Chaser For Life

Zach Roberts

Email- [email protected]

Mr Twister

Storm chasing casually for 15 years.

Seriously for 3 years.

Over 100k miles traveled chasing storms.

Storm chaser for KDRO Channel 13 in Colorado Springs

Chased storms in Canada, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, South Dakota and North Dakota.

Where does this love for weather come from?

   All I can say is that I was born with it. I have had my head in the clouds ever since I can remember. My love for weather grows by the day and it seems to have no limit. When I was a kid I used to sit on my roof and wait for storms. When I meet someone with the same love for weather I can see it in their eyes. I truly feel that I was born with it.

What is the most dangerous situation you have been in?

   The most dangerous situation was hands down when a tornado was bearing down on me and my wife this June in Canada. The storm season this year was not very active in the United States, as sometimes happens. This required a LOT more driving and dedication to find tornadoes. In late June a storm system was bearing down on the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. So, me and my wife packed our bags and headed for Canada. 48 hour round trip with almost no sleep (story for another time). We found our storm South West of Regina and I knew right away that we were in for a treat. Almost immediately the storm produced a tornado. We were in great position, until the storm began to pick up speed. Road networks are one of the biggest obstacles for storm chasers and this particular area was BAD! The tornado was moving directly at us and I knew we had to move. As we were fleeing the roads turned to dirt (not good) and then appeared to dead end. I told my wife to start looking for a ditch. The tornado was about 100 yards behind as and all of a sudden a left turn opened up. I turned Left and we literally escaped the tornado by seconds. I got some incredible photos and this was my most intense chase to date.

What do your wife/friends/family think about you doing this?

  That is a great question. Everyone is very supportive of my chasing and they understand that this is a passion and you can’t stop passion.  With that being said, it is not all roses. My wife worries the most. She gets very concerned about my safety. Not from the weather, but from other drivers. She also has a hard time with the hours that it takes away from the family. She is also the most supportive of my chasing and I am so grateful to have her. My kids miss me while I am gone. I try very hard to limit my chasing to only high quality chases. This is hard to do as the weather is not guaranteed. Regardless, I would never choose storm chasing over my family. Of course my friends are not worried about my safety and would like to go with me.

How does one get into storm chasing?

   It all develops from a love for weather. Some meteorologists enjoy discussing weather on the news or on radio. I prefer to be out in it. That is where it is all born. Eventually you will see or hear someone discuss storm chasing. For me, I discovered it at the library. I would read anything and everything to do with weather. This was the first place I learned about storm chasers. Then the movie “Twister” was released and I knew what I had to do. The best way to become a storm chaser is by learning from a veteran. Of course, I did not follow my own advice. I started by chasing on my own (not advised).  From there I met other storm chasers and to this day learn something new by watching chasers that have been doing this a long time. At this point I have been doing it long enough to be considered a “veteran”..whatever that means in the storm chasing world.

When/where was your first chase?

   This is a tough one. Only because it depends on what you consider a chase. I have been out watching the weather since I can remember. Around eight years old I would keep track of humidity, barometric pressure, temperature and how warm and cold fronts would affect these measurements in and around my neighborhood. The first time I actually got in a vehicle and followed a storm would have been age 16. My money was limited at this point, so my chases were not anything to write home about.  Things really got serious after I graduated college. I lost interest in weather during college (more interested in beer and girls). This was the point where I actually started generating my own forecasts and driving long distances. So, as you can see, it is hard to really say when my first chase was. My final answer would be age 21 on the Eastern plains of Colorado.

How did it come about?

   My first chase was a culmination of reading and watching everything I could on the subject. After college my passion had grown to the point that I was willing to spend money on storm chasing and the feeling that I could do it on my own. I did not really even understand where it would take me, but I had a feeling I needed to do it. So I headed out on the road.

What do your day job clients think of this/ and do they even know?

   This is another great question. Some of my clients know and some of them do not know. The ones that know are mostly on Facebook or Twitter and have really taken a liking to my hobby. My job as a financial adviser has been a real blessing to my storm chasing. It is very difficult for someone with a 9-5 job to storm chase. Most chases are targeting within 48 hours of leaving. Being my own boss allows me to come and go as I please (also a bad thing). This has allowed me the flexibility to target a chase two days out and leave as needed. Some of my clients absolutely love my storm chasing and photography. I provide calendars to all of my clients as a gift and some have requested to go along on a chase. There are also a few clients who look at me cross eyed. Why would anyone drive 1600 miles to see black clouds? Some clients have been concerned with my survival (real sensitive). Overall, my clients love it. I actually continue to work while chasing. I will answer phone calls and stop at a Kinko’s if need be. A lot of my storm chasing is done on the weekends and I will drive back to work before anyone knew I was gone. Storm chasing is the best icebreaker when in a business meeting, and I as you can see..I love talking about it.

What lessons have you learned from storm chasing that bring you back to other aspects of your life?

   Wow, I have learned so many things that translate to other aspects of life. The number one thing is patience. In general, I am a very driven and go go person. I want things done now and I want them done my way. One thing you can’t control is the weather. New storm chasers don’t understand the amount of times you will drive 800 miles and nothing happens and the patience it takes to get back out and do it again. You have to be very patient and determined and Mother Nature will reward you. I feel that this can be applied to any thing in life. Patience is needed with your career, your kids, and your marriage. Storm chasing has helped me to take a step back and breath. I have learned to enjoy the beauty of nature when there are no storms. I have seen places and things that most people never see or drive right by. If all I was looking for was a tornado, I would have missed some amazing photographs. I used to find joy in drinking a LOT of alcohol, smoking a little weed and getting in trouble. I don’t need those things anymore, because nothing compares to the beauty of Mother Nature. No drug on the planet will give you the rush a mile wide tornado barreling over the Great Plains can give. I have learned so many things chasing storms and I know that there is more to come.

What kind of people have you taken on your tours?

   I have dabbled in several storm chasing tour ideas. There are big companies that make major money taking 20 at a time out to chase tornadoes. I was never interested in this due to the logistics of it. The majority of my storm chases are by myself or with my wife.  I really need freedom when storm chasing otherwise I will lose all of the benefits I covered in the last question. With that being said, I do offer “Storm chasing ride alongs”. Basically, I will take one or two people in my car with me as more of a ride along as opposed to a tour. I offer a onetime shot to come along and ride shotgun.  The only charge is to pay a portion of the fuel cost. I have taken a lot of people with me in this fashion. I have taken everyone from family members to neighbors to co-workers to clients. This has been very enjoyable for me and for my passenger. It still gives me the freedom to roam but it gives my guest a taste of storm chasing. I don’t see myself ever growing any bigger than this.

Some places you can reference:

Website:  www.weathersnapshot.com

Mr Twister Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FollowMrTwister

Mr Twister Twitter: @mrtwisterchaser