VORTEX
team chasing a storm near Northfield, TX
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Brian F. Jewett
Chasing Tornadoes
Storm chasers are different than storm
spotters. Chasers
travel around
Tornado
Alley looking for severe storms and tornadoes. This area in the
Great Plains is the best for chasing because of the frequency of storms
and also because of the relatively flat ground. There aren't as many
hills and trees to block a chaser's view of a storm.
All kinds of people are chasers. There are actually very few scientists
doing primary research. Most people chase storms because they are
interested in meteorology and because they want to see severe weather up
close. Others are interested in taking pictures or videos of the
storms.
Some people think that they can just go out and find a tornado and be
home in time for dinner; it's not that easy. Some experienced chasers
say that they spend 10-12 days hunting for every minute they see a
tornado. And they're experienced chasers!
Shop Windows to the Universe Science Store!
The
Fall 2009 issue of The Earth Scientist, which includes articles on student research into building design for earthquakes and a classroom lab on the composition of the Earth’s ancient atmosphere, is available in our
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