Side commentary here and wanted to keep it out of the normal forecast discussion thread we have going. So as most know, I started back in 96 chasing - 97 was my first season here in OK. After things started to get too congested for my liking I stopped a couple years ago. Now thanks to whoever you want to blame, things are just getting flat out insane. Yes we already have laws on the books to deal with these guys, but local LEOs have more things to worry about in when a storm is tearing through their town. The biggest thing that I've seen so far this year due to the mass horde of chasers and extremely dangerous driving (especially in the videos below by the Discovery Channel crews, tour companies, and various other chasers) is that they are now impacting people who should be out there. Vortex 2 researchers are getting blocked from storms. Local Media chasers are getting blocked from storms. Actually spotters/chasers who are documenting/reporting to the public/NWS/media are getting blocked. When is enough enough?

Everyone has a right to chase if they wish. However, when public safety starts to get completed impacted - is it time to pull the plug on freelance chasers that provide nothing back assistance the public? Not to mention, since when is it the right of the Discovery Channel, the TIV (the big tank thing), the Weather Channel, Chasing Tour Companies to completely ignore public safety and traffic laws and go out driving in a manner that WILL kill either another chaser or an innocent driver trying to flee the storm or get to their family? I've also read reports where the Discovery/TIV crews are stopping in the middle of the roads - blocking traffic - so they can shoot their video. Same with the tour companies having people place their tri-pods and junk in the road, on the top of hills, where oncoming traffic isn't always going to see them.

I've been growing weary of this for some time, but its going to happen. Someone will be killed from storm chasing this year or next. It will not be from the storm - directly. The number of idiots that are taking over out there will make it happen. I can only wonder how long until the State is forced to act, or local municipalities, and really try to get these idiots under control and arrest them. If they don't, this is going to impact the quality of warnings and reports that we are so use to here in Oklahoma.

I'll also refer to this message put out by Chuck Doswell, one of the most respected people in the field who was chasing long before any of the current yahoos out there now were even a thought in their parents head: Chaser Convergence Revisited

Some videos may not be safe for work due to strong language.












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