- Chaser's Educational Section!
- New Chasers & Current Chasers!
-
- By Eric Nguyen
-
This page is designed
for the new chaser as well as the current chaser. Below is a list of documents all
chasers must read on ethics and safety. Included is a list of sites where you can
obtain government/non-government technical papers to aid in the chasers knowledge when out
there in the field. I have learned a great deal from reading every one of these that
hits the site. Enjoy!
STATEMENT
ABOUT THIS PAGE!
I am not speaking
for all chasers; these are my views only! For me, chasing is a spectacular learning
experience, and a great way to include the love of weather with an exciting twist. The
more I chase, the more I learn, especially if it's a bust chase. Furthermore, chasing
should not be dangerous, and before anyone even considers venturing out, I recommend that
they examine the following. Essentially, there are three main topics to look at and list
of rules I came up with. First, read the papers on ethics located at the beginning of this
page. I also recommend that you read "In the Shadow of the Tornado", which is
sold at the "Tornado Project Online" link on the weather instruments page. This
book is about a huge F5 tornado, in the heart of tornado alley, which dug through the town
of Woodward, Oklahoma. It continually reminds me of how destructive a tornado can be and
the devastation of its aftermath. Secondly, learn all you can about storm structure and
dynamics with the help of this page. The worst thing you can do is go out there and not
know what you're looking at or what to avoid. Also, a true chaser wants to forecast
what he or she is going to chase. I recommend you visit the National Weather Service and
get a feel of how forecasting is really done. They'll probably give you some pointers on
forecasting and I'm sure they will be nice enough to let you do some research on severe
weather in their personal library. Also, read up on the meteorological publications to
learn severe forecasting. The only way to really learn how to forecast is
practice. After a full year of chasing, you'll suddenly get the knack of basic
forecasting. Lastly, if you plan to record these events, read up on how to chase and
film at the same time. Photography tips are given below. It is vital that you run a test
of equipment before venturing out. I may run at least a dozen tests each winter before I
go chasing in the spring. Usually, you will find that something doesn't run as smooth as
you want it to. Please read the set of rules down below, their important. Oh, and I
have to say this as well: I am in no way liable for any damage or loss of life due to the
content on my page, chase if you want to, and please read at least the first section of
documents below plus my Disclaimer!
- (NSSL) - Storm Chase Ethics, by Al Moller.
- (MISC) - Women and Chasing, by Shannon Key.
- (MISC) - Storm Chasers, Definition Vs. Reality,
by Eric Nguyen.
- (MISC) - Are Storm Chasers Really Crazy?, by
Eric Nguyen.
- (ST) - Dave Hoadley: Chase Fever, The Early Years,
by Tim Marshall, January 1987.
- (ST) - Storm Pioneer: A Biography of Neil B. Ward,
by Gene Rhoden, November 1990.
- (ST) - Why Chase Tornadoes?, by David Hoadley,
March 1982.
- (ST) - Bear White Child and the First American
Tornado Chase , by John Weaver, March 1980.
-
- The next three are not
suppose to discourage anyone's thoughts about media chasers, only info that should be
known. These were written years ago and since then I personally feel that most media
chasers are much safer today. From what I've seen of the "OKC Channel 9"
media chasers, they are nice guys that play it safe.
- (MISC) - Jon Davies' 5/5/93 Experiences,
by Jonathan M. Davies.
- (SCH) - Cancer Within, by Rich Thompson
and Roger Edwards.
- (SCH) - Irresponsible Media Storm Chase
Practices, by Roger Edwards and Chuck Doswell.
-
- The reply to the above papers, notice this
guy is slashing unfairly at the above authors. This kind of attitude reflects
negatively toward himself so do not take this as the official reply of "all" the
media chasers.
- (SCH) - Media Reply to the above, by a media
guy.
(NSSL) - Chase Safety Guide by Chuck Doswell. *Excellent*
(NSSL) - VORTEX Storm Intercept
Safety Rules! This was designed for VORTEX but I felt it
could be used by all.
(ST) - Gene Moore
sparkles again by John F. Weaver, July 1981.
- Publications / Projects
/ Misc. Info
-
-
-
- METEOROLOGICAL
PUBLICATIONS:
- The list is too long so go
to this site to see them all.
