Andrew Booth
EF2
I've always had a passion for severe weather, and I've been a member of ST for some time now. I can't even begin to describe how much ST has opened up my eyes as far as chasing technique and forecasting goes.
When I first started chasing it was more or less "chase whatever storms I see nearby". My idea of chasing, before educating myself (thanks ST!), basically consisted of core punching whatever storm I could find. Obviously I have learned this is not a favorable practice, and have learned much from the ST group. But now I find myself "stuck".
I found that my forecasting skills are definately much better than they ever have been. The problem is I can't ever explain to anyone why I pick my target areas, its more of a feeling. I'd like to join in on the Target Area discussions, but I find myself unable to decode the "chaser speak" (for lack of a better term) or speak it myself.
I'll cut to the chase (no pun intended ), I guess that I have a difficult time learning from just reading online sources, mostly because I just can't grasp the concepts described within, I learn best by example (and I understand there there are some things that I just have to learn the traditional way). I guess I'm just asking what to do.
One thing I feel that would benefit me greatly is to tag along with a fellow ST member to learn, but I get nervous when I think about asking. The problem is that I feel I just simply don't know enough to really offer any valuable input.
I have a real passion for severe wx, but I guess I feel I won't be taken seriously due to my lack of knowledge. Now that I have finally gotten this out in the open, I would like to ask if I could ride along with a local chaser, on a weekend chase sometime (I have too many obligations at work that I can't take off on a whim).
Thank you for reading this long post, and I hope you understand my predicament (sp?). I must apologize if this post seems scattered and unorganized, I get that way sometimes when I have a million thoughts at once and can't quite figure out how to express them in written word.
-Andrew Booth
When I first started chasing it was more or less "chase whatever storms I see nearby". My idea of chasing, before educating myself (thanks ST!), basically consisted of core punching whatever storm I could find. Obviously I have learned this is not a favorable practice, and have learned much from the ST group. But now I find myself "stuck".
I found that my forecasting skills are definately much better than they ever have been. The problem is I can't ever explain to anyone why I pick my target areas, its more of a feeling. I'd like to join in on the Target Area discussions, but I find myself unable to decode the "chaser speak" (for lack of a better term) or speak it myself.
I'll cut to the chase (no pun intended ), I guess that I have a difficult time learning from just reading online sources, mostly because I just can't grasp the concepts described within, I learn best by example (and I understand there there are some things that I just have to learn the traditional way). I guess I'm just asking what to do.
One thing I feel that would benefit me greatly is to tag along with a fellow ST member to learn, but I get nervous when I think about asking. The problem is that I feel I just simply don't know enough to really offer any valuable input.
I have a real passion for severe wx, but I guess I feel I won't be taken seriously due to my lack of knowledge. Now that I have finally gotten this out in the open, I would like to ask if I could ride along with a local chaser, on a weekend chase sometime (I have too many obligations at work that I can't take off on a whim).
Thank you for reading this long post, and I hope you understand my predicament (sp?). I must apologize if this post seems scattered and unorganized, I get that way sometimes when I have a million thoughts at once and can't quite figure out how to express them in written word.
-Andrew Booth