Jeff Miller
EF5
2010 has brought to light several distinct classes of chasers that exist. These classes of chasers are very different - yet with the same objective. I liken and compare it a bit to "churches" - there are different "denominations" but all are one "type". The same predictable result has happened with chasing. I suspect as technology and knowledge advances that more sub-types will develop. Here are my definitions of chasers as they exist today. These are purely my definitions and are not by any means official or meant to become the standard cliches of chasing. I thought it would be interesting to share what I have personally observed, and see if anyone else has any positive/negative comments or constructive criticism - or even additions to what I have outlined in this brief analysis.
Research/Science Chasers
A small subset of elite chasers that are involved in the actual research and science of chasing. This subset includes Meteorologists, Vortex II, chasers who develop probes and instrumentation for tornado study, and those involved in serious tornado analysis. These chasers chase strictly for the science with the mission of collecting data for furthering tornado warning lead times and the understanding of how tornadoes work.
Media Chasers
Media Chasers chase for the media. These chasers may chase via ground vehicle or helicopter, and commonly report and/or stream directly to local media for the expressed purpose of warning the public. Media Chasers can also be a hybrid of techno-veteran chasers, since most media chasers must by their profession be technologically savvy.
Tour Chasers
Tour chasers lead tour groups for business purposes - usually very passionate, highly educated chasers with a large subset of experience.
Riding Chasers
Riding Chasers usually are passengers of tour chasers or private chasers who may or may not have a large meteorological/chasing background but for whatever reason are unable to chase on their own due to medical, health or other substantiating issues. This categorization excludes those who are able to chase on their own but simply do not.
Extreme Chasers
Extreme Chasers have a specific goal in mind - to get as close to extreme severe weather as possible, albeit tornadoes, giant hail, or other extreme severe weather phenomena. As such activities are a higher level of danger, these groups of chasers are controversial among the chaser community - the extreme chaser usually defensively asserting their freedom to chase the way they choose to, those against "extreme chasing" with just as strong feelings against this style of storm chasing. Extreme chasing as a subset of chasing will continue to be controversial. Extreme Chasers can be "Extreme-Veteran Chasers" but more likely "Extreme Techno-Veteran" chasers as these chasers usually use high technology to get them in as extreme a situation as possible. With this chase subset they can be greatly loved by many or greatly "un-loved" - based on the high controversial status of this form of chasing.
Veteran Chasers
It is my belief that "Veteran" chasers take on a completely different meaning then has ever existed before. Veteran chasers have the ability to chase blind - that is - without data and computer/technological assistance. These chasers have both a skill set of education and experience and can successfully target a storm based on meteorological analysis. Veteran chasers have the ability to use higher levels of data - not just radar or "spotternetwork" icons - plus educational assistance to assist staying out of dangerous situations - but prefer to chase "old school" using older methods and a high reliance of meteorological instinct. This is a fast-fading subset of chase types.
Veteran-Techno Chasers
"Veteran-Techno" chasers still have the ability to chase blind - without data and computer/technological assistance - but have a strong preference to use the latest tehnological advancements to increase their chances of not only safety but type of severe weather subset that they have identified as their "niche". Veteran-Techno chasers make up a very large percentage of chasers that exist on online forums such as StormTrack. These highly experienced and highly educated veteran chasers have a plethora of technology at the helm, including GPS, Threatnet, GRIII, Radio/Communication devices, Mobile Radar, among many other technological aids. This subset of chasing is fast becoming a larger subset as "veteran" chasers morph quickly into "veteran-techno" chasers.
Techno-Chasers
Usually newer, tech savvy chasers with little experience, Techno-Chasers have become an increasingly larger subset in chasing today. Due to the popularity of many storm chasing programs and documentaries, techno-chasers use a lot of sophisiticated programs and equipment from the very start of chasing. A good subset of techno-chasers of this group begin chasing without meteorological experience, and learn while in the field, sometimes through the school of bad experiences and lessons learned. This can cause a higher risk of unforseen circumstances such as accidental coring of hail cores and other errors that education could help eliminate. However, with persistance and lessons learned and continued chasing, a techno-chaser can easily morph into an experienced and respected "techno-veteran" chaser.
