How to Track Tornadoes

Countless concerned citizens devote time and energy volunteering as tornado spotters during severe weather. Though anyone might see a tornado, tracking requires a person with training, skill and some courage to deliberately venture out during tornado conditions.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Advanced First Aid Certification
• Batteries
• CB Radios
• Battery Radios
• Public Service Band Scanners
• Weather Radios
• First Aid Kits
• First Aid Classes
• Binoculars
• Flashlight Holsters
• Flashlights
• Hand-cranked Or Solar Radios

1. Think clearly about your intentions. Thrill seekers chasing tornadoes interfere with the duties of legitimate storm watchers.
2. Remember that "Twister," the movie, is fiction. Absolutely no one wants to go directly into a tornado.
3. Call your local NOAA Weather Service office.
4. Ask about classes in weather watching or storm alert training.
5. Call your local county emergency management office and ask about similar classes.
6. Ask the two agencies about independent organizations such as amateur radio clubs or CB radio clubs that participate in severe weather alerts or storm spotting.
7. Join the appropriate group and attend classes.
8. Earn certification, if required.
9. Learn first aid to be able to respond properly during emergencies.
10. Keep a weather radio and learn to follow weather patterns.
11. Recognize that tornadoes occur during "supercell" thunderstorms: gigantic, rotating thunderstorms (mesocyclones) accompanied by powerful lightning strikes, strong straight-line winds and sometimes hail - all dangerous to people and property.
12. Be prepared to respond at any hour of the day or night.
13. Dedicate yourself to your responsibility. If you choose to volunteer as a tornado spotter during severe weather, you are obligated to your community.
14. Make safety your first concern.

Tips & Warnings

• Tornadoes can be more than 2 miles wide.
• A waterspout is a tornado over water.
• Tornadoes reportedly produce the deep, rumbling sound of a large train moving close by. But if the storm is moving through a developed area, there will be a cacophony of noise.
• Exercise extreme caution. Your value as a tornado spotter depends on your safety.
• Damaging hail often occurs prior to a tornado. Use an older vehicle in your tornado-spotting endeavors or one that's well-insured.
• A tornado funnel is visible because it consists of debris - and those flying objects can be deadly.
• Tornado tracking is not for children or anyone else incapable of getting out of harm's way.