Field Tactics for Practical Storm Spotting

[@orangejoe204]

Skip is easily in the top 5% of spotter/chasers these days. I've gotten more info and advice from his KZbin videos than ANY other chaser, bar none. Plus, he seems like a genuinely nice guy. Hats off to you, Skip. Keep being awesome.

[@aunc3281]

I watch you, Pecos Hank, News 9 (Gary England in his day, David Payne, and all the News 9 chasers) and follow NWS. These videos matter and keeps those of us living in Oklahoma County alive. Thank you.

[@GIJOE573]

I recognize a few of these tornadoes from Pecos Hank's videos most notably the twins and it's cool to see you both filming them from different angles

[@AllanEvansOfficial]

Skip, this video is LITERALLY what I was looking and asking for from many storm chasing forums. Which models to look at, and how far out I should start looking with a given timeline. Literally everything that’s in this video. Thank you so much for your passionate dedication to helping us learn these things. You’re one cool dude my friend! Subscribed!

[@fabi_keiki]

Thank you Skip. I grew up with a fascination for tornadoes. You can't explain why but you feel attracted by its beauty and power and it's giving that indiscribable sense of awe. As a believer I'm convinced that there is something about the very nature of God that is revealed in these phenomenons so I like to joke that storm chasers are very spiritual in a sense. Thank you for making your passion available. I've been watching your videos for years and I feel like they really helped me to get a good grasp of what it means to chase storms.

[@ninabrady8328]

I got so much out of this video, Skip. Your previous video on storm spotting/chasing was huge in helping me understand what I was seeing and what I needed to look for when I was first getting more serious about chasing. This video built on that knowledge, and also helped solidify my grasp on forecasting basics and priorities. Thank you for always posting such fantastic videos and info. Also, I got such a kick out of seeing you have a pet tornado! I have one too! I got it when I went to the NWS/SWPC office in Boulder. ☺️

[@mindeater9807]

My mom had told me I was so horrified by the movie Twister, that I wouldn't even watch tv. who knew I'd have an affinity for meteorology years later. I seriously love this channel, you've earned a sub!

[@ChazSeamus28]

This Skip dude has to be one of my favorite storm chasers, he gets some beautiful footage and it seems like he is always careful and thoughtful of others during his chases, no need to be all up on a tornado base and driving up n down n speeding all over, yelling at the clouds. You can still get prime footage while being safe. And I dig watching storms develop as a whole anyways. Great video.

[@perfectlybroken7731]

I want to thank you skip for all of the work that you do. Currently, I am completing my degree in biomedical sciences but after I finish I plan on becoming a trained storm spotter. I have always loved storms and weather and have had close encounters with severe weather many times. But after watching your videos, I have an avid passion for wanting to help out and storm spot. I may not be able to chase, but even being able to help by spotting severe weather will help real people. Keep chasin and hopefully this fall and 2021 will be more productive in terms of storms! Greetings and salutations from Cincinnati, Ohio.

[@ERBanmech]

Couldn't agree more; I'm a biochem major and would love to witness one of these monstrosities in action one day. I would love to be trained and have storm spotting as a hobby to do on occasion, so I can see the awe of one of nature's most powerful weather patterns.

[@tid418]

It may have happened already by now, but you don't really need to wait to become a trained storm spotter. Your comment was written 9 months ago, during the pandemic, and the spotter seminars are online and take a couple of hours... that's it. I re-upped my certification in that manner at about the time you wrote the comment! It's not something that requires a big time commitment (the certification, that is). Being good at it requires a little more commitment, but you can do that on your own time.

[@countrylapi9245]

Skip. I’m a big fan of your work. I bought the Blu Ray immediately after watching this... your video on storm spotter secrets was a gamechanger. I’m in Pa, and still looking to pick my shot at a chase in Southern Indiana this year. I just wanted to say thank you. I want to LEARN!

[@billiamc1969]

What a killer presentation!!!! Well worthy of a watch!!! This guy is truly an expert at what he does...

[@Dahn.Baern.]

Cannot thank you enough for this video. I downloaded it and will be reviewing it several times! So glad I found these videos!

