Mark J. Dempsey
I have chased in the field, but would not call it my only training. My school has taught me much about what the conditions are and my fellow meteorologists in the field have taught me most about the chase itself.
I've also attended spotter training sessions from the DMX WFO.
Brian Stertz
EF5
Chasing for me has always been a work in progress....learn from the successes and busts...and try to keep a more open mind and a cool head (lol yeah right). Not every event is an outbreak, and there will always be the surprises. I have a developed a sharp geography and map interest, and certainly this has helped me some. But storms obviously do not follow paved roads so one must learn to adapt/navigate blind sometimes, and that is one thing I have become more in tune with. Stick with the storm like glue and avoid the bad positioning if possible. My chase interest started off with being a skywarn class junky and then I learned a bunch of knowledge at OU, and by standing watch at the old OU map room...a place frequented by the great minds of chasing and severe storms forecasting. I miss the briefings that Howie Bluestein and the higher level OUMET students/profs did while I was there in the 1980's. Some valuable insight was always there for the grasping. You just had to dissect things by observing...and chasing was the extra curricular activity that I did not get to do a lot of back then... but when I did, I was totally hooked. I have chased with a relatively small group of fellow chasers over the years, and man have there been some fun, scary, and at times frustrating moments.
Greg Blumberg
EF4
Went to the TESSA conference back in March. Other than that, it's been mostly out in the field, asking people knowledgeable about it, meteorology classes for my undergraduate, SKYWARN training, and some unofficial training from the Warning Decision Training Branch.
Mine was #1. been mostly out in the field
Some online learning but mostly out in the field.
I have studied storm movements and tracks for about the last 9 years via radar
I have lived in Kansas all my life so storms are just a part of life.
We kinda have a topic like this one on TVN and my reply was:
40 % real time radar patterns "over time" ( Base Reflectivity ) ( Infrared Radar ) ( Water Vapor Radar )
15% SPC
5% data from places like Twister Data and others a like.
I don't put much trust in models
40% instinct and eyes
I spend a few hours looking at data before we take on a target but once we have hit the road it`s instinct, reading the Sky`s and looking at the radars.
I have found that Twister Data and the others will get you with-in 100 miles or so most of the time and you can hit any cell with-in 1 to 2 hrs drive time. .
I don't really start to plan a chase till the morning of as many things can and will change in 12 to 24 hours.
I`m not a Meteorologist and I`m to busy to try to be one but my ways have done us well on chase days.
Some online learning but mostly out in the field.
I have studied storm movements and tracks for about the last 9 years via radar
I have lived in Kansas all my life so storms are just a part of life.
We kinda have a topic like this one on TVN and my reply was:
40 % real time radar patterns "over time" ( Base Reflectivity ) ( Infrared Radar ) ( Water Vapor Radar )
15% SPC
5% data from places like Twister Data and others a like.
I don't put much trust in models
40% instinct and eyes
I spend a few hours looking at data before we take on a target but once we have hit the road it`s instinct, reading the Sky`s and looking at the radars.
I have found that Twister Data and the others will get you with-in 100 miles or so most of the time and you can hit any cell with-in 1 to 2 hrs drive time. .
I don't really start to plan a chase till the morning of as many things can and will change in 12 to 24 hours.
I`m not a Meteorologist and I`m to busy to try to be one but my ways have done us well on chase days.
Josh Morgerman
EF4
Zero training. Just learned by doing. I concentrated in History in college, and I'm a marketing exec now, so although hurricane chasing is a big part of my life, it's completely separate from my educational and professional path.
I started in 1991, when I was 21-- before Internet or widespread use of mobile phones-- and I was so clueless and disconnected from the storm-chasing scene, I didn't even know about other hurricane chasers. I was just kind of doing my own thing.
I started in 1991, when I was 21-- before Internet or widespread use of mobile phones-- and I was so clueless and disconnected from the storm-chasing scene, I didn't even know about other hurricane chasers. I was just kind of doing my own thing.
Lucy Blinebury
1) Being out in the field
2) Skywarn classes
and 5) Other training, such as online courses , and books.
As I live in a state which is extremely scarce as far as other chasers go, I havent had the opportunity to learn from others while actually out in the field. Most of my experience is gained because I go out at every opportunity to chase, because I love to do it. Whether it is locally, or out of state, or on the plains. Whether it is a success, or a bust, I learn new things each time.
I have not had the opportunity to chase with anyone else with any experience, so far. Given my chasing career only got off the ground since I moved to the USA last year. Apart from online chasers, I have connected with, I havent yet met up with any to actually head out on a chase.
Well, theres also the fact that being female makes it somewhat difficult to 'tag along' with anyone else, as the majority of chasers are male! LOL.
As for the forecasting side, I know I have a lot to learn, but I enjoy it immensly. I am beginning to understand more and more with each passing day, and each chase. I have learned quickly not to rely solely on models and/or SPC forecasts, I at least get a 'rough gauge' by using models, but looking at satelite and radar patterns/trends really are what help me before a chase.
I agree with a lot of people on here that say that you never stop learning. For me that is a good thing, as severe weather is my passion in life, and that will never change!
