Storm chasing involves the pursuit of severe weather, allowing individuals to observe powerful natural events firsthand, from intense thunderstorms to tornadoes. While some chasers are professional meteorologists or researchers, many are enthusiasts seeking to capture striking visuals or experience nature’s raw power. Beyond thrill-seeking, this activity contributes valuable ground-truth observations that aid weather forecasting and scientific understanding.
Building Your Meteorological Foundation
Understanding weather science is essential for safe storm chasing. Severe weather, such as supercells, squall lines, tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail, arises from specific atmospheric conditions. Key principles include instability (warm, moist air near the surface and cooler air aloft, fueling thunderstorms), shear (changes in wind speed or direction with height, which helps organize storms), and sufficient moisture (supporting cloud and precipitation).
Chasers must learn to interpret various meteorological data sources to predict and track storms. This includes analyzing weather maps (depicting fronts, pressure systems, and wind patterns) and atmospheric soundings (showing vertical profiles of temperature, moisture, and wind). Radar interpretation is essential, distinguishing reflectivity (precipitation intensity and hail) from velocity (wind movement, crucial for identifying rotation). Resources like National Weather Service (NWS) spotter training programs, online courses, and specialized textbooks provide comprehensive education in severe weather meteorology.
Essential Gear for the Chase
Proper equipment is essential for storm chasing. A reliable, well-maintained vehicle with a full tank of gas is important, as chases can cover vast distances. Navigation and communication tools are important; a dedicated GPS unit or mapping application is necessary, along with multiple communication methods like a cell phone and a NOAA Weather Radio for alerts when mobile data might fail.
For real-time weather monitoring, in-car weather radar software or applications, such as RadarScope, provide updates on storm structure and movement. A portable weather station can offer local atmospheric readings, though its data should be used cautiously. Safety and survival gear are important, including a first-aid kit, emergency supplies like water, non-perishable food, and blankets, sturdy footwear for varied terrain, and a headlamp or flashlight for low-light conditions. Many chasers also carry camera equipment, such as a DSLR or camcorder with extra batteries and memory cards, to document storm phenomena.
Strategic Chase Planning and Execution
Storm chasing begins with thorough pre-chase analysis. Identifying potential severe weather days involves studying forecast models, such as those from the Storm Prediction Center, and analyzing meteorological data to pinpoint areas with high probabilities of storm development. This preparation allows chasers to understand the atmospheric setup and anticipate where storms are most likely to initiate and intensify.
Once a target area is selected, route planning is critical. Chasers must consider road networks, identify multiple escape routes, and assess terrain to avoid getting trapped or encountering impassable conditions, particularly in rural areas. In the field, real-time decision-making relies on continuously reading the sky for visual cues like cloud base lowering or updraft towers, and interpreting radar data to monitor storm evolution and movement. Safe positioning is important, typically involving staying several miles from the storm’s core, especially on its southeast flank for supercells, to maintain clear visibility and ensure safety from damaging winds and hail.
Prioritizing Safety and Chaser Ethics
Storm chasing inherently involves significant risks, including flash floods, lightning, large hail, damaging winds, flying debris, and tornadoes. These dangers include flash floods that quickly inundate roads, large hail that damages vehicles and causes injury, and strong winds or flying debris.
Mitigating these risks requires adherence to safety protocols. Chasers should never venture out alone, always having a partner or team for mutual support and shared situational awareness. Maintaining an escape plan with multiple routes is essential, and chasers must know when to abort a chase if conditions become too hazardous, such as deteriorating visibility or unsafe road conditions. Ethical conduct is a cornerstone of responsible chasing, including respecting private property, avoiding interference with emergency services, driving responsibly, and prioritizing public safety over capturing dramatic footage. Reporting significant observations to authorities, such as the National Weather Service, contributes to public safety and warning systems.
Embracing Continuous Learning and Community
Storm chasing is an ongoing educational process beyond initial preparation. After a chase, reviewing radar data, analyzing photos and videos, and reflecting on personal observations helps chasers understand storm dynamics and improve their forecasting and intercept skills. This post-chase analysis allows for a deeper understanding of how atmospheric conditions translated into observed phenomena.
New chasers benefit from mentorship, accompanying experienced individuals who provide guidance on real-time decision-making. Engaging with the broader storm chasing community through online forums, local storm spotter networks like Skywarn, and meteorological organizations fosters knowledge sharing and collaboration. Chasers can also contribute to scientific understanding by submitting severe weather reports to the National Weather Service, providing valuable ground-truth data that enhances research and improves forecasting.