Tornado/hurricane chasers..

[C.Ann]

Is this a career that you would enjoy?

I enjoy reading about them (not the tragic aspects though); watching documentaries; etc. - but to put myself in the middle of them intentionally??

Nope.. I'll pass..

 

[kimblebee]

Oh man this is my dream career. I am a huge weather nerd so this is right up my alley. Up here in Canada we don't get many tornados but this week we have had 2 tornado watches. I was so excited but my daughter was ready to crawl under the bed LOL

I have 3 things that I want to do in my life before I die. Visit the Pyramids, see the Grand Canyon and go storm chasing. It costs a bit ($2000 US) and it isn't guaranteed but it would be such a rush.

 

[C.Ann]

Oh man this is my dream career. I am a huge weather nerd so this is right up my alley. Up here in Canada we don't get many tornados but this week we have had 2 tornado watches. I was so excited but my daughter was ready to crawl under the bed LOL

I have 3 things that I want to do in my life before I die. Visit the Pyramids, see the Grand Canyon and go storm chasing. It costs a bit ($2000 US) and it isn't guaranteed but it would be such a rush.

You're a brave soul! I have the Weather Channel on right now and there's 2 hurricane chasers on..

That's what made me think of this topic..

 

[hereyago]

Heck no would I do either of these. But much props to the people who do. Especially the guys who fly the hurricane hunter planes.

 

[Elmo9607]

I storm chase as a hobby....I LOVE it!!

I caught my first tornado June 20th in Dwight, IL. It was quite a sight...especially considering the fact that it was nighttime. I have seen so many sights and have been all over northeastern Illinois. I have to stay local because of money, but it's my dream to go chasing in the Great Plains!!

 

[middleofamerica]

Storm chasing isn't a career for 99%, it's a side hobby. As a meteorologist who lives in Kansas, let me say that chasing is a great thing. I love every aspect of storms and would much rather be a short, but safe distance from a tornado than sitting at home hoping it doesn't hit me!

Most storm chasers don't put themselves right in front of a tornado...yes, it can and does sometimes happen, but rarely if you're really just tracking alongside and not trying your best to get that amazing video for $$$.

I'd say this, unless you can properly identify key storm structures and how quickly they can evolve, one shouldn't do it. It's really only for the trained eye. My only regret is that I don't get to chase much these days and I'm right in the best spot to do it. I get to send them out, but not go myself. Oh well...one of these days I'll get a good road trip in and do some more.

 

[parrothead365]

Ah.....NO!!! that ranks up there with going on boats that sink on purpose and jumping out of perfectly good airplanes.

 

[Elmo9607]

Storm chasing isn't a career for 99%, it's a side hobby. As a meteorologist who lives in Kansas, let me say that chasing is a great thing. I love every aspect of storms and would much rather be a short, but safe distance from a tornado than sitting at home hoping it doesn't hit me!

Most storm chasers don't put themselves right in front of a tornado...yes, it can and does sometimes happen, but rarely if you're really just tracking alongside and not trying your best to get that amazing video for $$$.

I'd say this, unless you can properly identify key storm structures and how quickly they can evolve, one shouldn't do it. It's really only for the trained eye. My only regret is that I don't get to chase much these days and I'm right in the best spot to do it. I get to send them out, but not go myself. Oh well...one of these days I'll get a good road trip in and do some more.

Oh I agree. If you chase expecting to see tornadoes every time, you're going to be disappointed!! It's mostly just a hobby...an expensive, high-risk, but more often that not extremely rewarding hobby.

The thing that bugs me...I like to watch the documentaries about storm chasing, but it makes me wonder about the people that chase just because it's "cool", or it's "such a rush" and "the people on TV do it and they always end up fine!!" (IMO the people who want to chase for those reasons should take a good, reliable chasing tour so they can see the sights but keep themselves safer than going it alone!) To put it bluntly, it is dangerous! I'd hate to hear about people getting hurt because they tried to emulate the extreme chasers on TV. Those people are PRO'S and their actions are extremely risky even compared to the amount of experience they have.

When I caught my first tornado, it was nighttime. I dealt with everything that storm had to give except a direct hit from the tornado itself. Any moron knows that nighttime chasing is horribly risky...def not something I will do again, and I am okay with that.