Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Metz
Hi Melanie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Standing in front of a storm is where I truly feel alive. I am energized and renewed. My soul gathers it’s scattered pieces and I find myself again.
Sometimes I wonder where my passion for documenting severe weather comes from. Perhaps it was a past life or perhaps it was my dad. I remember how much I enjoyed watching the intense lightning storms with him during my early childhood years in Arizona, before his accident. But that doesn’t explain my drive to document and understand tornadoes.
Ever since I was about 5 years old, I would have recurring dreams about tornadoes. Dreams in which I was in a strange town, looking for shelter as a tornado was headed my way. I would start to enter the shelter when the tornado would hit. Luckily, I never died in my dreams. Somehow these dreams created a strong desire within to see a tornado in real life. Perhaps it was a way to conquer my fears.
As I grew older, I continued to feel the pull to experience the power and beauty of Tornado Alley weather. When I was a freshman in high school, I moved to Minnesota to live with my Mother. I’ll never forget that first summer, when the sky turned dark with shades of green. The tornado sirens began to blare. I was mesmerized!! All I wanted to do was stand out there and find that elusive tornado. Instead, I ended up in the basement as the storm passed, which was the safest option. I wanted more. At the same time, I thought I was strange because none of my friends shared this passion for dangerous weather. We didn’t have the internet and social media yet.
It was in high school that my passion for photography was born. I took every photo class possible and learned how to shoot with an SLR and develop film and photos in the darkroom. I was so excited to join the yearbook team as one of the photographers. It was thrilling to capture special memories on film. Through the years, I continued to expand my skills and take on a variety of photography jobs, including weddings, portraits and some commercial work.
When I was 16 years old, my father came to visit 2 weeks before my birthday. I’ll never forget how happy he was and his final words of advice, “You can do anything you want to do! Don’t worry about the money. Follow your heart.”. Later that week he fell off a horse and hit his head on the asphalt, suffering a traumatic brain injury. He ended up in a coma for 13 years. He could breathe on his own, but he could never open his eyes or communicate. Although, he did come to me in my dreams often, and we would have long conversations. And eventually he came to me in a storm (more on that later).
I earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Saint Cloud State University, with a double major in Biomedical Science and Chemisty plus additional studies in Meteorology and Photography. During this time, I learned how to forecast all weather, with focus on severe storms. I graduated with highest honors and began both my career and my lifelong pursuit of understanding and capturing tornadoes on film.
As I began working as a Chemist, I also began my real journey as a storm chaser and photographer on the side. My very first real chase was May of 2001 when I had the incredible opportunity to chase with the Doppler On Wheels (DOW) Research team, led by Josh Wurman. Sean Casey was also along on that trip, filming storms for an upcoming IMAX film. It was a dream come true to learn from the best of the best. I gained so much knowledge from listening to their forecast discussions, de-briefings and to see them in action! It was a 4 day chase trip. Finally, at the end of the trip we intercepted a very small, brief “bird fart” tornado at close range. It was thrilling and scary all at the same time! My first instinct was to run into the closest house and get into the basement. LOL!
Not long after, I attended a Skywarn class hosted by the local National Weather Service, taught by Peggy Willenberg. Peggy and I quickly became good friends and chase partners. We soon became known as the “Twister Sisters”. We remained chase partners until 2010. While chasing, Peggy would drive while I took on the role as photographer/ videographer and navigator. After we got together, life became a whirlwind! We intercepted the birth of a tornado about 100 yards away and quickly gained unexpected attention from the media. We were flown to New York the next day to appear on Good Morning America. We were exhausted but it was so exciting and unreal! Over the years we ended up being involved with a a National Geographic Documentary “The Tornado Hunters” and a WE TV Reality Series, “The Twister Sisters”. Peggy and I also helped educate others through many public speaking events, conference presentations and storm tours. We had many incredible adventures over the years and made close friends, including a family that we helped rescue from the basement after a tornado flattened their home.
The best part about my adventures as “The Twister Sisters” was learning how our work, our show and our presence had inspired other girls and women to follow their passion for weather and storm chasing. I never realized the impact I was having on the World around me by simply following the call of my heart. It was humbling and emotional. I couldn’t ask for anything more from life.
