CHASERS: How Do You Rate Yourselves

[Dan Nichols]

Maybe that last chase wasn't necessary if you could've gotten the same results on your comfy front porch -- the best seat in the house. Or perhaps nearly every storm misses your area and you have no porch or other rainproof outdoor facility.

1. The storm was terrific. The folks back home got nothing. Roads bone dry upon returning.
GREAT!! That's what chasing's all about!!!........Let's celebrate!!!

2. The storm was terrific. Folks back home also got a severe but briefer one.
You're still ahead of the game. Continue to pat yourself on the back for this one.

3. The storm was quite good, though back home it was equally good from all reports.
Overall a wasted effort. Better to have stayed put right on your front porch where an accompanying cocktail is an option.

4. The storm was a little better than so-so. But back at the ranch it was historic.
Make and wear a KICK ME!! sign and another round, please.

5. Here there was nothing. Meanwhile there was a once-in-a-lifetime on your own turf.
Many more like that one and consider either moving to Alaska, or taking up opera singing.

I usually put myself in the 3 or 4 category, unfortunately.

REMEMBER: a chase is only as good as its end result. Unlike any conflicting commitments, a chase is strictly voluntary and need not be given. So if you are lucky to live in a good storm-prone area, it may be better to chase only sparingly, if at all, and let the storms come to you.

 

[Shane Adams]

That rating system makes no sense to me; in all scenarios, the person chased but the difference was what they missed back home. If I make the decision to chase, I'm always #1. Driving 500 miles to bust while missing something closer to home is a very bad feeling. But sitting on your a** and missing something great because you didn't chase is the worst feeling ever.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, that's the difference between an enthusiast and a chaser. I'd rather be a chaser on my worst day ever than be an arm-chair guy who "always had the target nailed" but never acts upon it. Nailing a forecast means nothing if you don't put it to the test and chase it. Kinda like beating OU 45-35 means nothing if you lose to Texas Tech 39-33 two weeks later.

 

[Damon Scott Hynes]

Methinks Tim Vasquez needs to update The Tao Of Forecasting to include the Tao Of Stormchasing

 

[Adam Lucio]

Well, Ive had all those situations happen, as im sure most of us have, its just part of the game.

As much as it sucks to have #5 happen [for me it was 9-22-06] it has to be expected sometimes. You can never be right all the time. Plus for me, I also enjoy the whole driving and targeting aspect of chasing. Listening to music on the highway and seeing different parts of the country and whatnot. Its not just for the storms, its for the adventure.

 

[Damon Scott Hynes]

Plus for me, I also enjoy the whole driving and targeting aspect of chasing. Listening to music on the highway and seeing different parts of the country and whatnot. Its not just for the storms, its for the adventure.

Agree--I love the plains and midwest. Imagine how unpopular stormchasing would be if the meteorologically favorable area was the Atlantic coast between say Richmond, VA to Portland, ME? To chase a storm, you first have to be able to drive...