Chasing techniques#chasing#safety
Staging and escape routes
At a glance
Get close enough to see structure, but always have an exit — downwind from hail, perpendicular to storm motion from tornadoes.
Deep dive
Rule of thumb for UK supercells (which tend HP):
- Stage 5–10 km east or south-east of the storm's projected track.
- Keep the inflow (RFB) in view; never chase from the FFD side (you'll be under rain and invisible hail).
- Pre-plan two exit roads — one perpendicular to motion (for tornado displacement), one downwind (for hail/RFD escape).
- Watch your fuel. UK rural roads have few 24h stations.
If the storm goes HP and wraps, retreat early — rain-wrapped tornadoes in the UK dark-wall environment are exceptionally dangerous because you can't see them arrive.