Going back to my father in the coma…. On June 12th, 2005 I woke up somewhere in Texas, ready to chase. The first words that came out of my mouth were.. “Today we are going to see a wedge tornado and my father is going to die.” I didn’t think about it, I just said it very matter-of-fact. I couldn’t stop to process those words, as we had to hit the road for a big chase day with the production crew from the National Geographic special and a Minneapolis Star Tribune photographer. Later that day, I was standing on the side of the road near Jayton, TX and a huge tornado formed in the field directly in front of us. Nothing in it’s path but grass and maybe a few trees. As I watched that tornado form, I knew in that moment my father was leaving this existence and crossing the veil to the other side. I felt him there with me. I cried. An hour later I got the call from my brother. After 13 long years in a coma, my father left his body. It happened at the same time we were watching that tornado. My dad came to say Goodbye. And somehow he was part of that storm, that tornado. I love you dad. And I miss you.
Since 2010 I have continued chasing storms each season, either solo or with storm tour guests. I sell video footage to various news networks and create content for YouTube. I was beyond excited and very honored to have my photograph of a tornado near Ashby, Minnesota licensed for use in the movie cover and poster of “13 Minutes” in 2021. The producer called me their “official photographer”. The movie highlights community coming together to help each other, despite their differences, after the traumatizing event of a tornado destroying their town.
After 25 years of chasing storms, I have decided it’s time to pass on my knowledge, tips and tricks of the trade. Currently I am focusing my energy on helping others interested in weather and storms to learn and follow their passion. I offer private storm chasing tours with a max of 2 guests per trip. I also offer remote and in the field, hands-on mentoring sessions with focus on all things severe weather and storm chasing. Storm Chasing is a dangerous activity. It’s very important to learn the science behind the storm as well as how to read the sky and safely navigate a severe weather system. Each session is customized per client, covering a wide range of topics from forecasting severe weather to learning how to use your professional camera and how sell video to media outlets.
I am also a proud partnering of “Girls Who Chase”, an initiative founded by Jen Walton. The mission is “to inspire, empower and equip girls & women globally to pursue storms, the sciences and their passions – through the use of media, the creation of accessible education products & services, and by fostering supportive, welcoming community.” We host an annual online “Spring Training” event where everyone (all ages and genders) is invited to a full day of learning from a variety of experts in the field of Meteorology and Storm Chasing.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing in life comes without challenges. Two of my biggest struggles on my path of documenting severe weather have been money and health. Which are probably the two biggest struggles in life for many people!
Both Storm Chasing and Photography are very expensive hobbies! To properly document storms, it is best to use professional quality camera gear. In addition, high end computer gear is needed to edit both photos and 4K or 8K video. And as many of you know, technology advances very quickly these day! In 5 years, both cameras and computers become very outdated. I recently upgraded to a mirrorless Nikon Z8, with additional expensive lenses. I have a high end laptop for editing video on the road. Plus a top of the line PC for the home office. I don’t even want to think about how much it all adds up to! In addition, I shoot with a Sony 4K camcorder, and multiple GoPros to capture different angles on the storm. With cameras comes the need for spendy, sturdy tripods, mounts and other such devices.
In addition to all the camera and computer gear, each storm chasing trip is quite spendy with the hundreds of miles traveled, wear and tear on the vehicle, gas, and multiple nights of hotel rooms. Now food is getting expensive as well!
Honestly, I am positive I have invested way more money into documenting storms than I have actually made from video sales, photography sales, and even from the “Twister Sisters” TV Show. Which is why I have always worked full time at another job as well! But I have no regrets. This is my passion. Life is about finding your joy and living your passion to the best of your ability.
Storm Chasing is also quite hard on the body. There is high stress, high adrenaline, little physical activity, and limited healthy food options. Sitting in a vehicle for literally 12 hours a day, while driving much of the time, is tough to begin with. Not to mention the increased risk of blood clots and such. On top of that, I am also analyzing data continuously (when stopped) to determine my exact target for the day. I have to get to the area where I think storms will develop before they actually develop. As I get older, the stress of a chase day is more taxing on my body. I’ve heard other chasers talk about the adrenaline “hang-over” the next day, which can feel like flu symptoms. I have actually measured my blood pressure at the end of the chase day and it was 160/100!! So, word of caution to anyone with existing medical issues. Storm Chasing is not good for your health! But it sure is fun.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I consider myself to be a Professional Photographer, with focus on Severe Weather Photojournalism, and a Storm Chasing Mentor and Tour Guide. I also love shooting storm themed studio portrait sessions and outdoor portraits.
