*New Users. Meet and Greet Area*

[Nick Slone]

After last Friday's (3/2/2012) chase, I feel that it's finally time that I stopped lurking and started posting.

Hello everyone. Nice to finally meet and greet. I've been chasing actively for the last 3 years and had been spotting for about 5 yrs before that. Nothing like N C Ohio weather: supercells one day, 6" of snow the next.

 

[M. Honcho]

Ok so I don't think I've officially put a post in this thread yet.

I'm from SW Ohio. I've been watching the forums and in the chat room on and off since last summer. I've been trying to learn more about severe weather with the hope of someday chasing. I've completed some classes online. I am taking an NWS hosted spotter class later this month. I hope to get to know some more of you in the future.

Stay safe everyone and happy chasing.

 

[Aaron Kafton]

Thought I'd stop in and say hello. I'm a photographer from Joplin Missouri. Always loved storms and always been interesting in storm chasing and finally decided to actually invest in this interest in hopes that... well I'm less of a danger to myself and those around me... and actually be useful. After seeing what happened to my town and all the bad info that news radio was reporting, I imagine having better educated spotters couldn't hurt

 

[CanadianChaser]

Another new member, David from Canada (Southern Ontario). I've always had an interest in storms, grew up on a farm watching them form, and when I switched to the office I watched every line come and go on radar. I'm also working on my commercial pilots license so meteorology is quite important for that too. My main focus with chasing is photography, I love getting lightning pics at night. Tornadoes are somewhat rare around here so it's mostly just run of the mill storms for pics I'm looking to hunt though we usually do get a few tornadoes a year.

 

[Greg Flint]

Hello Everyone. I joined last month (I think) and thought it was finally time to introduce myself. I live near Boston MA and have always been interested in weather. Having such eclectic weather in the northeast where you will see 90 degree days in summer and sub zero days in winter definitely builds character . My first memory of a "weather event" was being caught in a storm when I was about 5 years old. Rather than being scared, I was completely intrigued and wanted to see more and more! I remember asking "why are the trees turning white" and what I was asking pertained to the shape of the lighting bolts that looked similiar to tree branches. My mother was always deathly afraid - growing up in Mississippi and being taken into underground storm shelters maybe has that effect on people.

Like many posted before, I too would watch the weather channel for hours at a time, sometimes all day!! Now I find the sensationalism of the media to be a bit dissapointing - rather than sticking to the facts they seem to break in with intense graphics and commentary/interviews which I find to be a bit of a turn off. This type of media reporting runs rampant up here on the weather stations too - over 6 inches of snow. You wouldn't think it would be this way, us being from New England and all but they seem to make such a big deal over the littlest events.

Im planning to chase for the first time ever in early May if storms are present. I will be flying into a point of interest and either A) looking to meet up with someone from here for about 5 days or B) chasing on my own. I really don't want to have to resort to chasing on my own, especially it being the first time but I do feel like I am educated enough to know where and what to do. Hope to meet up with some folks here so I won't have to worry about all the intricacies that go along with a solo chase though.

 

[Jason P]

Gday All,

My name is Jason Paterson and I'm a storm chaser from Australia. I'm currently one of the state reps (SE QLD/ NE NSW) for ASWA and am actively involved in this organisation. I've been actively chasing storms over here for around 5yrs and in that time I've learnt just about everything there is to know about stormcasting here in Oz. Naturally my goal is to chase Tornado Alley and this year is the year I realise that dream, with 2 fellow chasers and good friends from Australia.

Where I live in Australia (North East New South Wales) is considered to be one of the hotspots for Supercell activity in our country. I've seen numerous severe supercells with one of the worst affecting my house directly causing significant damage from 100km/hr+ wind driven 6cm+ hail. We've had a few tornadoes in our area, however I still haven't seen one in person. Some of you may remember the Dunoon tornado and the Lennox Head tornado ( search on youtube there'll be vids there somewhere) which caused considerable damage ( both rated low EF2 from memory), although not on the scale of the beasts you guys get!

I'd just like to thank admins for approving my registration as I'm sure Storm Track will become an invaluable tool for me in learning a bit more about US style set ups and following chase reports and pictures whilst we're over there and when we come back.

