Ever had a day that went completely off-script thanks to unexpected weather? From unplanned downpours to violent wind gusts, weather has the ability to rewrite our plans. While some might not factor the weather forecast into their day, those living in tornado alley between the months of April and June are much more likely to be paying very close attention.
In Martin Lisius’s fascinating documentary featurette, The Chasers of Tornado Alley: Touching the Sky, it is made clear that tornadoes can form at any time and at any place. The film begins with the origin of these storms in the United States and how the Gulf of Mexico fuels tornado alley.
“I chase storms, basically, because I love storms,” says chaser Chuck Doswell. As a kid, when all of his friends were running indoors for shelter, he would run outside for the storm. “I chase because I have to chase.”
Despite their destructive nature, Tornado Forensics Scientist Tim Marshall enjoys chasing storms because he wants to see “mother nature at its best.” The storms captured on camera are absolutely breathtaking. It’s fascinating to see how something so devastatingly destructive can be so remarkably beautiful to watch from afar. A sequence of lightning storms presented in timelapse are a visual marvel. There is no doubt this is a documentary made for a big screen.
The film features interviews with a wide variety of experienced chasers, meteorologists, climatologists and other scientists. This provides a great wealth of experience and knowledge for viewers to absorb.
Something the documentary highlights quite well is the importance of storm spotters on the front line communicating current ground conditions to the National Weather Service. These spotters are trained volunteers who provide essential insight on what is actually happening. This information is crucial for scientists who are tracking the storm from a weather station using state of the art meteorological instruments.
Through the admiration of these powerful storms, the film should be a great educational tool to recruit future storm spotters. Even those that find chasing tornados thrilling, have great respect for mother nature and recognize the importance of tornado safety.
“Even an ordinary, seemingly harmless, object can be lethal in a tornado,” Marshall says. Experiments are conducted showing the damage small objects can cause when traveling at such a high speed by tornado winds. The film reminds us that in the event of a violent storm, you want to be away from any windows and below ground, if possible, or in the smallest room on the lowest level with as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
While Lisius’s documentary digs deep into the science behind these storms, it does so in a way that anyone can understand. The Chasers of Tornado Alley will leave you with a greater understanding and appreciation of tornadoes – and mother nature in general.
To learn more about the film, visit realstormchasers.com.
This film was available to stream for Members Only from September 1-30, 2024.