After 25 years of chasing storms, I have decided it’s time to pass on my knowledge, tips and tricks of the trade. Currently I am focusing my energy on helping others interested in weather and storms to learn and follow their passion. I offer private storm chasing tours with a max of 2 guests per trip. I also offer remote and in the field, hands-on mentoring sessions with focus on all things severe weather and storm chasing. Storm Chasing is a dangerous activity. It’s very important to learn the science behind the storm as well as how to read the sky and safely navigate a severe weather system. Each session is customized per client, covering a wide range of topics from forecasting severe weather to learning how to use your professional camera and how sell video to media outlets.
I offer mainly private, short notice storm chasing tour / workshops with a max of 2 people, in order to maximize our odds of intercepting severe storms and tornadoes. This means you are my storm chasing partner, rather than one of 10 people in the back on the van.
The tour is customized to meet your personal chasing goals. Do you want to learn more about forecasting? Or photography? Or how to “read the sky”? Or do you just want to experience the adventure of a chase and witness the awe inspiring storms? We will chat a couple times before the chase. We can also setup some additional zoom calls for mentoring sessions before or after the trip.
Photography has always been my second passion. I have always seen the sky as a vast canvas for Mother Nature to create the most spectacular art. A stormy sky can be filled with incredible textures, shapes and colors. It is dynamic and always changing. I strive to capture the most powerful, beautiful moments of the storm. When the sky is simply jaw-dropping. I also sell breaking news severe weather footage to media outlets and create video content for YouTube and other Social Media platforms.
In 2008, I was featured in the “Twisters Sisters” series on WE TV. The best part about my adventures as “The Twister Sisters” was learning how our work, our show and our presence had inspired other girls and women to follow their passion for weather and storm chasing. I never realized the impact I was having on the World around me by simply following the call of my heart. It was humbling and emotional. I couldn’t ask for anything more from life.
In 2021 I partnered with Girls Who Chase (GWC), founded by Jennifer Walton. The mission of GWC is to inspire, empower and equip girls & women globally to pursue storms, the sciences and their passions – through the use of media, the creation of accessible education products & services, and by fostering supportive, welcoming community. The education we offer is accessible for everyone, all ages and all genders.
My video work has been featured on National Geographic Television, FOX, NBC, CBS, WE TV, BBC and a variety of other networks World-wide. My photography has been published in Outside Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Flaunt, Restless Skies, Weatherwise Magazine, and more. It was a true honor to be selected as the official photographer for the “13 Minutes” Movie Cover & Poster. I never expected to see my Ashby, Minnesota tornado photograph on a movie poster!
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I can honestly say that I LOVE Minneapolis and St. Paul! I moved to Minnesota in high school, coming from Arizona. It took some time to acclimate. Now I’ve lived here for 35 years and I consider myself a true Minnesotan. Most of that time I have lived in and around the Minneapolis metro area. There are so many supportive communities, tasty restaurants of all types, incredible performing arts centers, a top tier University, fantastic outdoor spaces, nature reserves, trail systems, and a wide variety of job opportunities. Of course the lakes are a true treasure. It’s rare to find so many great areas for walking, biking and just being in nature within a large metro area. The reason I have stayed in the Minneapolis area after graduating is because I honestly can’t find a better city with as many great resources. My husband and I considered many other options over the years, but nothing was quite as balanced and inviting as the Twin Cities. Plus we have always found fantastic job opportunities in both the sciences and arts. I am also a huge fan of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival (the best RenFest anywhere!) and of course, the Great Minnesota Get Together/ State Fair! I even love the MSP Airport. I mean, have you compared it to Chicago O’Hare? Haha!
When I think about what I “like least”, the first thing that comes to mind is the Road Construction! Which probably seems pretty obvious. I appreciate that Minneapolis works to maintain the roads. But it sure can be a pain at times. The winters can be a little rough around here, but I really appreciate the 4 seasons we get to experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.melaniemetzstormchasing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniemetzstormchasing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melaniemetzstormchasing/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniemetz/
- Twitter: https://x.com/MetzStormMedia
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@melaniemetzstormchasing
- Other: https://bsky.app/profile/melaniemetz.bsky.social
