Tim Samaras

Q: How long have you been chasing tornadoes?

A: I've always had an interest in tornadoes - started when I was six years old, and was forced to watch The Wizard of Oz. When the tornado appeared... I was hooked! I've been actively chasing storms for over 25 years.

Feb 16, 2009

Q: Why do you chase tornadoes?

A: I chase to witness something amazing: An act of nature that produces the most powerful winds on the planet. Its better than any video game or any movie

Feb 16, 2009

Q: How did you get your start?

A: My mother pulled me away from my bedroom while I was taking apart some appliance when I was six years old to watch 'a musical'. Boy, was I irritated about that! I really wanted to continue my scientific investigation on this blender(or was it a record player?). I gave up the resistance, and sat and watched this old black and white movie about a teenage girl and her dog having some 'issues'... and then it came. The tornado! That tornado was the best part of the entire movie. From that day, I was hooked for the rest of my life.

Feb 16, 2009

Q: Can you describe the feeling of seeing a tornado up close?

A: Gosh... how can I describe it? Being up close an personal to the most powerful winds on the planet is quite an exhilarating experience. For those who seen video of tornadoes perhaps a mile or so away simply sees the tornado outline. Being up close and personal makes you experience the tornado with all of your senses. You hear the incredible roar, see the debris and the destruction on the ground, and you actually smell it! Well, the tornado technically does not have an odor, but you can smell the fresh cut vegetation, and perhaps broken gas lines to homes as the tanks are being ripped off. I've been close to numerous tornadoes while trying to deploy probes in the path, and its certainly an unforgettable experience.

Feb 16, 2009

Q: What was the most memorable tornado you've witnessed and why?

A: To date, that happens to be the Manchester, South Dakota tornado of June 24, 2003. We dropped our probes only 82 seconds before the tornado crossed the path right where we were standing! The hamlet of Manchester was completely blown away and was never rebuilt. My tornado probe recorded a 100 millibar pressure drop, which is a world record.

Feb 16, 2009

Q: What's the farthest you've traveled to chase a tornado?

A: We driven from Denver, Colorado to Manitoba, Canada, Indiana, Montana, Rio Grande in Texas (about 30 miles from the Mexican border), so you might say that we have traveled from border to border

Feb 16, 2009

Q: What do you bring with you when chasing tornadoes?

A: Being that we are on a scientific mission, we carry about 8-10 probes, along with other weather instruments, cameras, laptops, GPS navigation, cellular telephone, ham radio equipment (I'm a ham radio operator), first aid kit--in case we come across tornado victims (most of our crew is first aid trained), tools, winches, saws...well...the whole garage.

Feb 16, 2009

Q: Storm chasing is a very dangerous profession, what precautions do you take to make sure you stay safe?

A: Chasing is a dangerous profession, but it's not what you think. Its not the tornado we really worry about its all the driving we do! Our team racks up over 35,000 miles of driving in just two months! It is all the time on the road and our increased exposure to possible traffic hazards such as hydroplaning, driving while tired, and unavoidable traffic situations like people driving the wrong way down the interstate, folks running stop signs, etc...

Feb 16, 2009

Q: What is one thing people may not know about chasing tornadoes?

A: Chasing tornadoes can be extremely boring most of the time. It takes quite a bit of driving to see tornadoes, and most of the time when our expectations are high, we don't see tornadoes. Sometimes we don't even see thunderstorms. We really know very little about forecasting tornadoes, but we know some general guidelines - and that's it. Storm chasing is all about patience and tolerance - and you hope that your chase partner bathed the night before.

Feb 16, 2009

Q: Any advice for people reading this who think they may want to try and chase a tornado?

A: Anyone interested in chasing storms should attend a storm spotter class given by The National Weather Service. After that, it is strongly encouraged to travel with an experience spotter or chaser to help 'show the ropes'. Other choices are the storm chasing tours that are available. Yes, they are expensive, but your chances are much higher that you will see a tornado if you travel with them as opposed to going out by yourselves. Also, most tours will teach you how to chase so that you may attempt to give it a try the following year.

Feb 16, 2009