College of DuPage
Stormchasing
GuideLINES, Rules, and Suggestions
What to Bring
Clothes
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Bring at least one pair of long pants or jeans.
Bring at least one good sweatshirt or jacket. It gets cold in the
van and in the outflow of a storm and sometimes it is just cold.
We recommend one nice shirt (non-t-shirt) in case we eat at a
respectable place. (Sometimes we try to be respectable.)
Bring two pairs of shoes. Sandals or flip-flops are OK but not a
good choice of shoe for most circumstances. Think ants,
softball, fields, grass, etc…
Swimwear. Lots of nice hotel pools. Skinny-dipping not allowed.
Do not over-pack with shorts. Bring enough shirts, underwear
and socks. (Think number of chase days +1)
Laundry is possible but not guaranteed. Actually, it is
uncommon to have time to do laundry.
What to Bring
Helpful Tip #1
 Bring
a plastic garbage bag.
Separates dirty clothes
(smelly) from clean clothes (not
smelly…unless you don’t have
a garbage bag and thus all the
clothes are smelly.)
What to Bring
Gadgets
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Limit your “gadgets” such as tripods,
zoom lenses, etc. Remember, space
is at a minimum.
Remember; batteries, chargers,
memory cards, etc…
A small power strip to charge
gadgets (outlets in hotels are few.)
No flash photos in the van as
you will only get a picture of
the reflection in the window!
Charcoal sketch pads (in case
you want to sketch the storm.)
What to Bring
Health and Comfort Items
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If you wear contacts, you should bring…
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Re-wetting drops
Extra contacts
Your prescription glasses
Don’t forget your case and solution!
Medicines (Dramamine, aspirin, allergy,
Immodium, etc…)
Eye drops
Health insurance card
Tissues (especially the girls, ummm…
yeah…for that.)
Sunscreen and aloe for post-sun burn
treatment.
Sunglasses (or tinted safety goggles.)
Hat (or sombrero.)
What to Bring
Miscellaneous
Passport or passport card (required for all trips)
Drivers license
 Bring enough money. We recommend at least $35
per day. Bring cash since it makes paying at
restaurants easier.
 Credit/Debit card (just in case.)
 Water Bottle (for refilling at the hotel, etc)
 Headphones
 Atlas
 Colored Pencils (SUPER IMPORTANT.)
 Small Pillow
 Security Blanket (optional.)
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What NOT to Bring
Weapons (including pepper spray.) We cross
borders and its illegal.
 Excess or unnecessary schtuff.
(Remember, space is at a minimum.)
 Illegal drugs
 Too many or inappropriate movies.
 Cases of water (it doesn’t help anyone.)
 Encyclopedia (we’re all about wikipedia.)
 Large body pillow (or life-sized inflatable “bed
partner”.)
 Electric blanket
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Luggage and Packing Tips
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One Duffle Bag or Soft Suitcase.
One Carry-On Bag (backpack, etc).
You may bring your lap-top as well, although
tablets are better, smartphones are best.
Bring Ziploc bags for shampoo, contact solution,
etc… Sometimes they might explode in
mountainous regions or if one of our drivers gets
a hold of it.
Helpful Tip #2
Don’t make us angry
Don’t over-pack
suitcases and carry-ons.
Space is at a minimum.
Hygiene
These rules wouldn’t be here unless people broke them!
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Shower!
Shower with soap and shampoo!
I’m serious.
Use deodorant
I’m serious.
If you have foot odor problems, keep
your $^%*&$ shoes on!
Wash your hands before leaving the
restroom. Disease can and WILL
spread easily in a closed van.
Besides that is just disgusting.
Seating in the Vans
Don’t sit next to the assistant
unless you are very small (like
the size of a small rodent or
cat,) it’s a down day and the
assistant likes you. There just
isn’t room.
 Mix it up! Sit in different vans
with different people! Cliques
suck.
 The assistant position in Van 2
is a working seat. You must be
operating the computer.
