Chasing the Storm: Tornadoes, Meteorology, and Weather Watching

Huge, towering clouds build up in the sky—it's a super cell. The Doppler radar indicates that the system is rotating. But is there a funnel? Is it touching the ground? Only a storm chaser can confirm when a tornado is present—and help meteorologists warn nearby towns. Whenever severe weather threatens, storm chasers hit the road to hunt for tornadoes, hurricanes, or violent storms. Some drive thousands of miles in just a few days as they follow a storm system from Iowa to Texas. Others serve their cities and towns by taking photos from their backyards and phoning in storm details to local weather stations. Specially trained Hurricane Hunters hop into aircraft packed with scientific instruments to fly deep into powerful hurricanes, hoping to reach the eye of the storm. Are storm chasers a bunch of foolish daredevils? Not at all. Many are scientists while others are professional photographers and videographers. Storm chasers arm themselves with training about severe weather, use sophisticated instruments, and follow safety guidelines. In Chasing the Storm, you'll meet real storm chasers and meteorologists, hear their stories, and discover how they do their work. You'll learn tornado basics, get a great window into the science of meteorology, and learn how to pursue a career in the field. You might even decide to become a storm chaser yourself!

About the Author :
Ron Miller has worked as a freelance writer and illustrator for more than 30 years. Many of his illustrations appear in magazines like Astronomy and Scientific American. He has also worked on motion pictures and created postage stamps. (One of his stamps is attached to a spacecraft headed for the planet Pluto!) He has also written short stories and novels and has even created a comic book.

Review :
"This pleasing book on storm chasers is packed with information. Supported by colorful visuals and succinct explanations, the book takes a multimedia approach to presenting the phenomena of storms and the people who chase them. Hurricanes, tornadoes, and weather in general, are some of the topics covered, as well as tips on meteorology as a career. Included is a hands-on experience to build a weather station. The reading level is rigorous but not inaccessible to struggling readers, as comprehension is aided by the graphs and illustrations. This book is valuable for libraries looking for engaging nonfiction to address Common Core; it would be a good addition for the science classroom for science projects. While not a comprehensive study of weather, it is a good introduction with a high interest approach." —Library Media Connection "Since 2011, devastating killer tornadoes across the central swath of the United States have almost become commonplace. Following the rare 2011 EF5-level tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri, another EF5 struck Moore, Oklahoma, in 2012. Only one month later, in the same state, three trained storm chasers were killed in a tornado. Although curiosity seekers still chase storms, trained storm chasing is now a recognized segment of science, albeit a dangerous one. With the advent of newer meteorological equipment and techniques, earlier warning systems are in place, alerting more people more quickly and saving untold lives. Miller cites global warming and increased carbon dioxide levels as major contributors to extreme weather, and outlines the role of meteorologists and the role meteorology plays in storm prediction. Accessible text, engaging diagrams, and dynamic photographs make this a surefire hit for budding scientists and their teachers. Back matter includes instructions for creating a weather station and what’s needed for a weather emergency kit." —Booklist "Recognizing the appeal but emphasizing the difficulties, a veteran science writer offers a window into the world of scientists and lay enthusiasts who follow violent storms, particularly tornadoes. Introducing his subject with a look at a day in the life of a storm chaser, Miller goes on to explore it in greater depth in an accessible, informative narrative. He explains how tornadoes are formed, discusses climate change and its probable connection to the increase in extreme weather events, describes the work of meteorologists and others who watch the weather (either officially or as part of the National Weather Service's volunteer corps of recorders and spotters), and concludes by suggesting ways readers can prepare to become storm chasers themselves. He includes instructions for assembling a weather emergency kit and constructing homemade weather-watching instruments; the excellent suggestions for further reading and Internet research will be particularly useful for students. All this is packaged in a slim, attractively designed package in which the text is broken up by sidebars providing definitions, explanations and short bios as well as photographs and colorful diagrams. Pair with Joseph B. Treaster's Hurricane Force (2007) or other titles about hurricane hunters for a broader vision of storm study in this country. A serious look at a dangerous pursuit." —Kirkus Reviews 5Q 4P M "A fascinating composite of text, photos, charts, and maps, Miller's book achieves two objectives—explaining weather extremes and enticing youths to investigate meteorology and consider it as a career. Without overwhelming the reader with scientific notation, the work examines contributing factors, particularly global warming and weather control. Descriptions model energetic composition featuring precise active verbs and straightforward observation, both useful to students learning to write nonfiction. "The book contains two serious flaws. White ink on nonwhite pages challenges poor readers, the visually impaired, and ESL students. More distressing, the downplay of female role models implies that meteorology is primarily men's work. To Miller's credit, his sidebar on safety emphasizes ways of storm-proofing a home and preventing disaster. Strong warnings about storm chasing inform readers that field research is the job of professionals. For the teacher or homeschooler, weather projects involve readers in safe science experiments requiring minimal equipment. A glossary clarifies essential terms, such as humidity and greenhouse effect." —starred, VOYA