Apprentice Chasers
Apprentice Chasers - or "Newbies", "Noobs", or "Beginners", are chasers who are serious about meteorology and their passion of severe weather who are just beginning or have less then 2 years of actual chasing experience. These serious chasers are very green but spend a lot of time learning and educating themselves through a combination of online, textbook, and on-the-field storm chasing. Once an Apprentice Chaser becomes comfortable and knowledgable chasing solo, they can then be classified into whatever subset they belong in based on their chase style - veteran, techno-veteran, etc.
Cruise Chasers
Cruise Chasers are only intermittently active, chase when possible due to work/family/other obligations, but are passionate about meteorology and chasing. They usually chase on a local or regional level, and occasionally will get in 1 or 2 larger chases per year. They usually chase in unmarked vehicles, with a limited amount of technology with them. This subset is usually low-profile and content with any weather they are able to target and successfully capture.
Expedition Chasers (added by Australian Chaser John Allen)
This class of chaser has to cross a border or an ocean just to get to the great plains to chase. Quite often picked for having an odd accent or appearing across a large number of states over a period of as much as a month. Generally they are limited in time they are able to chase by the extreme costs of long distance travel and the vagrant lifestyle, however this has little bearing on their experience. This group can vary from Riding to Veteran, to Veteran-Techno in their experience, depending on their experiences in their own country.
Pseudo-Chasers
Storm Chasing by definition is the act of chasing a storm. Therefore, however unpopular, even those locals who chase storms with no knowledge or experience are still, by definition, "chasers" - even if of the lowest "class". Popularly known by Veteran/Techno-Veteran Chasers as "Yahoos", Pseudo-Chasers have no real meteorological chasing experience, and very little technological know-how either. These Pseudo-Chasers simply jump into a car, and find a storm with no idea what they are looking at at all. They are responsible for a large percentage of "convergence issues" on the field, and largely responsible for reckless and irresponsible driving. Pseudo Chasers have become popular imitators of genuine chasers, and are a large percentage of the reasons why some Law Enforcement look down on genuine chasers.
**NOTE: Skywarn spotters do not chase, they spot - by definition, this excludes them from the chaser list. However, a spotter who chases would then be classified by one of the subset groups listed above.
Let me know what you think of these categorizations and input your thoughts and opinions here, thanks for reading!
Research/Science Chasers
A small subset of elite chasers that are involved in the actual research and science of chasing. This subset includes Meteorologists, Vortex II, chasers who develop probes and instrumentation for tornado study, and those involved in serious tornado analysis. These chasers chase strictly for the science with the mission of collecting data for furthering tornado warning lead times and the understanding of how tornadoes work.
Media Chasers
Media Chasers chase for the media. These chasers may chase via ground vehicle or helicopter, and commonly report and/or stream directly to local media for the expressed purpose of warning the public. Media Chasers can also be a hybrid of techno-veteran chasers, since most media chasers must by their profession be technologically savvy.
Tour Chasers
Tour chasers lead tour groups for business purposes - usually very passionate, highly educated chasers with a large subset of experience.
Riding Chasers
Riding Chasers usually are passengers of tour chasers or private chasers who may or may not have a large meteorological/chasing background but for whatever reason are unable to chase on their own due to medical, health or other substantiating issues. This categorization excludes those who are able to chase on their own but simply do not.
Extreme Chasers
Extreme Chasers have a specific goal in mind - to get as close to extreme severe weather as possible, albeit tornadoes, giant hail, or other extreme severe weather phenomena. As such activities are a higher level of danger, these groups of chasers are controversial among the chaser community - the extreme chaser usually defensively asserting their freedom to chase the way they choose to, those against "extreme chasing" with just as strong feelings against this style of storm chasing. Extreme chasing as a subset of chasing will continue to be controversial. Extreme Chasers can be "Extreme-Veteran Chasers" but more likely "Extreme Techno-Veteran" chasers as these chasers usually use high technology to get them in as extreme a situation as possible. With this chase subset they can be greatly loved by many or greatly "un-loved" - based on the high controversial status of this form of chasing.
