This thread is an informational post that I made because I was bored and felt like doing it. As I've said in other places, my future lies in weather. I plan on majoring in meteorology (probably working for the National Weather Service) and having storm chasing as one of my main side hobbies. Feel free to ask any questions.
What is storm chasing?Storm chasing is defined as the pursuit of a severe weather condition for any motive. Frequent reasons for storm chasing are for education, thrill, interest, news coverage, or scientific investigation. Storm chasing is not an occupation. Most chasers do not get paid for what they do and are the subject of controversy. Contrary to what most news stories report, storm chasing is usually not dangerous if done carefully and safely. Those chasers whose bodies get pulled from mangled cars are those who did not practice precautions. Of all the storm chasers who die on the field, the majority were killed in car accidents due to careless driving. Almost all the remaining chasers were killed by lightning bolts (standing outside the car to get a better view) or strong, straight line winds flipping their vehicle.
Do I need any training before I go storm chasing?Depends. If you just want to go off into a severe storm and hope you find something interesting, then by all means, go ahead. It can be helpful to know how to use a Doppler radar, be wary of storm direction/position, understand the risks involved, and bring a few buddies along (more eyes equals more awareness).
I did say "depends" though. You
do need to be a certified storm spotter in order to make a believable report. Although the public
can make reports via 911 or CB radios, their reports frequently have to be investigated before action is taken. Anybody who claims that they saw a tornado could simply be seeing smoke, a scary cloud, wind driven dirt, or even a rain shaft. With formal training (usually accomplished at fire stations on set dates), usually in the form of a couple hours of lecture, you can become a certified storm spotter. You will receive an ID number, optional window stickers, pamphlets with the many conditions present in thunderstorms (including how to navigate them, track them, and much more), and phone numbers to call whenever a report must be made.
What do I need before I go chasing?- Storm chasing by yourself is generally not the best idea. You are trying to keep your eyes on the road, track the storm's direction, look for hazards presented by other people (people fleeing the storm, curious sightseers, hazards presented by the storm (hail, heavy rain, microbursts, and yes, tornadoes), and even other storm chasers who may or may not be paying attention to their surroundings. Bring some friends. More eyes can give a 360˚ view of the vehicle, increase communication, and act as a GPS.
- You don't want to chase a dangerous storm in your dad's freshly waxed Cadillac. Everybody makes mistakes. Storm chasers could possibly turn in the wrong direction (or the storm will dish out a surprise) and you could wind up with hail bashing your windshield to smithereens and denting the body panels. If you have a choice in vehicles, choose a cheap one with a low center of gravity (wind can get strong on the field), four wheel drive (optional I guess, but better for handling wet, slippery roads and lessening the chance of getting stuck in mud), and easily replaceable parts (hopefully you won't need to do this).
- Helpful for tracking the best spots to find a tornado, avoiding heavy rain/hail, noting the storm's direction of travel, and when you should get the hell out of the way. Just make sure that someone knows how to use it. A cheap radar app for a smartphone will not be reliable. Try for a NWS live timing radar with a Doppler velocity option.
-lf you would happen to get stuck, you will want to communicate quickly for someone to come rescue your squad.
- By all means the best and most important thing to have. Storms
will change direction, and you could very well be sitting on ground zero when it happens. Don't rely on road construction and expect that any given road will go somewhere safe. Know where all the roads go before you find yourself in a predicament. This is why storm chasing on the open plains is the best option. Visibility is the best in the nation, most roads run north-south or east-west, plus the possibility of a good storm is usually more favorable in those regions.
Where do I go for storm chasing?Storm chasing can be done anywhere. However, it is best to be in a location with good visibility and good maneuverability. Of course, the Midwestern United States is the optimal location. There is a greater amount of severe weather activity than anywhere else, the endless flat plains make for the best visibility in the country, and the grid-like country roads make for simple navigation, easy access to high speeds if necessary, and present very few distractions such as traffic or stop signs.
