Storm chasing is a well-known phenomenon, and we have our fair share of enthusiasts right here in Tornado Alley.
Howard Bluestein, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus and George Lynn Cross Research Professor at OU’s School of Meteorology, arrived at the university in 1976 as a visiting professor out of MIT, and his storm chasing start began in 1977.
“I was asked to lead a chase vehicle in a field experiment conducted jointly by OU and National Severe Storms Laboratory in 1977,” he shares. “Our observations were important in proving that Doppler radars could be used to improve tornado warnings.”
David Bodine, Ph.D., an associate professor at OU’s School of Meteorology and Advanced Radar Research Center, says that he started chasing during graduate school, “with a mobile phased array radar that we used to study super cells and tornadoes.”
Bodine chases using OU’s mobile radars, including the Rapid X-band Polarimetric Radar, and says that “chasing storms with a mobile radar allows us to target storms in the most probable location and get closer to scan the tornado’s winds near the ground. I enjoy being able to see the storm’s evolution and integrate these visual memories – and photos and videos – with our unique radar data to study why tornadoes form and what makes them so intense.”
Storm chasing safety is crucial.
“Safety is our most important goal,” says Bluestein. “We let the National Weather Service (NWS) know when we see a tornado and strive not to obstruct rescue efforts.”
Priorities should include responsible driving, maintaining situational awareness and keeping a safe distance from the storm.
“Safety and ethics within the chasing community are largely driven by individuals’ decisions,” says Bodine. “When chasing with our mobile radars, safety is our top priority since we are operating university vehicles under hazardous conditions. We will not compromise the safety of project participants or those around us to get better data. There will always be more storms and tornadoes.”
Due to the mainstreaming of storm chasing on social media, by both pros and amateurs, Bluestein has seen changes in chasing culture for better and for worse.
“Letting the NWS know where tornadoes are and moving on social media helps improve warnings,” he says. “However, posting photos and videos also attracts too many other chasers who clog the roads, making it difficult to identify places to set up our radars and collect data. Inexperienced chasers may make it dangerous for themselves and others.”
Nevertheless, social media provides more real-time thunderstorm streams, says Bodine, which “can increase awareness of severe weather events.” But he warns that increasing viewer numbers can drive riskier behaviors.
Advice For Amateur Storm Chasers
Bodine recommends “focusing on the quality and accuracy of your content, rather than trying to outcompete other chasers with risky behavior – such as getting too close to tornadoes. Matthew Cappucci from MyRadar is a great example of someone who chases professionally and curates excellent content,” he says.
Bluestein cautions attention seekers, but says “if you must, post photos and videos so that the NWS and other chasers can see them. Don’t get in the way of researchers and rescue personnel. Don’t try to out-do other chasers by getting too close to tornadoes and getting ever more spectacular videos. It’s too dangerous to do so. Spectacular videos can usually be obtained from a safe distance using telephone lenses. Do not speed or drive recklessly. Act responsibly!”
