About Storm Chasing...
In the late '60s and early '70s NSSL developed one of the first Doppler weather radars. In order to understand what we were seeing on the radar screen, it was important for us to have spotters in the field to communicate back to us in real time what they were seeing. This allowed us to correlate thunderstorm features such as gust fronts, tornadoes, and microbursts with radar images. Hence, NSSL storm chasing, or storm intercept as we call it, began as a project focused around improving our understanding of Doppler weather radar.
NSSL no longer sponsors yearly data collection projects (storm intercept) every spring time, as we did from the early '70s through the mid '80s. Our knowledge of Doppler radar and severe weather improved to the point that we only "go to the field" when we have special projects funded with grant money obtained from sources outside the lab (e.g., VORTEX 94/95).
Does NSSL hire storm chasers?
There is no such job description at NSSL as "Storm Chaser". The only time people chase storms for NSSL is when a special project is being run to collect data in the field. These projects are somewhat rare. When a project is running, some of the scientists are asked to donate part of their time to help with data collection during storm intercept operations. Sometimes, employees even donate their own personal time (i.e., not get paid) to help out.
When we do go to the field to collect data, our "storm chasers" are NSSL employees, University of Oklahoma students, or collaborating scientists from other laboratories or Universities. Consequently, if you had an interest in this type of work, it is important that you obtain a degree in Meteorology or related field (Physics - lightning research, Electrical Engineering - radar design and fabrication, etc.) and have some ties to the type of research we are conducting at the time of the field project. Note that nearly all of our Meteorologists at the lab have Masters degrees or PhDs.
Government regulations make it impossible to accept offers from the public to do volunteer field work for any tornado intercept programs. Legal liabilities questions prevent NSSL from accepting volunteers.
Does NSSL do things like they showed in the movie "Twister"?
The movie Twister was based upon work NSSL did in the mid-1980s using a 55-gallon drum outfitted with various meteorological sensors. It was called TOTO (TOtable Tornado Observatory). NSSL tried for several years to put it in the path of an oncoming tornado, but had minimal success. It did not have the sensors that fly up into the tornado, like in the movie. However, that is not a bad idea and with all the advances being made in computer technology, we might be able to do that someday.
So who does NSSL hire?
The National Severe Storms Laboratory hires scientists at the master's and Ph.D. level to do basic and applied research and technology transfer activities. Some jobs deal with the science of tornadoes or tornado detection with Doppler radars, but we study all kinds of severe and hazardous weather including freezing rain and winter weather. For more information, read our FAQ on Working at NSSL.
Related storm chasing links on other web sites:
