By Tom Dare
AN INTREPID storm chaser has captured incredible footage from the eye of America’s most fearsome storms after spending a month in the country’s notorious Tornado Alley.
Lightning bolts streak across the sky and golf ball-sized hailstones crash down to earth in extraordinary video captured by Slovenian storm chaser Marko Korosec (36), who followed the natural phenomenon across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado and Montana.
Marko, who is currently studying meteorology, says his main reason for getting up close and personal with the storms is to further his education.
“I am a storm chaser, so I study meteorology and forecast severe weather and then chase it on the field to see the results and verification of my forecast, capturing natural beauties that can be created by unstable and windy weather,” he said.
“I always try to understand how storms and other extreme weather events behave, why some storms develop tornadoes and why some don’t.
“So, I want to observe these events outside as much as I can and understand every part of it.”
Tornado Alley is considered to start in central Texas, before heading north through Oklahoma, central Kansas, Nebraska and eastern South Dakota. It can also sometimes include parts of Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.
Despite covering around 15 per cent of the United States’ landmass, up to 30 per cent of tornadoes a year occur in the area.
Marko has been chasing storms for over 16 years and admits that he takes risks whenever he steps out into the field to document the storms. He urges caution for anyone considering a similar career.
“There is often extreme wind around these storms, very large destructive hail and dangerous lightning, so I have to be very careful I don’t get caught in the cores of these storms and put us in danger,” he added.
“I am usually always a step ahead of the potential danger though, to avoid any unnecessary risks.
“Nature is beautiful and extremely photogenic when you find yourself in the best spot to observe these storms.
“Go out and enjoy and understand it, but do it in a safe way as storms can be very dangerous events.
“Respect nature, its power and the majestic behaviours. Be patient and focused, as storms can quickly become dangerous, and be prepared and stay safe for every second you observe them.”
