Chasing Tornadoes in Saskatchewan

Last week, I had two opportunities to go storm chasing in Saskatchewan, Canada (my home stomping ground). This is something I have been interested in doing for a while, but not something I would do on my own as that just seems ridiculous to go after tornadoes without someone who knows what they are doing.

Through the world of Facebook, I saw that a friend of a friend (who I also knew, but now very well) was a storm chaser. I randomly bumped into him and asked if I could tag along sometime. He said he would let me know when conditions were right and a few weeks later I was riding shotgun (well, mostly in the back seat) with Nick Schenher and photographer Chris Graham.

Quick transferable take home message for people wanting to get experience through volunteering. If you are interested in doing something, it never hurts to ask someone in the business if there is a way you can get involved.

I digress; we ended up going out two days. The first was pretty uneventful. Apparently, the conditions were right but nothing developed, at least in terms of tornadoes. We did, however, get an incredible northern lights show on the way home (see photos below).

The second day we hit the storm chasing jackpot. Veteran storm chaser Greg Johnson (also known as the Tornado Hunter) said, “I have had many storm chasing adventures in Saskatchewan over the past 10 years and Wednesday, July 18, 2012 will go down as one of the finest!”. Lucky for us! Not only was the sky fantastic, Nick’s positioning throughout the day was impeccable. We watched a storm form, roll by, and develop three tornadoes over a few hour period. We did this all from safe and remarkably dry spots, which seems to be the mark of success for a storm spotter.

I’ve been diving and snorkelling a number of times attempting to see whale sharks. But, unfortunately, they have managed to elude me. So, to stumble into these conditions and see three tornadoes on my second time out chasing, I realize I was very fortunate.

It truly is amazing to watch the activity and colour in the sky while the storm develops. The environment changes so quickly including the sky, the wind, the temperature and the precipitation (rain and hail). It is a bit of a surreal experience. In terms of straight viewing pleasure, it is up there with some of the most fascinating and remarkable things that I have been fortunate to witness around the world.

I highly recommend going storm chasing if you ever have the opportunity. There are tours in the US and some veteran storm chasers will also take you out for a fee.

I don’t really feel I should need to say this, but don’t go storm chasing without someone who knows what they are doing. Tornadoes mean serious business and they don’t mess around.

You can watch live streaming of storm chases from the comfort of your own home (or wherever you have the interweb) with both Nich Schenher and Greg Johnson on

Happy chasing and stay safe!

Thanks to Chris for the photos! I snapped the others with my phone. Also, check out Chris’s work.

I shot these videos of one of the tornadoes. Not fantastic, but still pretty slick: