Are there Nowcasters available?

[Teri Mooney]

Are there nowcasters that a person can use, and if so, how do you find them? I was a spotter for six years. I quit because not a whole lot happens in my area so the last two years I've chased outside of my living area which has taught me a lot more than being a spotter. My partner is pretty much as dumb as I am. I do have some knowledge, but it's limited. Since I don't feel confident when chasing, I tend to not get too close and so miss out on a lot, and then of course, there are times I have put myself in some dangerous situations. I have studied up on some of the links that you wonderful experienced chasers have given on this site. It seems that you have to be good at math to interpret and put all the data together when forecasting and I just plain suck. My sense of direction sucks, but thank God for my GPS. I have all the equipment, weather radio, GPS, laptop, radar, wireless card. Probably some of you think I should stay home, but I love storms and really want to chase. So, hence my question about nowcasters. Any nice advice appreciated.

 

[Jeremy Jones]

Are there nowcasters that a person can use, and if so, how do you find them? I was a spotter for six years. I quit because not a whole lot happens in my area so the last two years I've chased outside of my living area which has taught me a lot more than being a spotter. My partner is pretty much as dumb as I am. I do have some knowledge, but it's limited. Since I don't feel confident when chasing, I tend to not get too close and so miss out on a lot, and then of course, there are times I have put myself in some dangerous situations. I have studied up on some of the links that you wonderful experienced chasers have given on this site. It seems that you have to be good at math to interpret and put all the data together when forecasting and I just plain suck. My sense of direction sucks, but thank God for my GPS. I have all the equipment, weather radio, GPS, laptop, radar, wireless card. Probably some of you think I should stay home, but I love storms and really want to chase. So, hence my question about nowcasters. Any nice advice appreciated.

I'm am in the just about the same situation you are. I too suck at reading the surface data charts, and the math that goes along with it. But my photography has compelled me to set my vehicle up with GPS, Laptop mount, Radar, Aircard,etc.

I am fortunate to have Meteorologist friend that I can bounce questions off of, but he really says its about putting in your time, and becoming familiar with storm initiation. So, I am going to spend this next season Chasing everything I can, and reading,reading,reading!!

This may or may not help but....it's what I keep telling myself!!

 

[Mike Johnston]

You will find there are some members right here on Stormtrack that are available for nowcasting on a given day. Sometimes, if you read through the forecast thread for a setup, members may mention that they are looking for nowcast help, or are available to nowcast for that day. The interested parties may then get in touch through private message, discuss the chaser's general objective for the day, exchange cell phone numbers and then keep in touch, as needed, during the chase.

I myself enjoy nowcasting for others and have done so on many occassions. Because of my current location, chases are few and far between, but I still like to stay involved.

 

[Steve Miller]

The easiest way to have a nowcaster is to become a contributing member of the chase community and build a network of friends. This takes time but eventually you will get to a point where you know people well enough, and visa versa, that you'll be able to call on them for assistance.
I lean on my friends who are stuck at home behind their computer on a given chase day. They have more data, quicker. It makes sense to always have someone who you can query for information via phone... Key is, once you have nowcasters, to ask specific questions. DO NOT call and ask them what their target would be if they were out...
Hope this helps.

 

[Mike Johnston]

Edit: just want to emphasize that the purpose of the forecast thread is to post your own forecast, not just seek or offer nowcast help. Occasionally, though, some will mention nowcast help as a sidenote.