[@dugwolfe7192]

This is, without doubt, the best chaser analogy I've seen. The C.E comparison really couldn't be bettered. Subscribed and "Belled"!

[@billycaldwell1731]

skip, as an Oklahoma native for 26 years now, id like to say thank you for your contribution in gaining donations to help our communities

[@iowabowtech1]

This is outstanding information. It seems like much of this type of info is shrouded in secrecy so seeing it in plain terms was very refreshing. I don't plan to chase at any serous level, but just knowing what to look for in storm producing situations is key info for safe travel. Thanks Skip.

[@tdooutdoors]

Skip, I would like to thank you for making this educational playlist. I'm in my late 30's and I'm finally going to pursue my dream and start chasing/spotting storms next year (2025). I have taken and passed the SKYWARN spotter training online coarse and will be taking the in person class early in 2025 when it's offered again. I'm also studying the Spotter Network coarse and will be completing that real soon. I'm trying to learn as much as I possibly can before this next tornado season so I can stay safe while chasing. Your series is teaching me a lot. So again, thank you!

[@medicwebber3037]

I was impressed as hell with how scenes from the movie Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind really did demonstrate the emotional reaction to seeing a tornado. I never looked at it like that but that probably was an excellent example to use. It really gave me a sense of what it must be like.

[@4501driver]

I dream of doing my own forecast sometime in the future with a chance to go storm spotting. I just feel that after seeing videos of hundreds of other spotters around more than likely on the same storm would not be good to be around. I have no problems with others being there. Understandably. We all wanna see a tornado. I just don't want to be inexperienced around others possibly causing problems around trained spotters or causing traffic jams. I appreciate all this information you've given the community and hope you stay safe out there.

[@skiptalbot]

Thanks. If you want to journey out into the field someday yourself and are worried about those issues, the way to go is with a tour or an educational trip such as with the College of DuPage. Then you're going with experienced pros and not contributing any more to the traffic around these storms.

[@FFEMTB08]

Without the best presentation I’ve heard. Simple and down to the point.

[@BattleshipOrion]

Me and a buddy are looking into storm spotting, me for seeing a beast in action, and my buddy for the curiosity. Seeing all of this to show my buddy at school tomorrow, a lot of tools that I didn't even know of. Im aiming to be ready for the 2022, or the 2023 storm seasons for chasing. The storm season of 2021 or 2022 will be our training season, with local, and regional moderate storms, and making sure we know what to look for and got everything we need to chase. I think I got everything in line, from watching storm chasing videos for a few years now, I Think going with two people will reduce the risk of incidents as well as having a live forecaster without the hassle of stopping, and unpaved roads.

[@Ponderer1234]

Hey Skip, I wanted to let you know that I used this video to plan out my spotting trip in Central Texas last weekend (4-6-2019). Using the COD forecast tools helped me get right where I needed to be and get a brief video of a funnel just North of Thorndale, TX. I was amazed at how accurate the models turned out to be. I kept watching the HRRR updates and the closer it got to "go time" I had eliminated most options in my area. It took some time to wrap my head around all the tools but with patience, it really paid off. Thanks for this video and the great "toolbox" for spotting!

[@tristan2116]

This video is one of those rare distilled condensations of good information you can get on the internet. Achievement Get!: DIAMONDS!!! Thanks for uploading this.

[@JN2626]

I recently made my first trip to the Great Plains. I left from Lancaster, South Carolina on 4/29/2018 and returned on 5/5/2018. I couldn’t pass up the chance of a day four slight risk...of course, as time neared, it was upgraded to a moderate risk for most of central Kansas...including, a 10% significant tornado...this happened two days in a row. Living in the Carolinas - we don’t have many storms that are worth going after. We have way too many trees and the terrain is just...bad. Prior to this trip, I had only witnessed three tornadoes. It’s extremely hard to see a tornado in the Carolinas...unless you are in south eastern SC, or north eastern NC. Even then, they are usually weak and wrapped in rain. Long story short, I was able to successfully intercept several cells that had the potential to produce a tornado. I was lucky enough to be in Tescott/Bennington, Kansas when the EF-3 wedge made contact with the ground. It crossed just a few hundred yards of my location. It was 880 yards wide (1/2 mile). I didn’t expect to see anything that major on my first trip. I was still able to see three more confirmed tornadoes - two more in Kansas and one in Oklahoma. In fact, Val was live streaming when we pulled up next to me. I guess I got really lucky. My trip was only 6 full days...13 states and 3,400 miles. For several years, I have been following you; and you have really helped me (and others) to gain an understanding on severe weather. Keep up the good work.

