Hoping to Start Chasing this June... Suggestions?

pman · #1 04-25-2007, 04:26 AM

After giving it a lot of thought, I think I may try to go on my first chase this June after school lets out.* Although I only have my permit, I'd be chasing with my Dad regardless as I need someone on the maps.* I'd just be chasing pretty locally, in southern MN, and northern IA where the road layout is good.* I have a Dodge Durango for the chase, and I have most of the technology I need.* I have a digital camera, camcorder, NOAA hazards radio, a cell phone, and a laptop.* I'm looking into getting a scanner, and a way to get wireless internet service on the laptop outside of restaurant and hotel wifis, so I wouldn't need my mom to nowcast, although she is always a backup.* Late June looks to be my target time for chasing, as it is the peak time for MN.* I've recently been reading up a lot on chase safety, techniques, ethics, etc., and I think it would be a good time for me to get driving experience under my belt as well (not in the storm of course, by driving to the target zone).

I've yet to seriously talk about it with my Dad, but I think I could convince him to go with me.* Anyone have tips or suggestions for a first-timer, or what real cheap technology can be purchased to aid in the chase?

#2 04-25-2007, 02:06 PM

To be honest it sounds you have the fundamentals with you in regards to equipment and knowledge.

dean · #3 04-25-2007, 08:31 PM

take a SKYWARN class. they are usually given right about now here in the Twin Cities, not sure about Eden Prairie, but even if they already had it for you town, you can always catch one in a different town...

herasday · #4 04-25-2007, 10:22 PM

Get a LOT more driving experience and in a variety of bad weather, heavy rain that limits visibility to near nothing, water covered roads and hydroplaning, high wind sufficient to rock* and throw your vehicle.* I'm no storm chaser, but I've driven a lot of miles in a lot of extreme weather conditions.

Consider finding someone else who has more driving experience to team with, your Dad or someone else, and let them do the driving while you do the tracking, spotting and map reading.

So that would be my advice. You have the advantage over some of us old F8rts because you are young and have quicker response times likely...but until you feel your vehicle going where some big hand is pushing it instead of where you are steering, until you lose your steering AND brakes altogether in a hydroplane, and until you suddenly can see nothing through your windshield and have to guess at where the shoulder of the road is, you won't be ready for it. After awhile driviing in a lot of different conditions, it becomes second nature.* All three could happen at once if you get close to a storm like this, so if you can, practice driving in those conditions one at a time before you go looking for them.

If I was into this and had all that equipement, I'd want to be using it and looking for the storms, checking with the nowcaster, figuring out where you can get near the storm safely.

I was driving alone the other evening just before we got the severe storms and was trying to watch the clouds that looked like "anvil" clouds that DID have some visible rotation going on amd churning in a way we don't often see here. It was interesting and exciting in a way (I have always liked storms and would probably would have been out chasing tornados when I was a kid if I grew up where they happened a lot too). Anyway, I got so entranced by the motions of the cloud, I damn near drove in the ditch trying to watch them and drive at the same time to get to a spot I could see better. LOL. So I'd want to ride "shotgun" on a chase, anyway....even though I wouldn't trust too many other people to drive on something like that, either.* ;)

pman · #5 04-26-2007, 12:14 AM

Oh, I completely agree with you herasday, I'd just be driving to the target locale in the morning, giving me a few hours drive out in the country, and have my dad do the driving in the actual storms while I direct him.

And about the skywarn info, I'm lookin at trying to go the the training session at St. Boni' on May 21.

Thanks for the advice guys.* :)

pman · #6 04-26-2007, 01:38 AM

Wait, I just looked it up, you have to be 18 to be a skywarn spotter.* Is this a strict rule enforced by the organization, b/c I'm only 15 and I can't become a spotter for 3 years if this is the case.

herasday · #7 04-26-2007, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Oh, I completely agree with you herasday, I'd just be driving to the target locale in the morning, giving me a few hours drive out in the country, and have my dad do the driving in the actual storms while I direct him.

And about the skywarn info, I'm lookin at trying to go the the training session at St. Boni' on May 21.

Thanks for the advice guys.* :)[/b]

Oh, THANK you. I have to admit I was cringing a the thought of someone on a learner's permit taking on storm driving!! Glad to see you are being sensible on THAT too.*

Sorry you can't be a skywarn spotter yet. But maybe you can still take the training for it? Good luck.

Josh Richardson · #8 04-26-2007, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Wait, I just looked it up, you have to be 18 to be a skywarn spotter.* Is this a strict rule enforced by the organization, b/c I'm only 15 and I can't become a spotter for 3 years if this is the case.[/b]

I dont think thats right because Dean has been a skywarn spotter for a while now and I dont think he has turned 18 yet, I know he was spotter like when he was 16.

pman · #9 04-26-2007, 04:20 AM

Yea, I did a little more research... It turns out that skywarn.org says it on their national website that 18 is the limit, but since it doesn't control each individual group of skywarn spotters, it doesn't enforce it.* The MSP metro group I found has know stated age limit, you only have to be able to pass the test and show some maturity.* In this case, I found a class near me on May 5 that I've tentatively set aside time to take the training course.* Hopefully soon after I'll be spotting, and maybe by this summer chasing.* :)