Chasing the Storm: Tornadoes, Meteorology, and Weather Watching Library Binding – January 1, 2014

Grandson says he is reading the book.

My grandson is very interested in this subject and is enjoying this book very much:)

The sky is dark, but the signs of an impending storm are there. Internet sites are abuzz with action, including ones like the Storm Prediction Center in Oklahoma. Tensions are high, but excitement among the storm chasers is higher. There might be a lot of driving and having a “GPS (Global Positioning System) device to keep track of exactly where you are in relation to the storm” is a must have. Perhaps if you are lucky, you’ll spot some of those “towering clouds that indicate the formation of a supercell.” Luck is the word for it because sometimes it takes a hundreds of miles of driving just to spot one.The life of a storm chaser can be an exciting one, but also fraught with danger. It’s a good way to get killed, especially if you don’t know what you are doing, but it can happen even if you do. There may be an element of luck involved, but a good storm chaser knows a lot about the weather. In this book you’ll listen to storm chaser tell their tales, but on May 31, 2013, there were three that never lived to tell theirs. Three storm chasers, Tim Samaras, Paul Samaras, and Carl Young were killed by a powerful tornado in Oklahoma.” They were professional storm chasers, but their luck ran out when the path of a storm suddenly changed.In addition to that GPS, there are many other “tools of the chase.” For example, “most storm chaser travel with tablets and laptop computers, cameras, and instruments for measuring wind speed, temperature, and air pressure.” You’ll find out what other type of things storm chasers need to know, including what makes a good tornado and the signs of one. Not much to know about one you say? There’s actually a lot to learn about tornados, the weather, and the need for storm chasers is critical. According to George Kourounis, “One thing that storm chasers are great for is sending in our storm reports to the authorities.” In this book, just like those storm chasers, you’ll learn all about those tornadoes, meteorology, and weather watching. Do you have what it takes to be a storm chaser?This is an excellent book that will thrill the young wannabe storm chaser or weather aficionado. The thrill and high interest portion of the book, of course, lies in the initial storm chasing section. Subsequent chapters discussing the science behind tornados, weather, the scoop on meteorology, and other ways the average person can “officially” participate as a weather watcher are more science oriented ones. However, the author does emphasize that in-the-know storm chasers need to know the science behind the storm in order to be effective.Young people can potentially participate in such programs as Skywarn or become a Cooperative observer (COOP). In the back of the book is an excellent section on creating a weather station, one on putting together a weather emergency kit, an index, a glossary, source notes, a selected bibliography, and additional recommended book and website resources to explore. There are free complementary educational resources that can be downloaded from the publisher’s website.This book courtesy of the publisher.

This little book had just the right amount of information to pique my girls’ interest. I am currently homeschooling my girls and this year’s science focus is on Meteorology and Climatology.After giving a basic understanding of a chaser’s day and talking about weather patterns, Ron gives a little information on how tornadoes are formed and how climate change is making them more intense.Ron then goes over a few different Meteorological jobs and weather agencies before quoting different Storm Chasers’ experiences. Some of the experiences are pretty intense and exciting.Chasing the Storm ends with instructions on creating a rain gauge, anemometer, wind vane, barometer, and hygrometer with simple things found around the house.Chasing the Storm gives a peek into the world of storm chasing while offering a basic understanding of weather. The writing is simple and the many pictures and illustrations are perfect addition to keep my girls' interested and wanting more.Some things storm chasers do • gather scientific data of weather • help forecasters make “more accurate predictions” • gain deeper understanding of weather behavior • photographing and videotaping weather from the ground and sky • help warn people to save lives

Have you wondered what it would be like to be in the middle of a violent storm? If the thought of this produces an adrenalin rush, then the job of storm chaser might be right up your alley (as in, Tornado Alley). This 64-page book describes what a storm chaser does and sees, and the dangers that the job can bring. The effects of global warming on the environment and in extension, on weather patterns, will have preteens wondering how then can help reduce their own negative impact on the earth. Ever heard of a gustnado? The differences between those whirlwinds, waterspouts, landspouts, and dust devils is explained (although not one of these terms is listed in the glossary, which is where young readers would expect to find them; only waterspouts and landspouts are listed in the index. The book is quite current, with information from the 2013 tornado season. Included are instructions for making a weather station and a list of supplies needed for a severe weather emergency kit. A fine resource for young scientists ages 10-13.

My teen daughter wants to study tornadoes and hurricanes so this book provides a good introduction and at least kept her off her Iphone for a while.