Chaser training

[Jason Foster]

So what kinds of training have chasers done to prepare themselves for the chase. With Skywarn, degreed meteorologists, and self taught chasers, it an interesting ideas to see who's done what.

Options:

I've never done any training, just learned out in the field
I've taken the Skywarn class(es).
I've taken some Meteorology courses in college
I'm a graduate of a Meteorology University or college.
I have a PH.d in Meteorology
Other training (please explain in the text portion of this thread)

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

How do you define storm chasing, if you define it as I do... I would say none of the above; except for maybe the first option, none really have much of a positive impact in "training" you to be a storm chaser IMO. I believe the best "training" comes merely from years and years of just observing severe weather. IMO it's not training that makes or even prepares you for storm chasing, when you have a passion for it, as most of the dedicated chasers do, you kind of just pick up on things, ultimately stuff begins to come naturally.

 

[Jason Boggs]

Most of my training has come from experience. I didn't know crap when I started, but as I became more interested, I got online and learned everything I could about storms and storm chasing. I do have a few Met friends that helped me get my feet wet when I started out. I would have to say that I taught myself about 75-80 percent of what I know. Of course, Stormtrack has helped me out quite a bit along the way.

 

[Darrin Rasberry]

Self-study, upcoming "advanced spotting" course on the first here in Ames, and riding along with Craig.

 

[Robert Speta]

I got most of my early training from Military schools required to become an AG. (Naval Weatherman for those who don't know) More recently college courses and self learning but the military courses are tough and you learn a lot in a short period of time. Definatly learned the most there.

 

[Michael Towers]

In 2001, my first time “out in the fieldâ€￾, I realized I needed to better educate myself in order to both improve my chances for success and to have a better appreciation & understanding of what was going on. So most of my “trainingâ€￾ was and is through books & the Internet, with actual chases contributing to a lesser degree.

 

[Shane Adams]

IMO the only possible answer on this poll is option #1. Chasing is an art. There is no template. Many different personalities and styles abound.

 

[Jason Foster]

No hard a fast rule

I wasn't trying to make any points here, just curious of those who chase, have they also take these.

Yeah, don't need it to chase, and I figured either the "no training" or "skywarn" would be the top ones.

It was just an associative poll. And specifics are not really required here. Just me looking at statistics again, and I like polls and surveys.

Good to see the responses so far though. Thanks all. Keep on clicking on your answers....and remember you can pick more than one.

 

[jeremy wilson]

The best "training" i have had is next to a meso watching the tactics of other experienced chasers. In 2003 on my first real chase I met David Drummond and begin asking tons of questions about what I was seeing and what I should do next. David was awesome and quickly went into mentor mode.

After nearly 60 tornados and countless storms I still ask David or other chasers opinions whenever i need them.

By the way David, thanks for not being a storm snob that day out in Montauge county and encouraging me to follow my dream.

 

[Jim Saueressig]

I answered #1. While I have been to a few NWS spotter classes my main knowledge comes from the field and or reading and forums.

 

[Stephen Levine]

Self study in meteorology since age 7,
Got an 'A' in the one Ohio University meteorology course offering and served as the official city weather observer for Athens, Ohio for 1 1/2 years.
Began chasing lightning and hail storms in 1977; supercell/tornado chasing in 1994,
Took the basic and advanced skywarn courses.
For Masters Thesis, created system of therapy that combined psychology and meteorology. Taught this to incoming graduate students.

 

[Paul Austin]

I've gotta agree with Shane to some degree. The best training source for actual chasing is the field itself. However, it never hurts to work on forcasting skills. To that end, I voted the last option. Though I've gone through Skywarn Spotter basic and advanced, I've also taken advantange of the free MetEd Comet modules from UCAR, several other online sources of study, a few books, including Tim V's, and several excellent seminars at the NSCC '07 and '08. There's a wealth of knowledge out there for those who take the time. But you can learn more from experience, especially the busted chases, than from any other source. Stormtrack itself is an excellent way to take advantage of the cumulative experience of numerous successful chasers! Take it all in, as you have the opportunity.

 

[Jason McKittrick]

I didn't start chasing until after I recieved my meteorology degree. While school did teach me about forecasting and storm structure, I found that I had a lot to learn about storm chasing. Identifying particular features given the broad spectrum over which they occur is very different than looking at idealized text book schematics. Also, I am still working on my chase strategy 13 years later. In spite of my degree I would have to say there is no substitue for experience. However, I would credit my academic knowledge with keeping me out of some very dangerous predicaments.

 

[James Siler]

I had taken spotter class that were held by the NWS back in the late 90's till I moved to OKC. Then I just read alot on good ole StormTrack! And I have done some learning in the field, well actually I think we are all constantly learning in the field.

 

[Bill Hark]

I was originally trained while taking a tour with Charles Edwards of Cloud 9 tours back in 1997. This tour provided valuable forecasting and field experience and I highly recommend it.
http://www.cloud9tours.com/index.html

I also have done a lot of reading and self-study along with years of field experience along with Skywarn training. I did one of Tim Vasquez's forecast schools and this was also very valuable.
http://www.forecastschool.com/
He will sometimes do a session at a conference, but the best way is to arrange with him to spend the day at his house for intensive training. I think he will give a discount if more than one chaser gets together to do the training. Finally, Tim Vasquez has his "Chase Hotline". Although it is a forecasting service, the forecasts are geared toward chasers looking for photogenic tornadoes. He is one of the best forecasters that I know and I have learned a lot from comparing his forecasts to mine.

http://www.chasehotline.com/

Bill Hark