[@HikerHansen]

Jeremy Newton My story was much the same. Had only seen a few tornadoes. I never expected to see that WEDGE either!

[@Derek-zz6jt]

Thanks skip! I’ve watched many of your videos on storm spotting/el Reno takeaways. This one looks like the one I’ve been waiting for as an amateur storm spotter. I’m glad you take the time to make these! Be safe

[@Tornadoclip]

Hi skip! Thanks for amazing content and information!!!!!😃👍 but I have a question do you know any website that contains LID index, Lapse rates,cape values and bulk shear maps for South America? Observation:If you know any one that have at least LID index or lapse rates tell me please

[@skiptalbot]

Thanks! Sites like pivotalweather.com offer a subscription that lets you get some of the severe weather plots for the ECMWF, a model with global coverage. They make plots for South America too. They might not have exactly the parameters you're looking for, but they probably have something close, like convective inhibition instead of lid strength for example.

[@Tornadoclip]

@@skiptalbot thanks!

[@johnnyeproductions]

I appreciate these videos that you do. I have taken the NWS storm spotter training... but I don't get to chase much unless it is close to home and I have the time. So it's a nice refresh of info and very informative!

[@blepblop7342]

great video, it’s really helped me recognize what’s being described in chasing videos. i love your passion and hope you keep making accessible and easy to understand content on storms

[@1969darr]

Anytime Mr.Talbot releases a new video. I watch it at least a few times so I can soak it in.

[@Ecksterphono]

It's quite the experience. When I was 17 years old in 1987 there were already signs of high dew points and moisture coming in and a looming cold front close to end of July. 28 days of hot weather, I already warned quite a few individuals when Barometric pressures started dropping down to 93.4 kPa and the dewpoints were at 15%. They said we could never get a major f5 Tornado here in Edmonton Alberta. They laughed at me. Conditions a day and a half before black Friday became very hot and humid with a looming cold front beggining to descend. Early that morning I seen clouds beginning to gather to the south and southwest with inflow bands. I suggested to my painting company that we don't work today, again they laughed saying that I'm crazy. That afternoon the convection intensified and the storm came upon us producing an F5 tornado and leaving a band of destruction and deaths that could have been avoided. July 31 1987 was black Friday In Edmonton Alberta. The images and the tornado and green clouds are still clear in my mind, and the humidity leading up to that day.

[@yeetspageet5679]

I'd like to ask, what kind of things did you read and study to learn about storm forecasting? I'm not a student in this but it interests me to the point that I'd like to learn more about it.

[@therealforestelf]

finally someone that actually marks out in what direction we are looking

[@shosoxsam]

You're doing a great thing and it is people like you that make me proud to be a human being! Keep up the great work, Illinois love.

[@ParanormalPat]

Thanks for uploading this educational and detailed video, it's a masterpiece as you put a lot of time and effort into it. Best of luck to you in future storm chasing.

[@ClergetMusic]

Your beginning story is similar to mine. I lived through an EF4 when I was 10 or 11. It passed less than 200 yards from our front door, through a corn field just to the east of our house. There was no warning, we all mostly slept through the event. Just thought it was a severe thunderstorm. Woke up the next day and homes were destroyed, gas stations destroyed, and people killed and injured. There of course was no school for a few days after that.

[@sagemaster3408]

That’s scary. Especially when so close and didn’t even know What tornado was this ?

[@flaviopons142]

Great video from start to end, but I have to say in particular (as a European who enjoys thunderstorm but doesn't have chances for real storm chasing): finally someone who talks about the importance of sunglasses! I have been using them to spot cloud features since I was a child, but no one ever says how useful they are. If you don't already have it, I also advice one pair with not dark, but bright yellow lenses. They improve contrast a lot even with low light in a muggy day.

