Anticipation is killing me!

[Francis]

Am I the only one that just can't wait to start chasing? I live north of the border in Manitoba (above North Dakota) and I just can't wait to actually see some severe thunderstorms roll by even close to the border! I wish I lived around Oklahoma so at least there would be a couple of chase days, here it's still really cold and a lot of snow :/

Just wondering what are the ways that some of you guys do to "kill" time before chasing season? Obviously work & school, but besides that?

 

[Shawn Schuman]

I work out my winter frustrations by researching historical events for my blog. It passes the time, and it's a good way to keep learning. There's almost always something new you can pick up and apply to forecasting in the future. I also like to catch up on new research papers.

Other than that, it's mostly model-watching and wishcasting.

 

[Marcus Diaz]

As I've been chirping for a while, I can wait. I've learned that if I get too excited, I jump on marginal setups. That in turn leaves to disappointment. Which for me means I've lost a day off at work, and the money used to chase.

Right now when I'm not busting my ass at work, I'm home just somewhat bored. I do a lot of Flight Simulator stuff which helps out I suppose.

 

[Joshua Nall]

For me it's camping and fishing this time of the year, which is why I don't mind a slow start to the season. If it were not for work getting so busy for me I'd really love the most active severe weather to be May and June in the areas I chase.... KS, OK, TX. That would give me April to fish Other than that I've bought some land out in the sticks, and I'm building a cabin type thing on it, off-grid and all. Something I've wanted to do since I was 18 really.. and now 20 years later I've saved enough to by the land. Hope to be living out there by this year some time.

 

[Sean Ramsey]

I've been doing photography expeditions to fill the time and hone my skills, and try to become better at landscapes and composition in particular. I'd love to have a good thunderstorm soon, but even warm blue skies have been few and far between lately.

 

[Skip Talbot]

I live north of the border in Manitoba (above North Dakota) and I just can't wait to actually see some severe thunderstorms

Yikes, you've got a couple months of waiting yet! March chases are like a nice, but not expected, treat even down in the southern plains. I usually consider the month the "pre-season." I occupy my time with a variety of projects: Storm Assist, websites, photo and video editing, actual work and real life stuff. I'm actually glad the season hasn't really started yet as the van isn't ready at all equipment wise.

We had tornadoes in November and February here in Illinois though, so I'm pretty much disqualified from making any sort of statements about the season starting.

 

[Francis]

Yeah, you guys are lucky though lol, it's like -30C today for us and still have a lot of snow on the ground Hopefully, we will have at least 1 chase day before May here or in ND. If this Winter ever stops that is.....

 

[Matt Ashworth]

Since my first official chase last May I've been itching to start chasing again. This time of year I occupy myself with other personal projects and work, but with each passing day I grow more and more impatient for a good storm to flare up. Hopefully all this waiting will be well worth it.

 

[Adam Lucio]

I have the itch bad, this is officially the latest I have ever gone without having at least 1 chase in any year. Of course I blew a good opportunity by not chasing February 20th...but lets not get into that

I bide my time by working on many off season projects, covering national weather (usually snowstorms yuck) online to help grow my audience for the upcoming season. Im like a bear in winter and I spend most of my time indoors hibernating. I don't go out much as Im saving money for spring chasing...but by this point the cabin fever starts to get pretty severe so something better happen soon!

 

[Jon Strebler]

I spent the latter part of this winter essentially rebuilding my mountain bike when I had free time. I had to learn how to do it as I went so it took up a good amount of time learning, ordering parts, etc. It didn't help with saving up money for chase season, but I get somewhat restless towards the end of winter so I had to find something to keep my mind off of the cold weather.