Severe Weather Discussion > Australian Severe Storms, Weather Events and Storm Chasing

Storm and Storm Chasing Safety

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Mike:
There's many things one can do safety wise...the most obvious one is commonsense.  Just be mindful that people have no idea what you are doing on the side of the road during storms or bad weather...some may stop to ask if you're okay (they do here quite often in Darwin's rural area).  I don't beleive in the orange flashing strobe lights and such like they do in the US...I think it's actually illegal to use them in non official business on private cars anyway...could be wrong...but it gives the impression to other drivers that yes, there is caution to be used when approaching, but they were not intended to be used for storm chasers!  No objections to them, just not seen then used in Oz.

Agree with parking in an area away from long grass...def a must - even for the risk of being bitten by snakes and the like!  At least find somewhere that your car and you will be visible from a distance for oncoming traffic.  Not always possible with the vantage points that chasers are looking for, but so long as you car is visible, and at night leave the parking lights on...even better.  Park away from culverts or drains or low lying floodways...just in case of flash flooding from large storms.

A reflective vest is a good way to go, but not very fashionable but everyone has their own likes and whatnot whether to wear one!

Because the eastern states here get a lot more aggressive type storms, make sure you have an exit point from where you are situated with the storm, know the road network in the area, or at least have a map if unsure.  Finally, if you're chasing alone (not advised) at least tell someone where you are likely to be heading and if you intend to move, where you will move with the storm's steering.

A general mature, commonsense approach should be the key. ;p

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