 Shotgun seat in Van 2 should be
using a video camera or taking
pictures for others during a
chase. It’s a great vantage point.
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Helpful Tip #3
Don’t make us angry
No cliques and no sitting in
the same van every day.
(Yes that means you Laura! :-)
Chase Modes
Non-Chase Mode
We have a broad target area but are not
really hurrying to get there.
 Stops for food and bathroom break as
needed to maintain schedule.
 Do not dilly-dally. (Yes. That’s a word. Look
it up.) We always want to “hurry up and
wait”. The faster you go, the less likely we
will kill you if we miss a storm.
 In any mode, at every stop, listen to the
instructor at all times for directions.
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Helpful Tip #4
Matt’s Golden Rule:
Pee when you have the chance.
Anyplace.
Anytime.
Chase Modes
Chase-Mode
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Storms are likely and there is probably a watch
out or our area has been highlighted in a
mesoscale convective discussion.
We stop when possible but it is not a certainty.
Stops are usually for bathroom breaks only or
very quick food stops. Food is everyone or no
one. Have one person buy for several people,
sort out payment later.
We have even left Glen Ellyn in chase mode.
In every mode, listen for instructions from the
instructor.
Helpful Tip #4 (once more)
Getting the hint?
Matt’s Golden Rule:
Pee when you have the chance.
Anyplace.
Anytime.
Chase Modes
Intercept Mode
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We have our storm!
Almost assuredly, if we stop, it will be a gasonly stop.
Purchase of food is prohibited. It can wait.
Seriously.
If you find yourself in this mode and you didn’t
understand Matt’s Golden Rule, I bet you will
now.
The term “bathroom” in intercept mode has a
very broad meaning. Girls, this is why you
might want to bring a packet of tissues.
As always with every stop, listen to
instructions from the instructor.
Chase Modes
DFP Mode
Talk to a veteran COD chaser
about this one.
DVD’s in the Vans
Except for instructional videos, we will
usually run the audio through the
headphones.
 At no time will movies be allowed in
chase or intercept mode.
 Please respect others when picking a
movie. Refrain from insensitive material
and movies with excessive swearing,
nudity, violence and police scenes (it
scares the drivers.)
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Lodging
We often get in late at night. Please keep noise down to a
minimum. Please, do not let hotel door SLAM shut.
 You represent the college. Your costs are kept down as a
result of our good standing at hotels.
 You will not take towels, pillows, etc. from the hotel.
 Most of the places we stay (not ALL Kris w/ a K) have a
deluxe continental breakfast including cereal, toast, fruit,
etc. However, one can venture to the McDonalds or
Burger King if you know the weather is ok and you tell
someone where you are going.
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Food
We either sit as one big
group or a few smaller
groups. We always
figure one bill per table.
 We tip 20%. Remember
you are paying for your
food, drink, tax and tip!
 Do not leave the table
until we know the bill is
paid!
 Try not to be too
obnoxious (a little
obnoxious is probably
understood.)
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Helpful Tip #5
Restaurants can be really
slow. If we are in a hurry,
do not let them seat us
together. Just get tables.
Quickly!
Helpful Tip #6
Don’t make us angry
Do not smoke until after
your meal has been
ordered.
Radios
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We primarily use Ham Radio’s
which require a license to use.
You may only talk on a radio if you
have a license and/or have
permission.
Often you will be given a portable
(HT) radio when groups split off.
Do not fool around on the radios!
No singing, swearing, or playing
music on the radios (FCC
regulations).
Weather Information & Communication
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In the morning, if we have enough
time, we will try to have a morning
weather briefing and give maps to
analyze.
Sometimes, in a hurry, we do morning
briefings (or even forecasting) on the
road.
Most other info is passed on via the
radio. Everyone needs to pay attention
to the weather briefings and make
sure everyone in the van heard
everything.
Be involved and ask questions!