[@CardsFan619]

Thank you for making this! As someone who lives in central Illinois, this gives me a great perceptive on what to do from exactly where I am

[@mebrithiel]

Hey Skip, you're a bit of a hero for me and I love showing your vids to my friends and fam over here in the UK. I hope one day to get out there to see these things I've been studying and watching since my sister and I promised to do it one day back in the 90's. Till I make it over there, thank you for your brilliant and detailed videos. Your sound quality is brilliant and it feels like I'm in a lecture theater!

[@skiptalbot]

Thanks for the words. Definitely come over and chase. I highly recommend signing up for a trip with the College of Dupage when you're ready, maybe in addition to trying it on your own if you're over on an extended trip.

[@LeeCurie]

Good luck, I have the same dream

[@Reefahholic]

Your channel is awesome bro! Just found it. Subbed. Wish you were more active. Maybe this next 2022 season! I don't know anything about chasing, but you really helped me understand. I live in Houston, Tx so we don't see much around here. Nothing big anyway. I'd love to see one in person, but would only go out with experienced people like yourself. That el reno tornado that killed all those chasers really intrigues me. It was fast, larger than what most people expected, and changed directions so many times. It's good that you guys are recapping and trying to understand how it caught so many chasers by surprise. I think a good rule of thumb with large wedge tornados is to stay far away and have paved escape routes clearly planned. Great advice in this video. I love watching Pecos Hank, and Reed Timmer. I found your channel because I always see your name on footage or pics. Excellent work man!

[@HikerHansen]

Thank you SO MUCH for making this video! I'm relatively new to storm chasing and I got see my first WEDGE tornado on May 1st. But all I had to go on was SPC convection outlook and Reed Timmer's Facebook page. Much of what you said went way over my head when forecasting tornadic storms, but I'm so thankful to finally have a resource that I can look over again to get more precise forecasts. I'll be rewatching that portion of the video as the next few outbreaks approach.

[@skiptalbot]

UCAR Meted modules: www.meted.ucar.edu/ Absolute must for chasers learning how to forecast Rich Thompson of SPC has a great series on KZbin: kzbin.info/www/bejne/barPqoyeZqaNbs0 Those videos are over even my head sometimes, so check out Tim Vasquez's book series, the Storm Chasing Handbook and his forecasting books.

[@InformalGreeting]

Great information. I chased storms for the local civil defense department long before things like youtube, or even the internet, existed. A lot has changed over time, radarscope is far more powerful than anything we could have imagined back then, and now it is in my pocket! This year is the first time ive been out since 2004. A lot has changed but the feeling if watching a storm develop is exactly the same. And now i am again fighting the urge to go back to school for a meteorology degree. Waste of money but would be so much fun.

[@denisedesperadol]

Thanks Skip for sharing your knowledge wih those wish to learn more about spotting and warning those in danger!

[@LeeCurie]

Dang this has been out for almost three years now? This needs way more likes and views Skip, love your awesome videos

[@TheFoxracing666]

He just gave me the best gut laugh I've had in a while😂 the part about your wife not leaving you yet, and then you bring up that you cut a hole in the roof of the family minivan to put the camera bubble on top I started dying, some shit I would do 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@skywardguy9081]

SKIP!! OMG, I thought you were gone forever. I never thought to search for a new channel of yours. I've got a lot of videos to catch up on. Great to 'see' you!

[@stratcat4461]

Do you earn a living doing this type of work? The NWS Skywarn program is a joke compared to the depth of practical information that you give. The government should be paying you as a consultant for this practical, valuable information.

[@collinkostman6139]

They do pay you if you work for a news station or bye selling your tape to other people

[@dereklogan2962]

How is it a joke

[@sampb0906]

@@dereklogan2962 i would it’s a start but the skywarn training didn’t help me when I started. It shows you how to identify but when you’re out in the field it’s a different ball game. You have to be quick and have a plan and make calculated decisions.

[@Dahn.Baern.]

