Intercepting a gorgeous tornado in an open field is one of life’s most satisfying experiences. In the appropriate circumstances, even a typical thunderstorm may be an unforgettable event.
The dangers of storm chasing are frequently misunderstood. Tornadoes are not the most dangerous threat; rather, common, less dramatic threats such as road accidents may be more difficult.
What do you mean by Storm Chaser?
A storm spotter, often known as a storm chaser, is a weather enthusiast who either works for a local TV news station or the National Weather Service. The broadcast meteorologists and NWS officials can better understand thunderstorm expansion, the direction the storm is heading, and the overall intensity of the storm by receiving real-time ground information from meteorologists and weather reporters in the field. These ground reports from trusted sources help spread the news to the community and local responders, with the primary goal of keeping people safe, informed, and prepared for the potentially severe weather.
On a storm chasing trip, are tornadoes a concern?
Although tornadoes are the most hazardous portion of a storm cloud, they aren’t the most dangerous threat during a storm chase! Tornadoes are uncommon and only cause damage in a small area.
Yes, getting too close to a tornado is dangerous, but storm chasing with planned tours is not. You should not attempt to enter or even go near a tornado but rather stay at a safe distance. Fortunately, this is quite uncommon.
Lightning
Storm chasers face a larger risk of lightning than tornadoes. You could be killed or severely injured by lightning, and you could be hurt if you are caught off guard by a hailstorm that delivers enormous hail while you are far away from your car.
Hail
Hail the baseball size, and strong side winds can shatter a car window, exposing the driver to more hail and cutting wounds from the glass. Getting harmed by lightning or hail, on the other hand, is extremely rare and almost unavoidable if standard measures are taken.
Then why do tornadoes kill hundreds of people every year?
Tornadoes do, sadly, cause several injuries and deaths each year. This can happen when massive destructive tornadoes destroy entire villages. These kinds of tragedies are frequently aired around the world, along with photographs of ruined homes. Why do people choose to live in such a dangerous part of the world, this is a common argument. The danger of a tornado striking your home is significantly lower than other common risks (that don’t make the news). Still, it might result in similar tragedies, such as fire or traffic accidents.
The primary differences between being a storm chaser and living in Tornado Alley are that storm chasers are always up to date on storm positions and are always on the go. When chasing a storm, you are in command and are far less likely to be caught off guard, as residents in the region may be. However, as previously indicated, there have been rare examples of storm chasers being killed by tornadoes. However, the danger is not nearly as large as one might believe.
Safety Tips from Storm Chaser
- In your car, keep a trip safety kit. Food, batteries, heating packs, a cellphone always charged, matches, and water should all be included.
- Get the most recent apps. Both Apple and Android phones have weather apps that you may use while driving.
- The radio can help you. Listen to local stations on your car audio for current alerts.
- Stop driving if it’s hailing. If you’re caught in a bad hailstorm, pull aside. If you keep moving, you’ll only contribute to the storm’s momentum and risk blowing out your windshield.
- Unless you’re approaching a tornado, stay in your car. In most circumstances, staying in your vehicle is the safest option. However, if a tornado is approaching, seek shelter in the nearest ditch or low place.
How AcuRite Atlas Helps A Storm Spotter
Problem
As a storm chaser, knowing the current weather conditions requires obtaining weather information at your position. This will aid them in determining if the storm is developing or fading, as well as the storm’s travel direction. Storm chasers must usually rely on weather data from a meteorological station hundreds of miles distant, which may differ from where they are monitoring a system.
Solution
AcuRite AtlasTM smart weather station on a satellite dish j-pole. He can quickly pull the unit down while driving and remount it on the roof whenever he stops, thanks to the Atlas’s easy mounting screw. The real-time weather data provided by this arrangement provide localized weather data and weather monitoring tools he requires to keep track of the storm’s progress.
How To Become a Storm Chaser
You can follow these steps to become a storm chaser:-
Join Social Media
Weather nerds abound, and there are more of us than you would believe! Thanks to social media and a personal weather station, joining the local weather discourse are now simple. Search for and follow your favourite local TV meteorologist or news channel on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Soon, weather reports will start filtering in, and you’ll be able to upload your own AcuRite weather station data with images.
Join local weather watcher groups
With one of your local news stations, you may take it a step further. Official Weather Watchers programs are available at some stations. Thanks to an official form, the Weather Watchers group can now submit weather data directly to the meteorologist for broadcast on-air, thanks to an official form! How’s that for sharing the info from your wireless weather station?
Join the National Weather Service as an official storm spotter
Through various training centres, the NWS has an ongoing initiative to train individuals as official storm spotters. The NWS invites emergency responders such as police officers and firefighters and anybody responsible for the safety of others, such as those who work in hospitals, schools, or nursing homes. Concerned people and weather enthusiasts are also invited to participate in the training to become official storm spotters. It’s a two-hour training session with your local NWS office that’s free.
Make use of the AcuRite Weather Technology.
Most weather geeks keep a watch on the weather patterns and keep an eye out for any drastic changes, such as unexpected reductions in pressure or powerful wind gusts, straight from their own homes. AcuRite has them covered while the storm chasers are out chasing storms! Storm chasers and storm spotters can use AcuRite’s portable weather equipment to submit real-time data on storm conditions like the number of lightning strikes detected and maximum wind gusts.
Conclusion
Many of the risks associated with storm chasing can be mitigated with a little common sense. A great deal of information and expertise goes a long way. Time is required to develop knowledge and experience. You just won’t be able to make sound decisions if you don’t have the necessary experience.
A classroom can teach you how to forecast the weather, but only storm chasing can teach you how to become an expert storm chaser. The most essential lesson you can learn from experience is that no amount of experience is ever enough.
Storm chasing can be a safe, enjoyable, and exciting activity. Don’t accept the risks you don’t feel comfortable doing, and if you do these things, you may lessen many of the risks associated with storm chasing with some careful planning.
