There are many potential life-threatening weather scenarios, but severe thunderstorms and tornadoes represent some of the most dangerous atmospheric conditions. In direct opposition to this danger, storm chasing is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Storm chasers used to be a select group of people, most often meteorologists, who would venture out in risky circumstances to analyze and videotape active tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. But with the advent of smart phones and much smaller recording devices, the number of people storm chasing is increasing rapidly each year. Please note, there is a real risk to life and property in severe weather and this activity is only encouraged when it can directly benefit the general public by increasing awareness or pin pointing the location of extreme weather. Recent television programs advertise the need for chasers, but often minimize the potential risk. There is significant difference between trained professionals doing research and amateurs hoping to become the next YouTube sensation.
