Chaser Profiles: Jamie Gustina

JAMIE GUSTINA

1)What is your name and where do you live?

My name is James Gustina and I live in Cincinnati, Ohio.

2) Do you have a website or a brand name that people identify you as?

Well I’m currently taking part in two sites. I put some items on www.toledotornadotrackers.webs.com from time to time as well as tornadohandoff.com which is a site Nathan Curtis-Wagoner and myself are working on to have a venue to showcase our photos in an easy way.

3) What got you interested in weather?

I honestly can’t place it. Tornadoes never really interested me as a child except for one and other than that I was usually scared for my life every time there was a severe thunderstorm. I’d guess I place it on the April 9 1999 Blue Ash F4 that hit nearby. That tornado scared the mess out of me but also piqued my interest a bit.

4) What is your favorite aspect of weather?

Severe thunderstorms are by far my favorite aspect. I love forecasting for chase days and all the different cloud types and dynamics associated with severe storms.

5) When did you first start chasing?

I first started chasing sometime in 2008 (I don’t really remember when) but it wasn’t until May 2009 that I got serious. I still count my first storm chase as May 30, 2009.

6) What do you see chasing as... a hobby or a business?

Hobby and nothing more

7) Who do you credit for getting you into chasing and what have they done to further your career?

I can’t really place my finger on who or what got me started but I’d have to say a blend of the first season of the Discovery show Storm Chasers and myself after a project on tornadoes in eighth grade.

8) Do you have any chase partners?

I sometimes chase with Brandon Copic and Ryan Beach but my parents were my first faithful chase partners for the early years. I can’t give them enough credit for having the willpower to continually go out with me to drive around the middle of nowhere in search of storms.

9) What was your most successful chase?

That title is split between May 25, 2011 and May 30, 2009. May 25^th gave me one of the two Ohio supercells I have ever chased and it truly was an amazing storm. Only regret was missing a tornado it put down south of Dayton. May 30^th gave me the other Ohio supercell and it being the first chase I have photographs from I consider it one of my best.

10) What was your most terrifying moment?

Getting cored by the same supercell on May 25^th, 2011. The storm had been undergoing a merge with a smaller cell to its south and what had been a clear updraft base turned messy and clogged up with rain still with a strong couplet somewhere in that mix. Thankfully we missed the worst of it after the mesocyclone passed further north of us.

11) About how many tornadoes have you seen?

It pains me to say it but so far zero.

12) What do you think about people who chase for sales and the need to get up close and personal with Mother Nature?

Honestly, if chasing for profit is someone’s thing, I don’t really care. If the need for that profit means getting up close and personal then so be it, I just hope those same individuals stress the difficulty and skill required to be that close to something as dangerous as a tornado.

13) Describe your dream chase.

A classic dryline setup in western Kansas. High instability with moderate shear along with a moderately strong cap to cook things over for maximum punch. First supercell that rolls off the dryline is a classic high plains supercell with a barber pole updraft and a beefy updraft base. Maybe a tornado or two but those aren’t necessary, just a nicely structured supercell.

14) What is your favorite set up to chase?

Warm front setups in the Midwest. They’re challenging to forecast for and the reward at the end is that much better.

15) Which state has brought you the most success? Least success?

Indiana has oddly brought me the most success since I’ve never busted there. Ohio is the worst, I’ve never seen so many setups go down the toilet while chasing here.

16) Do you want to pursue a career in meteorology? Would you ever chase locally for a t.v station?

I do intend to pursue a career in meteorology. I honestly can’t see myself chasing for a news station just because it adds on so much unnecessary pressure to something I only want to do for myself.

17) What do you see chasing as being like in 5-10 years?

A lot less crowded. A lot of new chasers including myself have come up in the past several years but droves of people are probably beginning to move on now that “the fad has died” so to speak with Storm Chasers going off air and the visibility of the hobby going down a little, even with all the big outbreaks we had this past season. A bit more high tech as mobile broadband tech gets improved as well as cameras but essentially the same.

18) Despite all the deaths and destruction in 2011, are you looking forward to chasing in 2012 knowing you can run into a Tuscaloosa or Joplin?

I definitely am looking forward to chase season 2012. What happened in Tuscaloosa and  Joplin were some of the worst tornadic events possible and even though every season has the potential to put out one of those monsters that goes tearing through a town or a city that will never stop me from chasing, I just hope I’m able to help out in some way when another event like that comes along.

19) Is there any point in time where you had no desire to chase anymore? What caused that and what gave you the power to move on.