I'll leave you with a couple of photos of some of the supercells I've encountered over the last few years.

Regards Jason

 

[isobar]

Hello everyone new here. I live in Alabama on the Gulf of Mexico. Not much in the way of Tornadoes but we do have our share of Hurricanes. Hoping for a active season and glad to be here.

 

[Brian R]

Hello everyone, I just joined the group a few days ago. That being said, I am not a new chaser, I have been chasing for about 10 years or so... however like all of us we are always learning more about the weather and mostly severe weather. hoping to meet some of you fine people out in the field, and best of luck to you all. remember to remain safe at all times. Never Stop Chasing!! I forgot my name is Brian Russell and my ham radio call is KC9MSG, I am usually on the CFMC 440 repeater in the chicagoland area

 

[chrisbray]

Hello. I'm Chris, originally from Bloomington Illinois. I went to school at Butler University and now live in Bourbonnais, Illinois. I have been storm chasing for fun since about 2004, and not long after almost met up with this monster: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ilx/events/jul132004/jul13.php, on a foolish solo blind chase. I occasionally chased with my friend who has now moved, so I really don't have a chase partner anymore. Over the years, the tornado pickings have been slim for me here in Illinois. I was on my honeymoon in 2008 when this monster occurred not too far from where I live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2mRjGQZW3I&feature=fvwrel, so sadly I didn't get to chase that....then I have my first and only intercept, June 5 2010, as seen in this NOAA writeup: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/dvn/?n=magnoliatornado. I also really enjoy lightning photography, and will check out the lightning pictures posted on here.

It's only been in the past year+ that I have decided to really learn a lot more about weather forecasting and analysis so that when I do get the chance to chase, it's way more focused and likely to succeed, and I find the topic fascinating. I do have Tim Vazquez's books, which led me here. I look forward to being a part of the community.

I'm also interested in the possiblity of meeting/chasing with other people in the chicago area, so please feel free to contact me!

 

[StormScotter]

Guess I'll join the intro party.... I dabble in photography as a hobby. From the weather side it's been mostly about lightning shots for me (largely at night). That's led to greater curiosity and desire to understand weather in general. Always been fascinated by tornadoes as well, and the lightning chase led me into the world of twisters.

I'm based out of Dallas (Grapevine), and traditionally have just been a photographer of opportunity (when stuff was going on close by). I work in IT and with judicial systems, and spend time in South Dakota working with clients there as well.

Anyway, been chasing about three years now, have eight tornado intercepts, several more big / photogenic storms. I also got involved with Skywarn last year and will continue to do that as well.

Anyway, just joined in the quest for more knowledge and to get more involved with discussions and learning more about everything storm related. Thanks in advance. Would love to tag team some chases some time, though I've got a couple of friends with similar backgrounds who I generally go out with.

 

[Patty Ankrum]

First time posting

My name is Patty Ankrum aka Blacksheep (I was shy about posting my name but don't think I can change it now). I've been chasing around 11 years. I joined this forum around a year ago. SPC and Stormtrack are the first two sites I check every morning. I'm reviewing old posts in the Intro forum to answer questions I have, which are increasing exponentially as I attempt to read products and radar, understand storm structure, understand the language you all are using. Whew! I'll post questions later, but wanted to at least introduce myself.

 

[Dave Gallaher]

Welcome, Patty. All of us here know about the exponential increase in questions, and I can vouch for them continuing for decades. This is one of the things I've loved about weather observation and theory, as it never seems to be fully explained and new ideas pop up from time to time. Glad you have come aboard.

 

[WabbitGurl]

My name is Lisa and I'm not sure anyone can get any greener at stormchasing than me!! I am more than wet behind the ears!! Storms have always fascinated me, but never took the time to try understanding the physics behind them...that is until I became a Skywarn Spotter!! I don't pretend to understand alot of what I'm seeing and trying to learn in my spare time, but I am eager to do so!! Please bear with me if I'm asking really simple, silly questions about storm structures and physics!

Just wanted to poke my head in and say 'hello'!!


Lisa

 

[Jennifer Palmer]

Welcome to the new users!!! We all have to start somewhere!

 

[John Olexa]

Welcome to the group. knowledge begins with the first question.