Storm and Tornado Chasers
The History, Technology and Purpose of Pursuing Extreme Weather
When the winds pick up speed, and the tornado sirens echo, the storm chasers grab their equipment and hit the road. Here's what the role entails.
Regardless of a specific motive or reason, storm chasers go after a storm once it hits its heightened severity. The first thing they look for is a cumulonimbus cloud, which may produce deadly lightning, hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. Now, the tornado is the prize. It’s the top most chased after storm across the nation. To capture the monsters on camera or on video is the accomplishment of the day for several thrill seekers, while others simply chase to study the beast. Amongst storm chasers are storm spotters, who are usually reporting sightings to local authorities.
Storm chasing in history
Historically, the first known storm chaser was from the 1950s, who chased storms across Minnesota. His name was Roger Jensen. The first known chaser specifically for research was Neil Ward, who took policemen from Oklahoma with him to study the storms. In 1972, the first tornado chasing project was sponsored by the University of Oklahoma. With the help of the National Severe Storms Laboratory, they created the Tornado Intercept Project, which was successful in 1973 when they provided information to the development of the tornado. David Hoadley, the second storm chaser of the 1950s, published the first Storm Track magazine, creating a nation wide foundation of storm chasers.
Danger involved
Chasers do not go out in pursuit without knowing the dangers. Being well aware of the large hail, lightning, floods, and incoming debris from the high wind speeds, they are always prepared for the worst. With high-tech equipment, they are on the road, usually multi-tasking, while the driver is cautiously avoiding large debris that may drop in front of the moving vehicle or on top of them. Most chasers bring laptops with them, to observe rotation and movement, anemometers, to measure wind speed, and portable weather stations. Many try to be as minimal as possible.
While real storm chasers are out capturing the severe weather on photographic equipment, the film industry entertains movie-goers with the truths of chasing. For example, the movie Twister, released in 1996, provided the audience with humor, while not forgetting to include specific dangers and specific facts about storm chasing.
Storm tours?
Sometimes, a chaser may go out for a week, and not see a tornado. To be a chaser requires great patience. After all, it is not a paying job. With the exception of meteorologists hired by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), or another weather service office, and storm tours developed by experienced storm chasers, storm chasing is not a career to be pursued, but merely a hobby, when with an experienced chaser.
