Actually it’s really Mobile Spotting
But Storm Chasing sounds sexier

F.A.Q.

Who?
First of all, let me make one thing clear. I am not a meteorologist. I have no formal training in weather topics.

I hold a degree in Information Systems (read computers and networks), which helps me very little in anything weather related. Except possibly making it very easy for me to understand software and data flow.

Why?
I find storms fascinating. I report what I see as part of my volunteer work with the National Weather Service in the SKYWARN program. (warning: SKYWARN nor the NWS recommend or encourage chasing or mobile spotting. It can be very dangerous). I use storm spotting to understand how weather data helps forecasters and storm chasers so my weather data service provides what they need.

Storm spotting also provides me an opportunity to take pictures of wonderful nature scenes, which I then make available to the public on my website.

Where?
My area of mobile spotting is usually restricted to areas west and south of Chicago, IL.

How?
A day or two before weather is predicted to enter the region I am watching the forums on Stormtrack.org for any other chasers that have more experience who do their own forecasting. I also use very high resolution satellite images and basic forecast models to try and identify any trend. I have collected a page of useful images for forecasting in reference to severe storms in this area. I do not have enough experience yet to do my own forecasting. I use the visual clues to try and estimate what time I need to leave my house or work to reach the point of where I want to pick up the storm. I have equipment in my car that I use during the actual spotting. I am mainly using NEXRAD radar images, and my eyeballs, as the storm approaches to find the best spot to be and when.

When?
I do most of my mobile spotting during the storm season months of April, May and June. Since I have an 8 to 5 job I’m restricted to late afternoon unless I think a particularly good storm is coming. Then I’ll take a vacation day and try and catch the storm in late morning and work it until it leaves the area in the later evening. I rarely do spotting after dark as it’s simply too dangerous, the only exception might be a good lightening storm where I can park and watch from a distance.

How can I get involved?
First thing you should do is go to a SKYWARN spotter class and get some basic training.

Next you should STAY HOME and report bad weather from a safe area. You are asking to get killed if you just jump into a car and go driving around in a storm with no plan. This is not a do what I say not what I do situation. I did exactly this for several years.

Next you should read up on storm weather and get as much training as you can afford. There are a LOT of good online resources.
I’d recommend you also purchase two educational resources.

• Storm Chasing Handbook by Tim Vasquez
  Tim is a premier forecaster for severe weather as well as an accomplished chaser.
• Storm Structure 101 DVD by Mike Hollingshead
  Mike is one of the best chasers in the business. This 2hr video will give you a very good introduction to storm spotting and chasing. You have to know what you are looking at to be of any use to people. You will have to rewatch it later after you have more experience to understand some of it.

That’s all you need to get started. No $2000 cameras, no mobile laptops, nothing. You can get started with some training, your eyes and some common sense.

Can I ride with you?
In theory, I’m not opposed to the idea. But honestly, I am not that good. I am still fairly new as far as storm spotting/chasing goes. Also, the sometime randomness of an approaching storm makes coordinating with a second person, who wants you to pick them up, problematic. Your best bet is to do it yourself. If you wanted to coordinate with me to cover a particular storm feel free to email.