Stormchasing
Storm-Chasing: Myth vs. Reality
In 1996, the movie "Twister" mingled the use of reality-based meteorological concepts and mobile instrument platforms with fictitious universities, flawed methodology and levitating livestock. The result was the creation of a generation of convective crusaders that pilgrimage to Oklahoma every spring. While the movie created a freight train sounding roar of students wanting to be meteorologists, it unfortunately placed the importance of calculus and physics on the cutting room floor.
Since "Twister," storm-chasing has been subsequently glamorized by a multitude of cable television channels and news outlets, repeated documentaries, and a cottage storm-chase tour industry. While it is important to safely experience the amazing dynamical properties that the atmosphere has to offer, it is the purpose of our discipline to advance the understanding of these same properties.
If you are considering meteorology as a profession, and storm-chasing as a vocation, I invite you to watch steam rise from a boiling pot of water. Then, think about how you would construct differential equations to describe that motion. Sit in your backyard and gaze skyward to witness the complexity of even a single, small cumulus cloud. Then, use physical principles to describe what you see. What are differential equations and physical principles? A four-year curriculum in applied calculus and physics awaits those of you with the drive and aptitude to seek the answer to that question!
The students and researchers at the University of Oklahoma who study storms are some of the top scientists in our profession. Storm intercept work is not the 'fly by the seat of your pants, stop for a lemonade, always wind up in the right place' activity created by Hollywood scriptwriters. Storm-chasing requires a difficult calculus and physics-based course sequence, challenging instrumentation classes, and in most cases, an advanced degree (master's and doctorate).
We look forward to visiting with you about your goals, advising you about the courses you should take in high school to best prepare for our curriculum, and answer any questions you have about any facet of our fascinating field.