2) Skywarn classes
and 5) Other training, such as online courses , and books.
As I live in a state which is extremely scarce as far as other chasers go, I havent had the opportunity to learn from others while actually out in the field. Most of my experience is gained because I go out at every opportunity to chase, because I love to do it. Whether it is locally, or out of state, or on the plains. Whether it is a success, or a bust, I learn new things each time.
I have not had the opportunity to chase with anyone else with any experience, so far. Given my chasing career only got off the ground since I moved to the USA last year. Apart from online chasers, I have connected with, I havent yet met up with any to actually head out on a chase.
Well, theres also the fact that being female makes it somewhat difficult to 'tag along' with anyone else, as the majority of chasers are male! LOL.
As for the forecasting side, I know I have a lot to learn, but I enjoy it immensly. I am beginning to understand more and more with each passing day, and each chase. I have learned quickly not to rely solely on models and/or SPC forecasts, I at least get a 'rough gauge' by using models, but looking at satelite and radar patterns/trends really are what help me before a chase.
I agree with a lot of people on here that say that you never stop learning. For me that is a good thing, as severe weather is my passion in life, and that will never change!
Rejean Boudreau
EF0
- Joined
- May 26, 2009
- Messages
- 43
Storm prediction, storm chasing - two different subject/science linked together. Be good at the first one if you want to have success at the second one.
I've learned chasing by going on the field - there's not much course about storm chasing beside learning with other chasers in the field. Maybe some security (good common sense) should be published for some newbies. Other than that, know your limits - what you can/can't do with the car/truck you have. Always plan for an escape/alternate route ... Make sure your car/truck can ride a dirt road with two inch of rain on it. And many other tips and tricks i've learned over the years. Stick with your strategy unless it becomes very obvious that it's not working the way you expected. There's always a bigger cloud elsewhere, chasing clouds back and forth will only lead you to miss the event that happened 5 minutes ago on the new storm, or happened 5 minutes after you left the first storm.
But the best stuff i've learned and the most valuable part for me is with storm prediction - what and where will it be tomorrow, this afternoon, in one hour. Where should i go to be at the right place, and on the right side.
On that, the only thing i had at the time was my high school physics and science (very basic stuff like the apple falling down by gravity). So all the other knowledge is self learning. That has been accomplished by reading alot, observing alot, going back to lectures, and back to observations in the field. Model analysis, model forecasting, sounding interpretation - you have to do alot of them to become good at it. And P R A C T I C E ..
I'm only able to go in the US for about 2-3 weeks - so i have to be sure of my skills to position myself at the right place (or near to it). While i can only chase those storms (on site) for about 2-3 weeks per year, i do alot of virtual chasing the rest of the year, doing my forecast even if i'm not there - where would i position myself for the next day , setting a target zone of 20-40 miles. Then on the next day i'm following how it is evolving and do some ''virtual'' moves to be at the right place (hopefully near my original target zone).
And i'm using the same techniques to chase overhere (Canada) even if most of the storms here are thunder. The average number of tornadoes is about 6 per year. Using all i've learned over the years, i've been able to predict two tornados events locally - one on the target zone (within 10 miles), and one directly on the targeted city. I also succeeded in predicting very strong event near Toronto about a month ago - again on the right target zone within 10 miles 24hours in advance - within 2 miles 1 hour in advance, and on the path 30 minutes before it happened. So i figure, given the very few opportunity we have overhere, doing those virtual chase helped us to learn and understand storms and systems behavior, and keep our skills ''alive''.
As for storm chasing, well... the problem is ... i can only be there for 2-3 weeks. The other 3 summer months, i chase mostly thunderstorms here and sometime mother nature is good enought to send us a supercell and a wall cloud to follow
I've learned chasing by going on the field - there's not much course about storm chasing beside learning with other chasers in the field. Maybe some security (good common sense) should be published for some newbies. Other than that, know your limits - what you can/can't do with the car/truck you have. Always plan for an escape/alternate route ... Make sure your car/truck can ride a dirt road with two inch of rain on it. And many other tips and tricks i've learned over the years. Stick with your strategy unless it becomes very obvious that it's not working the way you expected. There's always a bigger cloud elsewhere, chasing clouds back and forth will only lead you to miss the event that happened 5 minutes ago on the new storm, or happened 5 minutes after you left the first storm.
But the best stuff i've learned and the most valuable part for me is with storm prediction - what and where will it be tomorrow, this afternoon, in one hour. Where should i go to be at the right place, and on the right side.
On that, the only thing i had at the time was my high school physics and science (very basic stuff like the apple falling down by gravity). So all the other knowledge is self learning. That has been accomplished by reading alot, observing alot, going back to lectures, and back to observations in the field. Model analysis, model forecasting, sounding interpretation - you have to do alot of them to become good at it. And P R A C T I C E ..
I'm only able to go in the US for about 2-3 weeks - so i have to be sure of my skills to position myself at the right place (or near to it). While i can only chase those storms (on site) for about 2-3 weeks per year, i do alot of virtual chasing the rest of the year, doing my forecast even if i'm not there - where would i position myself for the next day , setting a target zone of 20-40 miles. Then on the next day i'm following how it is evolving and do some ''virtual'' moves to be at the right place (hopefully near my original target zone).
