Off.... Storm Chasing in Minnesota

Even the first time chaser knows Minnesota is not in the heart of tornado alley. But they do receive their fair share of severe weather each season. The Storm Prediction Center has hatched a 30% probability of an organized severe weather event across the southern part of the state for Saturday. Severe weather is defined as hail 1" or larger, winds greater than 58 m.p.h, or a tornado.

As I do each season, I plan on flying out for a weekend of enjoying nature at its finest. The strong and severe storms rarely seen or heard on the west coast, are a welcome treat for me. Supercell storms, wall cloud (pictured below), funnel clouds or even tornado's are simply icing on the cake. =)

Current plan is to depart on a red-eye tonight. Stay tuned for updates.

Travel Disruptions Following 8.8 Tsunami in Chile

Since coverage was initiated last night on the powerful 8.8 quake in Chile, Tsunami advisories and warnings have spread throughout the Pacific. In addition to travel disruptions in Chile, other areas throughout the Pacific may be impacted. In the state of Hawai'i where tsunami sirens have sounded and officials are preparing for at least some *minor* coastal impact.

Hilo airport has been closed, and many coastal beaches and residences evacuated. The Honolulu Star Bulletin reports evacuations in Waikiki are going smoothly. As a precautionary measure, most airlines have issued travel waiver allowing customers to postpone travel to the islands. According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach, HI, the initial Tsunami impact will occur around 11:00 HST (about 1pm Pacific).

Photo from the Tsunami Warning Center. Click to enlarge

Snow Likely in on the Valley Floor Monday

The National Weather Service continues to predict snow in parts of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valley's, including in Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto. The snow is expected to begin early Monday morning and last through early afternoon, with total accumulations of 1-3 inches possible. Those of you familiar with the area know, snow is a rare in the Sacramento area.

Not all models are in agreement for this snow event, but if it does pan out, could be a record - as the most significant snowstorm hit Sacramento back way back in 1888, where 2.5 inches of snow fell.

Travelers through Sacramento (SMF) should stay tuned for changing weather conditions.

Elsewhere, snow levels around the Bay Area are expected to drop to 1,000 feet Monday, locally lower in any heavy downpours.

Hurricane Jimena Gaining Strength Off Coast of Mexico

Travelers to Baja California/Cabo should monitor the latest Hurricane Center updates.

As of 11:00 PM Eastern:

Hurricane Watch issued for Southern Baja Region

Jimena was located 255 miles SSW of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico, moving NW at 7mph. Maximum sustained winds are 145mph, making it a Category 4 - major hurricane. The likely track of the storm is illustrated to the left, courtesy of Weather Underground.

Hopes Fade for 228 Aboard Missing French Jet

All 228 people onboard an Air France plane are feared dead after encountering stormy weather late Sunday night over the Atlantic Ocean. AF Flight 447 was enroute to Paris from Rio de Janeiro when it encountered severe turbulence four hours into the flight. Shortly thereafter, a series of automatic messages were sent from the plane reporting electrical faults in the aircraft. No mayday or official communication came from the pilot, but a crew member from a nearby flight reported "bright spots" in the ocean approximately 800 miles from Fernando de Noronha archipelago, in South America.  Authorities are currently scouring the sea looking for the possible wreckage site. 

United Passengers Injured On Flight to SFO

United Airlines reported today that a seven passengers aboard UA flight 886 were injured with the plane encountered severe turbulence Tuesday morning over the Pacific, while en route to San Francisco. The flight originated from Osaka, Japan. The airline reports none of the injured are considered serious.

Vacation Idea: Storm Chasing

Not for the faint-hearted, storm chasing vacations allow one to get up close and personal with severe storms, and on a "good" day, even encounter tornado's.

Tornado alley as it's known, stretches throughout much of the Midwest and west of the Appalachian mountains of the United States. Although tornadoes can occur almost anywhere in the United States, including right here in Northern California (the picture to the left was taken at Sacramento International Airport), during the early summer months, storms are particularly severe and plentiful in Tornado Alley. As such, professionals and amateurs alike gather in the "alley" awaiting the opportunity to encounter the awesome power of mother nature. Speaking from personal experience, it is a feeling unlike any other.

Forbes Traveler recently wrote on professional tour operators dedicated to those interested in partaking in storm chasing. Many of these operators are well-versed in meteorology and storm chasing, and chase storms equipped with the latest high-tech equipment allowing them to identify regions storms are most likely to break out.