TSSI continues into the 2010 season, working on some discreet research projects that we began late in the 2007 season. We will continue to report severe criteria to the appropriate outlets to assist with warning and safety. However, photography, video, etc. will be a very secondary activity, only used for documenting and data comparisons between radar and the testing program.

We feel that with the advent of what national TV, media outlets, and sadly even local enthusiasts/"look at me" trophy hunters have done to the storm chasing name in the last couple of years, it has done nothing but damage and embarrass the science, we however will continue moving forward, away from that now tainted stereotype. We will still have to "chase" the storms as always, but the goal has become quite different, and actually very useful and vital, as opposed to those capturing video and deploying probes, both of which have been done for many years, and no longer yields any purposeful data.

While these projects are being kept discreet for now, mainly due to duplication from other entities, we can divulge that they involve specialty equipment capable of detecting tornadic conditions. With accomplished research, we may indeed be designing and researching the next level in warning capabilities. This technology would provide an almost instantaneous warning, as opposed to the 5-6 minute delay currently available from WSR-88D radar sweeps, and at a much cheaper cost than a radar site. While it wouldn't replace radar, it would assist it and give a much faster verification for issuing a warning.

Now that fuel costs have come back down, we are hopeful for an active season, and will be able to travel as needed, within reason of course, and accomplish the large database of information needed for this project.

Stay tuned for further announcements on this project. Once particular steps have been achieved, further information will be released. Otherwise, we continue to manage and build on our sister group, LSSN (above left), which maintains approximately 40 members in 14 counties, and continues to grow. These members are all trained & tested in advanced Skywarn knowledge, and are ham radio operators.