I much rather would see these events pass past populated areas. A short writeup for Stormeyes tells how I feel about this irony as a conscientious storm observer.
SPEAKING OUT: I have composed several meteorological writings and commentary on other issues on a separate editorial page, along with an ever-expanding list of short book reviews and a BLOG. So for some insight into the "mind behind the madness," check it out.
"I FEAST ON THE SMORGASBORD OF ATMOSPHERIC VIOLENCE"
I am a dedicated storm observer, who has gone on hundreds of "storm chases" in the last 20 years -- doing so for hard science at NSSL years before Twister was even conceived. It is mildly ironic that the activities I was involved with in the mid 1980s (TOTO and other NSSL storm intercept programs) formed a big basis for Twister, which to my great dismay has popularized storm observing, "dumbed" it down, and and made it an overhyped, commercialized fad sport. I applaud those who are doing their best to educate people by promoting safety and sanity, in a rather twisted way (no pun intended) -- by sacrificing a little of my former storm intercept vehicle so they can be recognized. Though The Meatwagon Award has a tongue-in-cheek feel and provides lots of laughs when presented, only a few will receive it. [More winners to be announced when I can sneak the award on them.]
I'm also a member of the Texas Severe Storms Association, former subscriber/contributor to Storm Track (the old Hoadley/Marshall storm chasing magazine), and current editor of the Online Storm Chasing FAQ. I have finally lost touch with the "storm chasing" group WX-CHASE, because of its intellectual deterioration and decreasing relevance in recent years.
Unfortunately, for many years I had an amazing knack for missing most of the biggest tornado intercept days due to work: 12 Apr 91, 26 Apr 91, 15-16 Jun 92, 5-8 May 93, 7 Jun 93, 2 Jun 95, 8 Jun 95...and many others. In fact, the first bigtime tornado "outbreak" I was able to witness was 19 Apr 96 in central IL, the only other, 3 May 99 in central Oklahoma. The most humbling thing I've learned -- the hard way -- is that for me, "tornado chasing" is largely a futile endeavor. I could live and chase another 70 years and never see my first high-contrast "wedge." That's OK, though; the other experiences make it well worthwhile.
A good test of dedication and patience for the hundreds of Johnny-come-latelies would be to endure 61 straight chases with no tornadoes, as I did during the record-shattering southern Plains tornado drought of the mid/late 80s. [Rich "0-fer" Thompson, original chase partner and the other Chump of the Two Chumps, set the record with 69 straight no-tornado chases during the same span and into 1990!] The point is not to wear my seemingly masochistic perseverance as a badge of courage, but to illustrate how difficult storm observing can be for the many who have been spoiled by richer tornado fortunes in the 1990s and 2000s. I still keep going with unwavering enthusiasm and desire to learn in the field, despite the growing hordes.
You see, I observe storms wherever I can, to learn ever more about how and what they do, to contribute to meteorology, to photograph spectacular clouds and storm structure, and to experience the stark majesty of springtime on the wide open spaces of the Great Plains. That's motivation enough.
The online clearinghouse for storm chasing information is the StormTrack-Storm Chaser Home Page. At home, and when I can access the 'net on the road, I use my Storm Intercept Forecasting hotlist. When keeping track of tropical weather (ahd helping friends who are hurricane chasers) I use my Tropical Forecasting hotlist. Check out the Storm Chasing FAQ for answers to questions about storm observing. For the lighter side, check out some of the history-making entries in the (in)Famous Storm Chase Vehicles Home Page. To learn more about tornadoes, see the Online Tornado FAQ (mirror site for my FAQ at the Storm Prediction Center).
Storm observing (more commonly known as storm chasing) can very educational -- the atmosphere as the ultimate laboratory -- nurturing Great Plains adventures that are filled with awe, excitement, and cameraderie. It can be beneficial to science and society, by means of accurately documenting, measuring and reporting severe weather. Intercepting severe storms can also be deadly, and has resulted in permanent damage to some people's bodies, minds, friendships, finances and marriages. If you want to become a storm observer, or already are but haven't read them yet, I STRONGLY urge you to read these two extremely important essays:
Storm Chaser Ethics by long-time storm observer and NWS forecaster Al Moller, and
Storm Chasing Safety by NSSL scientist and veteran storm watcher Chuck Doswell. Those are the creeds that the best storm observers follow. If you head out without heeding the wisdom of Chuck and Al's articles, you may be greatly endangering yourself, other chasers, and other citizens through your ignorance and negligence.
