Some Questions From the Perspective of a Writer

[Skye D]

Hi everyone! A bit about myself first: my name is Skye, I'm a young adult, and I use they/them pronouns. I'm not a chaser myself, but I've been fascinated with weather, especially tornadoes, since I was a toddler (one of my first memories is sitting on my grandfather's lap and typing 'TORNADOES' into the search bar). I'm unfamiliar with forum site culture, so please forgive any rudeness on my part: it is entirely unintentional. I'm also flying a bit blind in regards to terminology: one of my main goals with this post is to figure out what keywords I need to use to successfully conduct independent research.

Currently, I am in the beginning research stages of a novel about two young people who decide to take up storm chasing. They are doing it for the wrong reasons, and the novel will conclude with them giving up the hobby. However, I do not want to misrepresent or otherwise disparage storm chasing, and another goal of this post is to hear what people who have a healthy relationship with it have to say. Based on what I've seen, chasing is a very communal activity, and I want to incorporate a broad range of views on the matter into my story.

One of the main places I am stuck is in regards to what sort of technology I should give my protagonists. I'm currently reading through the second edition of The Storm Chaser's Handbook, but since it was published in 2008, technology has changed a lot since then. Are there any other more up-to-date articles with comprehensive pro-and-con lists of tech (preferably written)? I'm not necessarily looking for any one individual's setup, or what the "ideal" would be, but rather a collection of up-to-date information so I can make informed decisions about what my characters would have.

So, in summary, my questions are:

1. What is your personal relationship with storm chasing, on an emotional/philosophical level?
2. What would you like to see in a story where storm chasing is featured? Are there any specific aspects of the hobby you feel are under or misrepresented in fiction about storm chasing?
3. Are there any comprehensive pro-and-con lists about storm chasing tech overall? If so, where could I find them?

Thank you for your time, everyone!

 

[Warren Faidley]

Storm chasing should not be treated uncritically if the goal is to produce an accurate and credible narrative. Avoiding its more problematic aspects risks undermining the integrity of the work itself. This is one of the reasons why the public has a rather distorted view of storm chasing. Confirming a tornado does not require a 50-yard proximity.

Since its early development in the 1970s, storm chasing has undergone a significant transformation. What began as a small community of scientists, hobbyists, and documentary photographers has evolved into a highly visible, risk-and-media-driven activity. The rise of digital platforms like YouTube and X has accelerated this shift, creating an environment in which participants often compete to capture the most extreme and close-up imagery for public consumption. This is best illustrated on big, moderate or high risk days. You can follow 5-6 of the most popular live chasers and their viewership numbers will climb or fall depending on the danger of their current situation.

While many individuals in the field continue to operate responsibly and contribute to public awareness and scientific understanding, their work is increasingly overshadowed by a growing subset of participants focused on sensationalism. This imbalance has altered both public perception and on-the-ground behavior, complicating the role of storm chasing as a legitimate form of observational documentation.

After more than four decades of work in this field, I no longer identify with the term “storm chaser,” as it has come to represent a mode of engagement that differs significantly from my own practice.

 

[Skye D]

Storm chasing should not be treated uncritically if the goal is to produce an accurate and credible narrative. Avoiding its more problematic aspects risks undermining the integrity of the work itself. This is one of the reasons why the public has a rather distorted view of storm chasing. Confirming a tornado does not require a 50-yard proximity.

Since its early development in the 1970s, storm chasing has undergone a significant transformation. What began as a small community of scientists, hobbyists, and documentary photographers has evolved into a highly visible, risk-and-media-driven activity. The rise of digital platforms like YouTube and X has accelerated this shift, creating an environment in which participants often compete to capture the most extreme and close-up imagery for public consumption. This is best illustrated on big, moderate or high risk days. You can follow 5-6 of the most popular live chasers and their viewership numbers will climb or fall depending on the danger of their current situation.

While many individuals in the field continue to operate responsibly and contribute to public awareness and scientific understanding, their work is increasingly overshadowed by a growing subset of participants focused on sensationalism. This imbalance has altered both public perception and on-the-ground behavior, complicating the role of storm chasing as a legitimate form of observational documentation.

