Storm Chasing...Exciting, but Dangerous!
Storm Chasing...Exciting, but Dangerous!WIBW Blog Listing
Storm Chasing...Exciting, but Dangerous!
Topic Author: Rob Peppers
Posted: 2:30 PM Apr 7, 2009
Replies Posted: 8 comments
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Storm chasing is an adrenaline rush for those who love to talk about meso-cyclones, rear-flank downdrafts (yes, there is such a thing) and other weather phenomena.   But it's an accident waiting to happen!  I'm one of those who likes to look at the clouds, instead of focusing on the road ahead.  But I learned my lesson earlier this year when a viewer noticed I passed a car in a "No Passing Zone"...I didn't even realize I had done it.  I was lucky that a car wasn't coming from the other direction. 

In the future,  I'm going to be a lot more careful about driving and paying attention to the road.  One of the greatest dangers while chasing storms is getting in an accident with someone who is watching clouds spin, instead of watching where his vehicle is going. And that's only one of the risks a person takes if they decide to chase. There is the ever-present danger of getting too close to a tornado, or being trapped on a muddy road and not giving yourself a way out of the tornado's path. For me, the greatest danger is being struck by lightning. There are no rules when it comes to where or when lightning will strike. 

It's a gamble when you go storm-chasing....if you don't know what you're doing, my advice is to stay at home and let us bring you the information you need.  If you want to try it,  go with someone who has experience.  Even then, keep in mind that storm-chasing may be exciting, but it can also be very dangerous! 

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Posted by: Mary Do meteorology or geoscience classes at university include storm chasing? I've always wondered if professors ever go outside their classrooms with a bunch of students for Storm Chasing 101.

Posted by: George Location: Topeka
I absolutly love tornadoes and I was in the Topeka tornado! It is very much a rush to chase storms. I also was a Greensburg the night of the EF5 tornado! I'm a tornado lover!

Posted by: briana Location: berryton
i think storm chasing sounds fun so thats why when i can get a job im workin 4 wibw and ill b a storm chaser u can count on it

Posted by: Suzie Location: Topeka
Nice to hear "Robbie Peppers" working on Sunday during the storm. We were coming home from Wichita Saturday afternoon and went through torential rain and hail between Emporia and Topeka causing us to drive 35 miles an hour. A lone motorcyclist was hovering under an overpass probably waiting for the lightning to diminish. Bet he was there for a long time! When we pulled into our driveway in SW Topeka, the first siren went off and the weather truly didn't even look to menacing after what we had gone through!

Posted by: Barb Location: Topeka
Rob, Thanks SO MUCH for all of your hard work the last 2 days in keeping us informed of the weather. Too bad we didn't have the technology in the '66 tornado. Great job , but long and sleepless hpurs

Posted by: Deb Location: eskridge,ks


Posted by: Sandy Location: Topeka
Have you ever gotten too close for comfort to a tornado, and were you scared? If so, where and when, and what did you do? Rob's response: I've been within a mile of a tornado. It was a slow-moving storm so I was able to watch it for about 10 minutes before it moved away. That was the first and probably "best" tornado I've seen...about 15 miles east of Great Bend, KS. We were on the south side of the storm and it was moving NE, so I wasn't worried about the storm hitting us. Thanks for the questions!

Posted by: Sonya Location: Wakefield
Rob, It is great to hear that you are out there doing what you love!! Looking forward to hearing more reports from you!! If you ever have to come to Wakefield speed by and say hi!!

Posted by: Gloria Meerpohl Location: Holton KS
Can you tell me how I can find out the dates there was snowfall in Holton this winter beginning last fall? Rob's response: The Weather Service doesn't keep specific records for Holton, so you would need to use Topeka Billard Airport information. Go to this web page: http://www.weather.gov/climate/index.php?wfo=top. Under 1. , click on "prelim monthly climate data" , keep 2. as Topeka, 3. archived data and 4. scroll down to October of 2008. Click on "Go". A monthly climate summary page will come on screen. Scroll down about 3/4 of the page and you'll see monthly snowfall. Thanks!