Customer Reviews

Storm Chasing Handbook

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Tim Vasquez has long been recognized as one of the leaders in the storm chasing community. He has created the first book that truly captures the technical and aesthetic aspects of storm chasing. Not only is this an excellent review of the mechanics of mesoscale meteorology and forecasting, but to-date not a single book even comes close to acting as a "hands on" manual for chasers (as the manual gains stature I'd love to see even more forecasting details). Few books can explain the nuances of mesoscale forecasting without delving into differential equations; this book allows the lay reader a chance to "see" what's behind those equations and to "feel" what the weather map is showing. Great illustrations really buoy the experience.

What sets this book apart though is the excellent references on photography to geography and things to do on the down days. Recent years have suffered from a relative paucity of good storms (Tim also includes summaries of most chase years essentially proving this same point), so having places to sightsee while waiting for the environment to play nice (i.e., to be stormy) is key. Most neophytes to chasing probably do not know that most chasers, like myself, spend a lot of time _not_ chasing; statistically the weather is not going to be "ominous" day after day. A lot of time is spent just waiting or driving to "tomorrow's" chase location. This book is appropriately >50% dedicated to those times and included so much information I didn't know about the places I've spent years visiting. This will definitely enrich my experience this year.

Well done and absolutely essential to any chaser!

I am a regular Amazon customer, but I won't pay $49.95 here for a book that is offered on the author's website for $29.95.

A fairly comprehensive guide to introductory storm chasing. A little more info on the forecasting would have been good, though much of it is covered in Vasquez's Weather Forecasting Handbook. After a one-week storm tour with Silver Lining Tours in 2003, this book really helped me to make sense of the things that I saw and springboarded me on a year of research so that I will be better prepared for my 2004 storm chase with SLT. The tips that were included gave me the goal of trying to see something other than a tornado (which we did not see on the tour last year). It made me realize the beauty of other storm structures to the point where now I just take delight in sitting and watching cumulus clouds rise and fade. Thank you, Tim Vasquez, for helping to ensure that this year's chase will be even more fulfilling than last year's!

I've now bought three copies and given two to friends. Tim knows storms and he knows the ins and outs of storm chasing. I just wish he'd writtin it before I started chasing so I didn't have to learn the hard way. This is a must for anyone interested in chasing. From forecasting to food, with information on equipment, chase partners, safety, and things to do when the weather's good, this book is a great resource. It will be in my bag on my next chase.

This book was really great! It not only had good information on storm structure and forecasting, the traveling section was excellent! It made me appreciate chasing much more!

Wow! What a great resource for any weather enthusiast, storm chaser or spotter. Living in the heart of Tornado alley, I especially value the detailed region descriptions of the central plains. This book covers everything you need to know about storm chasing: equipment, forecasting, safety, lodging and more. It's enjoyable and educational to read. I would also highly recommend Tim's Weather Forecasting Handbook. Combined with the Storm Chasers Handbook, the two offer incredible insight into severe weather forecasting.

I decided to start chasing some storms and heard about this book. I was expecting it to be very basic and generic. On the contrary, it is packed with good info. I thought I had a good grasp of 80% of the equipment needs, basic forcasting, chasing issues, etc. BUT, after reading this book, I have a lot more learning to do. Page after page of great info. I recommend looking up the authors website for this book and other excellent material. Highly recommended!

I'm not a storm chaser, but this is an incredible book! Tim covers everything... from the importance of meso-analysis... to the best places to find that job-well-done T-bone after bagging the mile-wide wedge. There is a good bit of knowledge to be gained concerning the forecasting issues faced by storm chasers when dealing with severe weather, but it's just as helpful for those sitting behind the computer, tracking storms... instead of being out on the road. If you're a chaser or enthusiast, you really need this book!

I just wrote a review for another one of Mr. Vasquez's books. I have three of them (Weather Forecasting Handbook, Weather Map Handbook, and Storm Chasing Handbook). All three of them are absolutely fantastic.

Tim Vasquez is very well-known and respected in the meteorological community, and with good reason. No one disputes him knowledge. We all know people though, who are geniuses at what they do, yet who are very dry and boring when they attempt to teach their subject. Vasquez is definitely not one of those sorts. Nor is he the kind who tries so hard to liven up a subject that he waters down the information with silliness. He presents his information in a solidly informative way that reads very well without coming across as dry.

This book in particular, is ideal for those with any interest in storm chasing. In fact, I would call it a "must-have". It gives a very no-nonsense description of how to approach various types of storms. It has a terrific chapter on forecasting (not nearly as in-depth as his Forecasting Handbook of course, but still extremely informative and detailed). It has tons of other information, but you're wasting time! Stop reading reviews, and just buy his book! It's well worth it.

I wish this book had been available when I began storm chasing in 1982. It would have saved me countless hours of frustration and thousands of miles of trying to observe the wrong storms in the wrong place. Tim has expertly explained the basic details of making your own severe weather forecast which, in my own opinion, is most of what good ethical storm chasing is about. His writing is very readable yet is also technical enough to delve into more advanced facets of forecasting and, if your forecast verifies, how to manage yourself once in the field. As an added bonus, much of the book is dedicated as a "tour book" to many areas of the great plains of the USA. While this may seem odd to some, this is quite valuable since many (and I do mean MANY) hours spent on the road during a chase are in "down time", waiting for storms to form or finding hours to fill once the cap decides to dominate. Overall, I cannot highly recommend this book enough. Tim's other books are equally as valuable and are a welcome steroid injection to the intellect of anyone who is interested in the atmospheric sciences.