Tornado Trackers

After a long break, the Tornado Trackers Podcast is back with a new episode detailing the reasons for the long break along with a behind-the-scenes look at two epic storm chasing days from this spring. Jeff and Gabe share stories from the busy start to the 2022 Central Texas tornado season and what went into tracking two tornadoes that occurred too close to home: the March 21st Round Rock - Granger EF2 and the April 12th Salado EF3.

The long-track Round Rock - Granger tornado was a pivotal moment for the team as Jeff and Gabe were able to, for the first time, live stream a close range intercept on the local news, giving residents real-time visuals of the rare, large tornado that remained on the ground for over 35 miles.

Just two weeks later, Jeff was again able to live stream a tornado in progress as he watched the Salado tornado develop and grow into a monster high-end EF3.

4K Granger tornado: https://youtu.be/hguqWlHwMng
Aaron Jayjack 360 video: https://youtu.be/oXlrxL1MBD8
KXAN Round Rock Coverage: https://youtu.be/Fsllm2aEMiY
Photojournalist Jordan Vonderhaar: https://bit.ly/36TVuzK
KXAN Salado Coverage: https://youtu.be/z7q2P4lYsqY

Tornado Trackers Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Intro/Outro Music:  NEW HORIZONS - Lesion X 

Cue the sad trumpet. In this episode of the Tornado Trackers Podcast, the team shares a few examples of when  storm chases did not go according to plan.  From struggling  to even get out the door, to unexpectedly ending up under water, to an ill-timed stomach bug - these are the stories of chases gone bad.

Editor's Note: In this episode we mentioned that there were no High Risk days this year. In fact, there were two: March 17, 25. We were thinking of 2020 where there were no High Risk days issued by the Storm Prediction Center. But 2021 feels like an extension of 2020, so there's that.

Gabe's Hurricane Zeta Splashdown GIF

Jeremy's Podcast Recording Setup

Tornado Trackers Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Intro/Outro Music:  NEW HORIZONS - Lesion X 

On this episode of the Tornado Trackers Podcast, Gabe shares the story behind one of his wildest solo chases ever.  After a day of emotional ups and downs, Gabe finds himself within 50 yards of a multivortex tornado as it begins to move into the town of Selden, KS during the 2021 chase season. The team discusses the importance of having outside perspective during stressful moments, and of persistence when motivation is low. 

Selden, KS Tornado (Extended Cut): https://youtu.be/qkpcCaRX_fI

Tornado Trackers Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Intro/Outro Music:  NEW HORIZONS - Lesion X 

In this episode of the Tornado Trackers Podcast, legendary storm chaser Tim Marshall sits down with the team to share about his expansive career in storm chasing and damage assessment that included crossing paths with Dr. Ted Fujita, the creator of the original Fujita Scale. Tim provides amazing stories of chasing tornadoes, including almost being overrun by the Sulphur, OK wedge tornado in 2016.  He also discusses details of the new and improved tornado damage scale that is currently in the works, and how new technology will be taken into consideration during the next generation rating system.

Tim Marshall Facebook | Twitter

Sulphur, OK pod deployment (video by Scott Peake): https://youtu.be/NFJsx2c6C-8
Tornado Video Classics III - Eldorado, KS Outbreak: https://youtu.be/2CRqvanNHnY?t=6068

Special thanks to Scott Peake @ScottPeakeWX for the use of his chase audio in this episode. And for our promo image of Tim Marshall deploying a pod in front of the Sulphur, OK wedge tornado.

Intro/Outro Music:  NEW HORIZONS - Lesion X 

In this episode, the team discusses one of their wildest hurricane intercepts ever: the historic Category 5 Hurricane Michael. The storm, which made landfall in Panama City, FL with 160mph winds, intensified at a frightening speed, catching forecasters and residents off guard.  Jeff and Gabe share what it was like to witness one of the strongest hurricanes to ever hit the United States as it ripped buildings apart directly in front of them, and how the full extent of the catastrophe only truly became clear when they drove into the worst part of the damage path. We'll also hear from special guest Matt Greene, a resident of Panama City Beach. Matt details the events from the vantage point of a local and how, through the chaos and heartbreak of the aftermath, he saw his community set aside differences to rally together.

