A storm chaser in Oklahoma last week, stuck in a traffic jam caused by other chaser’s cars, had to sit and watch as a tornado roared over the chase car blowing out all the windows. Everyone walked away alive, but with cuts on their face and heads from flying glass.

A storm chaser, relying on outdated radar from a slow internet connection, found himself smack dab in the eye of the storm in Valley Park, MS on April 24. He walked away without a scratch, but that same storm cell killed at least 10 people.

In the past month, there have been several reports of storm chaser’s getting too close to the storm. Some are doing it intentionally. Most are not. But it raises the question of why chasers do what they do.

Some do it for the money. Media outlets will pay for the “money shot” of the tornado roaring towards them. Others do it for the scientific fascination. Still others say it’s an adrenaline rush. For most, it’s a combination of those factors.

TWC