The Great Storm Chase

Meet the Chasers

I had just woken up to the sound of my alarm clock. I quickly got out of bed and threw on some clothes hastily. I didn't really care what I looked like since today was the first chase day I was going on this spring. There is a relatively small time period in which tornados have the highest potential of forming and this week is looking to be a great one. I glanced at my watch to discover that the team was late . . . again. Tardiness seems to be a common problem among our group, but that is mostly because the others in our group are college kids who ditch school to chase with me. I can't blame them for wanting to party the night before an early morning. They just have to live with those consequences.

The group consists of me, Jane Westly, I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a meteorology degree. I easily got bored with school so I doubled up on classes and managed to graduate in three years. That is why most of my friends are still in school while I sit around my house reading computer models and waiting for the perfect mix of elements to come together so that I can capture and chase one awe-inspiring tornado. The rest of my group go to the University of Kansas. I moved to Kansas after I finished school in order to be close to prime chasing territory. The other people in the group are James Collins (An aspiring weather photographer), Presely Tito (A tornado videographer), and Shannon Adams (our appointed driver. She is also the best under pressure). Whenever we chase, we all pack into one vehicle and all agree to put personal matters in the backseat while we are chasing. But, usually a fight breaks out about something (more on that later).

 One of the best sections to chase tornados in is an area through Central United States called Tornado Alley. It streches from Nebraska to parts of Texas and includes Kansas, Oklahoma, parts of Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. Even though it is a vast area, predicting where the tornados will be is essential. Get it wrong and you will probably waste a whole day chasing the wrong storm. And nothing is more disappointing than hearing about all of the things you missed. That is why I have dedicated my life to predicting and chasing. 

I couldn't hold a normal day job and be able to chase. Luckily I was able to get a part time job working for my local news station, helping read weather models. It doesn't pay extremely well, but its something. 

I finished my breakfast right as there was a knock on the door. They go here finally, I thought to myself.

A/N: How was that for a first chapter? Let me know, I am open to any and all feedback and tips. And, thanks for reading.