And i'm using the same techniques to chase overhere (Canada) even if most of the storms here are thunder. The average number of tornadoes is about 6 per year. Using all i've learned over the years, i've been able to predict two tornados events locally - one on the target zone (within 10 miles), and one directly on the targeted city. I also succeeded in predicting very strong event near Toronto about a month ago - again on the right target zone within 10 miles 24hours in advance - within 2 miles 1 hour in advance, and on the path 30 minutes before it happened. So i figure, given the very few opportunity we have overhere, doing those virtual chase helped us to learn and understand storms and systems behavior, and keep our skills ''alive''.
As for storm chasing, well... the problem is ... i can only be there for 2-3 weeks. The other 3 summer months, i chase mostly thunderstorms here and sometime mother nature is good enought to send us a supercell and a wall cloud to follow
Ryanne Jobsian
EF0
Going out there and doing it is a great way to learn. Granted I have been captivated by weather ever since I could remember. Stuck to TWC since 1991 when I was about 8 years of age. Reading books and later with the internet, found communities of chasers and wx enthusiasts and soaked up all I could. I have made quite a few friends over the years and their knowledge and time spent taught me quite a bit. In 2004 I was very green. I remember that it took me a long time to even know how to spot a hook on GR3. Needless to say I did a lot of armchair chasing.
Though, there is a certain difference in the above and going out and actually chasing. I am with Shane on the idea that chasing is different for everyone. Everyone seems to find their own little niche of chasing. Some people are all about tornadoes, some are structure junkies (as I am) etc.
Personally, I have found my own style which has come about with trial and error. I found this year I busted on days I spent ages trying to forecast for a target area. I even bailed on a day that things did not happen the way they were "supposed to" and turned out later a longlived supercell went right over the target area I had planned. I kicked myself for days on that one. Later in the year I found that just keeping an eye on the radar and when the time seems good, grab my gear and head out. Somehow, gut instinct has proven successful in my case this year.
Photos are another good way to learn. Looking at what you chased that day can sometimes answer a lot of questions as to what is good and what is crap. Also the ability to share that with others who can point things out you might have missed or are uncertain of. Of course mishaps and sticky situations are great learning experiences. I never experienced flash floods til this year. Now I am prepared and pay attention to flash flood watches and warnings. =)
Though, there is a certain difference in the above and going out and actually chasing. I am with Shane on the idea that chasing is different for everyone. Everyone seems to find their own little niche of chasing. Some people are all about tornadoes, some are structure junkies (as I am) etc.
Personally, I have found my own style which has come about with trial and error. I found this year I busted on days I spent ages trying to forecast for a target area. I even bailed on a day that things did not happen the way they were "supposed to" and turned out later a longlived supercell went right over the target area I had planned. I kicked myself for days on that one. Later in the year I found that just keeping an eye on the radar and when the time seems good, grab my gear and head out. Somehow, gut instinct has proven successful in my case this year.
Photos are another good way to learn. Looking at what you chased that day can sometimes answer a lot of questions as to what is good and what is crap. Also the ability to share that with others who can point things out you might have missed or are uncertain of. Of course mishaps and sticky situations are great learning experiences. I never experienced flash floods til this year. Now I am prepared and pay attention to flash flood watches and warnings. =)
Tyler Burg
EF2
IMO you are very limited in what you can learn about storm structure without going out and seeing it first hand. Chase Videos are great for that, but when you can see the ENTIRE storm, and the features that are going on outside of a video cameras FOV, that is what makes the difference to me. Also seeing the evolution of a storm. My Friend is a Met and he had taught me a ton about forecasting, but it's harder to teach storm structure without going out. After chasing a few times with a few more experienced chasers, I learned a TON, obviously I'll still keep learning something new each chase though. So I guess the way I trained myself was just by going out and watching storms, Chasing.
Bill Schintler
EF4
BS and MS degrees (and most of the course work towards a PhD before I gave up on that idea) in electrical engineering. Most of the math, physics, and thermodynamics in electrical engineering applies to meteorology. As far as hands-on, I’ve been chasing since 1980, and forecasting and driving for tour groups since 2000.
- bill
KD0DJG
www.twistertoursusa.com
- bill
KD0DJG
www.twistertoursusa.com
Last edited by a moderator:
Ryanne Jobsian
EF0
Jesse Risley
Staff member
I started out by taking various SKYWARN classes, both at the beginner and the advanced levels. Since those are geared more towards understanding storm structure and reporting severe weather as a spotter, I would have to say that most of my actual chasing experience has been "hands on" right from the field.
While I took some geography classes in college that were essentially weather and climate courses, those were really very basic 100 level courses that taught little beyond what a good advanced SKYWARN class might cover as far as storm structure and atmospheric severe weather dynamics are concerned.
While I took some geography classes in college that were essentially weather and climate courses, those were really very basic 100 level courses that taught little beyond what a good advanced SKYWARN class might cover as far as storm structure and atmospheric severe weather dynamics are concerned.