So far I’ve been blessed to have missed most of the more gruesome aspects that come along with chasing and so I’ve never felt the need to stop chasing as a result of something I’ve seen.

20) How long do you plan on continuing chasing?

I may as well spring for the cheesy here: to infinity and beyond.

21) Outside of chasing, what do you like to do?

I play a lot of soccer with the time that isn’t spent with chasing or school. I’m also into Great Plains history (no surprises there) as well as travelling as much as I can.

22) What kind of music do you like to listen to on the chase or in general?

It varies. A lot of times I don’t even have the radio on or a CD in when I’m chasing, but I’d have to say alternative rock is the most played genre in the car.

23) What is your favorite professional and college sports team?

My favorite teams are of course the Cincinnati Reds and the Bengals but also Newcastle United Football Club (English Premier League).

24) Do you have a family or pets?

Sure do, have a lemon-colored Beagle named Finch.

25) Tell me 3 things that someone outside of chasing may not know you for.

-My favorite food is good ole cheeseburger with ketchup, pickles and grilled onions with steak fries on the side with a cherry coke.

-I’m not as shy as most people think, I could talk for hours if given the chance haha

-I’ve been out of the country three times to visit Andros Island in the Bahamas and Madrid, Toledo, and Barcelona in Spain, both times with my school and finally Victoria, British Columbia on a family trip.

26) If you have kids or plan on having them... would you like to involve them in your chasing?

If I do end up having kids, if they decide they want to try out chasing with me and my significant other won’t have an aneurysm imagining her kids out with their crazy dad chasing after tornadoes then I’d totally love to involve them.

27) Do you have a job and what do you do?

I don’t have a job yet but I’m trying to get in at a soccer shop to help fund my season.

28) How do you feel about people who say they chase tornadoes for the sole purpose of saving lives?

I could go on and on about this and I’m sure I’ve ranted about this more than twice but I have only two words to describe people who delude themselves into that frame of mind: Cockamamie BS.

29) If there was one event in history that you wish you were around for to chase, what would it be?

Definitely, I wish I had been around for the April 1974 Super Outbreak. I’ve always been a bit fascinated by the Xenia and Sayler Park F5s and chasing that would have been the setup of a lifetime.

30) Do you only chase severe weather or do you chase hurricanes and winter weather as well?

I’m a severe thunderstorms only guy. I don’t have any interest in the least for hurricanes and despise winter weather with a passion.

31) Do you go to a college or university, if so, what do you major in?

I’ll either be attending the University of Oklahoma or the University of Kansas for meteorology in Fall 2012.

32) What do you expect in 2012?

A dang good chase season. I have a lot more freedom this season than I’ve had in the past and I’m hoping that I can get several tornadoes out of my first trip to the Great Plains this upcoming May. I’m hoping late May/early June light up like a Christmas tree!

Chaser Profile: Jim Zandonai

JIM ZANDONAI

1) What is your name and where do you live?

Jim Zandonai- Rockford IL.

2) Do you have a website or a brand name that people identify you as?

For weather it is- onthegustfront.blog spot.com which has accounts of many chases ,local events, and photos etc.

3) What got you interested in weather?

Way back in 7th grade seeing amazing cloud structures, thunderstorms and visiting the weather service at Rockford at the time.

4) What is your favorite aspect of weather?

 It provides many photo opportunities and It's always usually something going on somewhere. It's rarely boring for very long.  Supercell thunderstorms rule.

5) When did you first start chasing?

Around 1987 and that was just with nothing but a weather radio then and map.

6) What do you see chasing as... a hobby or a business?

For me it's a hobby..If I sell a picture or two great but it has always been a hobby.

7) Who do you credit for getting you into chasing and what have they done to further your career?

Just myself. No one got me into chasing as  I started on my own initiative.

8) Do you have any chase partners?

No, Although these days having a  good driver would be nice.

9) What was your most successful chase?

There has been a few as far as photographs go or punching the core. One of the best ironically was one that I didn't even have any equipment or a laptop and my weather radio batteries died. That was the July 13th 2004 Supercell which tracked Southeast from NW IL to east IL. The storm provided some terrific pics on the backside. That was the same day of the Roanoke Tornado which I had no idea was happening because of a dead weather radio and no laptop.  I was only a couple counties from it besides. If that would have been today it would have been grand.
Still had rotation form right in front of me on that day..was great in N.Livingston Co and S La Salle co. IL.

10) What was your most terrifying moment?

Really it's probably been close lightning strikes in some storms.

11) About how many tornadoes have you seen?

Unfortunately none worth of note besides funnels. The closest on July 13th 2004  and one that I Iost sight of in the early 80s after it past my house. However, I am content with great storm structure that provides and excellent photos.


