How close should we get?

[Shawn Gossman]

Hey all,

Many storm chasers will criticize other storm chasers on how close they get to a tornado. So, let us discuss this topic. HOW CLOSE do you think a storm chaser should get to a tornado? How close would you get to a tornado? How close is too close and why is that too close? How do you all feel about this topic?

 

[Rob H]

The 4/14/12 EF-4 picked up and threw a road sign 27 miles, so 27.1 miles is the minimum safe distance.

 

[James Hilger]

It doesn't matter to me but I wish others would come slowly to it and not run like a bat out of hell at the last second and practically running others over. I'm talking about more controlled intercepts, not where the situation got out of hand from somewhat uncontrolled circumstance.

 

[Maggie Kahman]

I think its a matter of personal opinion. Some people, like Timmer, for example - ok, so its an extreme example - like to get "up close and personal" with the tornadoes. Myself? Ehhh...not so much. As far as SAFETY is concerned, even though i have never seen a tornado, I would say between...oh...2-5 miles would be ok for me. Oh, and for the record, yes, I do think Timmer is crazy. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Jeff Duda]

Yet another topic that has been hashed and rehashed past the point of rehashing. There is no code of ethics for chasers, as each one will do what they want to do. Some will get all the way in, and some refuse to get within miles. Most are somewhere in the middle. Various reasons...

 

[Andy Wycislo]

Yet again we revisit the topic of chasers being "too dangerous". Perhaps someone could enlighten us as to the total number of chasers killed or seriously injured while immediately chasing tornadoes in the past decade?

 

[Marcus Diaz]

I'll get as close as I can before that tingling sensation in my "happy place" turns to "butt pucker and my plums inside my stomach" kinda feeling. That or until I begin to crap my pants. I think either one is a great gauge of when close becomes too close.

 

[James Hilger]

Yet again we revisit the topic of chasers being "too dangerous". Perhaps someone could enlighten us as to the total number of chasers killed or seriously injured while immediately chasing tornadoes in the past decade?

Only 1 injured that I can recall. During the El Reno tornado, 5-24-11.

 

[David E. Young]

It depends so much on the visibility, doesn't it. I mean, I can imagine someone driving their vehicle or even running very close to a Colorado landspout that is moving very slowly along the flat eastern Colorado area where the late afternoon light makes the vortex very easy to see and follow, where-as I would stay a quarter mile, at least away from a Iowa F3 where there is lightning strikes and curtains of rain obscuring the view and where one cannot easily move around roads and where there may be subvorticies, high level inflow and even other tornados.

 

[Lee Smith-Whaley]

I've heard of people storm chasing, and getting injured before (never from anywhere actually credible though) however it always seems to be some high school kids being dumb when I do hear about it. The only legit claim I've heard of is Reed when his window got blown out, which wasn't bad luckily.

Only 1 injured that I can recall. During the El Reno tornado, 5-24-11.

Yet again we revisit the topic of chasers being "too dangerous". Perhaps someone could enlighten us as to the total number of chasers killed or seriously injured while immediately chasing tornadoes in the past decade?

 

[James Hilger]

The person Im referring to was a very experienced and careful chaser. Maybe it's all hush hush for obvious reasons. I don't know. Doesn't really matter either I guess. Still, VERY few legit-experienced chasers get hurt. Reed had a mechanical failure on his 2nd window. If he ever gets seriously injured or killed, is anyone going to be surprised? We try to as close as we can to the outer edge. Reed sometime's tries to get in it. BIG difference. Both risky of course if the perfect setup isn't there or not done correctly. Mother Nature can throw a curve ball once in awhile and there's a million other things that can go wrong also. We all know it's a calculated risk but obviously our safety record proves were not that crazy.

 

[HaiRijo]

I think its a matter of personal opinion. Some people, like Timmer, for example - ok, so its an extreme example - like to get "up close and personal" with the tornadoes. Myself? Ehhh...not so much. As far as SAFETY is concerned, even though i have never seen a tornado, I would say between...oh...2-5 miles would be ok for me. Oh, and for the record, yes, I do think Timmer is crazy. Just my 2 cents.

He is crazy but very intelligent when it comes to weather, and on that note I would love to be in the Dominator and intercept a tornado with his crew (that is my ultimate fantasy). Without being in a tank when I chase , and depending on how fast its moving, no closer then 300 yards (I haven't personally been that close yet, but one day I hope to accomplish that goal) for a slow moving tornado.

 

[rdale]

very intelligent when it comes to weather

Uhhh, no. If you follow his twitter feed you'll see a distinct lack of knowledge of radar interpretation and storm analysis. Not saying he can't do his thing in a tank, but he shouldn't be trying his skills in an area where it's sorely lacking.

 

[Andy Wycislo]

Only 1 injured that I can recall. During the El Reno tornado, 5-24-11.

I've heard of people storm chasing, and getting injured before (never from anywhere actually credible though) however it always seems to be some high school kids being dumb when I do hear about it. The only legit claim I've heard of is Reed when his window got blown out, which wasn't bad luckily.

Exactly my point. Why is this even seen as a problem? As far as I can tell, it's only a problem because a couple police officers found a couple of obliging TV cameras or reporter's ears.

When several get seriously injured, cause serious injury, or die (none of which has occurred), then it will be a problem.

 

[Scott Weberpal]

I've been within feet - literally - of a tornado, I guess technically in the circulation, not a situation I ever want to be in again. That said, I have no problem getting within 100 yards or so of a tornado and have done so in a handful of situations. June 17, 09 was easy to do so, slow moving tornado along a major highway, strong, but not strong enough where I ever felt in danger in the inflow.

To answer the question of "how close is too close?"...it's up to personal preference.