In Alberta, there is a group of storm enthusiasts who defy conventional wisdom by seeking out rather than avoiding storms forecasted by Environment Canada. Matt Melnyk, an airline pilot, developed a deep fascination with clouds due to his profession, regularly encountering them while flying. He finds the diversity and complexity of clouds during thunderstorms, such as wall clouds, shelf clouds, and cumulonimbus clouds, endlessly captivating.
Melnyk has been actively storm chasing for over 15 years as a member of Team Dominator Canada, a Canadian counterpart to professional storm chasers in the U.S. Another team member, Mark Simpson, focuses on collecting scientific data to enhance tornado response times. Simpson, who discovered his passion nearly 30 years ago, uses his expertise in electronics to create sensors launched into tornadoes for data collection.
During the summer months, Simpson maintains a busy schedule, spending approximately four days chasing storms and three days analyzing the gathered data. Although their work operates outside traditional academic circles, the team’s scientific pursuits are cutting-edge and aim to enhance public safety by providing crucial storm tracking information to the community. A typical storm chase can attract 30 to 40 enthusiasts, each aiming to capture unique moments and images of nature’s power and beauty.
For Melnyk, storm chasing provides an opportunity to capture awe-inspiring moments and unique photographs, like his first lightning shot that sparked his passion for this thrilling pursuit. The team’s efforts, although unconventional, are driven by a commitment to advancing scientific understanding and promoting public safety in the face of severe weather conditions.
