*New Users. Meet and Greet Area*

[Brenna R]

Hey all! I'm Brenna from Ohio. I have been a couch storm tracker since I was a kid, although I decided to become a librarian. I've decided I want to get into the field. It seems like severe storms are pushing further east so I don't have to travel to OK or KS to chase (though I'd love to someday). I am a trained storm spotter and currently working on my getting my ham radio license too. I hope to learn a lot on here!

 

[Drew Terril]

Welcome Mason and Brenna!

 

[Renee L]

Hey there everyone, glad I found this group! I'm from western Wisconsin, have always been a bit of a weather enthusiast (enjoy weather photography, tracking storms, learning whatever I can). A defining moment for me was July 15, 1980 (aging myself a bit here, ha). also known as the Western Wisconsin Derecho or The July 15th Storm (several tornadoes were also reported). I was at work, across town, when it hit that evening. I'll never forget it, when we all came out of the building after the storm passed, the sky, the wind in all directions, the damage for miles and miles (our building was OK, as was my home, minus some trees, we were lucky). It was like something out of a science fiction movie, I was both horrified and fascinated. It was a very interesting storm and left a wide swath of damage from MN to WI (there is a Wikipedia page about it, we made National News the next day). After that experience, and trying to get home through the damage, I had a new respect for storms, and a new interest.

 

[Roberto Gaianigo]

Hi everyone, I'm writing with automatic translation. I normally do storm chasing in the Veneto region of Italy. When luck and timing allow me, I often use timelapse not only because they are "beautiful" to look at but also because they allow us to better understand the dynamics of storms. In the past I edited reports on a site, today I only keep my YouTube channel and write on Italian forums, I'm not on Facebook. Every now and then I like to do research and investigate at a theoretical level on atmospheric phenomena and on physics and astronomy in general. Roberto Gaianigo.

 

[Laney Cole]

Hello Stormtrack,

My Interest in weather started young, growing up in South Florida, one cannot help but look to the skies from an early age. Hurricanes and surfing conditions were my original exposure to weather and forecasting. I originally wanted to be a forensic psychologist- but life is funny and I've worked as a photographer since 2007.

Tornadoes have always fascinated me. However, the Moore and El Reno tornadoes of 2013 were the beginning of my love affair with severe weather.
Not only was I shocked and astonished at the power of these beasts, but from a psychology standpoint I wanted to understand the mind of storm chasers, and of storms themselves.

I studied El Reno 2013 for just over a year, searching for understanding- and from there my love and admiration for chasers and tornadic storms continued to grow.

I began to appreciate the beauty in the formation of the perfect supercell and found myself wanting to know more each day.

4/1 the "cap" was removed, when four strong EF-2 tornadoes impacted my county. The lack of knowledge and basic awareness of those around me shocked and worried me, and I knew I had to do something. I hated the helplessness I felt at that moment- and it was then I decided to sign up for SKYWARN, join Spotter Network, and have been an active member of the WX community since.

Alas, now I am here and hope to continue to learn, grow, and contribute. Thank you for having me, Stormtrack.

 

[Ryan Walsh]

Hey Stormtrack! I'm Ryan from Boston, MA. I'm a simple weather enthusiast and getting more interested in the storm tracking/chasing community. The environment and how it's always changing fascinates me and I feel it's important for the future of humanity and the planet to be informed.

 

[Brandi L Katt]

Hello!

I'm glad to meet you all!
I am from Southern Wisconsin and I am a new (amateur) storm chaser! I've dreamed of becoming one since I was a child and I finally have the ability to do it, so here I am!

Just 2 things from me...
1. Any Fellow chasers who chase within 100 miles of Monroe Wi... If you're looking for a chase partner... Im asking for those with a home base near here, I am willing to travel farther for a good chase! But I am hoping to connect with some other local chasers (For experience and partnership, as a lot of the guides do say not to chase alone!)
2. Tell me what you personally use for chasing! I'm talking gear, guides (Apps/weather maps), even down to the vehicle you choose and why!
I have a Kia Soul currently, but am planning on 'downgrading' to a different (not my daily driver) vehicle over this summer. I just got myself a nice little 4k camcorder (Rawiemy HD 4K 48MP) and dash mount and am prepping my "go bag" for when I need to hop in the car and chase down a storm I plan to keep a first aid kit, one change of clothes, a neon sweatshirt (for visibility), and probably some spare camera gear (tripods, extra batteries and the like!) I've also been using RadarOmega & RadarScope along side Accuweather for radars

I'm doing as much research as I can so when the next set of storms pops up in the area, I am ready!!!

Thanks for reading, and extra thanks for any replies!
-Brandi

 

[Dan Ross]

Hello!

