*New Users. Meet and Greet Area*

[Kyle L]

Live long and prosper! I'm Kyle and I've been a weather weenie ever since I was a little boy and a massive supercell rolled through central Indiana, where I'm from... well, that and I saw Twister and thought I'd give it a shot. I started chasing during the 2013 chase season, dragging my mom out with me since I was still a freshman in high school and I couldn't drive. We saw one tornado that year, and ever since that one, I've been hooked.

I chase when I can, and I'm slowly changing my 2014 Chevy Cruze from a little run-of-the-mill sedan into a chase car. I have some of the stuff I need: phone with RadarScope, a small radio, and a GoPro that's missing its mount. Commonly, I can only chase small local stuff because I don't have the capability to chase long distances solo because I'm a college student, so money is fairly tight.

This year, if I can, I'm going to chase as much as possible. The South looks incredibly active this year, and if it keeps up, it might be worth chasing if I can find someone to partner up with who has experience chasing in Dixie. If nothing else, the plains would be a dream come true for it since you can see for miles once you get to the plains of Kansas down through Texas.

Aside from chasing, I've been dabbling a little bit in forecasting. It's like solving a puzzle for me. While I'm still honing the skill, I think I'm slowly starting to gain some insight for different regions as to what to expect.

 

[CJStefan]

Hello all! My name is Cam, and for many years I've loved thunder storms and severe weather. The science behind them has always fascinated me, and witnessing those sciences in action is absolutely thrilling.

When I was little, if I had a pencil and a piece of paper, there was a 50%chance there'd soon be a drawing of a tornado on it! I'd also often watch the storms roll in over our house, giving my parents predictions and warnings as I deemed necessary. The interest to chase didn't really appear until a particularly bad storm in the early 2000s. Tornado producing storms are rare in Pittsburgh, Pa, and so witnessing a storm with such an intensity definitely left an impression.

The years passed by, and even though I hadn't expressed outward interest, storm chasing was still on the back-burner. A few years ago, that interest rekindled, and I've decided to start taking steps to (safely!) pursue the amateur storm chasing status. I recently purchased a truck, so now mobility has opened new doors (and storm chasing is one of them).

I'm glad this community has a communication platform, and I look forward to contributing what I can to storm chasing.

 

[ruth.palacios]

Hello all!! My name is Ruth but everyone likes to call me by my middle name Anna. I have been interested in weather for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Milwaukee Wisconsin, we would get descent weather year round. The severe storms in the Spring and Summer, blizzards in Winter, and even waterspouts on lake Michigan. It made me always want to learn more. Fast-forward several years and here I am. I am super excited to be here!!

 

[David H]

Howdy! My name is David Heller and currently live in Southeast TX. My fascination with extreme weather dates back to when I was 4 years old and experienced the 1993 "Superstorm" while I was living in VA. Then, add to that the Blizzard of '96. I can also admit my increased interest to storms when I was 7 and saw the movie, Twister. It wasn't entirely a result of watching the movie itself, but rather, at the same time I was watching it in the local theater with my dad and sister, that my hometown area was struck by a tornado (F-2 if I remember correctly). Fast forward many years later to 2015, is when I officially began chasing tornadoes and supercells.

I am willing to chase Tornado and Dixie Alley, as well as eager to share thoughts and ideas about weather and storm chasing.

 

[TJKLECKNER]

Howdy David. Also here in Southeast TX. Weather in Galveston is quite null most of the year...minus the occasional hurricane. Most of my past chasing fun was in Louisiana and Iowa

 

[David H]

Howdy David. Also here in Southeast TX. Weather in Galveston is quite null most of the year...minus the occasional hurricane. Most of my past chasing fun was in Louisiana and Iowa

Howdy TJ. I actually lived in Galveston from '07-'16. Graduated from TAMUG, Class '11. I experienced the eyewall of Ike in '08. An experience I'll always remember! Now living in the Golden Triangle. I chased the Central MS monsters yesterday and will provide a report soon.

 

[acibarich]

Hey everyone, I'm Adam from New Hampshire. I've been forecasting the weather for the Air Force for the past 6 years, and I'm getting back to school this fall to finish up my degrees in Meteorology.

I'm excited to get into storm chasing, and this was to be my first year dedicating time to doing so, but it seems COVID-19 might have other plans. Luckily my chase vehicle is a GMC Yukon I've converted into an impromptu road trip camper, so I may yet be able to chase and keep social distance.

