Really nervous about meeting other weather fans

[STurner]

I am really nervous for I am posting my very first thread. I have been following threads posted by others over the past few years and have learned a lot. I am not the biggest fan of chasing but would like to chase a few times a year. It would be cool to chase with the Twister Sisters or Reed and Joel but I will chase with anyone who likes to chase. I would either like to find a person who wants to chase or would like to go on a storm chasing tour. I did chase once this year on May 1st with Brian Stertz and his two chase partners and had a really good time even though we did not see a tornado. I tried to get in contact with him but never heard back from him. My main interest is following tornado outbreaks through TWC or SPC. Also I like tornado damage and like to rate damage based on the pictures posted by the NWS. I hope to find a few friends who are interested in the same thing I am.

 

[MatthewCarman]

Remember storm chasing tours can cost you 1000$-2000$ on average.

 

[Josh Richardson]

Remember storm chasing tours can cost you 1000$-2000$ on average.

Actually, the average is higher than that. I would say more like 2500 at least, unless your talking COD.

 

[Steve Miller]

Who's to say Shane can't afford a chase tour? Why is cost important, I guess.
I would rather a person new to this hobby go on a tour than head out on their own if they aren't yet comfortable with the environment. Wouldn't you?

Shane, welcome to Storm Track!

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

I agree that It is best to go with a tour. You not only get to the storms in a timely fashion, but you get an education all at the same time. Great way to learn, although I did my first year this year - alone - with a decent success rate and I also learned much. Unless you are familliar with the areas that you are going to and carry a licensed concealed weapon (LOL); it is best to go with the experienced tour teams.

And - welcome to STORMTRACK...

 

[Jeff Richardson]

Welcome aboard Shane. Keep watching the threads like you've been doing and you'll keep learning more and more. I also agree with the other members that a chase tour, if financially feasible, is the way to go. For safety and education, it's a good investment. Learning by trial and error (and LOTS of error) is expensive, time consuming, and probably the main reason so many chasers throw in the towel after only one or two seasons.
Again...welcome aboard and enjoy!

 

[STurner]

Thank you guys. It seems hard to find people who are interested in tornadoes. I will continue to post and try to learn more about tornado enviroments as I still am weak at about understanding the setups.

 

[Charley Kelly]

Shane,
Welcome aboard , a few sites you may useful as you learn about weather/severe weather setups...

http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/home.rxml
http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/
http://www.weather.cod.edu/

Also , use the beginners forum for any additional Q&A as you learn to chase. Best of luck to you as you learn.

 

[Lanny Dean]

I feel another award coming

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

Actually, the average is higher than that. I would say more like 2500 at least, unless your talking COD.

I've always wondered why COD is so cheap -- they seem to do well enough at chasing.

 

[John A. Sellers]

Hi Shane! When we go on our chases out West, meeting other chasers is half the fun! I'am still in contact with several that I have met over the years and look forward to seeing them each year we go. You can find friends everywhere.

 

[Sam Kennedy]

Why don't you join in the chatroom?

You can find it on Andy Gabrielson's Website: www.findthetornado.com

You should be able to learn enough to understand whats going on before Spring gets here, that's what I'm doing

 

[STurner]

Sam I was wondering where you got to on this website to enter this chat room. I went under the chat and it took me to a different website. Do you need to register before you can chat?

 

[Sam Kennedy]

Click on "Wx Chat" on the far right side of the menu bar. It opens in a new window, you will have to wait a bit for Java to load. Just type in your name and hit enter, ignore the password