Storm Chaser by Brant Arsenault

Which Industry is Storm Chasing In?

barsenoh — 2025-05-12 17:26:13 UTC

Storm chasing intersects several distinct sectors, most prominently Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences, Media and Entertainment, and Tourism.

What Do They Do?

barsenoh — 2025-05-12 17:32:59 UTC

Storm chasers intentionally intercept severe weather events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and severe thunderstorms to conduct scientific research, gather real-time data, capture media, or observe weather phenomena.

Work Conditions

barsenoh — 2025-05-12 17:39:05 UTC

Storm chasing is a high-stress, unpredictable job that demands driving thousands of miles across rural areas, often for 12 to 16 hours a day during peak storm season. Whether tracking tornadoes for scientific research, filming for media networks, or guiding tourists, workers spend most of their time crammed inside vehicles, constantly monitoring radar and navigating hazardous road conditions like hydroplaning, blinding rain, and large hail.

Which Skills are Most Important to a Veterinarian

barsenoh — 2025-05-12 17:44:57 UTC

A successful veterinarian needs a combination of hard skills like animal handling, diagnostic testing, and surgical proficiency, and soft skills like compassion, communication, and problem solving are essential. A Strong sense of scientific knowledge, including anatomy, physiology, and disease processes, is very crucial.

Education Required

barsenoh — 2025-05-12 18:01:45 UTC

Becoming a storm chaser requires no official degree, but earning a Bachelor’s degree in Meteorology or Atmospheric Science takes 4 years of education. You'll need 4 years of undergraduate studies to deeply understand weather radar and storm physics. After earning your Bachelor's, you can pursue additional training for specialty areas, which may require a NWS or SKYWARN certification and digital media programs to monetize your footage.

A Place to Train

barsenoh — 2025-05-13 13:27:06 UTC

Applied Climate Change and Adaptations at the University of Prince Edward Island in St. Peter's Bay, the cost of the program for international students is $9,718 per year with domestic students paying slightly less at $8,130 per year.

Wages

barsenoh — 2025-05-13 13:34:08 UTC

Storm chasers in Canada earn an average annual salary of about $60,000-$90,000, which translates to an hourly wage of roughly $28-$43.

A Day in the Life

barsenoh — 2026-06-03 17:55:34 UTC

A storm chaser’s day usually starts with checking weather maps, radar, and forecasts to see where storms may form. If conditions look right, you travel to the targeted area, track the storm safely, record data or video, and keep watching how the storm changes.

Dangers and Risks

barsenoh — 2026-06-03 18:01:16 UTC

Storm chasing can be dangerous because chasers may face tornadoes, hail, lightning, flash flooding, and poor visibility. Roads can also become unsafe very quickly, so good judgment, fast decisions, and safety planning are essential.

Gear Checklists

barsenoh — 2026-06-04 13:06:19 UTC

An essential storm-chasing gear checklist bridges the gap between getting the perfect shot and staying safe on the road. You should prioritize high-tech navigation and communication tools, like robust radar apps and a dedicated GPS unit alongside durable camera equipment to capture fast-moving atmospheric structures. Equally vital is emergency preparedness, meaning your checklist must include a rugged first-aid kit, vehicle extraction tools, and backup power sources to keep devices running when cell towers go dark.