Storm chasers

The activity to track storms, photograph and observe them. This hunt, which has spread gradually throughout the world, has allowed a better understanding of these weather phenomena.

History

Areas that are affected by severe weather are often very localized. Since the formation of various meteorological services around the world in the nineteenth century, they were always so well received from individuals who observed the passage of thunderstorms.
With the development of individual transport in the twentieth century, observers were able to follow the storm instead of waiting for its arrival.

Thus the phenomenon of hunters appeared in the American Great Plains. Indeed, this region is particularly conducive to tornadoes and has been given the nickname Tornado Alley. The first hunter is recognized as Roger Jensen (1933-2001), a resident of Fargo (North Dakota) who followed the storms in Lake Park (Minnesota) in 1951. The pioneers in this field have provided valuable guidance to researchers in meteorology.

In 1972, the University of Oklahoma and the National Severe Storms Laboratory began the project Tornado Intercept Project. It was the first deployment to obtain in situ information on tornadoes. This project created a large group of hunters who continued their work and published the magazine Stormtrack.

Different instruments, including portable weather radars have been used during these hunts. During the same period, the National Weather Service stepped up recruitment and training of volunteer observers so that they could alert the nearest office of the NWS during the development of severe thunderstorms. The program, called Skywarn, was directed primarily to police and local fire services, ambulance workers, security personnel and civilian amateurs who are often the first responders in such situations.

Training on the recognition of clouds which could produce tornadoes, hail, high winds and torrential rains was also given to all those who wanted to become a volunteer observer. In potentially violent situations, this network of observers was alerted to report any incident, but did not go hunting, and received alerts of NWS3. In 2007 there were over 280,000 volunteer observers in the Skywarn network.

An equivalent network has been established in each area of responsibility of the Meteorological Service of Canada.

The phenomenon of hunting storms gathered strength, due to media coverage of tornadoes and the Internet. Many converts were made in the 1990s, to drive the storms just for thrill-seeking. There are now tour operators to chase tornadoes similar to the operators who offer photo safari tours in Africa. All this leads to a dangerous flooding of roads and paths during storm events in the Midwest and the real scientists represent only a small percentage.

The phenomenon has also spread to several countries around the world through movies like Twister in 1996. In Europe, several countries have networks of volunteers who are not related to national meteorological services. Research teams also operate in similar ways to hunters in North America but usually only for limited campaigns.

Description

A hunt for the storm can be done solo or in groups. A hunt for the storm by scientists is organized well in advance, when the weather forecast predicts long-term development. They prepare their equipment, their transportation, all communications equipment and maps of the area to be covered. A hunt for the storm may last from one hour to several hours or even days.

It can be recognized a few dozen to several hundred kilometres away. They remain on the edge of the storm. Amateurs tend to start at the last moment, which is particularly dangerous, and too many will approach the storm, or go under, leading to the risk of getting caught in a flood or in hail.

In most cases, their goal is to experience extreme sensations and marvel at each flash, rather than studying the phenomenon. However, some have a good knowledge of meteorology, know the dangers and can give good information to authorities on the progress of storms that can warn the threatened population.

Equipment

Equipment for storm hunters varies according to their degree of professionalism, knowledge and purpose. Scientists can take different measuring instruments and even portable radars while thrill hunters would only need their cameras.

Communication

Traditionally, hunters must know when and where storms develop. The communication equipment is important from the beginning to receive weather forecasts, joining other fighters who serve as scouts and to monitor the communications of law enforcement or emergency during violent phenomena.

The shortwave radio, then the CB band, was the original equipment. The arrival of the fax machine combined with the radio license to receive weather maps and radar images and weather satellites in black and white followed. During the 1990s, the miniaturization of electronics such as televisions was used to receive news programming for all observations of severe weather. The mobile phone is now replacing radio and CB more and more.

The development of the Internet and portable computers has greatly improved the quantity and quality of data that can be received and sent. Initially, its use was limited because the hunters were not able to connect to a landline. But in the late 1990s, the number of weather sites and development of wireless Internet (Wi-Fi and cellular) were used to remain in continuous contact.

In 2004, satellite radio made its appearance. Some companies use this means to send their Internet signals. Contrary to the received signals by conventional mobile telephony, there is no grey area which can receive even the most remote areas at a chasse. At the same time, more powerful radar data treatments have enabled hunters in the United States to receive a wider range of products than the Radar National Weather Service.

Positioning

The maps and topographic maps on finer scales have been used in order to guide them during a hunt. However, they are increasingly being replaced since the popularization of satellite tracking (GPS), for receivers and display software. In 2002, a first program on Windows was marketed to combine radar images geo-referenced and GPS, called SWIFT WX, allowing the hunter to position themselves correctly.

Instrumentation

The fans began with photography and then went to onto filming with 16mm and 8mm. During the 1980s, video cameras like Beta, then VHS, have gradually replaced the film. It is now delivered in DVD format. During the 1990s, electronic miniaturization has enabled the use of marine radars to detect precipitation.

These cameras are designed for use at sea and are generally illegal to use on land as they can interfere with roadside radar or other electronic devices. The fans, however, often ignored this interdiction. The first portable lightning detectors emerged during the same period. The research groups used anemometers, temperature and humidity sensors, lightning detectors, and even more sophisticated Doppler weather radars such as mobile Doppler on Wheels. Everything used was to study the environmental effects of the storm.

Activity by Country

Hunting the storm is a seasonal business that depends on the conditions for the development thereof. In general, the season runs from spring to autumn in temperate regions and may extend to year-round in the tropics. In the American Great Plains, hunting is mainly in May and June during the peak time for thunderstorm activity in this region. In the Canadian prairies, the period will be shifted slightly in June and July.