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Where to get started as a beginner?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jim Lahey
  • Start date Start date

Jim Lahey

Someone on another forum turned me on to the GRLevel3 program and it has really peaked my interest in storms and severe weather. Not to mention the intense weather we have been having recently. Seems like Kansas is a great place for this. I really don't know anything about it except what I have heard the weather guy talk about on TV.

My question is what is a best place for a beginner to start to learn, as far as books, DVDs or whatever?
 
I recommend googling storms, storm chasing, supercells, and anything else that you can think of. Being a member here is a big advantage because there are a lot of brilliant minds that can help you out when you have questions. Also, don't be afraid to ask more questions in the educational section of the forum...that's what it's for. Also, read the blogs of other chasers.

If you truly have the passion, you will be on the net learning everything you can. I have included some links that will hopefully help you out in your pursuit into storm chasing. Below are the links:

storm chasing with safety, courtesy, and responsibility

my site: chasing-storms.com

essays on storm chasing and meteorology

storm chasing FAQ

The above links are just a few of the many sites on the internet that will teach you about storm chasing. Really, experience is the best teacher, but before you go out, learn all you can about storm structure and safety and this little hobby will reward you for the rest of your life. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me at any time. I would be glad to help out.
 
Jim Lahey said:
Someone on another forum turned me on to the GRLevel3 program and it has really peaked my interest in storms and severe weather. Not to mention the intense weather we have been having recently. Seems like Kansas is a great place for this. I really don't know anything about it except what I have heard the weather guy talk about on TV.

My question is what is a best place for a beginner to start to learn, as far as books, DVDs or whatever?
Click to expand...

I think this is probably a great pace to start: http://www.amazon.com/Storm-Chasing-Handbook-Tim-Vasquez/dp/0970684037 and also finding someone to tag along with that understands thing a bit more.

One thing I've learned is that no matter how how smart you get, there's always someone smarter than you... Find them, learn and then teach others...
 
Hi Jim, and welcome!!
Besides Tim V's books, there are a couple of others that I think are pretty essential for the beginners. Weather Basics by Joseph Balsama and Peter Chaston, and Weather Maps by Peter Chaston are excellent. They are written more for the lay person and explain the basic concepts very well. They are both available on Amazon.
Reading the forecast discussions and hazardous weather outlooks for your forecast area are good starting points too. They do get a bit technical at times, but they do have the glossary feature, so you can get a translation when you need it.
Don't forget about spotter class in the spring and try to find an experienced chaser you can go out with. It's good to read all you can, but when you actually see what you have been studying in action, it makes a lot more sense.
The really cool thing about the weather...the more you learn, the more there is to learn. If there's something you don't understand, or something you're just curious about, ask!!
If there's anything I can help you with, just shoot me a PM.
 
After reading Tim's books and learning about severe weather in general, I suggest the following reading as well if you think chasing is for you. In fact, I pretty much consider it mandatory reading for new chasers.

http://stormtrack.org/library/chasing/whychas.htm

http://stormtrack.org/library/faq/

http://www.cimms.ou.edu/~stumpf/cethics.html

http://www.cimms.ou.edu/~doswell/Chasing2.html

and then, browse through all of this... http://www.stormtrack.org/library/


That's how I got started years ago, I feel that what is contained in the above text is some of THE best info out there for new chasers.

edit: I just realized I repeated some of the links Jason Boggs posted, I guess that shows how good of a resource those links are. Enjoy!
 
I don't know if people on this forum will necessarily agree with me on this one, but...

My interest bloomed into a full-blown passion when I went on my first, paid storm-chasing trip. I chased with a tour company in 2006 and I was hooked thereafter (and 2006 was a terrible year!).

I can't speak for all tour companies, but the tour company that I tour with is VERY open with you in regard to teaching you and letting you in on every aspect of the chase. It's my understanding that some tour companies just have you sit in the van and go without being let in on the 'where' or 'why'. The tour company I go with is quite the opposite. In the morning, we usually start with a weather lesson, we look at the day's prospects and decide which direction we will go in and why.

Then, once the chase has started, we are constantly kept in the loop. When we're actually standing under a storm, we are taught about structure, what to look for (and what not to look for), what to expect, etc. It's extremely educational, as well as a helluva lot of fun.

I've learned so much on the three tours that I've been a part of, and I look forward to many more. The truth is, I just don't feel that I have the experience or knowledge to be chasing out on the Plains on my own yet. There's so much more that I need to learn so that I don't put myself in the wrong place. At this stage of the game, I'll either be under blue sunny skies...or dead. :)

Just my $.02...If anyone is interested in knowing which tour company I travel with, please PM me.

Melanie
 
Paid chasing trips can be a great way to get your feet wet. Unfortunately though, many people can't afford to drop $1000-$2500 a pop to go chasing though. If you can, it has plenty of benefits.
 
Definitely some great suggestions posted above! You have really come to the right place and made the best first step in joining this site. There are members here that ivented storm spotting and modern meteorology! Getting out in the field is really the best way to learn in my opinion. Chase tour if you can afford it or maybe someone in the KC area that would let you tag along. With gas prices so high there's probably someone in your area that wouldn't mind your help with the cost.
 
DVDss for anyone starting out or already started

I was very impressed with the 2007 chase DVD that is compiled each year by many chasers and who contribute some of their footage for this yearly charity DVD.

* consistently good videos by many constributing chasers showing closeups , wide angle and excellent footage
* great commentaries
* chases include music of different types
* good use of other multimedia effects

if I could find my notes I could tell you more.

The 2007 one and others can still be purchased around $25
 
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