After more than four decades of work in this field, I no longer identify with the term “storm chaser,” as it has come to represent a mode of engagement that differs significantly from my own practice.

Thank you very much for your feedback! To be honest, I was concerned about presenting an overly critical viewpoint about storm chasing on a forum for storm chasers. Nobody likes it when some stranger without half an idea of what they're saying shows up and starts pointing out the controversial or problematic aspects of your hobby. I chose storm chasing specifically because this is a story about self-destructive behavior intertwined with a desire for attention.

Instead of storm chaser, what do you call yourself?

 

[JamesCaruso]

Hello Skye,

Your writing project sounds great. Although I am much older than you, I also aspire to write about storm chasing, but in more of a non-fiction or memoir form - what recreational/hobbyist storm chasing for 30 years has meant to me, the life lessons and metaphors I find in it, etc. I wish you all the best.

I have a lot to say in response to your question #1, but hard to do in a forum post (as noted above, I hope to make it a whole book!). Happy to do a phone interview if you get to that point; feel free to send me a direct message.

As for #2, I think a lot of what Warren said is useful there. But I would also want to see the “old school” style represented. Warren is right about the undesirable elements that have arisen in storm chasing, but there are plenty of us who still chase in the same way, and for the same reasons, as the earliest chasers. In fact, the members of this forum generally represent this old-school approach (“old school” having nothing to do with age, but everything to do with style). You’re not going to find the screaming social media live-streaming lunatics on here. If your story is about self-destructive behavior, you should find plenty of opportunity to draw upon the tension and duality in the different ways storm chasing can be practiced. In other words, deciding to chase storms is not automatically self-destructive like some other pursuits are, but it is certainly subject to the temptations of unhealthy addiction and bad behavior,

As for your #3 on technology, below are links to three recent Stormtrack threads that may help you. Technology is another element of chasing “style” - some enjoy tech for its own sake, others purposely take pride in being minimalists, and then you have the tech for live-streaming which is separate from the tech that helps forecast, find and navigate around storms.

Post in thread 'Bare Gear Necessities For The Upcoming Season'

Sunday at 11:53 PM

This would be a fun vehicle to chase in, and if you're into studying waterspouts "no holds barred" with this vehicle.

Aquada - Gibbs Amphibians

gibbsamphibians.com

• dhodges

Thread 'Modernizing a legacy chaser'

Feb 14, 2026

I'm back. Kind of. I thought there might be some old school folks lurking here who have undergone a similar journey and can help.

The only significant changes I've made to my setup in the past 15ish years is a camcorder upgrade and a couple new phones. My current setup is:

• A Dell Inspiron laptop circa 2013(?) that is battered to hell but hanging in there.
• 22" inch Dell touchscreen monitor, connected via HDMI and USB
• Delorme Street Atlas 2014. The software was discontinued the next year, and as you can imagine, is starting to diverge from reality.
• Grlevel3/2 with...

• Skip Talbot
• Replies: 30
• Forum: Equipment

• 
• 

Thread 'What Will You Add / Change To Your Chasing In 2026?'

Dec 5, 2025

I always enjoy posting this thread at the end of the year to see what other chasers are changing or upgrading for the upcoming chase season.

With no U.S. landfalling hurricanes this year, I was finally able to zero out the gear budget and pick up a new Apple M4 “super computer” and a BenQ monitor. AI is the future—whether people love it or hate it—and not all of it is the villain it’s made out to be. Being able to restore old, grainy DV footage into clean 1080i or even 4K is nothing short of incredible. There is a naughty part of me that hopes AI will neutralize social media abuse and...

• Warren Faidley
• Replies: 20
• Forum: Introductory weather & chasing

• 

You may want to experience storm chasing yourself as part of your research; this will add something to your writing that you won’t get just from written forum exchanges or conversations. I’m not suggesting you try it by yourself, but perhaps going on a tour if you can afford it, or finding an experienced chaser willing to have you along for a couple of chases.

Again, good luck!

 

[Skye D]

Hello Skye,

Your writing project sounds great. Although I am much older than you, I also aspire to write about storm chasing, but in more of a non-fiction or memoir form - what recreational/hobbyist storm chasing for 30 years has meant to me, the life lessons and metaphors I find in it, etc. I wish you all the best.

