Storm Warning
As we move into Storm Season, and Councils and insurers remind us to batten down the hatches, dotted over Brisbane and all around the world, is a collective of people hoping for the best, (storm that is!)
'Australia is in the top five tornado-producing countries in the world.'
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We've all marveled at the crazies chasing the storms and odd flying cow in the movie, Twister. But Anthony Cornelius, a meteorologist with Weatherwatch and member of the Brisbane Storm Chasers (BSCH) and the Australian Severe Weather Association is adamant that this is far from reality.
'Storm chasers do think storms are great, but as wonderful as they are, they're not worth your life.'
Anthony and his storm chasing colleagues are part of a small but growing fraternity seeking out severe weather, in his case to collect data, take photos and for the sheer fascination of their power. 
'Everybody has an interest - whether that's golf, fishing, walking or storms.' Their bond is their passion for the spectacle associated with severe weather. 'It's not a big group, so we all know each other and we're a pretty friendly bunch.'
Their shared interest takes them around the country and around the globe, with the US considered the epicentre of the perfect storm. 'I know plenty of people who travel to the US chasing storms, but I haven't had the time to go there yet,' says Anthony, explaining that the central belt of America boasts the most powerful supercells and tornadoes.
'But few people realize that Australia is in the top five tornado-producing countries in the world. We do quite well. In summer we have extreme activity in south-east Queensland and north-eastern NSW, then in winter there are tornadoes in south-western WA, western Tasmania and part of the Victorian coast from the strong cold fronts.'
Growing up at Camira, just outside Ipswich, Anthony experienced his fair share of storms and decided to pursue his hobby into his profession. Like the Bureau of Meteorology, Weatherwatch provides forecasts and data for companies needing up to the minute information about climate and conditions.
As Anthony explains: 'We tend to have more time and resources to provide more detail to clients than BOM. We can take forecasts and convert them into layman's terms for the media, movie and ad makers, energy companies, farmers and factories - anybody who needs to know what the weather will be like.'
But what about the danger? 'Any storm is dangerous,' admits Anthony, quick to acknowledge his own close calls with lightning, slippery conditions and the occasional branch through his windscreen. 
'Mostly it's because of the distance we drive to witness a storm in extreme conditions. Wind, trees, hail, wet roads and lightning are all big risks. But ironically, with severe storms, lightning is more predictable. It's the weaker storms that catch you out, with sporadic lightning.'
It's not all fascination, photos and fun. Along with dramatic pictures, Anthony and his peers capture valuable data for BOM. 'We're often the first there and the first to know, so we relay information to the Bureau for their warnings, database and contribute to their predictions.'
Storm chasing may be an acquired interest, but for those of us for whom wild weather is frightening, rather than compelling, Anthony says we can learn to manage our fears and begin to appreciate storms.
'We should all be thankful for the rainfall and the cool relief that come from storms. There's also the beauty of lightning - the night sky lit up in all kinds of luminous colours - which most people are really amazed by when they see our photographs.'
More at www.bom.gov.auand for incredible pictures, visit www.downunderchase.com
by Jeni Bone 
Click on thumbnails to enlarge and find more photos:
Cottesloe, WA
