Storm chasing is the activity of pursuing a thunderstorm, or sometimes other severe storms such as a hurricane, for both scientific reasons and personal reasons. It has been a dangerous pastime for severe weather enthusiasts and professional meteorologists since the 1950’s. Although risky, the hobby provides chasers with considerable pleasure and satisfaction.
The pioneers of Storm Chasing were Americans. They were researchers who realised that storms don't stand still to be measured. We have to go to them, and follow them, in order to learn. One of these researchers was Dr. Ted Fujita famous for devising the F-Scale. The F-Scale is used by Americans to measure the strength of a tornado by the damage it does.
Storm chasing also help to increase our knowledge about storms. By witnessing severe weather such as thunderstorms or tropical storms in person it is possible to document the types of phenomena associated with them by photography or video. It is from this footage that we have learnt a lot of what we currently know about severe weather. In the past, scientists have also tried to build devices to take readings from phenomena such as tornadoes, they would chase a storm then drop a device in its path.
The popularity of storm chasing has increased quite considerably over the years and the hobby is now beginning to take off here in Britain too. Many members of the British based, voluntary organisation known as the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation or TORRO have taken up storm chasing and can meet up and show their pictures and footage at the TORRO meetings and conferences. It is possible to storm chase here because, contrary to popular belief, we do have storms that can become severe enough to chase. It is also a fact that here in the UK we experience the highest frequency of reported tornadoes per unit area than any other country on Earth.
By using data available via the Internet it is now possible to track storms as well as attempting to forecast their development. This helps you to head to a favourable location to wait as the storm develops, before attempting to follow it through its life cycle. However it is not easy to chase in this country with our congested road networks, high fuel prices and no defined storm season. This does not deter the enthusiasts though and so when strong or severe thunderstorms develop you can be sure people will now be following them.
Many enthusiasts however may prefer to term themselves ‘spotters’. Storm Spotters will actively seek out storms but not travel the distances that chasers may travel for example, they may just observe storms inside their own county boundaries. Both chasers and spotters will always travel in pairs so one can observe the storm and the other can drive safely. It is important to realise though that it is not always like you may imagine. The media convey storm chasing as an exciting, action-packed pastime which at times it can be, but the excitement is more often than not outweighed by the frustration. Nine out of ten storm chases result in nothing being seen, these are known as ‘bust’ chases.
People who chase storms have to be very knowledgeable on the subject of severe weather, both for their own safety, and so that severe weather phenomena can be reported properly. The majority of UK chasers are members of TORRO nd their findings are reported by email or telephone or on special report forms given out by TORRO. Once this has happened severe weather reports are added to the organisation's ever growing database of severe weather events.
Are You Interested?
Storm chasing is a dangerous yet rewarding hobby when undertaken responsibly. In order to participate, a good understanding of severe weather is essential if you want to chase independently. I have gained my knowledge reading a wide range of material from general weather books available in book shops, to scientific papers, as well as from actually working at the Met Office alongside forecasters. If you are interested but are not confident in your knowledge, you should never go alone. Seek an experienced storm chaser who may be happy to let you accompany them, or look into storm chase holidays which are now available in the Great Plains of the USA. (Links provided below) Also, by joining a recognised organisation, such as TORRO, you will be amongst many other like-minded people.
Related Links:
http://www.weather.org.uk - you can find a lot of data here
http://www.severewx.co.uk
http://www.torro.org.uk
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/skywarn/spotterguide.html - Storm Spotter Guide from the USA
http://www.stormtrack.org
Storm Chase Holidays:
http://www.tempesttours.com/
http://www.silverliningtours.com
http://stormchasingtours.com
