In a previous blog entry (http://blog.joeware.net/2009/12/05/1826/) I mentioned a need for some software for the Storm Chasers… A person (name withheld to protect the guilty) sent me a nice informative email on some of this stuff and I wanted to share parts of it… Note I did ask for permission first…
“Most chasers and spotters, including myself, use a product called GRLevel3 (http://grlevelx.com/grlevel3/) which is a Windows-based NEXRAD radar client. It pulls super-clear radar images in real-time from anywhere in the USA. Along with that, we also use a product from the SpotterNetwork (http://www.spotternetwork.org/feeds.php) which aggregates the real-time location information on trained spotters and chasers, all part of the network, which then populates this data into the GRLEvel3 product. Since it also includes spotter callsigns, we’re able to identify each other and where we’re at in real-time. The SpotterNetwork also includes feeds for Google Earth that could easily be pulled in, but does not have flexible radar information. The only limitation that I see would be being able to relay information about washed out roads and bridges, damage from tornadoes, etc.”
I was also told to check out a website called http://www.stormreportmap.com which aggregates hail, wind and tornado reports from spotters, EMS services, and others — in real time. I am a geek, while this isn’t my area of expertise or even a hobby area, it is still terribly cool to me…
Enjoy!
joe
