Storm Spotting is the explicit observation of severe thunderstorms for the purpose of relaying pertinent information to the National Weather Service via amateur radio or other communication means. Spotting is usually done in one's home or neighboring counties, without travelling over long distances. Storm spotting is primarily done for the good of others, as a public service activity. Every time a bad storm comes through your hometown, whether it be on a weekend or in the middle of a weeknight, know that there will be spotters out volunteering their time at their own expense to help keep you and your family informed of any hazardous conditions that may exist.

Storm Chasing, on the other hand, is the forecasting of and chasing of severe thunderstorms, especially Supercell thunderstorms, sometimes local to one's area, but more often than not, requires travelling over longer distances, someitmes traversing thousands of miles in one chase trip. Chasing involves more than just the videotaping of tornadoes that you see on TV; chasing involves careful and exhaustive forecasting, preparation, and the study of storms in order to try to be at the right place at the right time. It also involves a great deal of luck. Many, if not most, chase days end in busts without the sighting of a tornado. However, when you do see that first tornado, all of the hours of planning, study, and forecasting pay off.

Chasing is not something that should be taken for granted, as it can be very dangerous without the proper knowledge and experience. To chasers, the thrill is not just in the sighting of the tornado, but lies in the fact that simply that sighting is a result of successful research and forecasting; the feeling of accomplishment in forecasting is almost as great as the sighting itself (ALMOST!).

Soon I will have below some pictures from a sucessful chase where I had done all of my homework, but still ended up very close to home.