![]() You should maintain awareness of what’s going on all around you and always be mindful of a surprise event. Keep your head on a swivel – When observing a storm, it is easy to lose focus and become fixated on some feature you’re watching. And finally, the core of the storm is a dangerous place with low visibilities, heavy rain, and violent winds. Second, you could drive right into the path of a tornado with very little time to react. First, you may drive into very large hail, which can damage your vehicle and injure you. Storm chasers call this “core-punching” and it’s a very dangerous practice for a number of reasons. The StormĪvoid the most intense areas of storms – This seems obvious, but each year spotters, for one reason or another, make decisions that place them in the core of a dangerous storm. Remember that a person struck by lightning carries no residual charge and CPR could save a life. ![]() Treat lightning with respect and stay in a protected area when lightning is in the area.ĬPR training is an excellent idea for all mobile storm spotters. Even though you may not be in an area of frequent lightning, lightning can travel a considerable distance along these pathways.Īs mentioned before, you should not wait for some type of warning (hair standing on end, sounds on AM or other radio equipment, etc) before taking shelter from lightning – the first strike from a storm could be the one that gets you. Follow these basic lightning safety guidelines:Īvoid being the tallest object, and stay away from other tall objects (like trees, power pole/lines)ĭon’t stand close to fences or power poles/lines. Remember that lightning typically provides no warning – the first strike that you see may be the last. Storm spotters may put themselves at risk from lightning by being in the open, being on a hill or high spot (for better visibility), parking or standing next to metal fences or underneath power lines, standing close to camera tripods or using radio equipment attached to antennae. LightningĪll thunderstorms produce lightning, and people are killed and injured each year by lightning. Make sure your vehicle is ready for action – A well-maintained vehicle with a full tank of gas is crucial for a mobile spotter’s safety and success. Be extra careful when stopping to view a storm, making sure to pull completely off roadways and keeping an eye out for traffic, even in places where you would never expect to see traffic. ![]() Watch out for the “other guy” – Severe storms in the Plains often draw a crowd of onlookers, from casual observers to organized groups of storm chasers. Obey traffic laws – Speeding, parking too close to the edge of the road and making sudden turns and stops on unfamiliar roads all spell trouble. Watch for water on the road – Hydroplaning is a serious threat for drivers, and it doesn’t take much rain to cause roads to become slick and hazardous. This also provides an extra set of eyes to keep an eye on rapidly changing situations. ![]() To stay safe as a mobile spotter, keep these things in mind:Īlways spot with a partner – This allows the driver to focus on the road while the passenger watches the sky. When you add storms – with heavy rain, gusty winds, hail, blowing dust, etc. Even on a sunny day with no storms, driving a vehicle on a public roadway can be dangerous.
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