As we are ending April and beginning May, the topic of storm chasing comes to mind. The chasing season will be starting up soon. We will provide a few things to remember if you choose to storm chase this season.
Storm chasing can be very risky. You could see nothing at all or see many tornadoes in a day or season. Here are some things to remember the next time you go storm chasing.
- Chase storms that you feel comfortable chasing. If a storm looks to be dangerous, do not chase it.
- You should make an attempt to chase with someone else. They will be able to help you navigate, watch radar, and reduce your stress.
- Do not rely on just one parameter or model output. These can often be unreliable and lead you to no storms at all. Look at many parameters, soundings, and models.
- Be aware of the storm’s progression and do not drive near the tornado (if there is one). Keep away from it and know what your roads into and out of the area are.
- Be sure to keep an emergency kit in your vehicle. This includes cash, ID, food, water, maps, first aid kit, etc.
For more information on storm chasing safety, please visit these resources below.
- https://stormchaser.com/Storm-Chasing-Safety.pdf
- https://www.stormchasingusa.com/storm-chasing-and-safety/
- https://www.weather.gov/ddc/chaser
Provided to you by Gavin Gunder