I'm glad to meet you all!
I am from Southern Wisconsin and I am a new (amateur) storm chaser! I've dreamed of becoming one since I was a child and I finally have the ability to do it, so here I am!

Just 2 things from me...
1. Any Fellow chasers who chase within 100 miles of Monroe Wi... If you're looking for a chase partner... Im asking for those with a home base near here, I am willing to travel farther for a good chase! But I am hoping to connect with some other local chasers (For experience and partnership, as a lot of the guides do say not to chase alone!)
2. Tell me what you personally use for chasing! I'm talking gear, guides (Apps/weather maps), even down to the vehicle you choose and why!
I have a Kia Soul currently, but am planning on 'downgrading' to a different (not my daily driver) vehicle over this summer. I just got myself a nice little 4k camcorder (Rawiemy HD 4K 48MP) and dash mount and am prepping my "go bag" for when I need to hop in the car and chase down a storm I plan to keep a first aid kit, one change of clothes, a neon sweatshirt (for visibility), and probably some spare camera gear (tripods, extra batteries and the like!) I've also been using RadarOmega & RadarScope along side Accuweather for radars

I'm doing as much research as I can so when the next set of storms pops up in the area, I am ready!!!

Thanks for reading, and extra thanks for any replies!
-Brandi

Hi Brandi!

I live over in Machesney Park, IL and have been chasing for over a decade now. Sometimes I have a friend or my brother join me, but often they're busy and the passenger seat is empty. I learned mostly on my own through a lot of trial and error, which as you mentioned is not the best way, but I'd consider myself to be a proficient enough storm chaser to advise someone starting out. I'm open to chatting about storms/forecasts, answering questions as best I can, and even having you along for a chase sometime if it works out.

I'm pretty simple when it comes to gear. Just my Canon Rebel t5i camera + tripod, a Gopro mounted on the windshield, smart phone, sometimes a laptop. Also RainX is great for the windshield - barely need wipers after a fresh coat of that stuff. I drive a Hyundai Elantra with a hatchback so I can car camp on vacations. A lot of folks assume you need 4 wheel drive and super high clearance to chase effectively, but as long as you stick to pavement and well-maintained gravel roads, that's quite unnecessary.

Here are some resources I use:

The University of Illinois has some great online resources for learning the basics about thunderstorm types/structure. It's a bit aged, but the info on there is still good.:
Severe Storms: online meteorology guide

For the latest severe weather forecasts from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC):
Storm Prediction Center Convective Outlooks

If you want to look at forecast models (the same stuff meteorologists and SPC forecasters use) you can view them here:
Models: GFS — Pivotal Weather (Caution: If you're just starting out these may be overwhelming and confusing as hell )

For monitoring current conditions/trends check out the SPC Mesoscale Analysis page:
SPC Hourly Mesoscale Analysis

And finally for current satellite images I like the College of DuPage website:
COD NEXLAB: Satellite and Radar

 

[Sam Soman]

Greetings! im a 16 year old die-hard enthusiast from the west Michigan region. i am most well known for owning a large social club (kind of like stormtrack) on the XBOX club community, and have a large presence in the MANY storm chasing "games" on the Roblox game website platform. i am planning to dip my feet into deeper waters soon and do some IRL chasing, but im still learning and relatively new to the more complex side of chasing. i am using this website to learn and connect with like-minded peeps, see you on the site!

Hello were are you in West Michigan I also live in West Michigan near Holland, Mi and also a teenager.

 

[Natalie K]

Hello all! My name is Matthew Harding and I am from Wichita, KS. I have been a weather enthusiast (thats putting it mildly) since I was a small child. I am currently attending Butler Community College (getting pre-reqs done) with the ultimate goal of becoming a television meteorologist. My unbridled passion has always been for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, but I love all other types of weather.

I have been a lurker on Stormtrack for over a year and have learned a lot from everybody on here. Now that I am a member, I am hoping to make contacts and continue learning from those who have far greater weather knowledge than I ever will. Everything I know about weather, I have learned from reading books, papers, discussions, or just by asking questions. While I am lacking in my overall storm chasing experience, I have gotten "lucky" a couple of times. With that said, I feel that if I can learn the ropes of storm chasing and gain valuable experience in the field, that it will help me become a better meteorologist later.

I am eager to learn all that I can from everybody on here and look forward to meeting you out on the road in Spring 2009.

Hey I use to live in Topeka, KS but moved back to missouri 2 years ago. I love the weather and respect what it can do. Skywarned certified and been tracking/chasing all spring. Now focusing on tropical which i am still learning.