100%. This video is more educational than anything I’ve ever seen from the SPC or NWS

[@unknownperson-mk1ei]

Thank u for uploading this. I'm from India and i love everything about weather. I mostly love severe weather. I wanted to study meteorology or atmospheric science, but here in india it is not considered as great career choice since it has less job opportunities and also i didn't knew about how to build career in this field, so i had to choose Engineering (Electronics and Telecom) like everyone else in india..!! In your country, it is like community of storm chasers and weather of your country is very diverse, u guys can experience, hurricanes, tornados, derecho.. i realy want to study weather and to chase storms.. *Keep doing this*

[@jasonperretta1076]

Been awhile since I’ve seen any of Skip’s content. This is such a great re-introduction of the awesomeness that he does. Well done Skip! I made this video a favorite! :)

[@celtonhenderson2]

This video still blows me away every time I watch it to freshen up on my forecasting skills. There looks like there will be a series of days with possible supercells coming up in the high plains soon. I'm targeting the 4th through 8th of June. This will be my first storm chase and we're coming up all the way from Tampa and Orlando Florida, so if you had any advice for chasing in the Dakotas/ Nebraska region Skip, I'd greatly appreciate it.

[@skiptalbot]

Cap looks ferocious to the east down the warm front so watch out for that. You may need extra time to get through the Indian reservations, as some have checkpoints setup. Otherwise good luck and be safe!

[@celtonhenderson2]

Skip Talbot's Storm Chasing Chronicles thanks so much, you plan on hitting the storms on the 6th and 7th?

[@Jewclaw]

Thank you Skip for making these videos. You've helped immensely in my curiosity of severe weather

[@tomchidwick]

Your chase footage at the very end, with the Twister soundtrack overlaid? Oh my. That was powerful. Really puts the fear of God in you. Great stuff Skip! Excellent tactical tips for spotting and safety. Thanks so much for putting this together!

[@NewTornadoAlley]

I like filming storms and reporting them, I am not a scientist. Just a dude. Got some scars on my head from meeting a tornado up close and since then there is no way one will spawn near me without me knowing about it before hand, because I am afraid of them. I have lived here in WKY for 20 years now and felt a change in our weather. After Mayfield 20 minutes away my feelings are cemented. Babies pulled from the rubble makes it more than just wanting video. I want to help prevent loss of life. I think your an awesome storm chaser. I am just a storm survivor.

[@Bigandrewm]

Great analogy: Close Encounters. I can't help but to also note with great awe as a musician: one of the great film scores of all time.

[@muckrak3r]

By FAR the most educational video for tornadic conditions and formation likelihood. Thanks Skip.

[@netrioter]

I watched Plainfield High School get obliterated in 1990...i lived maybe 3/4 of a mile away.It went from completely sunny to a tornado on the ground in minutes..i got to see a boxcar from a train floating in the air in the main vortex..i dont know where it was found at but it was several hundred feet in the air. We had zero warning because it happened that fast

[@Emerson-px5lp]

Thank you for making this Skip. I've been wanting to storm chase ever since I was a kid but I didn't want to get in the way of the people doing real work. I'm also poorly educated on the topic. Between watching your videos and being a patreon of Pecos Hank I really feel like I can make it happen without being a nuisance on the road, while educating myself in a responsible way

[@bgardner2321]

That shot of the tornado with an anticyclonic tornado is a 1 in a billion shot. You have a better chance of winning the lottery than witnessing that. Awesome video.

[@brandonwilliam2618]

This is an amazing and informative video. I’m 17 and have always wanted to chase these storms. But I knew that I have to educate myself before I tried it. This is my passion so it’s very exiting for me to learn how all of these things work.

[@brandonwilliam2618]

I’m in the St. Louis area and we get some good storms around here.

[@heartlandlight6862]

Professional and most useful. A trademark of yours. Thank you. I took notes, extensive ones, as I viewed and plan to make a spreadsheet of the basic information and links, leaving spaces to record the data. I'm new, so I have to go through a pretty specific process. And you've given me the structure for that. I've little doubt that you have helped increase my effectiveness in the field as nothing else I can think of would do.

[@skiptalbot]

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it, and I'm glad folks are getting use out of these videos. If you like digging into the parameters and values, definitely check out Jon Davies' work. His publications were instrumental in helping me become a chaser and understand severe weather: davieswx.blogspot.com/

[@jamessimon3433]

The MOST eloquent and convincing explanation for the act

[@Midnight_Rider96]

I grew up in Plainfield! During the late 90s and early 2000s though, so I never saw a tornado but heard warning sirens many times and watched Storm Chasers on the Weather Channel when I was very young. My dad was out coming home from work when there was a tornado warning or watch, I remember being in the basement and crying worried that my dad would be sucked up in the tornado. I was probably 5 at the time. My mom thought I would be a meteorologist, but I have always moved from one interest to another. Now I just have multiple interests simultaneously lol. Recently got tired of my usual interests and got back into tornados. I live in south central Wisconsin now, but maybe I'll be able to chase down a twister in Illinois or Iowa this year with some good education from you and others! Thanks for the great videos! Be safe out there and I'll do the same.

[@michaelpatrick6840]

Alistair B I’m in Columbia County, if you’re near maybe we could do a storm chase.

[@Master_RoSSShi]

Can’t wait to watch this later! Your Storm Spotting Secrets video is fantastic so I imagine this will live up to the same level!

[@tid418]

8:42 they showed him loading the film into the camera! It's not disposable. Disposable cameras didn't hit the mass market until 1986, 9 years after the film was released.

[@mattmichael6792]

Very good presentation! And... You might want to add a mention of lightning as part of the safety portion.

[@elisabethe8055]

Thanx Skip! Always interesting and a learning hotspot, that is what your channel is to me!

[@OmniMC]

I'm only a couple minutes in but I always thought it was cheesy to have an event that causes a profound change in the course of your life but the more research I've done in recent years the more it feels like a rite of passage. I first saw twister when I was 4. I wasnt really interested in the weather until I was at a dog show with my mom in the summer of 2006 when we got struck by a weak tornado. Sheltering down under the roof of the shade structure as various objects were blown away didn't cause fear, instead it caused awe. I still remember drawing tornados on everything in elementary and middle school. Once I reached 7th grade some friends and I started up a weather club and tornado season has been my shark week ever since. I'm now 23 and I have an incredible itch to head out west to begin chasing this season given yesterday's strong storms in the ohio region. In case you're curious the event was June 22, 2006 in Lima Ohio. I was at 1050 N Thayer Rd. Going off an estimate of what time certain parts of the dog show took place, I'd say sometime between 2-6pm.

[@JohnnyH71983]

Thank you for making this video. I'll be referencing it many times in the future. Much respect and beautiful tornado footage!

[@nickweseen179]

Amazing video Skip. This must have taken a countless amount of hours to accomplish with this amount of detail. Keep up the great work!

[@-HASH]

Thanks Skip! I keep learning with your channel! I cannot wait to one day get to apply this gained knowledge on the field.

[@ryansteffeck4340]

Awesome video! Hope everyone is staying safe. I do have a few questions that anyone can answer on three topics which are gear that you use, a little photography, and where you/won’t you travel for chasing. Questions: 1. Do you use a cellular booster for better cell service? If so which one do you use? 2. For photography would you recommend camera filters to increase contrast? 3. What is the best car phone mount for recording steady video? Both of tornado and yourself if need be. 4. How many screens are too many in your chase vehicle at once? (GPS, radar, etc.) 5. Is there any places you recommend avoiding at all cost when it comes to storm chasing?( Like NE Nebraska where there are not many roads or heavily wooded areas like the ozarks)

[@skiptalbot]

