Extreme Weather Adventurer and Storm Chaser Warren Faidley
A Quest to Find the Perfect Storm
Adventures of America's Renown Storm Adventurer
Warren Faidley
Revised 1-3-2008
Over 1 million hits per year
on our combined pages!
So what is the big deal about Warren?
There are an average of over 90,000 search engine references to
the unique search term "Warren Faidley" on Google
and over 170,000 on Yahoo!
Warren is seen on the other side of the
camera during a photo shoot for a
sponsor.
Want to go storm chasing with Warren?
To help raise money for his charities and educational projects -- Warren is currently offering one week, one on one storm chasing opportunities
for the 2005 and 2006 chase seasons. See more information here.
Can't afford to sponsor a NASCAR team or a million dollar athlete? Then how about the next best thing -- well... sort of! Warren is currently seeking a single corporate
sponsorship or individual grant. Help support Warren's educational projects and
charities by sponsoring a professional and respected chase team. You will receive extensive
corporate exposure while supporting a great cause.
E-mail for additional information.
Mr. Faidley is available for trade shows, product promotions,
photo exhibits, safety programs, speaking engagements,
corporate events, and special functions. His images, footage
and anecdotes make an impressive and interesting presentation!
"In the world of storm chasing -- Warren Faidley is considered at the top of the list."
(MSNBC)
An Introduction
CHASE LOG: JUNE 15, 1992.
NORTH-CENTRAL KANSAS.
I
n my rearview mirror, the agitated clouds began to overtake the hill like an avalanche. For a moment, I felt I had outwitted yet another storm. But this had been too easy.
All at once, a gust of wind rammed the car. I grabbed the steering wheel with both hands to avoid being pushed off the road. The sun was fading, and I was left with the all-too-familiar feeling of being in jeopardy.
The car's engine raced, but the car itself was another story. It felt heavy and sluggish against the wind. It reminded me of a childhood dream: a giant is pursuing me, and I can't outrun him no matter how hard I try.
Then, something amazing occurred. Winds began to circulate through the car's open windows. Every piece of loose paper began to float as if suspended in zero gravity. The pages in my atlas and diary turned one by one, as if an invisible hand was thumbing through them -- wanting to know where I had been. For a fleeting moment, I was entertained, but my thoughts turned to horror as I realized I was directly under a forming tornado!
At full speed I pressed on, not daring to waste precious seconds looking for uncertain shelter. Even so, I expected the car to be lifted away at any moment.
Suddenly, a fierce blast of wind rocked the car and violently whisked the suspended papers out the windows. A deep rumbling of thunder echoed as though some monsterous entity was laughing at me. Bright sunshine filled the car. I had, at last, escaped the storm's grip.
After the clouds passed, I returned to the site where the storm had gobbled up my papers. I scoured the countryside but discovered not even a scrap.
Basic Biography
Over the past 20 years Warren has experienced and survived some of earth's most breathtaking and sometimes violent weather. You have likely seen Warren on news programs like CBS's Early Show, CNN and Fox "Breaking" News reporting on events like the recent deadly tornado outbreaks. Warren is one of the few individuals who has experienced firsthand an F-5 tornado, a category 5 hurricane's 155 mph winds (Andrew 1992), flash floods, firestorms, incapacitating cold, baseball-sized hailstones, food poisoning, rogue waves, a rabid pack of wild dogs, lightning jolts, bullets, rock-slides, enraged farmers, reptiles, sinkholes and Mad-Max-like characters along the highways -- and survived to tell the stories.
Warren's on-going, life's quest to find the "perfect storm" has rewarded him with moments of awe -- but often left him standing on the doorstep of disaster. During Hurricane Ivan in 1994, he narrowly averted "the grasp of death" when a sinkhole open under him. His escape was made by leaping onto a chain-link fence -- as the ground beneath his feet fell into the agitated ocean. In 1987 he photographed a lightning bolt hitting a light pole in an oil and gasoline storage facility. Although the lightning strike lifted him off the ground -- he managed to reach over and trip the shutter of the camera -- capturing the world's closest, high quality image of lightning striking an object. In 1997 he made cinematographic history when he shot the first 35mm motion picture footage of a real tornado.
Unlike the majority of "storm chasers" who are, in reality, part-timers, researchers and hobbyists who chase a few storms a year, Warren is the real deal -- a true to life, full-time, professional storm chaser and extreme weather adventurer. He was the first accredited journalist, professional photographer and cinematographer to make a successful, professional career solely from storm chasing and covering all forms of violent weather and natural disasters -- year round.
Warren's first hand experiences of outwitting dangerous weather has made him one of the most sought after severe weather survival experts, lecturers and personalities concerning storm chasing, adventurous lifestyles and global warming. His popularity is best illustrated in a Google Search -- showing an average of over 90,000 references to his unique name, while a Yahoo search yields an average of 177,000 unique references. His breathtaking photographs have fetched prices of $20,000 for a single photograph.
