Official Tornado and DIY Storm Chasers thread

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Crazy Fool

Spring is here which means that tornado season is here with peak season coming up quickly!

This thread is your source for anything and everything tornado related; tornado warnings/watches, tornado damage reports, tornado and storm chasing stories, potential upcoming storms to chase, and tornado/storm chasing videos and pictures.

Here's a sweet vid to get your tornado hype on!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnDNQLijgTU

D.I.Y. Storm Chasing:

I have been obsessed with tornadoes all my life, storm chasing is something I really want to get out and do this summer, it's an extremely dangerous activity which is what makes it fun, added on to the fact that you have a perfectly reasonable excuse to drive 30-40mph over the speed limit (In rural areas during a storm). Hopefully some fellow newschoolers can join in on the fun, but seriously, read up before you go out (here's a link to almost everything you need to know about staying safe if you go out storm chasing http://www.cimms.ou.edu/~doswell/Chasing2.html)

Do some research about storm formation and development before going out and bring either a cell phone with radar apps or a laptop with a 4G USB modem. This is only to ensure success (finding a tornado without the proper tools and knowledge is exactly like trying to find a lego in a gymnasium with the lights off).

Checklist for storm chasing:

-Fast and durable vehicle (outrunning a 75mph tornado in a car that only goes 65mph doesn't work)
-First aid kit, emergency lighting/flashlight, HAM radio (optional)
-Full tank of gas (you're royally fucked when you're on E by a tornado)
-A crew (driver, filmer, spotter, and storm tracker)
-Know your escape routes, plan for everything. (Don't be an idiot)

Storm chasing is fun, but it is also one of the most dangerous hobbies in the world. Have fun and chase wisely, chase wisely...

11 years ago

49 19

skier58284

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Insane

Tornado chasing is the most stupid thing on this planet.

11 years ago

3 11

LoathesRaisins

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Addict

I've always wanted to storm chase. Stay safe dude.

Just remember no matter how safe you are, you can still get fucked over in a hurry. These guys were regarded as the best and safest storm chasers in the world and they suffered what looks to be a very violent death.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2qjS_tSn0U

11 years ago

1 0

theabortionator

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Play Ball

So you made a thread about how to do something you've never done.

Also as far as DIY, there's really no other option. It's like specifying that you like DIY running as if there were other ways to do it.

If you're dumb enough to storm chase in a car that tops out at 40 on a 1/10 gallon of gas then you probably deserve to get owned.

Inb4 OP drives to a storm, doesn't see a tornado and quits.

11 years ago

8 0

John18_6

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Crazy Fool

theabortionatorSo you made a thread about how to do something you've never done.

Also as far as DIY, there's really no other option. It's like specifying that you like DIY running as if there were other ways to do it.

I haven't done it, I doubt anyone on this site has done it either. And the distinction of DIY is literally doing it yourself and friends and not going on one of those paid storm chasing tours. Maybe DIY is the wrong way of putting it but the point stays the same.

11 years ago

1 1

Barefootin_Fiend

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Crazy Fool

people are fucking retarded. let's get as close to a tornado as possible in this:

And then everyone can be surprised and devastated when this happens and it kills us:

11 years ago

3 1

John18_6

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Crazy Fool

Barefootin_Fiendpeople are fucking retarded. let's get as close to a tornado as possible in this:

You're missing the point. Professional storm chasers do it to research the patterns in tornado development so that someday it will be possible to predict exactly where and when a tornado will strike over an hour in advance. That's why it's so devastating when a professional storm chaser dies. As for amateurs, it's definately stupid if you don't know what you're doing but being on the edge of death is something some people live for...

11 years ago

1 1

Barefootin_Fiend

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john18061806You're missing the point. Professional storm chasers do it to research the patterns in tornado development so that someday it will be possible to predict exactly where and when a tornado will strike over an hour in advance. That's why it's so devastating when a professional storm chaser dies. As for amateurs, it's definately stupid if you don't know what you're doing but being on the edge of death is something some people live for...

i was more referring to the people who are all surprised and devastated when a death occurs. i can respect the science behind it, but it's not really all that surprising that they ultimately died. you know how the old adage goes, when you play with fire......

11 years ago

1 0

John18_6

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Barefootin_Fiendyou know how the old adage goes, when you play with fire......

It's really fcking fun!

No, but seriously, I hear exactly where you're coming from. Anyone who considers going out and doing this should keep safety as their first priority. Keep your distance, track the storm, know the patterns, avoid situations where you can't see well. I've heard that it's a hobby that is worth while if you have the patience, composure, and knowledge.

11 years ago

1 1

FreedGucci

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Ridiculous

john18061806It's really fcking fun!

No, but seriously, I hear exactly where you're coming from. Anyone who considers going out and doing this should keep safety as their first priority. Keep your distance, track the storm, know the patterns, avoid situations where you can't see well. I've heard that it's a hobby that is worth while if you have the patience, composure, and knowledge.

You haven't done it

11 years ago

4 0

John18_6

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Display_ScreenYou haven't done it

That doesn't phase my motivation. I'm never said I have done it either. The things I am saying are coming from years on years of being obsessed with it from watching almost every documentary on the subject to reading forums on storm chaser community websites. When I'm talking about what is important in storm chasing I am not speaking from personal experience whatsoever- personal experience is something I'm looking for this summer.

I didn't make this thread to try to make myself sound smart by listing off things I have learned about the topic, I made this thread for anyone who has an interest in tornadoes, anyone who is potentially interested in storm chasing, or any possible newschoolers who already do it.

11 years ago

1 1

El_Barto.

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Crazy Fool

Could be a good thread but OP ruined it by being himself. Shame on OP

11 years ago

7 0

SFB

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Crazy Fool

El_Barto.Could be a good thread but OP ruined it by being himself. Shame on OP

youre dead meat OP

11 years ago

2 1

John18_6

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Crazy Fool

Well, this thread sure is going places...

11 years ago

1 0

theabortionator

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Play Ball

john18061806Storm chasing is fun

john18061806I haven't done it, I doubt anyone on this site has done it either.

john18061806It's really fcking fun!

john18061806I'm never said I have done it either.

11 years ago

4 0

El_Barto.

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Crazy Fool

SFByoure dead meat OP

Im gonna get him SFB...hold my purse

11 years ago

1 0

JakeAssBeatClap

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No Life

Storm chasing is fun, but it is also one of the most dangerous hobbies in the world. Have fun and chase wisely, chase wisely...[/QUOTE]

Ooooooooh you repeated "chase wisely" and added an ellipsis