I have a lot to say in response to your question #1, but hard to do in a forum post (as noted above, I hope to make it a whole book!). Happy to do a phone interview if you get to that point; feel free to send me a direct message.

As for #2, I think a lot of what Warren said is useful there. But I would also want to see the “old school” style represented. Warren is right about the undesirable elements that have arisen in storm chasing, but there are plenty of us who still chase in the same way, and for the same reasons, as the earliest chasers. In fact, the members of this forum generally represent this old-school approach (“old school” having nothing to do with age, but everything to do with style). You’re not going to find the screaming social media live-streaming lunatics on here. If your story is about self-destructive behavior, you should find plenty of opportunity to draw upon the tension and duality in the different ways storm chasing can be practiced. In other words, deciding to chase storms is not automatically self-destructive like some other pursuits are, but it is certainly subject to the temptations of unhealthy addiction and bad behavior,

As for your #3 on technology, below are links to three recent Stormtrack threads that may help you. Technology is another element of chasing “style” - some enjoy tech for its own sake, others purposely take pride in being minimalists, and then you have the tech for live-streaming which is separate from the tech that helps forecast, find and navigate around storms.

Post in thread 'Bare Gear Necessities For The Upcoming Season'

Sunday at 11:53 PM

This would be a fun vehicle to chase in, and if you're into studying waterspouts "no holds barred" with this vehicle.

Aquada - Gibbs Amphibians

gibbsamphibians.com

• dhodges

Thread 'Modernizing a legacy chaser'

Feb 14, 2026

I'm back. Kind of. I thought there might be some old school folks lurking here who have undergone a similar journey and can help.

The only significant changes I've made to my setup in the past 15ish years is a camcorder upgrade and a couple new phones. My current setup is:

• A Dell Inspiron laptop circa 2013(?) that is battered to hell but hanging in there.
• 22" inch Dell touchscreen monitor, connected via HDMI and USB
• Delorme Street Atlas 2014. The software was discontinued the next year, and as you can imagine, is starting to diverge from reality.
• Grlevel3/2 with...

• Skip Talbot
• Replies: 30
• Forum: Equipment

• 
• 

Thread 'What Will You Add / Change To Your Chasing In 2026?'

Dec 5, 2025

I always enjoy posting this thread at the end of the year to see what other chasers are changing or upgrading for the upcoming chase season.

With no U.S. landfalling hurricanes this year, I was finally able to zero out the gear budget and pick up a new Apple M4 “super computer” and a BenQ monitor. AI is the future—whether people love it or hate it—and not all of it is the villain it’s made out to be. Being able to restore old, grainy DV footage into clean 1080i or even 4K is nothing short of incredible. There is a naughty part of me that hopes AI will neutralize social media abuse and...

• Warren Faidley
• Replies: 20
• Forum: Introductory weather & chasing

• 

You may want to experience storm chasing yourself as part of your research; this will add something to your writing that you won’t get just from written forum exchanges or conversations. I’m not suggesting you try it by yourself, but perhaps going on a tour if you can afford it, or finding an experienced chaser willing to have you along for a couple of chases.

Again, good luck!

Hi James,

Thank you so much for the encouragement! Your memoir sounds like a really awesome idea--something I'd definitely read as research for my own story. I also really appreciate the offer to do a phone interview, and will definitely reach out if/when I get to that point. Is there a space in this forum that is appropriate further discuss this type of project? I would certainly enjoy writing about storm chasing with folks like yourself who are coming from a creative nonfiction perspective.

I will keep the old school style in mind as I write, for sure. Certainly, both of the old school chasers that have taken the time to reply to me have been very kind and thorough in their answers. To be honest, I was quite nervous to post, unfamiliar with forum culture as I am. I'm grateful for the patience and encouragement you and Warren have offered me!

