Legal reference
Storm chase laws by state
Storm chasing on public roads is legal in every US state. But state-specific rules on trespassing, road obstruction, drone use, and reporting create real risk if you do not know them.
The universal rules
- Public roads are open to anyone with a valid driver's license.
- Photography from a public road is legal in all 50 states.
- Trespassing on private land — even to get a shot — is illegal everywhere.
- Road obstruction is illegal everywhere.
- Reckless driving is a chargeable offense.
- Drone flight has strict federal rules regardless of state.
The state-specific quirks
Oklahoma
The most chaser-friendly state. Statute explicitly protects storm spotter activity. Skywarn spotters have a specific liability shield.
Texas
Trespassing laws are strict and property is often unposted. A "purple paint mark" on a tree or post has the same legal weight as a No Trespassing sign.
Kansas
Very chaser-friendly. Highway shoulder use is tolerated.
Nebraska
Similar to Kansas. Wide shoulders, tolerant law enforcement.
Missouri
Standard rules. Concealed-carry laws mean confrontations with landowners escalate faster.
Iowa
Note: gravel roads are technically county roads but landowner rights are strong.
Illinois
More restrictive than Plains states. County sheriffs may cite for blocking rural roads.
Alabama
HP supercell country — chasing rules matter less than survival. Trespassing laws typical.
Mississippi
Rural land is often unposted. Assume permission is not implied.
Tennessee
Standard rules. Some counties restrict drone flight in agricultural areas.
Georgia
Standard rules. Southeast US chasing tends to be closer-to-home.
Colorado
Front Range chasing common. Public land access via BLM.
Wyoming
Strict trespassing laws on private ranch land — often unposted. Check maps carefully.
South Dakota
Standard rules; tribal lands have separate jurisdiction.
North Dakota
Standard rules. Sparse population means fewer LEO encounters.
Minnesota
Standard rules. Border with Canada creates complications for cross-border chasers.
Drone flight rules (federal, applies everywhere)
- Must have Part 107 license to fly commercially.
- Max altitude 400 ft AGL.
- Cannot fly beyond visual line of sight.
- Cannot fly over people or moving vehicles.
- Cannot fly within 5 miles of most airports without authorization.
- Cannot fly in FAA-issued Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) — issued after disasters.
- Storm chasers with drones must obey FAA even if state law is silent.
Specific risky behaviors
- Driving through active damage zones is often prohibited by county emergency orders.
- Parking on the shoulder of an active interstate is illegal in most states.
- Blocking a rural road for photography is trespassing/obstruction.
- Stopping in a lane of traffic is illegal in all 50 states.
- Speeding through a storm to catch a tornado is still speeding.
If you are stopped by law enforcement
- Be polite and cooperative.
- Show your Skywarn ID if you have one.
- Explain what you're doing.
- Move if asked; you can chase from somewhere else.
- Do not argue about First Amendment rights on the side of the highway.