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I want to be a storm chaser. How do I get a job doing that?

Very few people make a living as storm chasers. The vast majority of people who chase storms do so as a hobby in their spare time, often at a cost hundreds or thousands of dollars a year. To become a professional storm chaser, you must be able to consistently acquire and successfully market your photographs and video. You may also develop enough skill to have others pay to ride along with you on chases. However, it takes many years to become a safe and successful storm chaser, and the market for storm chase pictures/video and tours is quite competitive. The best way to approach storm chasing is to ride along with more experienced chasers for a few years, and practice severe storm forecasting at every opportunity.

Types Of Storm Chasers

There are three main types of Storm Chasers. Scientists/Researchers, Media personnel, and Thrill seekers. Some chasers may be a variation of any of these. Below is a brief description of each.

Researchers at the National Severe Storms Laboratory occasionally send storm chasers into the field in an organized, scientific effort to study severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Chasers involved in these projects are NSSL employees, University of Oklahoma students, or collaborating scientists. Nearly all of the meteorologists at NSSL have advanced scientific degrees. The NSSL cannot accept volunteers to participate in their field projects due to government regulations and legal liability issues.

Media personnel often chase and track storms then relay the information to the public via their broadcast. Most of the time this reporting is beneficial to the public, however in some cases it has been reported that members of the media were seen driving recklessly just to get the shot/story. Reckless driving during storm chasing endangers the public and defeats the purpose of what is intended.

Thrill Seekers or adrenalin junkies are the most dangerous type of storm chaser. These individuals have absolutely no purpose or reason for chasing other than the thrill of it. They often drive recklessly and have no respect for other chasers, storm spotters, or meteorology. Some have gone as far as posing as scientists or even rescuers to gain access to closed or evacuated areas.

* Storm Spotting and Storm Chasing is dangerous and should not be done without proper training, experience and equipment.