12) What do you think about people who chase for sales and the need to get up close and personal with Mother Nature?

To each his own ..I do not do it for the money.

13) Describe your dream chase.

Catching a decent Tornado in the open with decent daylight still  and capturing great pictures of it.

14) What is your favorite set up to chase?

 Sunny, Warm and  humid day with lots of cape and weak cap to begin with and an active frontal zone in the area with of course Wind shear !

15) Which state has brought you the most success? Least success?

I only chase in IL and South central WI.  No luck when in IA.

16) Do you want to pursue a career in meteorology? Would you ever chase locally for a t.v station?

No not anymore.. I had a chance in 1985 going to NIU and didn't continue to that point.
For a TV station I might but it would depend on conditions..doubt that will happen here though. I share pictures though with a local TV station however. As long as they give me credit I am fine with that.

17) What do you see chasing as being like in 5-10 years?

Probably like it is now and perhaps more congested in the plains.


18) Despite all the deaths and destruction in 2011, are you looking forward to chasing in 2012 knowing you can run into a Tuscaloosa or Joplin?

Sure I try and chase as much each year . Obviously I hope I wouldn't place myself in the direct path of  it obviously IF that were to occur. 


19) Is there any point in time where you had no desire to chase anymore? What caused that and what gave you the power to move on.

Not yet..


20) How long do you plan on continuing chasing?

As long as I have desire and I can safely.

21) Outside of chasing, what do you like to do?

Besides watching the weather.. photography, being on facebook, watching movies, traveling when I can , being near on a lake and spending time with my cat and girlfriend.

22) What kind of music do you like to listen to on the chase or in general?

Generally classic rock or 80s.

23) What is your favorite professional and college sports team?

Depending on the Sport-- S.t Louis Cardinals baseball and Miami Dolphins football..Not really into college much but did like the Hurricanes for a while.

24) Do you have a family or pets?

     Yes I have a cat . She is is now an elderly 22 years old !

25) Tell me 3 things that someone outside of chasing may not know you for.

  I was a police officer for Rockford IL for a while in 1993-94 before I decided I did not like it as much I thought I would.
  I was the IL state, central states and Mid- American bodybuilding champion in the mid 80s in the 154 1/2 lb class and competed nationally.
  I had my appendix removed in 1985.
 

26) If you have kids or plan on having them... would you like to involve them in your chasing?

No kids and none in the plans.

27) Do you have a job and what do you do?

 Work for a large cable company as a customer care specialist. Chasing has been a challenge working around work schedule for past 5 years.

28) How do you feel about people who say they chase tornadoes for the sole purpose of saving lives?

 If they actually believe that I guess it's good but most its just an excuse for why they are really there.  I chase for the photography,  and to experience the power and glory of the storms. Of course being a NWS spotter I report too.

29) If there was one event in history that you wish you were around for to chase, what would it be?

Well realistically based on where I am probably the Belvidere Tornado in 1967.

30) Do you only chase severe weather or do you chase hurricanes and winter weather as well?

Just severe weather.

31) Do you go to a college or university, if so, what do you major in?
I went to Rock Valley college and have a degree in Earth Science.
I also went to the University of IL. and got a my Law Enforcement Certification there for RPD.

32) What do you expect in 2012?
Well provided I can get to chase on some good days working around my work schedule, I hope much with great photos and accounts.

I love to storm chase which has always been in the N.IL or S. WI.  It is to experience the power and glory and capture it in photos the best I can .

Chaser Profiles: Charles Russell

CHARLES RUSSELL 

1) What is your name and where do you live?


Charles Russell - Greenville, MI



2) Do you have a website or a brand name that people identify you as?


Charlesimages-Stormedia - http://www.stormedia.info/



3) What got you interested in weather?


When I was 4 years old. I remember sitting on the floor in front of the tv with paper and crayons copying weather maps, while watching Meteorologist Craig James present the weather forecast on WOOD TV 8 in Grand Rapids, MI.



4) What is your favorite aspect of weather?


It's variables, from bright sunny days, to snowstorms, to severe thunderstorms. I love it all. 



5) When did you first start chasing?


Officially, 2006. But I would "porch chase" before that.



6) What do you see chasing as... a hobby or a business?


Both.



7) Who do you credit for getting you into chasing and what have they done to further your career? Do you have any chase partners?


I came up with the idea of wanting to chase on my own, but my late Father was always into weather, he and I would watch storms together and marvel over them. He'd relay severe reports on his travels to and from work also. I partner up with friends every once in a while, but mainly prefer to chase solo.