If you would end up storm chasing, note that you will be on the road for a long time. The best storm chasers out on the field may travel a distance equivalent to the circumference of the Earth in two weeks time just trying to get in position.
PlanningThis can as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. If local news is reporting severe weather in the area, just grab some stuff (as mentioned above) and go. Professional storm chasers (mainly those who use storms for educational purposes) may use the entire country as a road map. The best time and areas for chasing a storm is during daylight hours (I definitely don't recommend storm chasing after dark, as the physical features of the storm are invisible except during brief lightning flashes) and in the regions from South Dakota down to northern Texas and from eastern Colorado to Indiana.
Some common hazards to look out for:Lightning
Lightning is the deadliest phenomenon that nature possesses. Present in most thunderstorms, they are attracted to electrical charges on objects or the ground. Most lightning is negatively charged. Positively charged lightning is more rare, but also much more potent. Lightning is generally attracted to the tallest object in the vicinity, whether it be a car, human, tower, tree, etc. Although your chances of being struck by lightning are low, precautions are necessary. Drive a car with a solid roof (convertibles with the roof up are not safe). Do not exit the car if you can hear thunder from other lightning bolts, especially in flat areas. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be hit.
Rain Shaft
The picture above is not a tornado. Usually more observable in low precipitation scenarios, a rain shaft is a small area of torrential rain. In stronger storms, it may also contain hail and even the largest tornado (frequently referred to as a "rain-wrapped tornado"). Even weak thunderstorms will contain rain shafts. They are best marked on a radar as tight areas of red and pink colors near the center or rear of the cell.
Downbursts
Downbursts are strong downdrafts caused by wind shear. Classified into the sub-terms "Microburst" and "Macroburst", they can potentially be the most dangerous part of a severe thunderstorm. Downbursts are caused by the slow descent of cold air from the top of a storm. When the cold air hits the ground (not always visible, but may appear similar to a small rain shaft), it is forcefully compressed by the cold air falling on top of it. The air rushes outwards in all directions (sometimes in excess of 150mph) and can cause devastating damage often blamed on tornadoes.
Squalls/Derechos
Squalls and derechos are bow-shaped storms characterized by their strong winds. The difference between the two are their size. A squall line is usually only a few miles up to about 100 miles in length. Their winds are weaker (around 40-70mph) and the storm is usually short-lived. Derechos usually command an entire storm system that can span hundreds of miles in length, sometimes nearly as long as the United States from north to south. Their damage range is enormous and they can survive for days before dissipating. Wind speeds can exceed 100mph in some locations. Both squalls and derechos can contain hail and weak tornadoes.
Hail
Hail is frozen pieces of ice created by the accumulation of ice crystals on water droplets within a storm aided by updrafts. Once the hailstone gets too heavy for the updrafts to hold it, it falls to the Earth. Hail can range from the size of peas to the size of grapefruits (the largest recorded was as big as a football). Hail can occur in most strong thunderstorms, but the storm is only considered severe if the hail exceeds the size of pennies (3/4" in size). Hail can be dangerous to life and property. Golf ball sized hail can break windows on cars. Baseball sized hail can cause injury requiring hospitalization. The largest hailstones have been known to penetrate roofs on houses.
Tornadoes
Tornadoes are universally the prime source of interest for storm chasers. They are unpredictable, cannot be reliably detected by radar (rotation can be detected well enough to issue warnings), and are frequently the most destructive part of a severe thunderstorm if they occur. Wind speeds range from an approximate minimum of 70mph within the shaft and can be in excess of 200mph. Although their damage path is usually narrow, anything directly affected by any tornado is usually damaged if not completely destroyed. Tornadoes are understood to be caused by rotating wind shear perpendicular to the ground. Wind shear normally rotates horizontally and within the clouds, but updrafts can force the wind shear into a vertical position where it begins sucking up dirt and debris. Tornadoes are actually colorless. Their colors rely on the debris they are carrying. They are usually white, gray, black, brown, or orange.
Have anymore questions or want to add something I left out? Feel free to post it below and I'll add it.
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