3 answers
Julian
Student
Peabody, KS
2
Questions
Asked
1154 views
How to be a storm chaser?
I want to be a storm chaser when I am 23 I am 12. So type back
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3 answers
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1831
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Julian,
With the current Gov't shutdown, many government website links are not working properly. So, please try again in a few weeks in links are not working. At the current time , this is a working link, and tells you about being a storm spotter. https://www.weather.gov/media/owlie/SGJune6-11(1).pdf
Beyond the schooling aspect, I would encourage you to try to get involved in any sort of disaster preparedness or response programs you can find. The more involved you are, the more hands on, the more you learn. So, if it means serving meals at a tornado relief center, or whatever, try to be out there doing it. Civil Air Patrol, if available, is also a good opportunity. You may need to be in High School for that. HAM radio operators are active in the skywarn program, so you may look into what it takes to get a HAM radio operator license. The Red Cross Disaster Preparedness is also worth considering.
None of this gets you where you are going, but it gives you a better background to understand the enormity of it all. Beyond the school subjects mentioned above, there would be a need for video capabilities - being able to record/livestream weather systems with image clarity.
This is an exciting opportunity, and would be a fun career - best of luck to you!
With the current Gov't shutdown, many government website links are not working properly. So, please try again in a few weeks in links are not working. At the current time , this is a working link, and tells you about being a storm spotter. https://www.weather.gov/media/owlie/SGJune6-11(1).pdf
Beyond the schooling aspect, I would encourage you to try to get involved in any sort of disaster preparedness or response programs you can find. The more involved you are, the more hands on, the more you learn. So, if it means serving meals at a tornado relief center, or whatever, try to be out there doing it. Civil Air Patrol, if available, is also a good opportunity. You may need to be in High School for that. HAM radio operators are active in the skywarn program, so you may look into what it takes to get a HAM radio operator license. The Red Cross Disaster Preparedness is also worth considering.
None of this gets you where you are going, but it gives you a better background to understand the enormity of it all. Beyond the school subjects mentioned above, there would be a need for video capabilities - being able to record/livestream weather systems with image clarity.
This is an exciting opportunity, and would be a fun career - best of luck to you!
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
Julian
Mike S.
Technical Writer
23
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Mike’s Answer
Hi Julian,
I think storm chasing is a great (but sometimes dangerous) career. These people are making the world a better place by helping us to understand more about how storms (especially Tornadoes and Hurricanes) work.
To prepare for a career as a storm chaser, you will want to learn as much as you can about weather forecasting. So the path to becoming a storm chaser is similar to the path to becoming a meteorologist.
You will want to focus on a strong math and science foundation in middle and high school. Also, you will want to develop computer skills by getting familiar with tools used by scientists (such as Microsoft Excel). It would also be good to engage in weather-related activities like keeping a weather journal and joining a science club.
I strongly suggest that you plan to attend college also. This will help you have a much better foundation to make more important contributions to storm chasing.
Many colleges offer Bachelor's degrees in meteorology or atmospheric sciences.
As you progress in your studies, you will discover the people you will need to contact to start work (most likely as an intern) in storm chasing.
I wish you the best of luck in everything that you do.
- Mike
https://www.careervillage.org/questions/959093/how-do-i-start-learning-on-how-to-become-a-meteorologist
https://www.careervillage.org/questions/1012301/what-classes-do-i-need-to-take-for-high-school-and-college
I think storm chasing is a great (but sometimes dangerous) career. These people are making the world a better place by helping us to understand more about how storms (especially Tornadoes and Hurricanes) work.
To prepare for a career as a storm chaser, you will want to learn as much as you can about weather forecasting. So the path to becoming a storm chaser is similar to the path to becoming a meteorologist.
You will want to focus on a strong math and science foundation in middle and high school. Also, you will want to develop computer skills by getting familiar with tools used by scientists (such as Microsoft Excel). It would also be good to engage in weather-related activities like keeping a weather journal and joining a science club.
I strongly suggest that you plan to attend college also. This will help you have a much better foundation to make more important contributions to storm chasing.
Many colleges offer Bachelor's degrees in meteorology or atmospheric sciences.
As you progress in your studies, you will discover the people you will need to contact to start work (most likely as an intern) in storm chasing.
I wish you the best of luck in everything that you do.
- Mike
Mike recommends the following next steps:
Ok thank you for telling me that. Now i can start on it
Julian
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1091
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Julian,
If you want to be a storm chaser, you should plan to go to college and earn a bachelors in meteorology or atmospheric sciences. If you want to go into research or work at government agencies, you'll probably need at least a masters or even a PhD. To prepare for this career, focus on science and math classes in high-school. If you are able to take programming classes, start with that as well.
There are also hobby storm chasers and storm spotter programs like Skywarn that provide training courses:
https://www.weather.gov/skywarn/
https://learn.meted.ucar.edu/#/public-dashboard
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
If you want to be a storm chaser, you should plan to go to college and earn a bachelors in meteorology or atmospheric sciences. If you want to go into research or work at government agencies, you'll probably need at least a masters or even a PhD. To prepare for this career, focus on science and math classes in high-school. If you are able to take programming classes, start with that as well.
There are also hobby storm chasers and storm spotter programs like Skywarn that provide training courses:
https://www.weather.gov/skywarn/
https://learn.meted.ucar.edu/#/public-dashboard
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP