Now What?

First thing you should do is go to a local SKYWARN spotter class and get some basic training. SKYWARN is a program run by NOAA with training classes every year, usually in late winter/early spring.

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. Even the best chasers get into dangerous situations because of bad judgment or other reasons. If you do not have the experience to back you up, you could make a dangerous situation life threatening. You can use the "Submit Report" option here at the Spotter Network or other local alternatives such as Amateur Radio, 911 or your local NWS office.

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 on various topics. Just use Google.

As for purchasing educational material we recommend the following:

• 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.

If you think you want some hands on training we recommend going with the College of DuPage (Illinois) storm chasing class. It is like a storm chasing vacation, but you will be working with meteorological professors and students in an educational setting. It's also cheaper than a chase tour, but the classes fill up quick.