Meet the Chasers
Introduction


Dear Readers,

For a small group of people, chasing tornadoes is more than just a metaphor; it’s something they do every summer, a beloved hobby, even a secret way of life. They spend hundreds of hours—and thousands of dollars on gas, lodging, equipment—seeking storms that could kill them, the most dangerous weather on earth. Why? Are they adrenaline junkies, masochistic, insane? As Helen Hunt says in Twister, “Who ARE these people?”

There are only about 200 professional stormchasers in the country. They’re scientists, meteorologists, and forecasters who spend hours analyzing data before they hit the road; they’re also cabinet salesmen, graphic designers, grocery store clerks and filmmakers who carve three months out of their lives each year to pursue their passion for weather. Contrary to what you might see in the movies and on TV, chasers are hyper-aware of the dangers storms pose, they don’t take insane risks, and they’re the safest drivers I know. (I personally think Boston traffic is much scarier than stormchasing; tornadoes are more predictable.) Some chasers—not many—are women. And chasers are always respectful, both of the storms they’re chasing and the people and property who might be affected.

Chasers chase storms because they love the awe-inspiring mechanics and wild beauty of big weather. It’s the greatest show on earth. Simple as that.

Come meet a few of them: the Tempest chasers. It’s my privilege to introduce you.

~ Jenna.

Click on any photo to see an enlargement.

My chase partner, architect and pro photographer Marcia Perez, anointing our chase vehicle with Rain-X. Marcia wants to design an eco-friendly, tornado-proof house and publish a book of photos called “Architecture of the Sky.” See more of Marcia’s incredible work at www.dfwphoto.org Five of Tempest’s guides; there are only about 200 professional chasers in the US. Left to right: Dr. Bob Conzemius, Bill Reid, Keith Brown, Kinney Adams, Brian Morganti. Kinney Adams from Wisconsin watches out for the chaser chicks on every tour via his rearview mirror and never misses a chance to teach weather enthusiasts about storms. Bill Reid, a California resident in the off-season, is one of the most respected chasers in the country and leads many of Tempest’s Tours. As you can see, he’s a real stand-up guy. Check out Bill’s chase accounts and photography at www.stormbruiser.com Martin Lisius is the man with the plan. President of Tempest, he’s also the founder of TESSA (Texas Severe Storms Conference), Prairie Pictures, and StormStock—both of which provide footage for documentaries and feature films. If you’ve seen weather in the movies or on TV, chances are, Martin’s provided it.
Brian Morganti was the leader of my first Tempest Tour. He hails from Pennsylvania and is sometimes accompanied by his wife Nancy during his chases. View Brian’s gorgeous photos at www.stormeffects.com Keith Brown recently relocated to Norman, OK, chaser central—he’s a serious meteorologist with a great late-night CB radio voice. Dr. Bob Conzemius is a wind specialist from Minnesota. He sometimes does jumping jacks in parking lots during chases to keep the blood flowing. Chris Gullickson literally helped save the chaser chicks’ lives during the May 2008 outbreak, by helping change our punctured tire during a tornadic storm. If you ask nicely, he might also tell you some good war stories in a Super-8 hot tub. Rob Petit is, like Our Heroine, a writer. The difference is, he’s a professional stormchaser, while I’m still aspiring.
Kirstie Johnson, a.k.a “Foxy Kirstie,” is from the UK, a self-proclaimed storm addict who wants to move to the US to chase. Rob Grill and Leisa Luis-Grill, from Rochester, MN, are repeat Tempest offenders. Leisa, an artist and Wizard of Oz fanatic, got Rob into stormchasing. Now he doesn’t want to get out. Stacy Williams from California began stormchasing because she “likes riding in vans with strangers.” Tempest gave her that initial opportunity, but now those like-minded strangers have become friends. Eric Trinidad is a travel writer from New York City who likes to play board games while the tornado sirens are going off, among other adventurous activities. Check out Eric’s travel blog at www.worldswirl.com. Tempest tourists making the locals run the gauntlet for their gas & goods. Tempest’s guests come from all over to hang out at convenience stores in rural America: from the US, the UK, Europe—and, of course, Oz (Australia version).