Looking forward to learning more about weather and chasing here, and any advice or recommendations are always appreciated!

 

[James Franc]

Hi everybody! Just wanted to break the ice and introduce myself on here. I'm from the Pittsburgh, PA area. I've been interested in weather ever since I can remember. The past 3 years, I've been really studying what makes the weather tick. Severe weather is my primary interest. IF I get to this year, this will be my third year chasing. I'm a bit of a recluse and socially awkward (lol), but I would like to try to be somewhat involved with the community and learn from all of you and just share the thrill and passion that we all have in common. Hope to see you (once it's safe ) on a road in the Plains with a twister bearing down!

 

[Isaiah Montgomery]

Hey there y'all
I'm a high school grad from Owensboro, KY moving into college for Meteorology this year, at ULM, here to introduce myself to everyone. I've been on the forum for a long time, and the threads on this site have helped me out a lot in the past, to say the least. I've been following the weather for as long as I can remember, but this month I actually chased for the first time. It's a moderately long drive to Central IL, but it has been very kind to me so far! I basically rely on RadarScope Pro (and a reliable road network) but I also run GRLevel3 and use an older iPhone for navigation purposes. Still new and learning, but so far so good I guess. If you've been to Western KY, you would know that the roads and terrain are, let's say "less forgiving", so I'm reluctant to go out more.

 

[Todd Lemery]

Good luck Isaiah. All of us who live in crappy chase terrain feel your pain!

 

[Scott Fortune]

Hey Everyone, Been a weather nut for 40 some years, active outdoorsman, mainly fishing, but always had a thing for storms. Being a fisherman, i usually get caught in the storm. My grandfather recorded everything weather wise and later i did too, seeing fish movements due to changing weather patterns. Born and raised in NE Ohio, experienced a micro burst first hand (caught on the water again..lol). I moved to SC and started chasing storms in 1999 to 2005, then gave it up. Here in the upstate South Carolina, some nasty storms have come through, but ive managed to not get caught on the lake as much. (I'm sure someone here will criticized me for saying this, but when a tornado warning was issued, Ive never took it serious enough, so dismissed it, till this year). We had a tornado outbreak this spring, mainly in April. April 12th our local meteorologist on the 11p news forecasted a really bad night for tornadoes.He even insisted someone stay up and monitor the weather. Something told me to stay up this time,instead of me just sleeping thru it like i normally would. About 3:25a April 13th 2020, I heard a loud roar coming closer and closer. At 3:29a, i grabbed both my cats and headed for the main bathroom,then it hit. An EF3 hit the southern side of the city. It literally came over my house, then quiet. Somehow the EF3 tornado spared my place and 5 surrounding homes, but destroying everything else, farther up my street (west) and on other side (east of me). A month ago I contacted that same meteorologist, about how to become a Storm Spotter. He quickly sent me to NWS and I took the online version (since the covid-19 thing is going on). I'm now a certified Skywarn Storm Spotter(still waiting on my id number and id badge from NWS, with the covid-19 going on dont know how long that will take. Might even have to take another certication course next spring, i don't know how thats gonna play out yet). I want to eventually get a used 4x4 pickup truck for chasing,so i dont have to worry about hail dents. In college, I took Fish & Wildlife Mgt & National Park Ranger training. Didnt get in with the Park Service, but got certified in Search & Rescue as well as EMT training. That training paid off this past April 13th.
Everyone knows the big tornadoes are out west in the plains, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas etc. The one that hit me, was one of those historic tornadoes, but not uncommon to get the EF0, EF1 and EF2 around here, so plenty of smaller tornadoes to chase here.

