When the sky’s color transforms into ominous shades of gray, and rolling clouds of thunder and lightening gather on the horizon, most people would hurry to find shelter. Not storm chasers. For them, a storm isn’t something to be afraid of, but rather a passion to pursue.

Storm chasing might seem like a simple, albeit risky, passion but the best chasers rely heavily on technology to accurately track hazardous weather and keep people safe. Though they have a lot of tools at their disposal, here are the top five most effective pieces of equipment for storm chasing:

1) Real Time Lightning Map – lightningmaps.org allows viewers to see where lightning is striking Europe, Oceania, and North America in real time. This tool is useful not only for chasers to see what areas are particularly stormy, but it’s also fascinating for the average person. Warren Faidley, considered one of the first professional chasers and one of the best in America, shared the link on his Facebook page as a tool for safety for his followers.

2) TIV2 – The TIV, which stands for Tornado Intercept Vehicle, is a special car designed by filmmaker and storm chaser Sean Casey capable of driving into tornados. Casey tricked out a Ford F-450 pickup truck with a steel shell, bullet-proof windows, claws to grip the ground, and other special features to withstand tornados. The vehicle weighs 15,000 pounds and was used by Casey to film footage for his IMAX film, Tornado Alley. In 2008, the filmmaker improved upon his design by creating the TIV2, a lighter-weight vehicle with better fuel capability and two ground-piercing spears instead of claws. The impressive machine can reach speeds up to 100mph, twenty mph faster than its predecessor. A TIV3 is rumored to be in the works as Casey is constantly seeking the best footage and storm experiences.

3) HERO3+ GoPro – The GoPro is the perfect camera to accompany any storm chaser. Light, small, and water proof, this camera is extremely versatile, which is perfect for ever-changing weather. The tiny devices can be mounted anywhere and are able to capture wide angles, making them a great tool to capture landscape shots of storms. Chasers John Allen and Brad Hanon, known as the “Hunters of Thunder,” use a GoPro on their hunts, resulting in impressive wide-angle shots of nature’s fury.

4) Doppler on Wheels – Doppler on Wheels (DOWs) are mobile Doppler radars that can be attached to vehicles, providing meteorologists with an inside look at tornados. They have been responsible for a commendable amount of research, allowing users to see 3D maps of the inside of the wind funnels. The technology is not only a research tool but also a useful source of information for chasers as it can pin-point storms and give real-time updates on the weather. A DOW was responsible for measuring the highest wind speed ever recorded (301 mph in Oklahoma) and they have tracked 170 tornados, 12 hurricanes, and hundreds of storms.

5) TVNWeather Live Storm Chasing – This website – and free app – is useful for both chasers and people interested in staying safe and tracking the weather. It shows viewers a real-time look at the US, highlighting current storms and allowing users to see what storm chasers are covering storms. It also provides warnings so you can know if you area is affected.

Storm chasing is not for the light of heart or faint of spirit as chasers are continuously placed in perilous situations. The thrill, and desire to keep people safe, drives them to their dangerous work. If you’re interested in storm chasing, start by reaching out to a local chaser and consider getting a degree in meteorology. Happy chasing!