Would you be a storm chaser?

I already am. I’m certified by the NWS as a spotter for my area, and although they do not condone chasing, tons of spotters are also chasers. I’ve been chasing storms for as long as I’ve had a driver’s license. My dad is also an avid storm lover, and he and I spent many summers hunting down a better view of storms, and every now and then, we’d be lucky to catch a tornado.
I don’t have any special equipment, just a camera, a car, and I use the radar maps from the news and follow weather reports. You just have to be smart about it. I think the biggest thing that storm lovers forget is to stay the hell away from lightning. Beautiful and exciting as it is, it is lethal.

Yeah! I’d happily chase Halle Berry!

Only if I got paid. Don’t see any reason otherwise.

I would, but I’d have to live close enough to the weather to make chasing it reasonable. Out here on LI, you can’t chase much, you can only really find a high point to watch from.

I’m way too chicken to do that. I always get kind of excited when I see a storm chaser vehicle, though. All those antennae and gadgets. :)

It’s beyond me why people do this. Is it a thrill or just a low IQ?

Sorry to be so blunt, but I see these people as violators of the law. Spotting a tornado and then speeding away to avoid it.

I am wondering where their auto insurance stands on hail coverage, in this situation? Also, speeding citations as reported to their insurance company, that is associated with chasing a tornado?

I think this “thrill” is unnecessary and presents a danger to other citizens.

What is the point?

@john65pennington chasers provide valuable information that can not otherwise be obtained in many cases, especially those that collect data or images of tornadoes, and most of us report severe weather to the NWS. Where do you think the NWS gets their information from? It isn’t all radar and computers. They don’t train people every year to go out and report visual confirmations of weather sightings for their health. Every time you have a severe weather warning for your area, that came from someone who was observing details of the actual weather, not just a computer screen. These storms are complex and not fully understood. Anyone that takes storm watching seriously resents chasers, amateur or otherwise, that behaves recklessly and deliberately puts themselves or others in harm’s way. Anyone with a brain in their head knows to consider the conditions, slick roads, lightning, large hail, debris, the multitude of things that pose a serious threat to their safety. Most serious chasers within the community are beyond fed up with people who fail to educate themselves before setting out on what could be a life threatening endeavor without the proper precautions. There is a code of ethics among storm watchers, and at the absolute forefront of that code is safety. That includes obeying traffic laws, remaining aware of road conditions and visibility, and staying out of the path of the storm. Do you have any idea how easy it is to stay out of the path of a tornado? It isn’t all drama like you see in the movies. Of course they are devastating and destructive, but they do have tendencies and patterns that make it possible to determine which direction they are headed in. Ideally every severe storm would strike in the middle of a large, flat, empty field without a human being for miles and miles in sight, but unfortunately that is often not the case. I have never met a chaser that does it just for the “thrill,” the motivation is for a better understanding of the unpredictability of nature. This is a fascination and a desire for understanding and information, not just shits and giggles. That “is the point.” I have never been a thrill seeker, I’m scared of my own shadow, and I sure as hell don’t have a “low IQ,” so perhaps you should reconsider your stance.

“There is a widespread misconception that storm chasing is a dangerous ‘extreme sport’ and participants are at best fearless daredevils and at worst reckless and crazy. The truth is, however, that storm chasing is generally very safe when done responsibly. Most storm chasers are level-headed about the hobby, have no desire to put themselves in harm’s way, and get tired of being typecast as high-risk adrenaline junkies.”

ANef is Enuf, does the Federal Government pay for their equipment and fuel?

It is the one job I would love to have, but can’t.

@john65pennington Many storm chasers are scientists and researchers. Some are individuals or groups from major universities or government organizations. Most storm chasers are college educated. I would love to learn more about it, that is why I asked the question. This link could help you understand that most of the people interested in storm chasing do not have a low IQ.

I would love to be a storm chaser! I love storms! I don’t know why. I guess it’s from the sheer power they can have. I’ve often thought about being an amateur storm chaser.

I’d try it, if I was with someone who knew what they were doing. Storms are fascinating, and chasing them is probably a good way to learn more about them. If I saw a tornado for real though, I’d probably freak the hell out. :/

Not really on topic, but I also happen to find rogue waves fascinating, and I really wonder how the hell those happen. Wouldn’t go out to sea to go after those though. But storms, yeah, that could be an interesting experience.

I’ve tried chasing tornado heads for fun, but never saw them actually form beyond the clouds. I have chased thunderstorms though—I loooove an extreme lightning storm….ahhhh.

I chased, knowing full well it was dangerous, but because I find a powerful gorgeousness in storms.

I think it would be fascinating to chase storms.

My dad did that for awhile (meteorologist exstrodinaire, for the navy) . Yet, my answer is No. That’s crazy.