How do you define a "true chaser"??

[Teri Mooney]

Have a friend who let me know that I am not a "true chaser". I think she thinks I'm not becuz I don't want to get too close. On 6/15 I ended up (lack of knowledge) underneath a rotating wall cloud in Hoxie, KS, with sirens going off. No tornado, just rotating wall cloud. I don't want to be underneath one, it scares me a tad. If you are a true chaser, do you not have fear?? Also, I have no desire to drive in the dark when there are tornado warned cells all over the place. Do true chasers not have fear of this?? She also calls me crazy for doing this.

I also have a partner (?) who is disinterested and pretty much just goes with me to please me, doesn't find clouds beautiful as I do and if I get panicked he gets panicked and yells, just what you need in an intense situation. He tells me to drive west of it and get out from underneath it, and of course, right into the large hail and wind. Impossible to find anyone in northern KS to chase with, I've tried to no avail. What a hell of a deal.

Anyway, what do you all believe is a "true chaser". Thanks for your input.

 

[Andy Wehrle]

Your friend is full of it. Every chaser has a different style of forecasting (some prefer stronger shear over extreme CAPE, or vice versa, for example) and engaging storms (getting close vs. farther away) and rationales for those styles. Some who like to stay farther from the storm may do it for safety reasons, others just because they want to get shots of the storm as a whole. None of this makes anyone more or less of a chaser.

As for finding an interested chase parter in northern Kansas, ask around on this forum a bit. Heck I found one in southern Wisconsin, and I would think there would be a lot more chasers in Kansas.

 

[Melissa Jablonski]

Teri, your friend is wrong. I like to be a little further away from the storm than she considers right. I've been out looking at storms and eating burritos for around thirty years. If you are not a chaser neither am I. Do what you are comfortable with. Stay safe.
Melissa

 

[Jason Boggs]

I agree with everyone else...your friend has a lack of knowledge when it comes to this. This is my definition of a chaser: someone who goes out and seeks thunderstorms for various purposes, near and away from their home base. We all seek storms for different reasons. Some do it for research, and some do it for fun.

I don't like to get close either, but I'm still a chaser. I like to be at least 3-5 miles from a tornadic supercell. I like the structure shots and it's safe in case something unexpected happens.

Teri, if you go out and pursue storms, you're a chaser...PERIOD!

 

[Bob Hartig]

What makes for a "true chaser"? I think that discussion popped up on Stormtrack a while back, and everyone seemed to have their own opinions. The answer seems to be a bit philosophical. As I recall, though, folks seemed to agree upon a few simple, fundamental criteria, including an ongoing commitment to learn about storms and forecasting, and a willingness to simply get out there and chase storms. I don't recall that jeopardizing life and limb was on the list. Some chasers like to get up close and personal, and that's their choice, usually based on a good deal of experience. But if getting as close as possible to tornadoes is what defines a chaser, then not only would a lot of chasers on Stormtrack fail the test, but so would some of the most revered veterans of the practice. Last I knew, some of those luminaries had preached against getting too close, and advocated personal safety as a part of responsible chasing.

Don't worry about your friend's opinion, Teri, and for that matter, don't worry about whether or not you're a "storm chaser." It's just a label. Forget it. Just learn about the storms, chase them safely and responsibly, and enjoy their beauty at a distance that feels comfortable to you.

 

[Ric Burney]

Do what you feel comfortable with when seeking your storms. I wouldn't worry too much about the opinions of others on whether you are a chaser or not. You are obviously doing something you enjoy or you wouldn't be out there.
Have you taken a skywarn class and/or become involved with your local skywarn program? You might meet a like-minded potential chase partner (or two) that way.
Good information on spotter / chaser safety can be gleaned from the NWS skywarn classes along with the mechanics of the storm itself. Understanding the storm will allow you to make a decision on where you need to be and how close is too close.
There are also many good books that you might want to read. Tim Vasquez "Storm Chaser's Handbook" and Warran Faidley "Storm Chaser" come to mind.

 

[Adam Lucio]

There really is no set definition, the commonly accepted one is someone who goes out and pursues severe weather for any number of reasons.

To me though that is too vague...and I often say chasing a storm doesnt make you a storm chaser [i play baseball with my friends a couple times a year...i sure as hell arent a baseball player.]

To me, a true storm chaser is someone who takes all the time to learn everything they can about the storms, to film, document and report. They simply dont just load up with gear, check SPC and fly out the door...to me theyre not chasers.

As others have said, everyone has their own style and comfort level, none is more right than the other and dont let anyone try and tell you your way is wrong just because they dont agree with it or its different than theirs.

Finding a chase partner you really click with is tough, no matter what there will be times when situations get tense and you wont always agree, but generally you want to find someone who has a similar chasing style and comfort level as you...next time youre looking for a partner, lay out the facts first to avoid unpleasent surprises later.

