Has anyone here ever gone storm chasing after tornadoes? It's always looked like a lot of fun to me and I kinda wonder what is involved beyond the obvious.
Storm Chasing
- Thread starter 85 Cutlass Brougham
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I do a little chasing here in missouri, when I have spare time. On the other hand, I'm a trained NWS Severe Storm Spotter. If you plan on any chasing I would advise doing some reading on chasing and weather in general, even the most basic knowledge can save your *ss in a tight spot.
Well, I have a bit of knowledge on the subject, but not yet enough to try my hand at tornado chasing. Plus, where I live, it would be very dangerous to go tornado chasing as there is not level enough ground to have long range visibility. I do, however, try to chase low level hurricanes and tropical storms when we have them. It's kinda neat trying to find the eye and watching the spiral bands wrap around it.
We had a storm chasing class here a couple weeks ago, wish I could have went. I have always wanted to do it, but would like to do it the right way and not get sucked up into it.
nope.... had enough close calls in my 42 years, and not enough of an adrenaline junkie to start! :lol:
my hat goes off to those who do though, and hel[p keep the rest of us safe! :wink:
my hat goes off to those who do though, and hel[p keep the rest of us safe! :wink:
Considering I have a degree in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma, Ive done a little chasing myself and am a trained NWS and Skywarn spotter here in central KY. Ive chased some monster tornadoes before in the NSSL doppler on wheels including the may 1999 f5 that went thru moore, ok. Simply amazing, and dont go chasing unless you are with a trained weather professional or you are going to remain a safe distance from the core of the storm. Once you get in that tight, sh*t can change in a matter of seconds and you have to react accordingly. My advice, admire from a safe distance of 1.5 to 2 miles and leave the real dangerous crazy stuff to the professionals. In 2000 I drove though a rain wrapped tornado albeit very weak (EF0) along I35 near Crossroads Mall in the south side of OKC. Didnt even know it was there until I looked back in the rear view mirror and saw it cross the road. Thank god I was in the 82 cutlass and not a geo metro. Sorry for the rambling, but if you are serious about wanting to chase, you can email me for information anytime.
Trust me, I have no intention of endangering anyone else's life. There was a tornado (EF0 or 1, forget which) that went through about 2 miles from my house about a month ago and hit several homes and the car wash I like to use. I knew it was coming, and about where it would be (Thank God for modern Doppler Radar!), but my reaction was the dull and sensible one. Get in a small bathroom at the center of the house and wait it out. I didn't want to have hail ruin my truck or Cutlass by getting too close, or risk dying a stupid death should it have actually been strong enough to do real damage. However, I would love to do it with someone who knows what they are doing one day. The danger doesn't bother me as much as it should, but I think it would be pointless for me to go out chasing and not knowing what to look for. My luck, I would chase my tail and not see anything but an empty wallet for my troubles. I do still chase tropical systems when they are close though. I have driven during enough of them to know what is happening as I delivered pizza during the huge outbreak of hurricanes that hit Florida a few years back.
I'll also say that I may not place too much value on my life, but I do value the lives of the emergency personnel who would have to rescue me enough not to do this alone the first time.
I'll also say that I may not place too much value on my life, but I do value the lives of the emergency personnel who would have to rescue me enough not to do this alone the first time.
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