For your education and/or provocation, I also offer several editorials related to storm "chasing" on my opinion page, Roger's Rants, as well as a provocative and often entertaining BLOG containing shorter, more frequent musings.
Why do I write about safety, responsibility, and greed in storm observing? Because I have a forum to do so -- and most of all, because I care! Afterall, my life and family are on the line, and so are yours if you choose this hobby. Even the most conscientious and experienced person can make a tragic mistake. I almost have, on a few occasions. But now, there's a big problem out there on those stormy Great Plains roadways -- from those "yahoos" who behave in unsafe, reckless, and often illegal ways. Chuck has said: "If you ruin it for me, I'm going to come looking for you." By contrast, I may not waste my time hunting down irresponsible idiots; but as a big old Vato Loco from East Dallas, I have no problem removing them from my presence when confronted!
Finally, there is a growing concern about storm watchers among Great Plains law enforcement officials, and vice versa. Read this article by Jon Davies and you'll understand why.
[Yes, I have a life outside weather!]
I am a lifelong, die-hard, intense fan of professional sports' greatest franchise ever, your 5-time Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys. I grew up watching Roger Staubach* , Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Tony Dorsett*, Randy White*, Harvey Martin, Bob Breunig, Tony Hill, D.D. Lewis, Mel Renfro*, Jethro Pugh, Drew Pearson, Billy Joe DuPree, Bob Lilly*, Lee Roy Jordan, coach Tom Landry* and the rest of America's Team put on their heroics every Sunday. In fall 1989, when they went 1-15, I wore my old Cowboys jacket every day -- in proud defiance of all those gutless little fair-weather fans. In the 90s, their re-ascension to championship power, with future Hall of Famers Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith,was so great for a fan who's been there through the best and worst times. Jaded Cowboys-haters said otherwise before each of their last 2 Super Bowl titles, but the 'Boys ain't dead yet. Things have been grim for a few years down at Valley Ranch; but things are now looking better...look out NFL! In the meantime, fans of any of the latest NFL wonders...before you puff out your chests too much, check out the 5 Super Bowl championship trophies shown here. That is the unsurpassed standard of excellence still coveted by your team!!!!
I also follow the improving Dallas Mavericks , your 1999 Stanley Cup Champion Dallas Stars , the Texas Rangers, your 1997 World Series Champion Florida Marlins, and of course the 7-time (and Y2K) national football champion Oklahoma Sooners. I developed a fan page about the Rangers devoted exclusively to what Rangers fans have had to endure.
I've been into saltwater fishing since age 5; as a kid, my folks and I would go on week-long bus trips to Gulf coastal towns, stay in the cheapest beachfront motels, and fish all night/every night. [Another reason I love south Florida -- there's nothing like fishin' in the Keys!] When I can't see the sea, I head to the rivers and lakes for some bass, catfish, or crappie action.
I play softball, and remain an outfielder for the Cyclones, fall 1994 Kansas City league champions and twice champions of our Norman league since 1996. [The franchise was relocated from KC to Norman in 1996 after our demands for a better playing arena went unmet. :-)] I'm also into gardening; yard work is actually fun. It's quite a challenge to get good things to grow without artificial chemicals in the infertile red clay of the Norman area, where scrubby versions of post oak, blackjack, and red cedar predominate amidst the upland prairie grasses. [Hint -- amend the hard red clay with a combination of compost, river or beach sand from anywhere, and calcareous, gray-black loam from atop limestone bedrock, e.g., import some bags of limey North Texas and Kansas soils.] My rock landscaping has stones of every type and age -- Archean to Pleistocene -- from most places I have visited; and geologic processes fascinate me endlessly. I've been collecting soda cans for over 16 years, and welcome any hot tips on new and/or unusual can designs or soda brands. My music: a little Caribbean here, a little Tejano there, but mainly hard rock and country.
Finally but most importantly, credit and praise goes to God, simply because He is.
For my e-mail addresses, and to send e-mail, go to my mail page.
All images on this page were created on my own time and equipment (including nocookies.gif), and are Copyright © 1994-2006 by Roger Edwards, all rights reserved. The small icons were created using Icon Magic (tm) for Windows, and converted to GIF format using Image Alchemy (tm).