I will also go check out those threads, thank you for linking them! Explaining technology as another form of chasing "style" is exactly the sort of advice I was looking for, and has really helped solidify my reasons for including tech in this story (as a form of characterizing the protagonist). The clarity of this writing

Your suggestion that I go on a chase is a good one. Unfortunately, whether as a paid tour or at the grace of an experienced chaser, going myself is something I cannot do. Last year I was in a bad car crash, and while I was uninjured physically, even regular driving is now very frightening for me. I would be unable to appreciate anything occurring other than my own fear, and while it might be a valuable opportunity to grapple with it, I would not be willing to use a stranger's time like that.

Again, thank you for the time you've taken to speak with me!

 

[JamesCaruso]

Is there a space in this forum that is appropriate further discuss this type of project?

You should feel free to keep this thread going. You may need to post from time to time just to get it back up into the “what’s new” listing of recently-active posts, which is what many see as their landing page.

I would recommend that you browse through other sections and threads of the forum, and if you see anything that you want more information about, feel free to post your questions in that thread. For example, if you read the technology threads I sent you, and you want more clarification or detail about anything you see there, just post your questions and people will be happy to respond.

I think you are already doing fine with forum culture from what I can see. It’s not for short little comments or banter that don’t add to the discussion - but that’s not what you’re doing, your posts are clear, thorough and well-written. The only threads to be more careful with are the Target Area threads that have “Event” or “Report” in the title. Rules are pretty strict in those, with “Events” being primarily around the meteorology, forecasting and aftermath of specific events, and “Reports” being strictly for documentary chase reports without even any back-and-forth conversation about people’s individual reports allowed (e.g., no “great photos, congratulations!” type of banter). But just about anywhere else is fair game for asking questions related to the thread or the posts within it.

For other learning resources, you might also want to check out https://stormchasercoaching.com/ and their @stormchasercoaching YouTube channel.

I also recommend this nonfiction book https://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Caught-Storm-Legendary/dp/1476796106/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZRF3VFTNONN4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.88NLENTODZ4pwgAc7KIJNCXkcZ3m4l-e-nFv9DPt8xU.K6McKWgCMQnTBdVannLZXjFS-mITdbZpqk3pf2BVw-Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+man+who+caught+the+storm+book&qid=1774967953&sprefix=The+man+who+caught+the+storm,aps,154&sr=8-1

And this fiction book, which has inaccuracies but does a pretty decent job of capturing some of the emotional side of storm chasing, particularly the odd feeling of transition back to “real life” after a high-adrenaline chase (probably more an issue for people like me that spend a couple of weeks on the Plains for a chase vacation, and maybe not as much an issue for chasers that live on the Plains and work chasing into their lives a day or two at a time). https://www.amazon.com/Stormchasers-Jenna-Blum/dp/0525951555/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KPZ6D7J126ID&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NCUMg81grns0Q3EHE-3qPa6kQI-N_jA0XhPUa_IWzsAZRwmfYzTN9D_48MqfC-dHGoeRz-32l2KWTN14M-fHRL7pBm-Ek0idYs1YsAlKCfo.e-jR2emi0UEBl6KUFVIqZoMp_2Qlokd409DD2fGMOlE&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+storm+chasers+jenna+blum&qid=1774968148&sprefix=the+storm+chasers,aps,173&sr=8-1

 

[Warren Faidley]

Thank you very much for your feedback! To be honest, I was concerned about presenting an overly critical viewpoint about storm chasing on a forum for storm chasers. Nobody likes it when some stranger without half an idea of what they're saying shows up and starts pointing out the controversial or problematic aspects of your hobby. I chose storm chasing specifically because this is a story about self-destructive behavior intertwined with a desire for attention.

Instead of storm chaser, what do you call yourself?

I'm a documentary photojournalist and cinematographer who specializes in extreme natural events. My work is no longer intended for the "news" cycle, but rather, longer term chronicling of events. I no longer provide "live" coverage, because I've found it's mostly watched by people who want to see extreme destruction and dangerous behavior. You can look at comments during live broadcasts, including people wishing horrible things. (Some chasers now have people who edit out such comments in real time).

I use the time I would be devoting to live broadcasting to posting immediate reports to NWS and/or assisting with EMS. I have nothing against those who decide to drive into the action, but it's just not me. The only issue I have is when chasers endanger others —which is often cloaked into justifications like "life-saving" missions or "ground-breaking" research.