-
- PROJECTS:
- ROTATE-98
- Sub-VORTEX-RFD Info
- VORTEX
Preliminary Results
-
- OKLAHOMA UNIVERSITY INFO:
- Undergraduate Book,
By Doswell *EXCELLENT*
- School of
Meteorology Main Page!
- SOM Undergraduate Program Rules
- SOM Graduate Program Rules
- Jobs for Meteorology Students
- Members of OUSCAMS
- Student Chapter of
the American Meteorological Society (OUSCAMS)
-
- MISC INFO:
- NSSL Briefings
- NOAA's
Info on El Niņo
- Learn How to Depict Models
- NOAA's La Niņa Information
NOAA/OGP El Niņo-Southern Oscillation Page
-
-
- The following rules are my own
and are not considered universal. Several of these rules have nothing to do with
safety yet they are extremely important in helping you get ready for the upcoming season.
I am out there with everyone else and I hope we all chase with extreme safety.
If all goes well, no one will ever be killed and chasers will remain a safe,
sharing, and happy bunch. Good luck out there!
-
CHASING RULES!
1. Learn Before Chasing. Do not chase without learning about severe weather first. VERY
important rule, it is very dangerous to not even know what your looking at. There
are tons of information above this page that you may look at which pertains to storm
structure, safety, etc. I recommend purchasing two books from Tim Marshal (Storm
Track), one called "Tornado Talk", and "Storm Chase Manuel."
2. Don't
Compare Chasing To "Twister". Although "Twister" is recognized as
an excellent film, it is nothing like the true essence of chasing. Don't be fooled into
thinking you can just drive on out there and see a tornado. Anyone that thinks Twister is
the real thing needs to experience a bust chase when the atmosphere is so ready to explode
and not a cloud in the sky.
3. Chasing
Is Not A Sure Thing. There will be bust days when nothing happens.
The best thing to do is to visit local sites; for example, I stopped by the city of
Wakita, Oklahoma. There, I learned how Warner Brothers screwed over the town folks, by
ripping the place apart and partially cleaning it up.
4. Set
A Real Goal. It's better if your goal is to chase storms, not
tornadoes. That's why were called storm chases. A tornado is just a special treat that
storm chasers get to witness. Tornado Chaser is just another word used in replace of
Storm Chaser. Heck, you could call it "Personal Atmospheric Research"
instead.
5. Test
Everything. Very important! Load up your chase vehicle with all of
your equipment and pretend you're on a chase. What would you do if it were the real thing?
How would your equipment hold up? Are you really prepared? Ask yourself these questions
and any others you can think of to make sure everything will run as smoothly as you want
it to. I may go on 15 fake chases during the winter to make sure everything is in
tune.
6. Be
Prepared To Drive A Lot. If you hate driving a lot, then this may not
be the right hobby for you. I'm talking hundreds of miles! I drove over 15,000 miles on
chasing alone this year in 1998!
7. Be
Prepared. Don't be caught out there without supplies. There is a
list of supplies that I recommend on my "Storm Chasing Check List" page. For
example you should take tape and plastic for broken windows. Don't be a fool and run out
of film.
8. Be
Courteous To Victims. Don't stick a camera in their face or film
their battered homes. They are going through a ruff time! If you insist, then ask their
permission, this kind of footage applies well with the tornado that caused the damage.
I do not see any problem with taking pictures days after the event. If you do
this, how does that compare to the media sticking their cameras through the windows
minutes after it happened.
9. Be
Aware of Lightning. Probably the #1 hazard for chasers is
lightning. Most chasers have multiple antennas, and if they're outside the vehicle, they
usually take a tripod along for steady pictures. A major hazard and my #1 concern during a
chase. If lightning strikes your vehicle, then the bolt can destroy your ham radios,
scanners, televisions and anemometers because of the electric current traveling down the
antenna wires. Believe me, I know!!!!!
10. Hail
Happens! Hail is another potentially dangerous element chasers'
face. Take plastic (3+ mil) and masking tape incase your windows are damaged. If your
afraid of getting hail damage on your vehicle, don't chase or try to avoid the hail shaft
all together. Something I just learn is if you have an anemometer, don't get in the hail
shaft at all, the hail will break the cups. Very large hail usually accompanies LP
Supercells which may appear as a harmless string of gray coming from the base.
