What are tornado chasers?
Crazy. Or least some of the amateurs who don t really understand what they are getting into could be described this way. Tornado researchers have been chasing storms (ideally driving to areas where they believe storms will form and then setting up for observations) for over two decades. The early chasers were associated with the National Severe Storms Laboratory and understood the behavior of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. The chaser s goal is to get close enough to get good data (whether video, radar or other measurements) but to stay far enough away in order not to get hurt or killed. There are also other hazards including giant hail, lightning, downburst winds and rain slick roads. The movie Twister glamorized storm chasing, but was highly unrealistic. No serious meteorologist in their right mind would attempt getting as close to the funnels as portrayed in the movie. Anyone inspired by the film to try a little chasing had first better read up on what it s like out there – that
