Not sure what to do :(

[Sam Kennedy]

I sort of have a problem. All my life I have been fascinated by severe weather(apart from when I was really young and lightning scared me).

My problem is that I am in the UK, so the only thing for me to do is read about storms and watch videos on youtube.

What else is there to do apart from reading and watching stuff to do with severe weather?

 

[rdale]

You can load in old data and make forecasts and see how it worked out.

You can read journals and learn more of the scientific side.

 

[Sam Kennedy]

Where can I get old data from?

 

[rdale]

If you have GRLevelX radar software, you can download the radar archives from NCDC.

If you have GEMPAK, you can get model data from NCEP.

http://grlevelx.com
http://skywatch.org
http://has.ncdc.noaa.gov
ftp://ftpprd.ncep.noaa.gov

 

[Melanie Kern-Favilla]

I know a lot of people aren't crazy about this option, but...

If you have the funds to do so, you can go storm chasing with a storm chasing company. I, personally, have storm chased three times with http://www.silverliningtours.com. I know there are many people that live in the UK that chase with this company and are very happy with them.

 

[Tarmo Tanilsoo]

About rdale's post, I would like to make a note that the radar data obtained from NCDC's site will also work with Java Nexrad Viewer and its successor, Weather and Climate Toolkit. I have revisited the number 2 in the eye of Wilma that way.

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/radar/jnx/index.php
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/wct/

Also, Sam, if you have a satellite dish, then you might want to point your dish to the position at 19.2 degrees East during hurricanes in the U.S. I managed to get much of storm coverage on CNBC Europe, CNN International and on Sky News during Gustav. These channels are transmitted free to air on that satellite and therefore are free of charge.

 

[K Johnson]

Arm chair chasing is fun. Im not very good, but its a great way to learn how to forecast, and I hope to put it in practice if can go out there on my own. The only problem with arm chair chasing is that the best fun happens when its 2am in the UK, and the office starts thinking you are a dirty stoppout for being so tired all the time!

I save up all year so I can chase in the spring. I recomend Tempest Tours if you want a tour group. Pretty quickly you make enough chaser friends to hook up with if you dont want a tour group.

 

[Sam Kennedy]

Sorry for asking this noobish question, but what exactly is armchair chasing? I assume its just storm chasing on the computer using GRLevelX or something.

 

[Melanie Kern-Favilla]

For me, armchair chasing means that you're chasing via your sofa. It's what gets me through the season!

 

[Shane Adams]

If this becomes so much of an issue that it's with you 24-7 just eating away, maybe you should consider moving to the States and chasing.

 

[K Johnson]

I dont have any fancy software. Armchair chasing for me is just looking at maps, SPC, NOAA, and hundreds of books. And, when I get stuck, I stick a pin in a map and say 'thats where its going to happen'. Then I spend hours watching radar and this forum following the wx and testing whether I got my prediction right or not. And then I have two hours sleep before work!

And Shane .... I would cut off my right arm to move to America. Dispite being a nice (sometimes) white middle class gal with Masters degree I am finding it impossible to get a visa!

 

[MatthewCarman]

Hi Sam, you could try the "NWS Hotseat" scenario program. You issue warnings based on radar images from old event's and see how good you do. Also you see photo's from the event in the end. Currently there is 4 scenarios and 2-3 more being made. (I am working on 1 myself but having a problem that will hopefully be fixed.) They are fun and a good way to kill some time when you have nothing better to do. Here is the link: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/HotSeat/index.shtml

Also we used to have Chase Case scenarios here at Stormtrack which was alot of fun and a great way to have a practice chase. If that starts back up that is another fun way to kill the time. The only problem is the winner would make the new one and if the winner was to busy the chase case never was made and it would "end" unlss someone brought it back to life. Mabey this winter someone can start that fun game up again?

Also if you're into watching weather videos the StormsOf DVD's are another great way to kill time and all profit goes to the American Red Cross.

There will always be a few chances every year for you to see some nice storms in the UK but if you realy want the full experience ethier take a 2 week vacation to the states or move out here.

You could also study past UK weather and add weather events to the wikipedia.

Those are just some ideas for you.

 

[Susan Strom]

Could you get involved with this group?
http://www.torro.org.uk/TORRO/index.php

And come out to chase stateside for a couple weeks out of the year?

Or, maybe come to the US to attend the
http://www.chaserconvention.com/
in Denver when it comes around again? It is only for a weekend in Feb.

 

[Chip Redmond]

I would say the best way to cure the urge is to follow live events over here in the US as they are occuring. Being in Ohio we often don't get alot of severe weather and when there is a large outbreak going on I usually follow them. I use radar and what not and try to predict the path of the storm. I have also found with the internet expanding like it is alot of local tv networks within the area of the severe weather will now broadcast live online. So if there aren't alot of chasers in the area or want a different look at whats going on try to find their websites.
Needless to say, when I wasn't chasing in Ohio I wasted quite a few nights following the severe weather in the plains. Of course thought...nothing beats the real thing in person...

 

[Adam Lucio]

Tracking storms is a good way to keep yourself busy. Ive spent many hours staring at my GR3 trying to predicat whats going to happen next. During chase season if you get placefiles setup its fun/amusing to watch everyones icons zip around...especially if theres a lone storm and you see 30 icons flying towards it...like ants going for a piece of cake.

i spend allot of time researching past events too...you like in the UK but Im sure there are past events you can learn/read about.

Start taking pictures...sunsets...sunrises...goofy lookin cumuli....i bet allot of severe weather junkies have just as many pictures of non severe skies as well....i know i do.