Storm Chasing
Personal hobby focused on applied forecasting, real-time decision making, and risk management through independent storm chasing. Involves analyzing weather models, radar data, and atmospheric conditions to plan routes, assess uncertainty, and operate safely in dynamic, high-stakes environments.
A few times a year, when my schedule and the weather line up just right, I’ll drive a few states away to chase thunderstorms and—if I’m lucky—see a tornado. Storm chasing isn’t like what you see on TV; most of it isn’t wild adrenaline but quiet analysis and patience. The excitement comes from forecasting, reading models, and interpreting the atmosphere—digging into HRRR runs, surface analyses, and Storm Prediction Center outlooks until the data starts to paint a story in the sky.
It’s part science, part adventure. I get to travel across the country, see small towns far off the interstate, and meet people I’d never otherwise cross paths with. And when my forecast (I’m not a meteorologist—just a passionate observer) actually verifies, I find myself a few miles from a powerful thunderstorm: beautiful, chaotic, and humbling all at once.
Chasing has taught me decision-making under pressure and risk management in a way few other experiences could. I chase solo, which means I’m forecasting, navigating, and driving all at once. I always plan my escape routes, monitor conditions carefully, and know when to pull back. I’ve chased in over a dozen states and seen several tornadoes—but I’ve also failed far more times, and those “bust days” taught me the most. I learned how to adapt, accept failure, and think clearly under stress.
In those moments—balancing risk, analyzing data, and acting decisively—I see a lot of parallels to engineering. Both require critical thinking, awareness, and humility in the face of uncertainty. My storm chasing days might slow down as I take on more professional responsibilities, but the curiosity and respect for the power of nature that chasing gave me will always stay with me.
