Storm chasing encompasses more than just hopping in a car and aimlessly drive in hopes of seeing a tornado. The best chasers are those who consistently forecast the placement of severe weather well or those who make especially good use of available technology. The discussion on this page is a typical example of what activities go into the "pre-chase".

Several days, possibly longer before the potential chase:

- An experienced forecaster recognizes the potential for severe weather in a given area based on current pattern trends and feature placement in model runs. An amatuer forecaster can get a "feel" for a potential severe threat through extended NWS forecast discussions, SPC Severe Weather Outlooks, or storm chase discussion boards. There is a general tendency to not hype the forecast beyond 72-hours so the severe threat could potentially be understated in extended forecasts. On the other hand, some storm chase groups may already be buzzing with excitement.

- Different runs from the same model are checked for consistency. Different models are compared to see if there is agreement or disagreement with feature placement. Does the feature placement make sense!? It is important to understand that the model can only approximate the atmosphere; it is not the atmosphere.

- A potential chase target area is selected. What is the average annual frequency of tornadoes in your area?

One to two days before the potential chase:

- Current pattern and model forecasts continue to be monitored. Forecasts from NWS and SPC may begin to highlight a potential severe weather event. This is a good time to compare observations to see if an important feature was missed. An individual forecaster may be inclined to feel the threat is more or less significant than suggested by another. Now is the time to make potential chase plans should the forecast warrent.

- A potential chase target area is selected or modified based on new data. An estimated time of storm initiation is made.

- A chaser may have to already be on the road if a significant travel distance is necessary to be in the forecast target area of severe weather.

The morning of the chase:

- If the chase target is more than 200 miles away it is time to get out the door quickly. For more localized chases one usually will have time to check the latest 12 UTC model runs, surface and upper-air data, NWS discussion, and SPC outlook as most tornadic thunderstorms occur well afternoon. I have had several successful chases heading out the door after 3pm. It all depends on the time of storm initiation.

- Choose or update the chase target area. You can practice by submitting a target at stormtrack.org.

- Be sure to not forget any desired equipment such as a NOAA weather radio, road atlas, and camera.

- If possible get the phone number for the NWS office in the county warning area you plan to chase in. Severe weather reporting is crucial for warning decision makers at the NWS.

- Make sure you have a vehicle in good working order with plenty of fuel. Running out of gas or a break down while in the path of a tornado would not be in your best interest.

- Leave with enough time to get to the target without driving at excessive speed.