🌪️ Tornado Simulator

Storm Chasers

Storm chasers are people who pursue severe weather - especially tornadoes and their parent supercells - to observe, document, and study them. Some are professional meteorologists and researchers. Others are photographers, videographers, and enthusiasts. The 2013 El Reno tornado, which killed three professional chasers, put the community's real risks in the spotlight.

What Storm Chasers Actually Do

• Track weather forecasts to identify high-potential severe weather days
• Drive to expected impact areas - often hundreds of miles per day
• Position themselves to observe severe storms from safe distances
• Document tornadoes, supercells, wall clouds, hail, and other severe weather
• Report to the National Weather Service via Skywarn and other spotter networks
• Rescue and assist injured people they encounter after tornadoes

Types of Storm Chasers

Scientific Researchers

University meteorologists and NOAA researchers who chase to collect data. Groups like VORTEX (1994-1995), VORTEX2 (2009-2010), and PROTON deploy instruments in and near tornadoes to understand formation and structure. Highly trained, well-equipped, and well-funded.

Professional Photographers/Videographers

Chase for imagery, video, and news content. Sell to media outlets, weather services, and stock agencies. Household names include Reed Timmer, Aaron Rigsby, Dan Robinson, and others.

Amateur Enthusiasts

Hobbyists who chase for personal interest. Many are trained Skywarn spotters and often provide valuable ground-truth reports to the NWS.

Tour Guides

Storm-chasing tour companies (Silver Lining Tours, Tempest Tours, etc.) take paying guests out to observe severe weather. Guests learn from experienced guides and observe tornadoes at safe distances.

The Real Risks

El Reno 2013

On May 31, 2013, the El Reno, OK tornado killed three professional storm chasers:

• Tim Samaras - TWISTEX founder, veteran researcher
• Paul Samaras - Tim's son
• Carl Young - TWISTEX meteorologist

The event fundamentally changed storm chase safety practices. Recommendations that emerged:

• Maintain 2+ miles of stand-off distance from strong tornadoes
• Never chase alone - always with a communicator
• Have multiple escape routes planned
• Avoid chasing HP (high-precipitation) supercells at close range

Vehicle Accidents

Most storm chaser injuries and deaths involve vehicles - collisions on wet roads, running off pavement, dust-devil accidents. Storm chasers put enormous mileage on their vehicles and face increased road-safety risks.

Health Risks

Long hours, poor diet, sleep deprivation, and stress take their toll. Some chasers report cardiovascular issues, particularly after high-stress days.

How to Become a Storm Chaser

If you're serious about chasing:

1. Take a Skywarn spotter training class (free, offered by NWS)
2. Study meteorology basics - understand supercells, wind shear, instability, storm relative motion
3. Learn radar interpretation - GRLevel3 or RadarScope are standard tools
4. Purchase safety gear - insurance, well-maintained vehicle, first aid supplies
5. Start with a tour group before chasing solo
6. Never chase HP supercells or nighttime tornadoes alone

Chase Safety Rules

• Approach from the southeast (safer side of most Northern Hemisphere supercells)
• Maintain 2+ miles from any tornado you observe
• Never enter the rain core - reduced visibility, dangerous hail
• Have escape routes: paved roads in multiple directions
• Communicate constantly with a home base or partner
• Never block traffic or emergency response vehicles
• Assist survivors after the tornado has passed

Storm Chase Ethics

The professional community has established informal ethics:

• Rendering aid to injured people takes priority over chasing/filming
• Do not glorify or exploit tornado disaster imagery
• Report accurate information to NWS - never sensationalize
• Respect private property - do not trespass to get shots
• Do not encourage or reward reckless behavior

Storm Chase Tours

If you want to observe tornadoes safely, tour companies offer:

• 5-10 day trips based in Oklahoma City or Denver
• Cost: $3,000-$6,000
• Experienced guides with 10+ years of chase experience
• Small groups (typically under 10 guests)
• Educational component - learn meteorology while chasing

Well-known tour companies: Silver Lining Tours, Tempest Tours, Storm Chasing Adventure Tours, Cloud 9 Tours.

Famous Storm Chasers

• Reed Timmer - Extreme Chase Adventures, TV personality
• Ryan Hall - popular YouTube meteorologist
• Dan Robinson - photographer
• Tim Samaras (deceased) - TWISTEX founder
• Chuck Doswell - retired NOAA researcher and chase pioneer

→ Simulate a tornado on our map