1. I have in the past, but I seem to get by fine without one now. They might be more useful if you are based out of an area with sparse signal and frequently have signal problems. The only issue I have is that there is a giant Verizon hole in Western Illinois thanks to some local shop that is hoarding the bandwidth there. I don't think a booster would help in that situation, but maybe in southern South Dakota where signal is pretty sparse. 2. You should shoot raw images and then edit them after the chase for color and contrast. Photoshop/Lightroom is still the best, but you can shoot and edit raw entirely on phones now days even. Most chasers who are out to get photos are using a DSLR. Often times I will run a "real camera" with shots that I can edit to get more professional results, and then also snap a few pics with my phone for quick sharing. 3. I don't use phone mounts for shooting usually. I have a Film Tools suction mount that i use to put a 4k camcorder on the inside of the windshield. I also use GoPro mounts, and entirely custom camera enclosures. However, I do have a ProClip phone holder that is designed to specifically fit both my Samsung model and my Subaru. You could probably use it for shooting yourself easily. 4. Minimizing distraction and work load should be a priority. I run two screens in my car currently, one is usually a mounted phone with some basic routing information on it. The other is a large monitor with a radar display. That way I can get the information I need at a glance without having to fumble with devices, flipping between apps, or holding a tiny screen up to my face. Some chasers do well with just a single iPad or MS Surface affixed to the dash, or with the shotgun seat using the radar screen, and the driver using the real world windshield screen (recommended approach). 5. A rough rule of thumb is to stay both west of I-35 and north of I-70 due to terrain and trees. There are notable exceptions, like eastern AR which is a flat, treeless floodplain and great chase terrain. Northeast Nebraska has a few difficult spots right on the rivers, but it's very workable otherwise. Some of my best chases ever were up in ne NE. Places I'll never chase: The Ozarks, yes. Also any urban area, but particularly OKC and DFW. It's incredibly dangerous because of the traffic and vast hordes of local "storm chasers". I will venture into "Dixie Alley" rarely and eastern Oklahoma, but I try to avoid these places unless I'm desperate and don't mind a frustrating chase with a bunch of shots of trees. Here's a map of my preferred chase domain: skip.cc/chase/fundraiser/fulldomain.jpg

[@nevaehsmiracleconnieelliot2297]

skip thanks again for your valuable video,i've been a spotter since may 14,2009! I love learning new skills that would and can help me become a better storm spotter.thanks again for your valuable video.

[@michaelsurname8835]

I started watching twister as a toddler. Probably seen it over 100 times. Not the most realistic depiction of tornadoes but still stands the test of time as a great film for us storm nerds

[@treytonzoss1853]

Thank you for making this very informative video! You did great, as always! The Washburn tornado was the first tornado I've ever seen in person.

[@Birdbike719]

really enjoy your videos. Trying to learn as much as I can so I dont get myself killed by doing something unsafe. I'm still waiting for my close encounter. Saw a dustnado several years ago and was fascinated just by that! Have had Skywarn training but need to learn so much more. Anyway, thanks for what you do.

[@J3MOdh3NOWX3S]

This is insanely informative ! And I thought I was the only one who used aviators to enhance the contrast when cloud viewing ! Stay safe out there Skip and maybe I'll see you out there if you ever decide to chase a base in WI !

[@AlishaRoseWilson]

Great video and editing. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Skip!

[@Derrick6162]

Hi Skip, I'm glad I found this. Alot of need to know information, and I will pass it around. Thanks

[@gregoryjohnson3627]

A lot of storm video go into the wether charts and they might as well be showing a video of them eating a cheese burger because I’m completely lost. Thanks for actually showing some of us what this stuff means and what to look for.

[@sertank735]

“The Suck Zone” is definitely real.

[@historicstudios2708]

That’s what she said

[@grousetales]

Great video Skip. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge !

[@bobyoung241]

I think escape routs were dangerously scares at El Reno. Touch down and spotters were trapped in a box. The Canada river to the south & I 40 to the north limiting direction of escape. on top of rapid growth, fast slow speed and direction changes of the Tornado.

[@itsarin_1620]

Twister has been one of my favourite movies Since I was 4 or 5.

[@LoyaltyIsEvrthng]

Yep when I seen Twister as a little girl I became obsessed with Tornados ..then hurricanes ... over 20 years later I still enjoy learning about weather phenomena

[@itsarin_1620]

I hope to be able to storm chase someday. I've been Into weather phenomena since i started watching twister.

[@raidercarl9368]

Great presentation...I live in SW Missouri, and May 18th, I reviewed all the websites you show here; Moisture+Instability ; Shear+Lift; and the data was suggesting a Tornado...sometime on May 19th, after 4pm CST...We had 2 EF-1's, Pleasant Hope, MO! They appeared 6:30p...so, I'll be watching those great sites again...Good info and Thank yoU!

