CHASE ARCHIVES
Monsoon Season 2001-2008
In 2001 I began using a video camera to document my chases and was able to capture some memorable chase moments through 2007. These were all chases using NO mobile internet and NO laptop.
2007
It was a very active monsoon season in Southern Califonia yet I ended up choosing to stay home waiting for monsoon storms to come to me rather than chasing quality setups during all but one event. I reflect back on this and feel frustrated for my lack of seriousness at the time. I have eight monsoon events documented on video from my house that could have been excellent chases in of themselves. For this lack of sensible decision making I only have one documented chase during the 2007 monsoon season. Coincidentally, I did not fair much better during the rest of the year as well sitting out winter, spring, and fall setups spotting from home instead.
August 31, 2007
Lake Elsinore, CA - Monsoon setup along the Elsinore Convergenze Zone triggers severe thunderstorm from Lake Elsinore to Perris and much of the southern Inland Empire. I targeted the south end of Lake Elsinore along Mission Trail south of Diamond Drive as a severe thunderstorm blew up seemingly in munutes. The storm produced a microburst that caused significant damage in the area with torn off roofs in a shooping center along Lakeshire Drive, downed powerlines, snapped trees, and a power pole completey sheared in half.
2006
A strong and significantly active monsoon season in Southern Califonia, but only ending up chasing four events. I spent the rest of the monsoon season staying home waiting for storms to come to me. Frustrating when I reflect back because several events were significant such as July 21 and 22 when widespread thunderstorms occured across the Elsinore Convergence Zone in the southern Inland Empire. Coincidentally, I sat out all chasing opportunities during the winter, spring, and fall seasons.
September 5, 2006
Wildomar, CA - Monsoon setup along the southwestern edge of the Elsinore Convergenze Zone triggered a severe thunderstorm over Wildomar and Murietta. I targeted Wildomar along Clinton Keith Rd just east of I-15 as the towers were going up just east of I-15. Within minutes the storm produced a damaging microburst that flipped an abandoned mobile home along Clinton Kieth Rd.
September 4, 2006
Lake Elsinore/Hemet, CA - Monsoon event with Elsinore Convergence Zone initiation over Lake Elsinore. Began chase in Lake Elsinore following a storm as it crossed west over the lake into the Santa Ana Mtns. Repositioned in Hemet as new storms fired over Beaumont drifing south over Hemet. Storms were fairly high-based and did not produce much except occasional lightning and light showers.
September 3, 2006
Quail Valley, CA - Monsoon setup along the Elsinore Convergenze Zone triggered a severe thunderstorm over Quail Valley, Sun City, and Canyon Lake. I targeted Quail Valley along Goetz Rd and Newport Rd. Heavy rain and pea size hail were encounterd.
July 22, 2006
Lake Elsinore, CA - Monsoon setup along the Elsinore Convergenze Zone triggered a severe thunderstorms all across the Inland Empire. Quick short chase around my local community as a severe thunderstorm moved through the area.
2005
August 6, 2005
Perris, CA - Classic Elsinore Convergence Zone monsoon setup. Targeted a severe thunderstorm in Perris. Storm produced +70mph winds during a microburst that toppled 16 power poles along San Jacinto Ave. Flooding also observed along Goetz Rd.
July 24, 2005
Calimesa/Beaumont, CA - Severe thunderstorms broke out in the Inland Empire region of Southern California around Beaumont and Hemet, and along the Elsinore Convergence Zone. I intercepted a severe thunderstorm near Calimesa and others in an near Beaumont. Other severe thunderstorms were over Perris and Lake Elsinore which I was not able to intercept in time.
July 23, 2005
Murietta, CA - Thunderstorms broke out in the Inland Empire region of Southern California around Hemet, Murietta, and Temecula along a southern flanking Elsinore Convergence Zone boundary. I got a late start in my chase and attempted an intercept on a southwest moving cell over Murietta and Temecula. Came up on it during its dissipation stage and observed its last dying moments from the east side of Murrietta. No photos or appreciable video of this chase.
2004
August 13, 2004
Lake Elsinore, CA - Monsoon thunderstorms across the Inland Empire region of Southern Califirnia during the early morning hours. Chased a morning storm moving over Lake Elsinore.
2003
July 26, 2003
Phelan, CA - Classic monsoon event in the western Mojave Desert as storms fire along the El Mirage Convergence Zone between Phelan and Lake Los Angeles. Targeted stationary storm cells near Phelen.
2001
September 3, 2001
Monsoon event in Southern Califionia with initiation along the El Mirage Convergence Zone in the western Mojave Desert. Targeted southern intiation zone in Phelan and Pinyon Hills.