Hi Kade!
As someone very new myself (and also chasing on a tight budget), I figure I'd reply with what I've found that has helped me, both to be successful (sometimes) and to fit a chase around a limited budget. I'll try to address some of your points directly.
First, you mentioned that you've been watching numerous weather related Youtube videos. Which ones? Many Youtube videos I've seen are fun to watch as far as cool looking tornadoes or supercells. Some even give me ideas for video editing of my own future uploads. I found many of them are just excited people screaming "WEDGE!", which didn't help me much personally.
Personally I found Skip Talbot's videos very helpful for trying to get in the mindset of the decisions I'd need to make while on the road before I'd even chased on the plains. His chasing chronicles have him talking about the forecast of the day, his observations at the time, and why he made the decisions he did (plus the dome camera was just plain cool). Additionally, his "Storm Spotting Secrets" and "Safety Lessons from El Reno" videos were very informative; the former for identifying key storm structure and the latter to help reinforce the need to keep situational awareness at all times, and to have an escape plan ready BEFORE you get in trouble.
I can't stress this last one enough. I was stupid and lost track of storm movement on the 16th of this month, and a baseball sized hailstone smashed my driver side mirror. Hyundai wants $200 just for the part (I'm ordering it online and fixing it myself for much less). This is a fairly light example of what happens when you wander into a part of the storm you shouldn't because you were distracted. It certainly is going to impact my chasing budget for the rest of the year.
Here's another question you might want to ask yourself. Is it more important to chase/see a tornado, or do you have to have high quality pictures/video with it?
I've started this year chasing with my iPhone as my all-in-one camera. I have an old Samsung Galaxy S5 phone I've been using as a dashcam (with some mixed results), but it's actually given me some surprisingly good HD video for timelapses.
I'd love to get a nice camera someday, and it's something working towards. But being able to chase now without waiting to own a fancy DSLR camera has given me a ton of experience that will help me going forward. If you have a decent cell phone or if you can get an older one cheaply, that might help you start earlier.
Which brings me to vehicles. You mention that you want a truck. Trucks almost universally get worse gas mileage than cars. I've been thinking about getting a truck for a year now, but I have to admit being able to get 28+ miles to the gallon in my little Hyundai makes chasing way more affordable. I'll also throw in that if you're planning on buying a car and chasing in it, make sure you don't mind it getting beaten up by hail occasionally. It's going to happen.
I'm going to wind down here by trying to address one last thing you mentioned; chasing safely alone.
Chasing alone involves a lot of distraction and road fatigue. For me, this involves the occasional radar check on my tablet, quickly checking road options, watching the sky, AND all of the other normal things that you have to do on the road. I try to stop and pull off the road for these things most of the time as most chasers probably do (I hope), but sometimes it's tempting to sneak a look. This is risky. I could try to say that I've been driving for a pretty long time now and therefore it isn't much of an issue. But I think if anything, it means I should know better not to do it. Highway accidents are far more dangerous than the storms we chase..
For a new driver, I imagine that it would be much harder to juggle these things alone. I would highly recommend a chase partner to start out with. If nothing else it's nice to trade off driving and share expenses (budget!). As far as finding local chasers I have no good secret for that. I keep finding them in random fields though when I'm out so that might be a good start.
As far as earning money at your age? I got nothing; sorry man. I was 15 when I started working at my first job lifeguarding. Building credit will help you with an auto loan but I'm not sure about age limits for qualification.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
Hi my name is Kade Illian and I live in Central Texas. I am 13 years old and have had a passion for extreme weather since an early age. Recently, I have read Meteorology Today 9th edition and have been watching numerous weather related YouTube channels. In two years I will be able to get my drivers permit and my parents and I have worked out a deal to allow me to storm chase in parts of the summer. Right now I have multiple problems regarding whether or not if I will be able to be a safe chaser or if I will be able to chase at all do to these difficulties.
1. I have calculated for me to be able to buy a camera, wifi plan, truck, and other miscellaneous items it will be around $10,000 (All funded by myself).
2. I have a lacking understanding of how to appropriately chase.
3. I have not been able to find any local storm chasers near the Waco area.
I consider myself to be a fast learner and someone that can learn about anything I challenge myself to. I just do not know what to do next. How will I be able to make $10,000 in the next 2-3 years? How will I be able to chase safely by myself? Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do/learn next?
Regards,
Kade Illian