9) What was your most successful chase?


I may sound like a noob here, but the Derecho that occurred on July 11, 2011 in Grand Rapids, MI. Something about those 90+mph winds that I just love. Reminds me of the 1998 Southern Great Lakes Derecho, which I was smack in the middle of.



10) What was your most terrifying moment?


I don't get scared or worried while out chasing. I respect the storms for their power, but have never had a scary moment. 



11) About how many tornadoes have you seen?

2 in my lifetime, but both times I didn't have a camera, I was just a kid. 



12) What do you think about people who chase for sales and the need to get up close and personal with Mother Nature?

I think they have a passion, and if they can make money doing it, great. I personally enjoy making money with it, money = more chasing.



13) Describe your dream chase.


Catching a mothership supercell from the first cumulus clouds, taking a time lapse of it developing/maturing, then having it drop a beautiful tornado in a field somewhere about 300yds from me. Then core punching the HP remnants with large hail, follow that up with a beautiful sunset with other cells in the background and a double rainbow and loads of color and it's a win. 



14) What is your favorite set up to chase?


Discrete, slow moving cells. Whether they be supercells or not.



15) Which state has brought you the most success? Least success?

Michigan, I live here, and have been able to experience so many weather extremes. 



16) Do you want to pursue a career in meteorology? Would you ever chase locally for a t.v station?


I could never pass the math courses involved. I'd chase for a tv station, sure. I had FOX follow me on may 31, 2011 for a news story on myself and storm chasing, I would do it again. 



17) What do you see chasing as being like in 5-10 years?


The way it's going, I wouldn't be surprised if eventually becomes a national sport. People love nature, and most are too afraid to get up close and personal with it. I feel that sponsors should take a better look at chasing, where it's headed, and make some investments. There are lots of folks who go out for the thrill, but if you toss business into the mix, things could get somewhere. It's proven fact. 



18) Despite all the deaths and destruction in 2011, are you looking forward to chasing in 2012 knowing you can run into a Tuscaloosa or Joplin?

Yes.



19) Is there any point in time where you had no desire to chase anymore? What caused that and what gave you the power to move on.


A couple of times. Once while facing a foreclosure, and another when nearly left to die in the streets. But I love chasing too much to just give up.



20) How long do you plan on continuing chasing?


Until the day I die.


21) Outside of chasing, what do you like to do?

I like fishing, hiking, photography, watching NASCAR races and NFL games. I'm a pretty simple guy. 



22) What kind of music do you like to listen to on the chase or in general?


Metal of course! Metallica, Lamb of God, Megadeth, Judas Priest, Slipknot, and loads more. I will chase with rock too though.



23) What is your favorite professional and college sports team?


Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) and I don't watch much college football, but I like UofM and OSU.



24) Do you have a family or pets?


Yes, my Mom, Sister, and 2 cats.



25) Tell me 3 things that someone outside of chasing may not know you for.


I like pop, rap, and hip hop music, and will listen to the likes of Britney Spears and Ke$ha often. My appearence is only half of what I'm about. I am a straight male, who is only interested in females (the way people joke, I had to toss that in there) LOL



26) If you have kids or plan on having them... would you like to involve them in your chasing?

I will never have children, but I try to help fuel the fire that burns in other children in regards to chasing, and educate them in any way I can.



27) Do you have a job and what do you do?


Legally? I'm classified as Unemployed, but I make money where and when I can, doing what I can. 



28) How do you feel about people who say they chase tornadoes for the sole purpose of saving lives?


That's great if you do, but if you don't, then just be honest, the world works better with honesty.



29) If there was one event in history that you wish you were around for to chase, what would it be?


April 1956 Hudsonville-Standale tornado.



30) Do you only chase severe weather or do you chase hurricanes and winter weather as well?


I chase anything, even strong rain showers. I love it all. I will drive somewhere just to get time lapse footage of cumulus clouds. Hurricanes are on the bucket list. I've chased plenty of winter weather. 



31) Do you go to a college or university, if so, what do you major in?

I go to the College of Life, I major in Living.



32) What do you expect in 2012?


I expect an above average severe weather season as a result of the La Nina pattern and the long term effects of it. This year is "Andy's Year" and myself, along with many others are dedicating our chase season to Andy Gabrielson's memory. 

I’m a Storm Chaser. Not many people can legitimately say that, considering the population of the world exceeds 6 billion. I am proud to be a storm chaser, and as a storm chaser, it is my duty to spot, report, inform, collect data, record media, and use it all to educate others, provide entertainment, and hopefully, save lives and property in the process.