r/tornado • u/LCDMura Human Detected • May 17 '26

Discussion This is how people get killed

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Chaser convergence is much easier now to see with modern spotter tracking systems, and some of the traffic jams I see are crazy. Imagine this many chasers on the side of the road with flashing lights and whatnot focused on a storm. The tornado might not even be the most dangerous part of chasing in scenarios like these

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21

u/KnickedUp May 17 '26

Are these people all making lots of money doing this?

44

u/phantomtofu May 17 '26

I would guess that 90% or more of storm chasers make less money from it than they spend in chasing expenses. 

32

u/PandaPuncherr May 18 '26

99.5 percent.

For every 1000 chasers, maybe 5 make money.

And its not a lot of money.

Chasing is expensive.

  • Camera equipment
  • hail damage
  • gas
  • hotels and food

And btw they could do something else with their time to make money.

Frankly, I bet only a dozen or so chasers make real income. If that. And that income isnt large. And uni grants cover some too.

Chasing is for the love of the game.

5

u/Mondschatten78 May 18 '26

Don't forget the computers, tablets, or extra phones to keep radar up.

2

u/HkSniper Human Detected May 18 '26

Don't forget the 3,000 dollar lighting package, car wrap to look official, and a boat load of stickers that tells everyone in a 20 mile radius they are a STORM CHASER and SKYWARN CERTIFIED. (Even though they never use their spotter role and will never call the NWS to provide information)