[@stormcloudtheory]

9:45 Now I can't think of anything other than if John Williams scored the life span of a Tornado, that would be the theme.

[@chriswagnerweather]

Skip, this is incredible and EXACTLY what I have been looking for. Longtime storm enthusiast, spotter for past several years, interested in spotting locally and trying to chase around here (I'm in DuPage county). I bought a meteorology textbook, but this is so helpful covering the minimum introduction to severe weather forecasting and serves as a great branch point for further study. 1000 thank yous - could not be more grateful for this content. Is there any kind of way to get plugged into the regional spotter/chaser community here around Chicago? - I know CoD is very plugged in, but not sure how to access that community if not a student nor meteorologist.

[@cynthiaswanson498]

youre amazing to learn from, everything is broken down i to detail that you dont get most of the time. all the information i need is in one place and i dont have ti keep digging for it to try and learn these things. for a while there i was debating if it was worth it to go into the forecasting of things or if i should just wait for storms to fire and putter around alberta from there. will be a huge help in planning to go chasing if it lines up with my days off.

[@brianneben4216]

Awesome to see your cleaned up video Skip, keep up the good work!

[@MrSupertim996]

Thank you for the most informative video I’ve seen. Be safe out there

[@sertank735]

Skip Talbot is a rockstar.

[@andyfromtheuk]

Absolutely brilliant video Skip! Really informative. Thank you and well done! :)

[@xgooftroopx9371]

Thanks for all your hard work and insight

[@eustaceomalley6071]

Skip... thank you again for another informative video... Honestly, if you aren't a college professor, you should be... I'd sign up for your classes, even if it was a subject I dislike.

[@themarkus05246]

This is truly quality content

[@Stormviation]

This was a very useful and interesting video! Who would’ve thought that Close Encounters of the Third Kind had some similarities to storm chasing.

[@antimetv]

Hello Skip, I would love to thank you for sharing these beautifully organized storm chasing guides! I have been enjoying them a lot. I really appreciate the in field tips, because just as you said, storms do crazy stuff quite commonly. I really further enjoy what fascinates you about stormchasing. As you described how you stand in awe in front of each storm, i felt that! Sometimes it is not the storm, but everything around - from predicting to chasing, that makes it special. Mesocyclones have the most beautiful strutctures to me :) this video is a beautiful representation of what this is really about, and thank you for mentioning spotting networks like skywarn! I already put out a few warnings too, and i am glad i can kind of contribute to reduce catastropic outcomes. Best wishes.😊

[@maynardjohnson3313]

Pickup trucks, lumber rack over the windshield, expanded screen makes a great protection from hail.

[@squadauto5567]

Skip needs to post more often more content

[@SangheiliSpecOp]

All this time I was missing out on your professional storm chasing content :(

[@wanowiable]

Your blessed to peruse what your fascinated with for a living. I’m lucky to learn basic facts from you, which I appreciate btw. You explain things quite well. Thank you for the info!

[@tobiasyoder]

Did you not see where he explained how he doesn’t do this for a living ?

[@AlohaChips]

Hang on, hang on, 23:36. Is the implication here that *corn* is a driving force behind some amount of tornadoes and other severe weather in the plains????

[@skiptalbot]

Indirectly, yes. Our cultivated crops pump enormous amounts of water into the air through transpiration, locally enhancing the moisture available to storm development.

[@lgrobot17]

This was amazingly helpful. Thank you! Truly fantastic video and guide.

[@lindamyers1386]

Thanks for sharing. I appreciate spotters. It even helps those of us who live "in the middle of nowhere" to be more aware of dangerous weather. Unlike you and Richard Dryfus, I really don't want to see the mother ship over my cows. I'd really appreciate it if you put my fence back up too. Thanks. PS: it looks like you drove circles around my house in 2016 here in NE OK. Um......you are going to share how we can spot a dangerous storm eventually? Oh, finally. That's why I'm watching. PSS: Good info. Thanks very much!