Kevin J Nagle
Enthusiast
I might try to make some friends. I'm definitely not paying the tour price. Might even do some weekend type gigs when I move,and learn myself if nothing else.
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New to chasing
- Thread starter Kevin J Nagle
- Start date
Greg Flint
EF1
John Olexa
EF5
Maybe look into becoming a Skywarn Spotter in your area. It's a good start, It's free, you'll get some good training & get an idea what chasing is like without really having to travel all that far away, while also providing a valuable service in your community.
Kevin J Nagle
Enthusiast
What does Skywarn generally do?
What part of PA are you in? There are a good number of PA chasers, myself included (although, good chasing setups in PA are hard to come by). I do head out to the Plains for a couple of weeks every year, yes, it does get expensive, but, it is worth it.
Regarding Skywarn, it is the volunteer spotter program for NWS. In SE PA (where I live), it is not a "dispatched" service (not really close to a chasing experience around here). If you are in SE PA (or as far north as Carbon/Monroe Counties), you are covered by the Mount Holly office, and, their Skywarn training sessions are listed at http://www.weather.gov/phi/classes . Other parts of PA are covered by either Binghamton, State College, Pittsburgh or Buffalo offices.
There is still room on my trip (May 13 to May 29) ... not a tour group, so a little less expensive (but, it is an expensive hobby no matter how you slice it).
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Regarding Skywarn, it is the volunteer spotter program for NWS. In SE PA (where I live), it is not a "dispatched" service (not really close to a chasing experience around here). If you are in SE PA (or as far north as Carbon/Monroe Counties), you are covered by the Mount Holly office, and, their Skywarn training sessions are listed at http://www.weather.gov/phi/classes . Other parts of PA are covered by either Binghamton, State College, Pittsburgh or Buffalo offices.
There is still room on my trip (May 13 to May 29) ... not a tour group, so a little less expensive (but, it is an expensive hobby no matter how you slice it).
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Paul Knightley
EF5
It certainly is an expensive hobby, I'll grant you that. You have to get past that, and not expect to have anything handed to you on a plate, especially from the atmosphere! But, overall, chasers are a friendly bunch and people are usually pretty happy to share experiences, offer advice if asked for, and even (like Lou) offer a way in. But I still advise going away and trying to read as much as possible around the subject - you'll learn much better that way overall, even more than on here.
John Olexa
EF5
Kevin J Nagle
Enthusiast
I would love to go, but I won't be around then. As for Sky warn, I'd most likely be covered under the State College area.
Kevin J Nagle
Enthusiast
I'm sure it's expensive, but 3,000 is a little steep. I have been watching YouTube videos, and I'll be taking some meteorology classes in school. Hopefully it'll give me a good foundation.
jaland
Enthusiast
I can give you some tips in gathering info from grizzled veterans. When you get an answer that you don't understand, you will find more success in getting answers if you run with the topic and asking more informed questions on your research. For example, someone brought up skywarn, and you asked what skywarn did/was. Try looking up those kinds of questions on basic info on your own and come back with a question like, "who has gone through this training, what did you enjoy most, etc.,"
Many of us have been burned by people who pick our brains for a few weeks then lose interest and/or don't put in the study to grasp the knowledge that has been shared.
Show enthusiasm, and you'll make great connections and friends! I hope that didn't sound to critical, but I mentor a many junior IT professionals, and I notice this behavior everyday.
Many of us have been burned by people who pick our brains for a few weeks then lose interest and/or don't put in the study to grasp the knowledge that has been shared.
Show enthusiasm, and you'll make great connections and friends! I hope that didn't sound to critical, but I mentor a many junior IT professionals, and I notice this behavior everyday.
JamesCaruso
Staff member
$3000 may be steep but the important thing is what is the *incremental* cost? It's not $3000 compared to zero. Even chasing alone, you're going to have your own costs of fuel and/or car rental, hotels, meals, technology, data subscriptions, etc. The tour cost of $3000 is all-in, isn't it?
Admittedly it's cheaper if you can partner up with someone where there is no markup/profit involved. The important thing is not to put the cart before the horse so to speak... There is a lot to learn before heading out into the field alone- both from a safety standpoint, as well as to optimize your chances for success and ability to appreciate it all. Even going with someone, you'll appreciate it a lot more if you have some context for what you are seeing and experiencing. When I first started on a tour, the tour guide actually interrogated me on the amount of studying I had done; he wanted to be comfortable that I was serious enough about it and wouldn't get immediately frustrated and lose patience on the long drives, the hours waiting out in the field, or on the first bust day.
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Admittedly it's cheaper if you can partner up with someone where there is no markup/profit involved. The important thing is not to put the cart before the horse so to speak... There is a lot to learn before heading out into the field alone- both from a safety standpoint, as well as to optimize your chances for success and ability to appreciate it all. Even going with someone, you'll appreciate it a lot more if you have some context for what you are seeing and experiencing. When I first started on a tour, the tour guide actually interrogated me on the amount of studying I had done; he wanted to be comfortable that I was serious enough about it and wouldn't get immediately frustrated and lose patience on the long drives, the hours waiting out in the field, or on the first bust day.
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David Williams
EF4
Kevin, you can chase with me if you want. I have a seat available in my vehicle for a week in May. I'll teach you and you'll be with some other cool chasers that are also learning. I've been inviting noobs and overseas chasers to chase with me for a few years now. We have a great time, you'll learn a lot, and you'll get experience. I sent you a private message with some more details.
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Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Stormtrack mobile app
Here's a good map of which county goes with which NWS CWA ... unless you're colorblind like me ... I can't really see much difference between State College and Binghamton on the map ... hopefully you can. The counties covered by Binghamton are Bradford, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming, Lackawanna, Pike and Luzerne.
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