How to make money storm chasing
By Brandon MillerCNN Meteorologist. Updated GMT HKT May 18, CNN The movie " Twister ," the prevalence of smartphone technology, the glorification of extreme tornado videos on the Web and TV: The reasons for the popularity explosion of storm chasing are many, and they can lead to dangerous consequences.
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By Brandon MillerCNN Meteorologist Updated GMT HKT May 18, Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. JUST WATCHED Traffic jams put tornado chasers' lives in danger. Traffic jams put tornado chasers' lives in danger Story highlights Popularity of storm chasing has boomed, with throngs of chasers sometimes clogging rural roads Crowds add to the dangers of storm chasing, and they can block first responders and scientists. Storm chasing is generally defined as pursuing severe thunderstorms with the intent to witness, photograph or scientifically measure the intensity of the storms, with chasers frequently focusing on the development of tornadoes.
It was once the hobby of a select few meteorologists and tornado researchers, fueled by their curiosity and desire to witness the weather that was often the focus of their studies. Storm chasing also provided real-world applications for their forecasting. Chuck Doswell, a noted researcher and professor from the University of Oklahoma, was one of these early chasers and talks about its value in his career.
But what was once a niche hobby among a few has grown exponentially into a mainstream recreational activity, complete with tour-company buses, reality TV shows and an annual convention called ChaserCon. The single event most responsible for taking storm chasing into the mainstream was the release of the movie "Twister" how to make money storm chasingdramatizing storm chasing quite unrealistically and igniting widespread interest in the pursuit of storms.
But while "Twister" may be responsible for an explosion of interest in chasing tornadoes, advancements in technology have made it possible for the masses.
Storm Chasers and Storm Chasing Frequently Asked Questions
JUST WATCHED Storm chasers killed chasing tornado. Storm minimum amount needed to buy stocks killed chasing tornado In addition to the ease of tracking the storm, with loads of weather data and GPS available, smartphones best swap forex broker uk 2016 made capturing the moment and sharing those dramatic images much easier.
Maxwell echoed those sentiments, adding, "the glorification of highlight reel video on the Web and TV has turned many locals into self-labeled field reporters. Storm chasers are an assorted lot, coming from a variety of fields and backgrounds. Some plan storm-chasing vacations chase-cationsliving out a lifelong dream of seeing a tornado.
One such chaser is Tanguy Taffin, a truck driver from Paris, who traveled to the United States to go on one of the many storm chasing tours provided by private companies.
They saw 15 tornadoes.
How much money can I expect to make as a storm chaser?
You will find photographers documenting the abundant beauty nature provides with the storms, as well as those trying to get the next viral video of a too-close encounter with a tornado. Scientists also still chase these dangerous storms, trying to learn exactly what causes some storms to produce tornadoes while others do not.
The proliferation of storm chasers has created its own phenomenon, known as "chaser convergence. ChaserConvergence — Sam Lillo splillo May 16, Because most of these areas are rural, the increased traffic can create a nightmare on the crowded roads. Difficult driving conditions are created by stormy weather, and motorists can become distracted when they are searching the sky for tornadoes. In March, three storm chasers died as their two cars crashed into each other while they pursued a tornado in Spur, Texas.
Many fear that a bigger disaster binary futures options inevitable: Hehnly recalled a storm near Kingfisher, Oklahoma, in May Storm chaser convergence how much does a master electrician make in texas cause backups for miles near dangerous storm systems.
Luckily the approaching storm weakened, but "if the storm had been producing a tornado at the time, how to make money storm chasing would have likely caught some storm chasers that were unable to flee due to the slow-moving traffic," Hehnly said.
A deadly chase in Oklahoma. Storm chasers red dots converge on a tornado warning storm red box in western Oklahoma.
Chaser convergence not only creates a dangerous situation for the chasers, it can prevent first responders from quickly accessing victims of the tornado. I have witnessed ambulances unable to access roads because of the volume of traffic and cars not pulled completely to the side.
Chaser convergence also impedes the work of the scientists trying to deploy their instruments in and around the path of the storm. Chris Weiss, a tornado researcher from Texas Tech University, told CNN of a recent encounter in May. Unfortunately, there is little that can be done to stem the tide of storm chasers and limit the problem of chaser convergence.
Weiss added, "I have had various colleagues suggest some manner of barricading, checking of IDs, etc. Obviously, these types of ideas place the burden on law enforcement, who are already severely taxed with responding to the threats posed by the storm to their communities.
Storm and Tornado Chasing Expeditions Tours Holidays Adventures
JUST WATCHED Chasing deadly tornadoes in the Southeast. Chasing deadly tornadoes in the Southeast Veteran storm chasers know there are some ways to avoid the biggest crowds. Weekends and holidays bring out the largest numbers of amateur chasers, as well as predicted outbreaks such as "high-risk" days as designated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center.
Certain locations, such as central Oklahoma, are known for the prevalence of storm chasers. Weiss takes chaser congestion into account when planning his team's chasing target. The chaser density maximizes here, and even though this region represents the climatological peak in tornado occurrence, the congestion throws the risk-reward ratio out of balance in my mind. As much as Weiss and other scientists try to avoid the throngs of chasers, their scientific vehicles are a beacon for the swarm of amateur chasers.
John Marr, who owns an excavating business and has chased storms as a hobby for three years, said he tries to stay out of the scientists' way but admits following them. No matter the type of chaser -- experienced or rookie, meteorologist or amateur -- by practicing safe driving and respecting the power of the storms from a safe distance, one can limit the dangers associated with storm chasing.
And for cutting chaser traffic, carpools are always an option. Africa Americas Asia China Europe Middle East Opinion U. Terms of Use Privacy Policy AdChoices Advertise with us About us Newsletters Work for us Help Transcripts License Footage CNN Newsource.