About Jason Smith | Crazy Storm Chasers

Hey, I’m Jason.

Former U.S. Marine. 20+ year IT veteran. Idaho resident. Whiskey drinker, coffee addict, retro gamer, hiker, hot springs enthusiast, and metal detector hobbyist. And above all else — someone who cannot look away when the sky turns green and the sirens start up.

Welcome to Crazy Storm Chasers.

From the Marine Corps to the Weather Map

I served in the United States Marine Corps as a Computer Systems Specialist. The military has a way of exposing you to conditions most people never experience — including some genuinely terrifying weather. Out in the field, when a storm rolls in fast and you have no cover, you develop a deep, instinctive respect for the power of the atmosphere. That respect never left me.

After my time in service, I spent more than two decades in IT, working across network infrastructure, systems administration, and technical support. Long career. Good career. But every spring, when the storm season fired up, I’d find myself watching radar loops until midnight instead of sleeping like a normal person.

“There’s something about a supercell on the horizon — that massive, organized violence of wind and electricity — that just locks you in. I’ve never been able to explain it to people who don’t feel it. But if you’re here reading this, you probably already know exactly what I mean.”

A Lifelong Fascination with Severe Weather

My obsession with severe weather started long before I could put a name to what I was watching. Growing up, I was captivated by the way massive storm systems would build and move with terrifying purpose. I watched every weather special I could find. I read whatever I could get my hands on about tornadoes, supercells, and atmospheric science.

The military deepened that fascination. There’s a difference between watching a storm on television and being out in one with no ability to simply change the channel. That experience wires your brain differently. You start paying attention to wind shifts, cloud formations, pressure changes — things most people tune out entirely.

After I left the Corps and built my career in IT, that fascination kept growing. Storm chasing culture — the chasers, the science, the community, the vehicles, the near-misses — became something I was genuinely passionate about. Not just weather. The whole world of people who actively pursue it.

Why I Built This Site

I’m going to be straight with you: I’m not a professional storm chaser. I don’t have a meteorology degree. I’m not Reed Timmer or Tim Samaras. I’m a deeply passionate enthusiast who has spent years studying the culture, the science, and the craft of storm chasing because it genuinely fascinates me.

After 20 years in IT, I know how to research, how to organize information, and how to explain complex technical things in plain language. So I started writing. Over 1,350 articles and counting, covering everything from basic storm safety to advanced intercept strategies, gear reviews, famous chasers, tornado alley routes, and everything in between.

My goal with Crazy Storm Chasers is simple: make the world of storm chasing accessible, educational, and safe for everyone who’s drawn to it. If you’re a beginner trying to understand what chasers actually do, a weather enthusiast wanting to go deeper on the science, or someone who’s thought about booking a storm chasing tour — this site was built for you.

A Few Things About Me

⚛ Military Background

U.S. Marine Corps Computer Systems Specialist. The Corps taught me discipline, situational awareness, and a healthy respect for things that can kill you.

💻 20+ Years in IT

Network infrastructure, systems administration, and technical support. If something’s broken, I’ll figure it out. Including weather patterns.

🏔 Based in Idaho

Not Tornado Alley, I know. But Idaho has its own severe weather story — and being remote just makes the chase trip planning that much more fun.

🆕 Off the Clock

Whiskey, coffee, retro gaming, hiking, hot springs, and metal detecting. And watching radar loops. Always watching the radar loops during storm season.

What This Site Is (and Isn’t)

Crazy Storm Chasers is an educational enthusiast resource. Everything I write comes from extensive research, deep dives into the storm chasing community, and genuine passion for the subject. But I want to be absolutely clear: this site does not replace professional meteorological advice, official emergency management guidance, or the expertise of trained atmospheric scientists.

Storm chasing is dangerous. Real danger, real consequences. Every article on this site that touches on safety emphasizes this. My job is to educate and inform — your job is to make smart decisions, listen to the professionals, and never put yourself in a situation you’re not prepared to handle.

If you’re reading this for entertainment, for education, or to fuel your own weather obsession — welcome. You’re in the right place. Just remember: always follow official emergency management guidance when severe weather is in your area.

A Note on My Other Work

Storm chasing isn’t the only rabbit hole I’ve gone deep on. Outside of this site I’ve authored 33 metal detecting books and 51 ghost town books — the same research-first, no-fluff approach applied to outdoor exploration and American history. Very different subject matter, same obsessive documentation instinct.

If you’re curious: My Metal Detecting Books → | My Ghost Town Books →
Full author profile: amazon.com/author/smittysahn

Affiliate Disclosure

Crazy Storm Chasers participates in affiliate programs including Amazon Associates. This means that some links on this site may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. This helps keep the site running and the guides free. I only recommend products I’ve researched thoroughly and believe are worth your attention — my goal is to earn your trust, not a quick click.