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Chasing the Storm: Tornadoes, Meteorology, and Weather Watching
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About Chasing The Storm: Tornadoes, Meteorology, And
Product Description 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! From School Library Journal Gr 4–7—The opening chapter of this book covers a day in the life of storm chaser, which is by turns exciting, frustrating, and scary. Subsequent chapters explore related topics: the makings of a tornado, reasons for recent extreme weather, meteorology, agencies that watch weather, and careers in the field. It turns out that storm chasing is not as glamorous or as lucrative as television would have viewers believe, but it is still a viable hobby or potential career for extreme weather fans. A few experiments (water vapor and greenhouse effect) and instructions for building a weather station with household objects are included. Color photographs of storm chasers at work, lightning bolts, dust devils, and the aftermath of recent storms help to create an attractive package. Unfortunately, some awkwardly worded sentences, missing words, and repetition of information make for a confusing read at times. The storm-chaser angle is an interesting way to introduce weather, but the problems mentioned above lessen its value; purchase where more on the topic is needed.—Heather Acerro, Rochester Public Library, MN From Booklist Since 2011, devastating killer tornadoes across the central swath of the U.S. 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 he 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. Grades 5-8. --J. B. Petty Review "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
