- What are the dangers associated with storm chasing?
- What are the dangers faced by storm chasers?
- How dangerous is storm chasing?
- What are the risks associated with storm chasing?
- Is storm chasing a risky activity?
And now to answer the question. Storm chasing is a dangerous activity; however, storm chasers are easily at less risk than divers, spelunkers, and guys crossing the streets in Delhi, India. Storm chasers need to be aware of the weather situation in order to enjoy the chase and radio-replayed information enables them to take wise decisions about their safety.
This said, there are dangers associated with the activity. That is one of the reasons why storm chasing is so exciting. But if you're thinking that storm chasers get picked up in tornadoes like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, then you're wrong. Tornadoes don't last for a very long time, they are easily visible from a distance and hence easy to avoid. Very few tornado chasing events actually result in a tornado sighting. Storm chasers know it. Of course, debris that a tornado leaves behind in its wake is another matter, if you're following a tornado directly from behind, keep your eyes open for all kind of stuff that may lie strewn in your path.
The real danger that storm chasers face comes from accidents while driving at high speed, collisions with animals big and small, losing traction on a wet road, i.e. hydroplaning, and lightning. Storm chasers caught in a thunderstorm in an open plain can be targeted by lightening bolts and this is something that has happened on a few occasions.
Severe weather conditions can test the driving skills of anybody and an excited bunch of guys following a severe weather condition trying to capture the event in the small window of time presented to them can easily suffer from an accident.
Common sense precautions such as slowing down on wet roads when taking a turn, not taking your eye off the road, and being extra alert on unknown terrain will help you minimize the risks related to driving. Stay inside your vehicle when lightning is flashing and don't touch metal, that should hopefully keep you from getting charged by a million volts.
Some dangers can be said to be manufactured by storm chasers. This is the activity known as "core punching". There is a risk of you driving into serious hail and straight into a tornado if you move from an area of low rain to that of heavy rain when trying to beat a tornado to a point from where you think you can click some "awesome" snaps.
