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Storm chasing is broadly defined as the intentional pursuit of a thunderstorm, regardless of motive. A person who storm chases is known as a storm chaser, or simply a chaser. While witnessing a tornado is the biggest objective for a chaser, many delight in seeing cumulonimbus structure, watching a barrage of hail, and seeing what skyscapes unfold.

Storm chasing is almost always a recreational endeavor, with motives usually given toward photographing the storm for personal reasons. Though scientific work is sometimes cited as a goal, such work is almost always impractical except for those participating in a university or government project. Storm chasers are not paid to chase, with the exception of television media crew in certain television markets, and a handful of graduate meteorologists and professors. A few entrepreneurs, however, manage to sell storm video and pictures or operate "chase tour" services.

The very first storm chaser is generally agreed to be Roger Jensen ( 1933– 2001), a Fargo, North Dakota native who pursued western Minnesota storms from Lake Park around 1951. David Hoadley ( 1938– ) began chasing North Dakota storms in 1956, systematically using data from area weather offices. Bringing research chasing to the forefront was Neil Ward ( 1913– 1972) who in the 1950sCenturies: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s Years: 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 Events and trends Technology United States tests the first fusion bomb. and 1960sCenturies: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Years: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 Events and trends The 1960s was a turbulent decade of change around enlisted the help of OklahomaOklahoma ( In Detail) (Full size) State nickname: Sooner State Other U. States Capital Oklahoma City Largest City Oklahoma City Governor Brad Henry Area Total Land Water % water Ranked 20th 181,196 km² 178,023 km² 3,173 km² 1. 8% Population Total ( 2000) state police to study storms. His work pioneered storm spotting and made institutional chasing a reality.

In 1972 the University of OklahomaThe University of Oklahoma OU is an institution of higher learning located in Norman, Oklahoma. The university was founded in 1890. It currently enrolls almost 29,000 students, has over 1,900 full-time faculty members, and offers 154 baccalaureate program in cooperation with the National Severe Storms Laboratory began the Tornado Intercept Project. This was the first large-scale chase activity sponsored by an institution. It culminated in a brilliant success in 1973Events January events January 1 United Kingdom, Ireland, and Denmark enter the European Economic Community now known as the European Union January 3 Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) sells the New York Yankees for $10 million to a 12-person syndicate led, with the Union City, OklahomaUnion City is a town located in Canadian County, Oklahoma. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,375. Geography Union City is located at 35°24'49" North, 97°54'38" West (35. 413582, -97. According to the United States Census Bureau, tornado providing a foundation for tornado morphology. The project produced the first legion of veteran storm chasers, with Hoadley's Stormtrack magazine bringing the community together in 1977For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). Events January 1 First woman Episcopal priest ordained January 6 EMI sacks the Sex Pistols January 18 Scientists identify a previously unknown bacterium as the cause of the mysterious " legionnaire's disease" Januar. Storm chasing then reached popular culture in three major spurts: in 1978Events January January 1 The Copyright Act of 1976 takes effect, making sweeping changes to United States copyright law. January 1 Air India's Boeing 747 explodes near Bombay 213 dead. January 4 Referendum in Chile supports policies of Augusto Pinochet. with the broadcast of a segment on the television program In Search Of; in 1985 with a documentary on the PBS series Nova; and in May 1995 with the theatrical release of Twister which provided an action-packed but comically distorted glimpse at the hobby.

Storm chasers are most active in May and June across the Great Plains, with perhaps a hundred individuals active on any given day. Some organized chasing efforts have also begun in southeast Australia, with the biggest successes in November and December.