01.06.11
Some Thoughts on Techno Storm Chasing
Photo by Jeff Makowski.
Recently I was asked to do a few interviews on storm chasing (see one article here), and I had a reporter ask me, prior to meeting, “I know a lot of storm chasing equipment is big and heavy, but would you be able to bring something in to demonstrate?”
I offered to bring in my laptop, but thought what kind of heavy-duty equipment is she expecting?
While the image many people have of storm chasers may consist of a vehicle decked out with a weather station, lightbars, and stickers, the amount of equipment that different chasers have may actually run from none to infinite.
Before the days of cell phones and computers, a chaser’s only piece of equipment was his eyes (well, besides a car and perhaps a map). Chasers had to know how to read the sky by looking for certain clues.
Today, many, if not most, chasers chase with at least a GPS and wireless data via cell phones and laptops. Many chasers also use cameras and video cameras to record the chase, and some like to place stickers, lightbars, hail guards, and/or weather equipment on the outside of their vehicle.
The only required equipment for storm chasing, though, is a knowledge of the weather and how storms work.
While “techno” storm chasing might keep us safer, by allowing us to see the storm on radar and stay away from that large hail, there is also somewhat of a danger with this method, if we become too dependent on our technology. Chasing is not as simple as getting in a car and going to the nearest radar blob that you see on your iPhone. Well, at least it usually isn’t. You must properly educate yourself before chasing, so you know what to look for when (not if) your technology fails you, and so that you know what to do to stay safe.
You’ll be a more successful, safer, and less stressed out chaser if you learn how the weather works, so you know how to read the sky for clues rather than only know how to read a radar display.
Tim Vasquez’ “Storm Chasing Handbook” is one of the best books out there on describing what goes into storm chasing. I thoroughly read it before going storm chasing, and I highly recommend it!