Storm Chasing Information

[Clayton9504]

I am a future storm chaser and have great photography skills. But I would like to find out more information about storm chasing so I can start my own team, or join one. So I ask that if you know any of the following information please reply.

• Laws That Effect Storm Chasers
• Good Storm Chasing Teams to Join
• How do Chasers get Funding

 

[TimAM]

Hi, I've studied a lot this past year and while I'm not a chaser, I do some storm spotting. Laws are the same as any ordinary citizen. It's a general rule of thumb to obey laws and to report severe weather conditions (911 if it is major like a tornado or flash flooding). Another rule of thumb is to help anyone that has been hit by a tornado or any severe weather immediately. I'm not sure about any storm chasing teams that would let anyone not experienced join. DO NOT go out chasing unless you are experienced or with someone experienced. Chasers rarely get funded because chasing is mainly a hobby, an expensive one at that. Hope I've helped. Anything else, send me a message. I'll be glad to answer it.

Praise and glory be to Lord Jesus and pray for the chasers and spotters out there that they won't do anything dangerous.

 

[bayoubear]

What an unexpected treat to find this topic here! I have been busy reading quite a few of the threads here and do feel the need to add my two cents.

As someone that has been involved in this for many years there are a few things I would like to point out. Most importantly- get proper training. The absolute minimum is to attend both and basic and advanced SKYWARN classes and then find experienced spotters to apprentice under. Even if one has no interest in actually chasing storms, the information learned from the SKYWARN classes is of immense value.

The storm-chasing tours... IMHO and the IMHO of those that take this seriously... are a loss of life waiting to happen. Not to mention they take away emergency resources away from those that truly need it. The REAL spotters have to worry about these idiots also. This in reality is nothing like the movie "twister", truth is yes its really cool to witness a tornado touch ground but also quite deadly. The rush of "wow thats cool" is tempered by the realization that other people are losing their homes, businesses, and maybe their lives. If a carload of amateur storm chaser wannabes is in the wrong place at the right time they shouldnt expect much sympathy or support from emergency teams. In remote areas with few roads dont expect to get past roadblocks without NOAA or SKYWARN placards on the vehicle anyway.

This time of year the Skywarn classes are getting underway. Google search SKYWARN to help find classes near you. They are free to the public although a dollar donation may be taken at the door to cover the coffee and donuts. Bring a pen and paper to take notes, other literature will be provided. Ham radio operators- if you happen to know any- will be of great help to you in regards to skywarn and storm spotting. (even the spotters that actually chase... are still spotters) Getting involved in amateur radio adds an entire new level to this too. Ham radio ops that are trained spotters are crucial to providing information to the national weather service office and the general public at large.

If Joe-blow from some random chasing tour calls in with a tornado sighting the news will simply report that there is a report of a tornado sighting at so-and-so place... if I, or someone like me, make that same phone call... the alarms are issued. i could easily make this post 20 paragraphs long but ill end it now. will be happy to address any questions or concerns that follow.

'bear

 

[Big Dave]

All I gotta do is sit on the porch. Hail, Tornadoes, cloud formations of every kind, High winds and best of all SUNSHINE. It blows in from OK and it can be very intense. Gustnadoe came thru a while back. Tore up a lot of stuff on the interstate. Straight line winds are sometimes 40-60 mph.Don't have to chase em they are after me???

 

[TheZach]

• Laws That Effect Storm Chasers

You have no special privileges on the road - and must follow all traffic laws (including the speed limit.)

• Good Storm Chasing Teams to Join

Typically when you get a reputation your asked to go on a chase with someone.

• How do Chasers get Funding

You most likely never will unless you are very good. Chasers used to be able to pick up sponsorships or contacts with media, but now that everyone and their pet has a camera that's all done with.

 

[AdamKane]

If you want to chase professionaly, then become a meteorologist and join with a weather team. They will often send you out when there is bad weather. Also, a weather team will pay you for that.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

I never knew there were professionals out there!