Not sure what to do :(

[Stephen Levine]

Another thing that you might consider is trying some European chasing. If your schedule is flexible, you might consider checking out the European storm prediction center then positioning yourself for a chase if appropriate.
For entertainment, especially during the non-storm spells here, I go to their web site to see what folks in Europe expect.
I have often seen northern parts of France and even upon rare occasion SE England under a level 1 for severe storms.
You might consider joining TORRO, the British tornado research group, and networking there as well.

 

[Philip Flory]

Take some time and read and learn how to forecast...

seriously.. writing up your own forecasts be it local or severe weather (United States if you wish) is a blast if you have a clue what you are doing. When I have the time I love to make convective forecasts similar to SPC and then see how it all pans out. I also like to do the same thing with local forecasts. After you have a good handle on at least simple forecasting purchase a program like Gempak for model data or Grlevelx for radar. Good weather programs can add a lot to the fun of being behind the screen and not out in the field.

 

[Linda Kitchen]

I understand what your saying. When I'm not able to chase, I'm following everything on the internet. If I were you I would start saving my money and book a stormchase tour. It's a good way to learn and I know that lots of people from the UK go on the tours. Even those who live in the midwest get withdrawals when it's winter! When I'm getting withdrawals I usually watch my video from past years. You could order some of the DVDs that chasers make and put up for sell!

 

[Angie Norris]

Reading and studying everything weather (not just severe weather) is a great way to pass the time. Maybe start out with just forecasting everyday good (for normal people ) weather and work your way in to good (for us ) weather. Cyberchasing is a great way to practice radar and satellite interpretation as well as forecasting skills and weather chart interpretation. We're about to go into second season here in the States, so hopefully you can get some practice with a live event (and we can get a quick fix before winter sets in).

And I agree with what the others have said...save your money and book a trip with one of the tour groups. It's a great way to learn and you'll have an excellent chance of seeing some good weather up close and personal.

Good luck and if you have any questions, ASK. We're always glad to help!!

 

[Marc Austin]

Well, I can't say that I came from the UK, but I can say that if you had asked me 10 years ago if I would ever go storm chasing out in the plains, I would have certainly said no. It just didn't seem possible. At that time, I didn't even have a driver's license, so I couldn't go out chasing on my own. I wasn't all that experience apart from having seen numerous specials on TWC, Discovery, and TLC, and to top it all off, we lived in FL. Now FL can be ok if you like to hunt for tornadoes in a thicket of trees(ie you're a glutton for punishment), or if you enjoy hurricanes or waterspouts( if you live on the coast, we didn't). I personally enjoy tornadoes the most. They're captivating, mesmerizing, and so naturally powerful. So what happened over the next 10 years? Well, my brother took me chasing in the plains in 2002 as a high school graduation present. We didn't see any tornadoes, but we had a hell of a good time. Ever since, we've set aside at least two weeks to chase during the late spring/early summer. We've seen many tornadoes and some beautiful storms. Honestly, I don't have much money to do this, being a just married first year graduate student and all, but I know that I'm passionate about it. It drives me wild! So to me it's worth every dime, and every wasted gallong of gas, and every argument our group gets into, and every hour spent driving on the prarie and more. The point I'm trying to make; If you're passionate about something, and it truly inspires you, you will find a way to obtain it, no matter how out of reach it may seem, or how rediculous the idea might be. It was rediculous for me to fly back to Kansas for May 22-24 this year after having returned from our two week chasecation only three days before, but I did it, and it was well worth it. Don't assume that you will never chase in the US. In the meantime, just get educated. Like many have said, look up old datasets and study famous outbreaks. Tim Vasquez's Storm Chasing Handbook is an excellent resource. You can always follow the severestreaming webcams during outbreaks. Keep your sights on it, it will come to you one day.

 

[fplowman]

You could make some friends that would put you up here. Come over in May and hangout for a few weeks for a few chases. Just a thought.

This will be alot cheaper than a tour. Hopefully tour groups wont find my post as an attack. I just know that they are expensive.

There are many other chasers I know and have met from UK on the plains and at the convention. I would recommend hooking up with them and maybe they will show you the ropes. I am certain chasing the plains coming from a UK perspective and a Kansas City perspective is a whole other animal. Im sure there are some ins and outs that they will have experienced in the past that will be helpful with traveling and scheduling logistics.

Hope some of this helps.

Fred

 

[John A. Sellers]

Hello Sam, I have two friends who live in the UK and they chase. It might not be as often as in the US plains but,its still chasing. They have sent us several pictures of storms and tornadoes from some of their chases.When you are not able to chase read and learn all you can. Also like Susan pointed out, they are members of the TORRO Group so give them a try and good luck.

