Introduction to Storm Spotting

[G Diaz]

Hello new user! thanks to my past expirence and knowledge from the 2025 storm chase season, i have layed out a guide on how to storm spot. These are the most simpilest steps to be able to spot, but feel free to go off of them your way.

Equipment needed:
Binoculars
Weather Models (weather.gov)
Car
Anonemeter (handheld)
SOS alarm
Optional equipment:
Emergency radio (Tuned to NWS)
Rainjacket
Boots

First steps:
Drive out to a rural area where no cars pass by. Position yourself so you can see the front of the storm. Use something like a notebook to log what you see for the day. Take pictures of the storm and note its features. if it is a supercell, take cautionary measures to ensure a safe viewing area. if you are positioned near flammable materials, and a supercell thunderstorm rolls in, reposition away from the materials.

Follow these steps incase of an accidental tornado encounter:
Attempt to evade the bears cage, watch out for the hail core and RFD (Rear Flank Downdraft) winds. If your car is stuck in the mud due to slippery roads, run to a ditch and pray. once the tornado passes, use an SOS alarm to notify search and rescue operatives of your position.

And thats pretty much it! There may be more things to come as you gain expirence, and remember,

If you feel it,

Chase it.

- Gael Diaz

 

[Charlie Linsz]

I agree with this guy! Just go out and try to chase storms! As long as you don't make obviously stupid decisions you'll be fine!

 

[rwalfrey]

Add a car safety hammer. Consider that essential. Unless you want to drown in your more modern vehicle, have one ready at hand. Floods kill more than lightning and tornadoes combined. Being a chaser already (dramatically) increases your risk by putting you near cores of high precip supercells and training storms. However your odds of encountering flash floods and river flooding will only increase with every passing chase year as well.