 

[Chloe Burbank]

Hi stormchasers!
Im a documentary photographer out of Chicago and am really interested in getting into stormchasing. I have absolutely no experience, but was wondering if any chasers in the area would be willing to take me out and let me ride along and document the process. I may be getting a vehicle in the future, but at the moment, I would need to meet in one of the outer suburbs. I plan on making a photobook with my captures so this could be your chance to get published! Thank you so much!

 

[J Miller]

Hi people,
I'm Jack, I'm a 19 year old aerospace engineering student born and raised in New Jersey. My first love, however, was tornadoes, and to a lesser extent tropical weather. I have very little experience doing "real" chasing, but me and my friend have had our own few adventures. I love going out and experiencing storms, but unfortunately haven't had any good experience with strong severe weather. I also don't know much about forecasting, but again, trying to learn. My curiosities surround tornadogenesis and tornado vortex mechanics(how original...) as well as the physics of structure response in tornadic and tropical winds, as well as breaking waves on both static structures and ships. I've spent too much time skimming papers instead of doing more productive things. I'm excited to talk with people and learn, and look forward to talking to all of you.

 

[RachelDonoghue]

Hey guys! My name is Rachel Donoghue and I'm from the state of Michigan. (Someday I want to move to Norman, Oklahoma and go to The University Of Oklahoma.) I'm 26 years old. I've loved tornadoes and storms ever since I was 3. I saw the movie Twister in 2001 with my dad. We had it on VHS and after I saw the movie, I was hooked.

I truly didn't get obsessed with tornadoes until I was in Kindergarten. I had brought my VHS tape of Twister to show in tell sometime in 2003. Ironically, on that same day we had severe storms in the area. I remember the sky being an eerie green color and the clouds were pitch black, and rotating. While everyone else in my class was taking shelter, I was staring up out of the windows, mesmerized.

I felt just like Jo in the movie during the drive in scene. My teacher noticed that I was gone, and she pulled me to safety, even though I still wanted to watch the storm. There was never a confirmed tornado in the area that day, but we got bad winds and hail.

After that day I would check out every book that I could get my hands on about tornadoes. In 2007 we drove to my uncles graduation in Michigan. We were driving through Denver, Colorado and I witnessed that same green sky, but there was a wall cloud, and we drove through some nasty hail. Me and my dad were enjoying the storm, while everyone else in my family was scared.

It was pretty cool watching the rotation from the backseat of the SUV lol. Keeping my introduction short, but I am wanting to get a Ph.D in Meteorology so I can research tornadoes. I hope to see a real tornado someday and be out on the chase. Happy to be here with ya'll!

 

[Steve Holmes]

Hey guys! My name is Rachel Donoghue and I'm from the state of Michigan. (Someday I want to move to Norman, Oklahoma and go to The University Of Oklahoma.) I'm 26 years old. I've loved tornadoes and storms ever since I was 3. I saw the movie Twister in 2001 with my dad. We had it on VHS and after I saw the movie, I was hooked.

I truly didn't get obsessed with tornadoes until I was in Kindergarten. I had brought my VHS tape of Twister to show in tell sometime in 2003. Ironically, on that same day we had severe storms in the area. I remember the sky being an eerie green color and the clouds were pitch black, and rotating. While everyone else in my class was taking shelter, I was staring up out of the windows, mesmerized.

I felt just like Jo in the movie during the drive in scene. My teacher noticed that I was gone, and she pulled me to safety, even though I still wanted to watch the storm. There was never a confirmed tornado in the area that day, but we got bad winds and hail.

After that day I would check out every book that I could get my hands on about tornadoes. In 2007 we drove to my uncles graduation in Michigan. We were driving through Denver, Colorado and I witnessed that same green sky, but there was a wall cloud, and we drove through some nasty hail. Me and my dad were enjoying the storm, while everyone else in my family was scared.

It was pretty cool watching the rotation from the backseat of the SUV lol. Keeping my introduction short, but I am wanting to get a Ph.D in Meteorology so I can research tornadoes. I hope to see a real tornado someday and be out on the chase. Happy to be here with ya'll!

Welcome, Rachel. It's great that you have that bond with your father. You'll have those memories the rest of your life.

 

[RachelDonoghue]

Welcome, Rachel. It's great that you have that bond with your father. You'll have those memories the rest of your life.

Thank you! In 2016 me and my dad went to visit Oklahoma. It was my dream to go there ever since I was a kid. We went to the Twister movie museum party out there in Wakita and then chased a squall line through OKC. I remember visiting the national weather center and seeing the DOW trucks. Before we left we also went to the Twistex memorial in El Reno. That is one of my favorite memories that I have with my dad. Someday I hope that I can see a tornado with him.