The Life of a Storm Chaser
Crafted through atmospheric clashes of moisture, unstable air, and lift, thunderstorms and tornadoes are amazing beasts that wreak havoc throughout the U.S. and Canada during the spring and summer months.
About 60 people are killed each year and millions of dollars (sometimes billions) in damages occur to homes, churches, schools and land.
The more we learn about these severe storms, the better prepared we’ll be to protect ourselves and our possessions. An effective but extremely dangerous way to learn about these storms is to be on their paths when they touchdown.
Since this method isn’t ideal for the average person, there are groups of dedicated professionals called Storm Chasers who make it their life’s mission to track, study, and report severe storms.
We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to interview Matt Johnson, of the Prairie Storm Chasers to learn more about why he became a storm chaser and how storm chasing works. Here’s what he told us:
1. What inspired you to become a storm chaser?
I have always been fascinated by weather. It amazes me how a blue sky morning can quickly turn into a huge thunderstorm with lightning that burns as hot as our sun. My dad would tell you I would watch lightning from my crib as a child, but my earliest memory, and catalyst to chasing, was Hurricane Charlie in 1987. We were in Myrtle Beach, SC and we decided to wait out the storm instead of risking flooding and landslides in the mountains. I remember the waves hitting the hotel and the wind whipping through palm trees. I stood watching in amazement. After that, all I wanted was to be near storms.
2. What’s your favorite storm to chase?
The storm every chaser wants to chase is called a Supercell thunderstorm. These storms are much more powerful and rare, than your garden variety storm. They contain what is known as a mesocyclone. The mesocyclone is a rotating air mass within a thunderstorm and is associated with tornado development. These are the storms we try to forecast and chase.
3. What kind of equipment do you use to chase storms?
We use a variety of equipment when we chase. Before a chase, we use weather models and other forecasting tools on our computers to determine where and when we will chase. This includes satellite photos, complex weather models, and weather station data. While we are chasing, we use a combination of weather data collecting equipment such as anemometers (wind measuring) and dew point monitors, and high resolution radar. We also use Acurite Lightning detectors that can pinpoint lightning. Lightning is one of the most dangerous aspects of chasing so we want to monitor that. We also use radar apps to help determine storm movements, base velocity (circulation near surface) and to see how “healthy” the storm is. We also are equipped with GoPro cameras and DSLR cameras to capture these storms in photos and video. And we can’t forget our phones! They help us relay what we see to Environment Canada and the NWS in the US, in hopes they can use our info to better warn the public of what is coming. We also use them to post what we see through social media avenues.
4. What’s a typical storm season like for the Prairie Storm Chasers?
Storm season is typically very busy. You can cover 10,000's of miles every year chasing these violent storms from Alberta and Saskatchewan to the plains of Oklahoma. You spend a lot of time in a vehicle and live out of convenience stores and occasionally hotels. You’re constantly examining weather data to see where your next chance will be to catch a storm. Then you have media appearances or interviews. Sometimes you do interviews from the front seat of your chase vehicle, sometimes at home on the phone when the chase is done or occasionally in a TV studio. We also do trade show appearances and the occasional small town parade as people are fascinated by what we do and love seeing the chase vehicles and learn about storm chasing and weather safety.
5. What do you do in your “off season”?
We work. Lots. We try and save the money to chase during the summer months. Some of our team works in the oil patch, another is in university and another has three jobs to fund our need to chase. We also repair and make upgrades to the chase vehicles. It’s important with all the driving to keep them in top shape. We also find time to search for sponsorships. Some chasers frown upon them, other embrace it. Truth is, chasing is extremely expensive. We weren’t born rich and the equipment we use isn’t cheap. Sponsorships, such as with Exogear, help us get the equipment we need. Sponsorship season can be busier than storm season itself. We also prepare weather presentations for keynote speeches and science shows where we love to engage our fans and exchange epic storm stories.
6. What’s the best advice that you could give a future storm chaser?
My best advise for the future chaser. Read! Lots! I feel the new chasers see extreme tornado footage and say “we can do that and make big bucks!” “It’s just chasing a storm, any one can do that.” But it’s really not that simple and is why some chasers get themselves into nasty situations.
There is a ton of literature online on severe weather and thunderstorms. Read as much as you can about how they develop and what to look for visually when looking at thunderstorm up close. Don’t start your chasing career on a high risk day or the first tornadic storm you see. Start on a lesser storm where a mistake won’t kill you. A chaser has to remember that YOU choose to be there. The people whose homes and buildings are destroyed by tornadoes don’t. So if you become a victim to the storm, you’re taking away from those who really need it. Lastly, be prepared to go broke. It’s so expensive. Gas bills alone would blow your mind, not to mention hotels for those long trips.
The Prairie Storm Chasers are a team of professional storm trackers that travel throughout Canada and the United States reporting and documenting cases of severe weather. To learn more about them and see breathtaking images and videos of severe weather, follow them on Facebook: http://ow.ly/MoUv4, Twitter: @PrairieChasers and Instagram: @prairiestormchasers.
- What’s your favorite storm to chase?
- What kind of equipment do you use to chase storms?
- What’s a typical storm season like for the Prairie Storm Chasers?
- What do you do in your “off season”?
- What’s the best advice that you could give a future storm chaser?