Veteran Chasers
It is my belief that "Veteran" chasers take on a completely different meaning then has ever existed before. Veteran chasers have the ability to chase blind - that is - without data and computer/technological assistance. These chasers have both a skill set of education and experience and can successfully target a storm based on meteorological analysis. Veteran chasers have the ability to use higher levels of data - not just radar or "spotternetwork" icons - plus educational assistance to assist staying out of dangerous situations - but prefer to chase "old school" using older methods and a high reliance of meteorological instinct. This is a fast-fading subset of chase types.
Veteran-Techno Chasers
"Veteran-Techno" chasers still have the ability to chase blind - without data and computer/technological assistance - but have a strong preference to use the latest tehnological advancements to increase their chances of not only safety but type of severe weather subset that they have identified as their "niche". Veteran-Techno chasers make up a very large percentage of chasers that exist on online forums such as StormTrack. These highly experienced and highly educated veteran chasers have a plethora of technology at the helm, including GPS, Threatnet, GRIII, Radio/Communication devices, Mobile Radar, among many other technological aids. This subset of chasing is fast becoming a larger subset as "veteran" chasers morph quickly into "veteran-techno" chasers.
Techno-Chasers
Usually newer, tech savvy chasers with little experience, Techno-Chasers have become an increasingly larger subset in chasing today. Due to the popularity of many storm chasing programs and documentaries, techno-chasers use a lot of sophisiticated programs and equipment from the very start of chasing. A good subset of techno-chasers of this group begin chasing without meteorological experience, and learn while in the field, sometimes through the school of bad experiences and lessons learned. This can cause a higher risk of unforseen circumstances such as accidental coring of hail cores and other errors that education could help eliminate. However, with persistance and lessons learned and continued chasing, a techno-chaser can easily morph into an experienced and respected "techno-veteran" chaser.
Apprentice Chasers
Apprentice Chasers - or "Newbies", "Noobs", or "Beginners", are chasers who are serious about meteorology and their passion of severe weather who are just beginning or have less then 2 years of actual chasing experience. These serious chasers are very green but spend a lot of time learning and educating themselves through a combination of online, textbook, and on-the-field storm chasing. Once an Apprentice Chaser becomes comfortable and knowledgable chasing solo, they can then be classified into whatever subset they belong in based on their chase style - veteran, techno-veteran, etc.
Cruise Chasers
Cruise Chasers are only intermittently active, chase when possible due to work/family/other obligations, but are passionate about meteorology and chasing. They usually chase on a local or regional level, and occasionally will get in 1 or 2 larger chases per year. They usually chase in unmarked vehicles, with a limited amount of technology with them. This subset is usually low-profile and content with any weather they are able to target and successfully capture.
Expedition Chasers (added by Australian Chaser John Allen)
This class of chaser has to cross a border or an ocean just to get to the great plains to chase. Quite often picked for having an odd accent or appearing across a large number of states over a period of as much as a month. Generally they are limited in time they are able to chase by the extreme costs of long distance travel and the vagrant lifestyle, however this has little bearing on their experience. This group can vary from Riding to Veteran, to Veteran-Techno in their experience, depending on their experiences in their own country.
Pseudo-Chasers
Storm Chasing by definition is the act of chasing a storm. Therefore, however unpopular, even those locals who chase storms with no knowledge or experience are still, by definition, "chasers" - even if of the lowest "class". Popularly known by Veteran/Techno-Veteran Chasers as "Yahoos", Pseudo-Chasers have no real meteorological chasing experience, and very little technological know-how either. These Pseudo-Chasers simply jump into a car, and find a storm with no idea what they are looking at at all. They are responsible for a large percentage of "convergence issues" on the field, and largely responsible for reckless and irresponsible driving. Pseudo Chasers have become popular imitators of genuine chasers, and are a large percentage of the reasons why some Law Enforcement look down on genuine chasers.
**NOTE: Skywarn spotters do not chase, they spot - by definition, this excludes them from the chaser list. However, a spotter who chases would then be classified by one of the subset groups listed above.
Let me know what you think of these categorizations and input your thoughts and opinions here, thanks for reading!
Last edited by a moderator: