Planning to chase storms in 2025? This guide covers the must-have equipment for storm chasing, from rugged vehicles and weather radars to emergency gear—everything you need to stay safe.
If you are into storm chasing, you might know by now that it can be quite a dangerous pursuit. You can end up in a life-threatening situation pretty quickly if you don’t know how to be better prepared and what equipment to carry with you. Below are ten things, including equipment for storm chasing and other related stuff, that you need to keep in check.
1. Weather Instruments
When it comes to storm chasing, it’s all about weather, basically. The better you track it, the better your chances are of chasing a storm. Invest in quality real-time radars like the Baron Mobile Threat Net and RadarScope Pro; both are known to be reliable for tracking storms. Also consider acquiring anemometers, barometers, and portable lightning detectors, like the Thor Guard or StrikeAlert HD.
2. Two-Way Radios for reliable communication
In such extreme conditions, cellular networks usually go down, and this is why you should always invest in a high-quality two-way radio like the Midland MXT575 MicroMobile and Yaesu FT-991A HF/VHF/UHF Transceiver. Professionals also go for satellite communicators, which come in handy during emergency conditions and enable users to share GPS coordinates and SOS signals. The Garmin inReach Mini 2 and ZOLEO Satellite Communicator are two good options for satellite communication.
3. Professional Camera Body and Lens
Invest in camera bodies that can withstand such environments. The Nikon Z9, Sony A7S III, and Canon EOS R5C are great considerations; all offer top-tier weather sealing and offer serious specifications for video shooting. They are all great for capturing storm structure shots and long-exposure lightning captures in challenging environments.
To truly unlock the potential of such camera bodies, you also need to pair a capable lens like the SIRUI Venus Full-Frame Anamorphic Cinema Lens, a cinematic lens that works best for expansive stormscapes due to its ultra-wide aspect ratio. It also has high light transmission, which makes it valuable during low-light storm conditions.
Being compatible with full-frame cameras from all major brands, you can use this lens with the above-mentioned camera bodies across different focal lengths, all optimized to deliver sharp imagery in stormy weather. Moreover, you also get a sturdy and lightweight build, great for carrying around.
4. Drone for Aerial Storm Footage
Your fancy camera gear won’t always be useful, as sometimes it’s just not feasible to use it. This is where you have to bring in drones like the Autel Robotics Evo Lite+ and DJI Air 3S; both can help capture the scale and beauty of storm systems. Just make sure to keep them away from the center of activity and also check whether the area they are operating in allows them to legally fly drones.
5. Power Supply Equipment
All your equipment for storm chasing will mean nothing if it has no power. Storm chasing can be tough and can leave you stranded for days, which is why investing in a reliable power solution is not negotiable. Power Banks like the Anker 737 PowerCore 24,000 mAh (or even more) and portable power solutions like the EcoFlow Delta Pro should be on your list.
6. Navigation Tools
Next, without proper navigation, you aren’t going to find any storms. Dedicated GPS systems like the Garmin Overlander 2025 Edition and Google Maps Offline should be in your gear. If everything goes wrong, your final backup should be traditional paper maps and atlases.
7. Data Storage & Backup Solutions
There are a number of apps out there that can do a fantastic job of tracking, predicting, and stating other metrics related to storms. NOAA Weather Radar Live and RadarScope Pro 2025 are among them. Spend some time getting used to these apps, as they are going to help your team understand storm structures, their sudden movements, and threats related to them.
8. Protective Clothing & Personal Gear
These are pretty obvious ones, but still should be stressed. A waterproof jacket with slip-resistant shoes should be an absolute SOP to start work. Having gloves and safety glasses to avoid debris coming into your eyes is also advisable.
Wrapping Up:
The above-mentioned equipment for storm chasing should be on the list of both seasoned and novice storm chasers. This will ensure that your adventure is safe and brings desired results. The SIRUI Venus Full-Frame Anamorphic Cinema Lens paired with capable camera bodies from Sony and Canon, can help you create stunning and ultra-wide pictures/videos of these violent storms.
