How to Chase a Tornado

Tornado chasing is not recommended for most, but if you are a smart thrill-seeker with both a strong interest and knowledge of meteorology, you are better equipped to storm chase and experience all that Mother Nature has to offer in a way many are never as lucky, or foolhardy (depending on one's perspective), to encounter.

Things You'll Need

• Storm chasing partner(s)
• Vehicle in good condition
• Full tank of gas
• Constant updates on the storm's movement
• Constant contact with meteorologists or other professionals
• Escape route

Instructions

1. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition. Since your car will be your escape mechanism, make sure tires are equipped to roll through mud and heavy rains, and make sure that the vehicle is reliable enough to get you out of a sticky situation fast.

2. Fill your gas tank. The last thing you want is to run out of gas when you should be barreling down the road. Plus, you'll have a hard time even finding a gas station in a lot of the little towns you'll be passing through.

3. Take someone with you. You'll need an additional set of eyes, especially since storms are so dangerously unpredictable. Be sure that at least one of you has some meteorology background, or at least a strong knowledge regarding weather, so you can at least better understand the phenomenon going on around you. That knowledge can be a lifesaver.

4. Don't be Rambo in a 4WD. Such vehicles are better-equipped than a 4-door sedan, but they lull drivers into a false sense of confidence and security. Off-limits areas include deep water, which increases your risk of hydroplaning, as well as unpaved roads, which can be traps for any type of vehicle in the mud.

5. Map out an escape route. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Scope out all areas where you could throw yourself for protection at a moment's notice. If you can't get to a strong structure in time, take cover in a ditch or low-lying area. Keep clear of trees, which can attract lightning -- a bigger killer than the actual tornado itself.

6. Be in constant contact with a meteorologist. Ideally, you need continuous updates of the situation from someone privy to the latest information, including storm movement, as these storms quickly change.

7. Don't hide under an overpass. Contrary to popular belief, this structure won't protect you. In fact, it can contribute to a massive wind tunnel where debris can collect.

8. Don't try to take shortcuts. Some storm chasers have had success whipping through the precipitation core of the storm. This is one of the most dangerous moves you can make. If you emerge from the core unscathed, after being pelted by hail and encountering zero visibility, a tornado may be waiting for you on the other side. Don't do it.

9. Watch out for rain-wrapped tornadoes. As the name suggests, these tornadoes are embedded within rain. They can be hard to see, which makes for an especially precarious situation. be on the look-out both at ground level and at the cloud base for these conditions.

10. Remember that driving laws still apply. Storm chasing isn't a get out of jail free card. Always drive like there are others sharing the road with you. You never know who else could be on the road, frantically trying to get out of harm's way as you rush toward it.

11. Opt for storm chasing tours. For a fee, you can get the adrenaline-rushing experince with veteran storm chasers and meteorologists as your guides. Only you won't put yourself or others at risk.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember: The biggest killers are not the storms themselves. Often it is people barreling through flooded roads, spinning out of control when they hydroplane, as well as high winds that can easily reach 100 MPH.