Hobbies And Interests
Wireless Internet and a Computer
Having a computer with a wireless Internet card is a valuable tool for tracking and chasing tornadoes. Following severe weather reports on weather specific or local websites gives a storm chaser a heads up to a tornado's location. As tornadoes touch down and funnel cloud spotting can happen quickly, being able to receive up to the minute weather information on a wireless connection is an important instrument in tracking tornadoes.
Weather Radio
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, provides national weather radio as a public service. Weather radios are an invaluable resources both for citizens of a tornado prone area and for storm chasers looking to track tornadic activity as NOAA issues alerts for all types of severe weather. As funnel clouds can be spotted without much previous warning, a weather radio is an important instrument.
GPS
A global positioning system, or GPS, is another instrument that helps in tracking tornadoes. For storm chasers, once they've heard of a funnel cloud spotted, they can plug the location into their GPS and get the fastest route without having to remember directions. If they are in a new area, specifically to chase storms, this instruments becomes even more valuable. Not having to waste time reading a map to track a tornado is important in accurately tracking tornadoes.
Doppler Radar
Doppler radar devices are handy for tracking storm patterns and for taking images of the tornadoes. As more tornadoes are tracked and photographed by Dopplers, scientists gain more understanding of tornadoes and how they move. Portable Doppler radar devices, such as the Doppler on Wheels or DOW, allow storm chasers to get close enough to tornadoes to record them. Electric Doppler Radar, or ELDORA, developed in conjunction with the National Center for Atmospheric Research and french scientists, utilizes dual Doppler technology to track and record tornadic activity.