Storm chasing is a serious, high-risk activity focused on observing and documenting severe weather phenomena, such as supercells and tornadoes. Professional storm chasing is a method-driven endeavor requiring extensive preparation, technical skill, and a deep respect for atmospheric science. The primary goal is collecting data and visual evidence that aids in meteorological research and public safety. This career path demands a structured approach to education, specialized equipment, and adherence to strict safety and ethical standards.
Building Foundational Meteorological Knowledge
Professional storm chasing requires a formal grounding in atmospheric science. Self-study alone is insufficient for the necessary level of forecasting competency. Many successful professional chasers possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in meteorology or atmospheric science. This academic background provides the theoretical framework to interpret complex weather models and achieve true predictive skill.
The core of this knowledge involves mastering concepts like atmospheric thermodynamics, which governs how energy is converted into storm motion. A chaser must be able to interpret stability indices, such as Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE). Understanding the various types of CAPE, including Surface-Based CAPE (SBCAPE) and Mixed-Layer CAPE (MLCAPE), is necessary for predicting storm intensity and initiation.
Forecasting relies heavily on analyzing vertical wind shear, the change in wind speed and direction with height. Shear influences a storm’s organization and longevity. Storm-Relative Helicity (SRH) indicates the potential for a storm to develop rotation and is a powerful predictor for supercells and tornadoes. Additionally, a chaser must be adept at recognizing mesoscale boundaries, such as outflow boundaries or dry lines, which act as triggers for storm development.
Essential Equipment and Vehicle Setup
Safe storm chasing depends on a reliable mobile command center equipped with redundant communication, navigation, and data collection systems. The financial investment in this specialized equipment is substantial. This equipment forms the physical basis for operational safety and data integrity. The vehicle itself must be prepared to handle unpredictable road conditions and operate for extended periods far from urban centers.
Communication and Navigation Tools
Redundant communication systems are necessary because standard cellular networks often fail during intense weather or in remote areas. Professionals rely on high-gain antennae and cellular boosters to maximize data connectivity for downloading real-time weather models and radar data. A satellite communications device, such as a Garmin inReach or dedicated satellite phone, provides a connection for emergency situations and off-grid reporting. A NOAA weather radio is also necessary for receiving official alerts directly from the National Weather Service.
Observation and Data Collection Gear
A high-powered laptop is the hub for real-time data processing, running specialized software like RadarScope or GRLevel3 to display detailed Level II and Level III radar data. For documentation, high-definition cameras, such as 4K or high-speed video cameras, are used to capture storm structure and evolution. These cameras are often mounted on sturdy tripods to stabilize footage in high winds. Specialized research chasers may also carry deployable probes or mobile radar units to collect in-situ atmospheric measurements.
Vehicle Preparation
The chase vehicle is a modified workspace, and its preparation focuses on robustness and self-sufficiency. High-clearance vehicles, such as four-wheel-drive trucks or SUVs, are preferred for navigating flooded roads, muddy dirt tracks, and debris-laden areas. Heavy-duty tires are necessary to maintain traction on compromised surfaces, and the vehicle must be mechanically sound with regular maintenance. Extra fuel capacity or auxiliary fuel tanks are needed for long, remote drives, and some chasers consider reinforced glass to mitigate damage from large hail.
Prioritizing Safety and Ethical Chasing Practices
Safety is achieved through continuous risk assessment and maintaining situational awareness. The most significant threats are the hazards of driving and the possibility of becoming disoriented in heavy precipitation. A cardinal rule is to always have a clear, pre-planned escape route that accounts for the storm’s likely movement and the surrounding road network. This prevents the team from being boxed in.
Chasers must actively avoid “core punching,” which involves driving directly into the heavy rain and hail core of a storm. This practice immediately blinds the driver to visible hazards and exposes the vehicle to damaging large hail. It also increases the risk of encountering a rain-wrapped tornado. A calm and methodical approach is required to prevent panic, especially when navigating unpaved or rural roads that can quickly become impassable due to mud or flash flooding.
Ethical behavior centers on courtesy and responsibility toward the public and emergency services. This involves never trespassing on private property for a better view and strictly adhering to all traffic laws, even during an active chase. Chasers must avoid creating traffic congestion, which can impede local residents or first responders who are working to manage the effects of the weather event. The professional community advocates for self-policing to uphold a standard of conduct that supports public safety efforts.
Developing Practical Field Skills
Successful field operations require developing practical skills honed through experience. One important ability is reading visual cues, which involves quickly interpreting the appearance of a storm’s structure. This includes identifying the presence and rotation of a wall cloud and differentiating an inflow band from a visible occlusion. Chasers must also correctly recognize harmless scud clouds versus actual tornado development.
A professional chaser must learn to interpret complex radar data while simultaneously moving and observing the environment outside the vehicle. This involves rapid analysis of reflectivity to determine precipitation intensity and velocity data to identify mesocyclones and potential tornadic circulation. This real-time analysis must be integrated with the road network. This requires the ability to quickly plot a safe intercept point and subsequent escape route using mobile mapping software.
Effective storm chasing is rarely a solo activity, making the ability to work with a partner a necessary field skill. A dedicated chase partner can manage the in-car data feeds and radio communications. This allows the driver to focus exclusively on vehicle operation and visual observation. This division of labor is necessary for maintaining continuous situational awareness and making swift, informed decisions under pressure.
Potential Career Paths in Storm Chasing
While many storm chasers operate as hobbyists or media stringers, several professional avenues exist for those with the appropriate meteorological background and field experience. Stable careers are often found within government agencies, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or the National Weather Service (NWS). These roles frequently involve specialized research or field deployment to collect in-situ data. This data helps improve forecasting models and public warning systems.
Opportunities also exist in the media and documentary fields, where chasers monetize their activities by selling high-quality photography and video footage of severe weather events. This avenue is highly competitive and often supplementary, with income being project-based rather than a fixed salary.
Some experienced professionals establish or work for storm-chasing tour companies. These companies guide clients through the Plains and provide meteorological education and safe viewing experiences.
For those with advanced degrees, research positions at universities or private meteorological firms offer employment focused on deploying scientific instrumentation and publishing peer-reviewed findings. These positions combine academic rigor with extensive field work. They directly contribute to the scientific understanding of atmospheric processes.