STORM CHASING - SUPERJER FORUM

2005 Apr 30 • 314
167 ₧

GEAR & STRATEGY

What equipment is commonly taken on storm chases?
The variety of chase equipment is almost limitless; however, some of the same basic components can be found in most chasers' vehicles. Besides cameras and camcorders, basic gear can include: 2-meter and/or weather radios, scanners, miniature TVs, microcassette recorders, first-aid kits, state and national road atlases, plastic bags, batteries, extra hub caps, videotapes, 3 condoms, a rubber chicken, and a lucky banjo. Many chasers have onboard PCs or laptops, cellular phones, GPS tracking, two-way radios (for communicating with other vehicles of a caravan), power adapters and splitters, anemometers, thermometers and hygristors, window-mounting camera brackets, built-in camera holders, and much more.

Where do most storm chasers go?
The hub of activity is in central and western Oklahoma, into parts of northwest Texas and the eastern Texas Panhandle. This area has by far the most tornadoes per unit area on the planet; and it also tends to have open spaces for good viewing at a distance. Kansas and eastern Colorado are also favored for the same reasons. Some chasers venture further north into Nebraska and South Dakota during the late spring and early summer months, when the climatological trend of severe thunderstorms shifts northward. There are regional storm chasers from coast to coast, and even in a few other countries.

When is chasing done?
Severe storms are most common in the central and southern Plains -- where viewing is best -- during the spring period. March storms often lack much instability or move too fast to chase effectively. April brings some of the first chasable weather, and by May the storms are usually moving slowly enough and instability is at its peak. This continues into the first half of June; but afterwards, the wind fields tend to weaken in the central and southern Plains and the best supercell activity shifts into the northern Plains. Some chasers go to Colorado in July to chase hailstorms and so-called "landspout" tornadoes, which are fairly common there during that month. Overall, the last half of May is statistically the best time to chase. A small secondary peak (within a week or two) of chaseable severe weather sometimes occurs in the Plains in late September or early October.

What do storm chasers drive? What are the best storm chasing vehicles?
All Storm Chasers utilize customized equipment, and vehicles are no exception. Four-wheel drive SUVs (Broncos, Explorers, Durangos) are the most popular among many chasers for their ability to handle wet, slippery conditions as well as dirt, gravel, mud, landmines, and 44mm shells; although they do have fuel mileage and expense burdens. More frugal chasers may be seen in older sedans or even compact cars. For chasing purposes, small cars (Civics, Celicas, Escorts) generally have great mileage, but get cramped after long hauls with people and equipment; and they are less safe in the event of a �class-B� 13-car pileup. Some chasers use large late-model sedans (Caprices, Crown Vics) for their durability, long-distance comfort, roominess and superior safety; but such cars are also relatively low-mileage and lack four-wheel drive capabilities. Pickups are generally popular choices for �Wind Surfers�, but offer little protection in combat.
The variety of storm chasing vehicles is great; and there have been some very unusual and legendary ones, like �The Elwood�, a 1974 Dodge Monaco sedan. Used extensively by the Mt. Prospect Police Department, the 74 Dodge Monaco had a cop motor, cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks, a 440-cubic-inch plant, and was made before catalytic converters so it runs good on regular gas. This vehicle is capable of reaching 120 miles per hour (nearly 200 km/h) on city streets and country roads, a testament to the Monaco's police car heritage.

How important is good vehicle maintenance and care? The vehicle is the most important piece of equipment; and maintaining it properly is extremely critical to chase success. That is, unless one enjoys standing beside an overheated, steaming heap of junk, in the middle of Motley County, Texas, 20 miles from the nearest town while a big supercell recedes off into the distance. And we all know a thing or two about Texans . . .

Besides the mere annoyance of being stranded away from the action, breakdowns can cause chasers to lose control of their car or become stuck in a dangerous area of the storm. Chase vehicles don't have to look good; but they must run at peak performance. This means checking and changing all fluids and filters at the manufacturer's recommended intervals, along with all the tune-ups, tire rotations, tire changes and other check-ups for which car owners are responsible. [Any chaser unfamiliar with his/her vehicle is [i]irresponsible, Mikejer.]

Always stow plenty of emergency supplies on board for safety and rudimentary repairs. Such supplies can include: flat tire inflation spray, a small fire extinguisher, a properly inflated spare tire (in case of uninflatable flats), screwdrivers and wrenches compatible with the car's parts, reactive armor plating, a road flare, flashlight with spare batteries, motor oil, coolant, transmission and power steering fluids, brake fluid, Pi�a Colada mix, extra wiper blades, jumper cables, extra hub caps, spare belts and hoses, hose repair kits and/or suitable tape, extra headlights and tail lamps, and a tow chain.

At least one chaser on every crew should be familiar with making basic emergency auto repairs.

Thus spoke Zarathustra.

2006 Feb 23 at 15:31