Chaser of the year in 2013? Who would you nominate?

[Derek Weston]

Just for fun, thought it'd be interesting to see who had the most successful season. I guess my definition for this would be who caught the most "good" tornadoes.

Has anyone pulled May 15,18,19,20,27,28,29,30,31 and Oct 4, Nov 17?

Personally, I had May 18,19,28,30,31 . . . but missed out on the fall stuff. I was around May 27, but didn't get a very good look, so I don't count it. The others I have good photographic evidence of.

 

[Jon Strebler]

I would add in May 15th as one of the bigger days. I think far fewer people got in on the action that day compared to the other days you mentioned. It seems to have been forgotten a bit due to the following two weeks having some major tornadoes.

 

[Derek Weston]

I would add in May 15th as one of the bigger days. I think far fewer people got in on the action that day compared to the other days you mentioned. It seems to have been forgotten a bit due to the following two weeks having some major tornadoes.

Good thought. Then may 29? Number of tornadoes up in Nebraska that few saw. I suppose I might as well if I included may 30.

 

[Brett Roberts]

The guys at Stormgasm.com came close to nailing every event in May, according to their accounts: http://www.stormgasm.com/2013stormchases.htm

I thought I remembered their having decent footage from Bennington, too, but it's not on there.

I'd rate my own year as "good," relative to the opportunities that were available. I saw the good stuff that happened on 5/18, 5/28 and 10/4, while technically also seeing tornadoes on 5/20 (terrible, distant view of Duncan), 5/27 (low-contrast view from the E) and 5/31 (brief, low-contrast view from the SE). Nowhere near chaser-of-the-year material, but having started my chase career with several consecutive years vying for "least efficient tornadoes-per-mile chaser," I'm very much content now batting around 50/50 on the memorable days.

It's doubtful many Plains-based chasers were out on 11/17, so that probably gives the Midwest/IL crowd an edge if one of them can also claim most or all of the May stuff.

 

[Adam Lucio]

Just for fun, thought it'd be interesting to see who had the most successful season. I guess my definition for this would be who caught the most "good" tornadoes.

Has anyone pulled May 15,18,19,20,27,28,29,30,31 and Oct 4, Nov 17?

Personally, I had May 18,19,28,30,31 . . . but missed out on the fall stuff. I was around May 27, but didn't get a very good look, so I don't count it. The others I have good photographic evidence of.

I caught May 18,19,20,27,28,31 October 4th and November 17th. Had a good run in 2013 hoping to continue this year, but already missed out on the events of february 20th in my home state

 

[Derek Weston]

I caught May 18,19,20,27,28,31 October 4th and November 17th. Had a good run in 2013 hoping to continue this year, but already missed out on the events of february 20th in my home state

Yeah, I suppose what got me started on the topic was watching Storm Assist and seeing some of the stuff you grabbed in the fall. Knew you had hit on the earlier stuff... so one heck of a year. Got me wondering who else pulled it off. I'll give you leading nominee status.

Out of curiosity, what was your thinking on May 20... holding up north? I ended up down south on the dryline, a few storms down, like many.

 

[Jon Strebler]

I have to say that out of the non Plains based chasers, Lucio looked to have one of the better years.

 

[Shane Adams]

I have to say that out of the non Plains based chasers, Lucio looked to have one of the better years.

I'd say Adam had one of the better years out of all chasers, regardless of home base.

 

[Scott Weberpal]

I concur, Adam had a huge year and is certainly near the top.

 

[James Gustina]

I'd also say Adam. Managed to pull out some great things from pretty subpar early season setups and nailed the rest of the year.

 

[Rob H]

This is a good idea, we don't have any problems with egos in the chasing community. My vote is for Reed Timmer - he made over $200,000 chasing before even setting a foot in the Plains.

 

[Adam Lucio]

Yeah, I suppose what got me started on the topic was watching Storm Assist and seeing some of the stuff you grabbed in the fall. Knew you had hit on the earlier stuff... so one heck of a year. Got me wondering who else pulled it off. I'll give you leading nominee status.

Out of curiosity, what was your thinking on May 20... holding up north? I ended up down south on the dryline, a few storms down, like many.

We were watching what appeared to be a boundary draped across the area all day, but then when those initial storms went up down by Purcell we bolted after them (I have a hard time ignoring isolated sups when they go up even if they go against my forecast lol) but then the Moore storm went up and we knew it was time to ditch those dryline storms and blast back north, luckily that was the right call. Our view wasnt the best though, but we did catch the tornado when it was in its wedge stage for several minutes before being cut off by the river. Not a perfect chase, but at least we didn't botch it entirely.

Appreciate the compliments, I hardly feel I deserve them. I can name a mistake for every success lol