 

[Wes Carter]

Sam and K, maybe some of you could organize (organise for you all ) and pool your resources and come here one year and give it a try. Maybe you all could hire one of the experienced guys here to be a guide to keep you safe, out of the way of EMS, and increase your chances of seeing something worthwhile. My first chase with people who were veterans was more rewarding and eduacational than two years of solo chasing.

 

[K Johnson]

Sam and K, maybe some of you could organize (organise for you all ) and pool your resources and come here one year and give it a try. Maybe you all could hire one of the experienced guys here to be a guide to keep you safe, out of the way of EMS, and increase your chances of seeing something worthwhile. My first chase with people who were veterans was more rewarding and eduacational than two years of solo chasing.

Good plan! This year i was out chasing for 6 weeks - half the time with a tour group and half with friends. To be honest Id say there are pros and cons to both. Costs tend to be similar. If you're interested in hooking up Sam, just pm me. Three years ago chasing was a pipe dream for me - now i plan my year around it! Being from the UK wont stop you chasing - it just increases the logistical issues a little ... but its worth it!

 

[Paul Austin]

You can always follow the severestreaming webcams during outbreaks. Keep your sights on it, it will come to you one day.

Marc said what I was going to. Aside from all the studying and forecast practicing, watch those chasers who live stream on severestreaming.com. Actually, I'm not sure it helps any. For me, watching someone else makes me wish even more that I could be there myself. I guess a streaming video experience is better than no experience at all. I find it interesting to see another chaser's live decision-making and target area choices. I like to make a forecast and see it play out on radar, satellite, and video stream.

Sam and K, maybe some of you could organize (organise for you all ) and pool your resources and come here one year and give it a try.

Back in 2006, three Danish storm enthusiasts announced their plans to the Stormtrack community to come to the US to chase tornadoes. They pondered taking a tour or just going it alone (with some friendly advice and assistance from members here). They decided to come alone as a team and tag along with anyone willing to help out. On their next-to-last day, our team finally had the pleasure of meeting them and, though unplanned for that day, invited them to chase with us. The experience was so rewarding (for both teams) that their team has joined us each of the past two years. A strong friendship has resulted, and now their annual chase trips are coordinated with ours. I have a hard time imagining our trips without them.

I would encourage you to try to make a trip and just make it happen. You'll either love it and be hooked, or you'll be dissappointed with the experience (wasn't what you thought it would be like) and decide it's not worth the hassle. Either way, you will have dealt with the overwhelming all-consuming drive to experience that which you long for. Whatever you do, do it with passion!

 

[Stuart Wilson]

Hi Sam. I'm based in the UK and 'got the bug' from a good mate of mine. I've found being a member of the ukweatherworld forums is really helpful. Join up and ask to join the Storm Chasing group. They follow daily severe weather as it unfolds, posting links to reports, live coverage and doing virtual chasing. Many groups who go out chasing also post back their reports (I did this year).

There is plently of severe weather in the UK as well and you'd probably be surprised at the number of tornadoes and funnel clouds reported every year.

Good luck

 

[Vicky Redwood]

Hi, I'm also from the UK and have been actively chasing since 2004. I did all the same stuff as you watching documentaries, reading stuff on the internet and it seems the more you know, the more you want to know! As a single female I saved up and booked a tour with Silver Lining Tours, travelled over on my own. I ended up chasing with them twice and made friends with lots of people on the way - now I chase with friends I've met whilst out on the Plains, its really rewarding and planning and executing your own ideas.

As everyone's said there are tons of places to network and get info, I'm a member of TORRO and UkWeatherworld. There are a couple of events a year here in the UK, although I'd love to get over to the Chaser Convention in Denver one year. A long way to come for a weekend though!

If you've got any questions, PM somebody, me included - I've found the chasing community to be really helpful and welcoming so don't be afraid, make your dreams a reality - we did! )

 

[Sam Kennedy]

If you've got any questions, PM somebody, me included - I've found the chasing community to be really helpful and welcoming so don't be afraid, make your dreams a reality - we did! )

I got banned from the Severe Studios chat room for asking too many questions Here seems like a much better place

I've learned some new things today.(CAPE,Lifted Index, Cap Strength)

I'm not sure where you can get information about these though. They aren't shown on any weather maps which I've looked at. I need some links to websites with information on CAPE, LI etc..

 

[Paul Austin]

I'm not sure where you can get information about these though. They aren't shown on any weather maps which I've looked at. I need some links to websites with information on CAPE, LI etc..

Not sure about the UK, but for the US, check out the Storm Prediction Center's Mesoscale Graphics and Sounding Analysis at:

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/exper/

It's certainly not the only or best place to find info, but it's a good start. I'm sure some here will offer their favorite sources.

 

[Mike Krzywonski]

The following thread link may be resourceful for some of the info. you're seeking:
http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14095