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

Hey Everyone, Been a weather nut for 40 some years, active outdoorsman, mainly fishing, but always had a thing for storms. Being a fisherman, i usually get caught in the storm. My grandfather recorded everything weather wise and later i did too, seeing fish movements due to changing weather patterns. Born and raised in NE Ohio, experienced a micro burst first hand (caught on the water again..lol). I moved to SC and started chasing storms in 1999 to 2005, then gave it up. Here in the upstate South Carolina, some nasty storms have come through, but ive managed to not get caught on the lake as much. (I'm sure someone here will criticized me for saying this, but when a tornado warning was issued, Ive never took it serious enough, so dismissed it, till this year). We had a tornado outbreak this spring, mainly in April. April 12th our local meteorologist on the 11p news forecasted a really bad night for tornadoes.He even insisted someone stay up and monitor the weather. Something told me to stay up this time,instead of me just sleeping thru it like i normally would. About 3:25a April 13th 2020, I heard a loud roar coming closer and closer. At 3:29a, i grabbed both my cats and headed for the main bathroom,then it hit. An EF3 hit the southern side of the city. It literally came over my house, then quiet. Somehow the EF3 tornado spared my place and 5 surrounding homes, but destroying everything else, farther up my street (west) and on other side (east of me). A month ago I contacted that same meteorologist, about how to become a Storm Spotter. He quickly sent me to NWS and I took the online version (since the covid-19 thing is going on). I'm now a certified Skywarn Storm Spotter(still waiting on my id number and id badge from NWS, with the covid-19 going on dont know how long that will take. Might even have to take another certication course next spring, i don't know how thats gonna play out yet). I want to eventually get a used 4x4 pickup truck for chasing,so i dont have to worry about hail dents. In college, I took Fish & Wildlife Mgt & National Park Ranger training. Didnt get in with the Park Service, but got certified in Search & Rescue as well as EMT training. That training paid off this past April 13th.
Everyone knows the big tornadoes are out west in the plains, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas etc. The one that hit me, was one of those historic tornadoes, but not uncommon to get the EF0, EF1 and EF2 around here, so plenty of smaller tornadoes to chase here.

If you decide chasing is for you, it sounds like you'll be a valuable resource for the rest of us and others impacted. Welcome aboard and don't hesitate to ask questions. This forum has been my referral source to confirm my practical experience, and while I've seen however many tors I've seen, I'm still in awe of the skills and knowledge that can be found here.

 

[Scott Fortune]

If you decide chasing is for you, it sounds like you'll be a valuable resource for the rest of us and others impacted. Welcome aboard and don't hesitate to ask questions. This forum has been my referral source to confirm my practical experience, and while I've seen however many tors I've seen, I'm still in awe of the skills and knowledge that can be found here.

Thanks Marc, I plan on getting back into chasing. I got the RadarScope app, but planning to add a HAM radio, an anemometer and most important 4x4 pickup that dont mind getting hail damaged on or rolled. Bit hard to do with my 2018 Explorer, so stuck with spotting for now.

 

[Matt Lochansky]

Hi all, here is my first post - I thought I would introduce myself and why I am here!

I am Matt Lochansky from Raleigh, NC. I'm a professional scientist (analytical chemist) and computer guy, with a keen interest in many things in the natural world - I'm an active amateur astronomer, gardener, and recently got my open water SCUBA certificate. I am also interested in weather, but it's been brought to the forefront by my son, Jack, who recently celebrated his 15th birthday. He's been a weather kid for many years. He's gone to weather camps, been to a few NWS offices, and is very active learning meteorology principles and climatology with other weather folks through discord, twitter, and his youtube channel. For a 15 year old, I think he spends too much time tracking/forecasting storms and stuff, be he loves it. He plans to pursue a career in atmospheric sciences / meteorology. He's been wanting to chase for a while now but we don't live in the most tornado-prone area. Before he graduates high school, I want to get him out on a tornado expedition. Perhaps closer to home, Hurricane Isaias should be in the area on Monday and we were going to go see what we see. We've got lots of radar tools (GRAnalyst, Radarscope), a handheld bluetooth weather meter, and our gopro cameras. Wish us luck!

 

[Todd Lemery]

Hi all, here is my first post - I thought I would introduce myself and why I am here!

I am Matt Lochansky from Raleigh, NC. I'm a professional scientist (analytical chemist) and computer guy, with a keen interest in many things in the natural world - I'm an active amateur astronomer, gardener, and recently got my open water SCUBA certificate. I am also interested in weather, but it's been brought to the forefront by my son, Jack, who recently celebrated his 15th birthday. He's been a weather kid for many years. He's gone to weather camps, been to a few NWS offices, and is very active learning meteorology principles and climatology with other weather folks through discord, twitter, and his youtube channel. For a 15 year old, I think he spends too much time tracking/forecasting storms and stuff, be he loves it. He plans to pursue a career in atmospheric sciences / meteorology. He's been wanting to chase for a while now but we don't live in the most tornado-prone area. Before he graduates high school, I want to get him out on a tornado expedition. Perhaps closer to home, Hurricane Isaias should be in the area on Monday and we were going to go see what we see. We've got lots of radar tools (GRAnalyst, Radarscope), a handheld bluetooth weather meter, and our gopro cameras. Wish us luck!

Good luck! A spring Southern plains trip would be a hell of a graduation present!