11. DO
NOT SPEED! Don't give chasers a bad wrap. Obey all traffic laws
and be courteous to local law enforcement. If you have to speed, make sure you speed
safely and not in rural areas. Do Not run stop lights if other cars are around and
you put yourself in danger. Put your life on hold and spare everyone else's.
12. Do
Not Chase In A City. It is very dangerous to chase in a city.
Limited road access, traffic, down trees, possibly debris, and street flooding are all
factors when chasing through a city. This also pertains to major highways where
stupid people block traffic under overpasses, which puts everyone else's life in danger.
13. Do
Not Chase At Night. Again, it's very dangerous. I don't even think
experienced chasers should risk this kind of a chase. Due be careful when driving
home after a chase in the dark. We had the outside of a tornado hit the chase
vehicle on October 4, 1998 as we were heading home. Other chasers in front of us
filmed this tornado.
14. Be
Aware of Rising Waters. Remember, if it looks deep, then it is deep.
Chasing on the flat prairie lands of the plains can be perfect for view supercells,
however, flat is not good for water, especially if your chasing near an HP supercell!
I haven't had any experiences with major flooding so I'm not to sure what to tell
ya.
15. Visit
With Other Chasers. If I see other chasers or spotters on the side
of the road, I usually stop and visit with them. Its good to see other people out there,
however a few chasers are not like this, you'll get to know who they are and avoid them.
16. Do
Not Follow Anyone With Out Permission. It doesn't make anyone happy to be followed
without their permission. Please, ask for their permission first. This applies to
government vehicles too! A chaser chases storms themselves. My definition of a
Yahoo is one who chases chasers! If you decide to follow VORTEX, then your in for a
real treat, cause they are studying RFD's these next few years so chances of getting the
vehicle damaged will raise a few hundred percent! If you do not know what an RFD is,
then you shouldn't be out there in the first place. You should also read how many
times the Probe Vehicles needed to be repaired from damage. In other words, Do Not
Follow VORTEX or any other NSSL Vehicle! Also, if your out there and don't know what
your doing, please stay home.
17. Donate
Your Footage To The NSSL. The NSSL won't give it to anyone else, they
will just use it in their studies. All you have to do is make an extra copy and drop it by
or mail it. I would also recommend sending a copy to your local Weather Service, they
would greatly appreciate it. It will also give you the opportunity to get to know the
people at the Weather Service.
18. Please
Fill Out an NSSL Form. The NSSL would greatly appreciate it. These
forms are entered into a database and used for study. These forms are located at NSSL's
homepage and should be used accurately.
19. Do
Not Cuss In Your Footage. I know it sounds weird, but many go home and
find out that when they got pissed off at their camera or what have you, it was emitted
louder than they would like. Kind of hard to show off your film if you keep having
to pause the sound.
20. Be Careful How
You Film. When you film a storm, give the time, place,
and what's going on. This type of video has more value. Not for cash value but
for the learning purpose. Compare a video of storm chasers explaining what's going
on while sounding professional and a video of storm chasers saying "Wahoo, Yes, Yes,
Yippee" etc.
21. Do Not Be Repetitive
When Speaking! For a perfect
Example, I heard a tape with a chaser saying "Tornado on the ground, tornado on the
ground, tornado on the ground, its coming this way, tornado on the ground, man, tornado on
the ground." I about died laughing when I heard how many times he said it.
If I have time, I will count them all and put it in this text. So for your
sake and others, calmly say it once so we can at least here the back ground!
Besides, if you put yourself in harms way and FREAK OUT, then you shouldn't be out there.
22. Do Not Core Punch! Unless you know that it is safe.
That means this storm is weak, non-supercellular, has no potential of becoming strong, and
has no warning on it what so ever. if it is a supercell, do not core punch it to see
the tornado, if you screwed up by being in the wrong position, then suffer and stay north
of the storm until it passes so you can reposition yourself in the right place. It
may be a big thing your missing but its not big enough to die over. I have seen
video of several chasers taking this major risk in which they could have easily gotten
seriously hurt! If you are not afraid of getting hurt or "dying from something
you love" then I'll see ya on the statistics list.
Last Update 3-1-99
- Please feel free to E-mail me if you have a rule
that
- I should include or if you just have a suggestion.
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