Van 2 is never left in the dark on
purpose. We pass on the info when
we get it. We never hide information
from you! (Unless you tick us off. :-)
We will try to do a review at night, too.
Follow us on Twitter!
http://weather.cod.edu/media/
Libraries
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We stop at libraries occasionally
to access the internet for
weather information.
No one is allowed in the library
unless you are given permission.
Some libraries are very strict (i.e.
Woodward, OK and York, NE)
Sometimes we will be in for a
lengthy time. We are never sure
how long we will be there until
we get there. Be patient as we
are in there for you! Frisbees
and footballs help pass the time,
but stay close!
Rest Stops
Part I
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As mentioned before, we are always in a
mode to “hurry and wait”.
Bathrooms in these small town gas stations
and stores are usually one toilet only and
often it is only a unisex bathroom. Girls,
use the guys bathroom. Guys, feel free to
check behind the building for the “alternate”
bathroom.
If you haven’t figured it out already, the “big
gulp” is not recommended! Sipping water
or small pops or juices are the best. (Judge
each situation accordingly and ask if you
aren’t sure)
Make lines go faster buy pooling money,
buying big bags to share in the vans, and
other time saving ideas.
Rest Stops
Part II: Think of the Drivers!
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Drivers are in charge!
If they ask you to check the oil,
add Rain-X to the windows, clean
the windows, etc., then please do
this. Ask others then to get your
food and drink! It is better if a van
decides to do this before we even
make the stop. Work as a team!
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Sometimes we have to do a
quick, fast-food lunch. Again,
think of the drivers, and maybe
the instructor and assistant.
Usually, the above go very well
and very easily. Please do not
dawdle.
Alcohol
You must be of legal age to drink.
 Leftover alcohol will not be transported in the
vans.
 Drinking alcohol will not be allowed except by
instructor permission.
 No drinking during or prior to chase activities.
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Helpful Tip #4 (yet again)
DO IT!
Matt’s Golden Rule:
Pee when you have the chance.
Anyplace.
Anytime.
Helpful Tip #7
Don’t make us angry
Paryting all night and
sleeping in the van all day
is unacceptable. If this
occurs, you will lose
privileges and may be
kicked off the trip.
Helpful Tip #4 (last time!)
C’MON!
Matt’s Golden Rule:
Pee when you have the chance.
Anyplace.
Anytime.
The Unwritten Rule
During the Chase
While in the Van
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You are not only a spectator,
you are a participant! Often
the storm is on the opposite
side of the van from the
instructor and assistant.
People sitting in the back
(“tailgunners”) need to watch
the storms when they are
behind us. You are the only
ones that can see the storm!
ES 2800 students: It is
YOUR job to help teach and
be a leader.
During the Chase
While out of the Van
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No one is to get out of the van until given permission.
Sometimes the instructor and/or assistant need to get out
quickly to assess the situation.
Occasionally the instructor and assistant will need to walk
away from the group to discuss the weather situations.
Get in the vans means NOW!
Stay off the roads. Here is a good example and a bad
example.
Watch your language around those who are videoing. Try to
stop yelling. Yes, it’s a tornado. It’s cool.
Be careful of lightning! Thunder occurs 5 seconds per mile
after lightning is seen. Sometimes we will just stay in the
vans if lightning is too frequent or too close.
Helpful Tip #8
Don’t make us angry
Do not make us wait for
you…ever. In the mornings,
during a meal, or at a gas
station. Ever!
Additional Rules
Richard Ordonez
Make sure everyone is
present before leaving
the hotel.
Additional Rules
Star Lis
Black fishnet
pantyhose scare
people in the Plains.
Additional Rules
Annette Marshall
In North Dakota,
chicken is considered
a “vegetable.”
Additional Rules
Jesse
It is a long ride to Little
Rock, Arkansas.
Ask Jesse’s mom.
Oh, and make sure you can be
contacted before the trip.
Additional Rules
Matt Powers
Very Fine juice bottles
are not big
enough…think about it.