 

[Benjamin Rock]

Sounds like your friend needs to be educated. I have been a chaser for over 15 years and continue to do it because of the thrill and the knowledge involved. I don't go Reed Timmer and get in the damage path or debris field unless it's by accident or no other choice. Safety is my number one concern. There are all types of chasers and spotters and weather enthusiasts out there. Opinions are free for anyone to offer. Just put it in your pocket and say thank you.

 

[Ric Burney]

Here we go:
http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12077&highlight=chaser

 

[Teri Mooney]

Thanks all for your input. Makes me feel better. I was thinking maybe I should just stay home, but I couldn't do it if I tried. Just need I think to keep educating myself and learning. I was a storm spotter for six years, but not a whole lot happens here and you can't learn much when there's not much to learn from. I had trouble, too, staying in one spot where I was told to go if it was a spot where I couldn't see much. I also posted on the chase thread at the beginning of the season, but didn't get a response from a soul in KS. Maybe next year.

Ric, thanks for that link. I LMAO. I can sure relate to a lot of them. My neighbors used to look at me funny until they got to know me if I was out yelling for my dogs, Lightning and Thunder. Have a cat named Storm.

 

[Uday Verma]

What is the definition of a storm chaser? A storm chaser is defined as a person who pursues imminent or existing severe thunderstorms, for any reason, and operates independently or as part of a research effort. This definition is from library of storm track by Roger Edwards and Tim Vasquez.

I tried googling for definition from some dictionary but couldn't find any.

The important words are "for any reason".

It was really interesting to read discussion about the guy can't remember his name who gave his video to CNN" I am in tornado" and all that.People were really critical of him that he brings bad name to storm chasers( I hard to understand why???) his life,his wish,his gimmick,even if he endangered others by driving at high speed( many have done some point of their life???) so what?

Point again "for any reason"

@Regarding chase partner .I was lucky to find one through chase partner thread only this year(1 year chasing with pros).I sent pm to few people.

Possible reasons for not finding yet:
Didn't try to send a private message.
Possibly people already got ones.
Probably people posting for kansas looking for experienced people.

 

[Dan Robinson]

I see this misunderstanding keeps getting tossed around. The objection many of us had with Camaro Guy was not with him chasing, not with him getting close to/into the tornado, not with him giving video to CNN. It was him driving 120 on a wet road around traffic. I'm not getting why there is such a backlash to objecting to that. Anyway.

I agree with most that the definition of a 'chaser' is fairly subjective. The main distinction I think is the word 'chasing', which implies the physical pursuit of a storm for observation or photography (via auto, bike or even on foot which I've done a few times!)

Part of me feels like there is a bit of 'paying your dues' necessary to earn the label and be part of the 'brother/sisterhood', so to speak- that is, someone who has gone out there, spent some money, put some miles on their vehicle and 'got their hands dirty'. How they do that and how successful they are is irrelevant - it's just important that it is done. I have to keep in mind though that there are many who want to chase but cannot, due to finances/family/work/physical condition or something beyond reasonable control. I would consider them chasers 'at heart', as the intent is there.

 

[Darren Addy]

I was thinking maybe I should just stay home...

I realize you were joking here, but one should never give some other human's opinion that much power over your life.

It's simple: Chasers chase. The details (how often, how far, how close) depends upon the chaser's circumstances and their judgment.

 

[Angie Norris]

Teri, the next time she gives you a hard time, tell her she's watching too much bad You Tube

Seriously though, people chase for many different reasons. Most of us (including you) simply go out to witness and enjoy the beauty and majesty of nature in all it's forms. Who doesn't get a huge thrill out of simply seeing a supercell over a field and then realize we're witnessing a once in a lifetime event; that there will never again be a storm just like that one again. It's the same with a tornado; each one is entirely unique and when we're lucky, we are witnessing another once in a lifetime event.

Everybody has a different chasing style. Some like to get up close and personal, others (like me) keep a respectful distance. I enjoy storm structure, and make generous use of my zoom lens. Sometimes I think I err too much on the side of caution and tell myself that I need to be more aggressive, but I'd rather watch the storm than be the storm

Night chasing...never seen the point of it. You're driving around in the dark looking for a dark swirly thing for what reason? Chances are it will catch you before you catch it. I'll wander out sometimes to try to shoot lightning, but memories of an encounter with some flash flooding during a night chase many years ago tend to keep me close to home at night.

The next time your friend gives you a hard time, offer to take her out with you...then show her how REAL chasing is done

 

[Larry J. Kosch]

CAT-5 ??

Teri,

Is your cat, STORM, a CAT-5?? LOL

And does your dogs, Lightning and Thunder, chase after STORM? Would that make you a DOG chaser instead of a STORM chaser? LOL. Just a play of words. man.