You guys are so awesome! Thank you! I will definitely keep all this in mind. Like many chasers this season, I have next to nothing to show for myself, but I'm hoping to use some of these techniques in SD on Saturday. I did chase a bit two days ago in WY as a practice run and I found being behind the storm and tailing it is a much better experience. Of course, it wasn't a tornadic supercell so I assume my staging would be slightly different for that but, it was still a great chase, a lot more relaxing and allowed me to really marvel at it and watch it evolve. Thank you guys so much!
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Too timid?
- Thread starter Moe E
- Start date
Jeff House
Supporter
There is something to be said for being able to relax and marvel at the incredible sky. We do tend to hang back for that reason, also not constant repositioning. Last May we saw our first good tornado in a couple years. I didn't bother much with photos - carryover from the 2017 eclipse. I literally said, I'm just to to relax and enjoy the tornado. Relax, is probably not the first word most chasers say.
Also will revise my RFD relatively safe sentence. In HP supercells it can be a hidden menace! If multi-cycle a new wall cloud may be developing, while the old tornado is grinding away in the RFD. Star Wars guy - it's a trap!
Also will revise my RFD relatively safe sentence. In HP supercells it can be a hidden menace! If multi-cycle a new wall cloud may be developing, while the old tornado is grinding away in the RFD. Star Wars guy - it's a trap!
Especially considering the fact I'm still relatively new to this, I pretty much plan to stay back from the storm a good safe distance...
I know that means I "won't get the best pictures/video" but I'm ok with that, would rather be safe than sorry. Plus I also want to see some structure, (and also part of it also just being to experience a storm out in the open)
When it comes right down to it, I fear hail as number one - so even more than a tornado itself, (and the RFD comes in second.)
Hail & RFD (generally) cover a much larger area than a tornado, infact you'd almost have to really work at it to be hit by the tornado.
I know that means I "won't get the best pictures/video" but I'm ok with that, would rather be safe than sorry. Plus I also want to see some structure, (and also part of it also just being to experience a storm out in the open)
When it comes right down to it, I fear hail as number one - so even more than a tornado itself, (and the RFD comes in second.)
Hail & RFD (generally) cover a much larger area than a tornado, infact you'd almost have to really work at it to be hit by the tornado.
Jeff House
Supporter
Good plan. You actually may get really good photos from farther back if visibility is good, which it usually is High Plains. Keeping back allows one to capture the whole structure. Tornado might be smaller but the enormity of the structure jumps out.
Wanted to post an update, I've been heeding your advice and it's been super successful! I am no longer losing my mind on chases and getting nervous about damage, I'm staying out of the direct path, always keeping in mind escape routes, etc. I've also been chasing with a few other chasers as well to get an idea of how to implement these techniques in the field. Thank you guys for the advice!! I'm starting to feel like a real chaser now 