Extreme 4K Footage of Hurricane Michael: https://youtu.be/wSXvcveNSTQ
Category 5 Hurricane Michael (Extended Cut): https://youtu.be/y4N83C-aHxI

Tornado Trackers Twitter | Instagram | YouTube 

Intro/Outro Music:  NEW HORIZONS - Lesion X 

Meteorologist, storm chaser and photographer Jessica Moore shares about her journey into storm chasing, photography and the world of NFT's.  Jessica also discusses the debilitating health issues that have plagued her since 2020.  After receiving a heartbreaking diagnosis earlier this year, she was faced with a choice: give up or go all in.  Hear her incredibly inspirational story and how her perspective on storm chasing has dramatically changed. 

Jessica is also an NFT ambassador and is a well-known advocate for storm chasers selling photos on the blockchain. She details how NFT's have given her new freedom to chase after her dream career of being a storm photographer.

Jessica Moore: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
jessicamphotographer.com
foundation.app/@dopplerjess

Intro/Outro Music:  NEW HORIZONS - Lesion X 

In the premiere episode of the Tornado Trackers Podcast Season 2, the team discusses one of the highlights of the 2021 tornado season. During one of the few chases Jeff was able to join Gabe on, the two drove to north Texas with low expectations on a day that was only slightly conducive for tornadoes. After an encounter with a majestic wild animal, they jokingly determined the day would be a success. But as the afternoon evolved, the two storm chasers realized they were in prime position for a localized tornado outbreak.

Lockett, Texas Tornadoes - Extended Cut: https://youtu.be/595nHQRh5BE

Intro/Outro Music:  NEW HORIZONS - Lesion X 

In the Season Finale of the Tornado Trackers premiere podcast season, the team looks back on the highlights and lowlights of the 2021 Tornado Season and discuss what diving in to the podcast world has meant to them.

• Happy, TX Tornado (Max Olson's intercept): https://youtu.be/BjR7uw7XYW8
• Abernathy, TX tornadoes (Gabe's first chase): https://youtu.be/5v5rkYigOvk
• Lockett, TX tornadoes (Jeff's first chase): https://youtu.be/SWwCxEzNyps
• Selden, KS Close Range Intercept: https://youtu.be/ADLYUhScSP8

Intro/Outro Music:  NEW HORIZONS - Lesion X 

On this episode of the Tornado Trackers Podcast, Aerospace Engineer Nick Underwood joins us to talk about the role of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Hunters. Equipped with instrumentation, these aircraft and crew members fly into hurricanes to gather data used in life-saving forecasts issued by the National Hurricane Center. Nick discusses his particular role aboard the P-3 Orions, his journey to joining the  Hurricane Hunters team, what it's like to fly through a Category 5 hurricane, and his ultimate dream of one day becoming an astronaut.

Nick Underwood Twitter | Instagram
National Hurricane Center: www.nhc.noaa.gov
NOAA: www.noaa.gov

Intro/Outro Music:  NEW HORIZONS - Lesion X 

The Tornado Trackers team dives into their first hurricane podcast episode as they break down the story behind being trapped outside in the eyewall of Hurricane Delta. The Category 2 storm made landfall in Southern Louisiana during the hyperactive, record-breaking 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Through excessive use of the word "unnerving", Jeff and Gabe describe how a flat tire forced them to hide behind buildings in downtown Gueydan, LA for two hours while pieces of the town flew by.

Trapped by Hurricane Delta - A Storm Chasing Documentary (16:01)
https://youtu.be/XtmT_xKMQKg

Extreme Hurricane Delta Footage - 4K UHD (4:35)
https://youtu.be/HlMvhAVGT-E

Intro/Outro Music:  NEW HORIZONS - Lesion X