His client list has included celebrities like Sheryl Crow and Paul McCartney. His images, film footage, unique character and expertise has been used by a host of corporations including DuPont, Warner Bros., MTV, Johnson & Johnson and NASCAR. He has served as an on-air weather expert and/or featured personality for cable television including Fox News, Discovery, The Weather Channel, National Geographic and CNN. Each year his images, footage and adventure stories reach millions around the world in magazines, radio, television, internet, advertising, lectures, motion pictures and through corporate sponsorships who use his unique personalty and branding to advertise ad promote products and services. Warren was the initial consultant for the motion picture Twister. One of his dramatic tornado images graces the movie poster and product line.
After years of witnessing global weather changes through his viewfinder, Warren is an advocate for global warming issues -- no matter what the cause.
Here is a introduction about Warren and his work
The following interview questions were assembled and abridged from assorted news interviews.
Media inquires may be sent here.
Edited by Laura White
When did this incredible story begin?
Once upon a time, I was born in Topeka, Kansas, in the heart of Tornado Alley,
on May 11 -- the height of the tornado season. Shortly there after, a killer tornado tore though the neighborhood. I don't remember it, but I'll bet if I could have walked I would have run out the door to see it!
Editors note: Warren and his tricycle seen to the upper right. This is not an acceptable
mode of tornado chasing!
"The Indiana Jones of storm chasing."
(Nippon Press)
I understand your first childhood chase nearly killed you?
Yes. When I was 12 I was swept away by a flash flood in Tucson, Arizona. I conducted my
first "chase" along the banks of a swiftly-flowing riverbed. The side gave way
and I fell into the floodwaters. I was carried under water and held my breath as long
as I could. I remember the little movie playing -- the vivid memories passing by as death approaches. The credits were rolling just as my foot found a rock -- allowing me to stick my head above the water and breath. That single event had a profound effect on my life -- I knew then and still do -- I had to live life to its fullest.
When did you first realize you might make a career out of chasing severe weather?
About a year after my near death experience I decided to ride my bike into the center of a large dust devil, a tornado-like thermal vortex. I got the big idea after watching the Wizard of Oz. I formed a chase group of neighborhood kids. We wore old jackets and safety goggles to protect us from the
flying debris. On several occasions I was able to penetrate the interior of a dust devil.
My weather adventures lead to my first job, collecting deadly scorpions. The heavy monsoon
rain storms drove the critters out of their hiding places, ready for the
taking. I dodged the lightning bolts and sold the scorpions to an old geezer who put them into plastic
paperweights, the kind sold at roadside travel stores.
Eventually, some parents found out about my near drowning, scorpion trade and dust devil adventures. The majority of my "devil squadron" were banned from hanging out with "That Faidley kid'.
"Like the boy who can't resist opening the cellar door to find out what is making that gnawing sound, Warren Faidley wants to meet the monster."
(Jim Malusa for Destination Discovery Magazine. December 1992.)
When did you see your first tornado?
Just by chance, my first tornado was an F-5 (318 mph) monster near Red Rock, Oklahoma on April 26, 1991. I nearly drove into the beast when I lost track of it in a line of trees. It hit a house
in front of me. There was pink insulation falling on the windshield. I half expected body parts to fall. My foot was shaking on the accelerator and I felt like throwing up. You can hear the mix
of excitement and terror in my voice as I shot the video footage.
Here is a QuickTime storm clip of the April 26, 1990 tornado
"He's faced the fury of lightning, tornadoes and
hurricanes but he's never been afraid."
(Slight misquote from the National Enquirer. August 1994)
What was the scariest moment of your chasing career?
There have been too many to mention here. Chasing is inherently dangerous -- especially when I started and there were no on-board radars or pre-existing chase instructions. I made it up as I went along.
One of the recent "scary" events occurred in 2003 when I was caught up in the "inflow" circulation
feeding into a nighttime tornadic storm in west Texas. I was fleeing an absolutely wicked storm
on I-40 near McLean, Texas when the winds became so intense, the chase truck would barely
move -- rocks were being lifted off the road cracking the windshield -- I could see debris flying by in the dust. I was literally being sucked into the tornado's circulation! I finally
made it to Shamrock, Texas with tornado sirens blaring. I heard storm spotters on the radio reporting a tornado crossing the road right behind me -- hitting several cars! Two other scary events come to mind: The time I drove
through a gauntlet of windshield shattering, baseball-sized hail in western Kansas and the night a tornado was bearing down
on my motel room in Nebraska and I had nowhere to hide. During that event, I pretty much decided I might die -- so I decided to go out shooting. I grabbed the video camera and let it roll. People were huddled in the hallways, some of them crying. I figured the wind, hail and tornado sirens would make a great parting shot for the "Faidley Kid!" Fortunately, the tornado missed the motel.
Here is a QuickTime storm clip of the hailstorm Warren drove through
The movie Twister. How were you involved?
I was one of the initial consultants for Twister. I assisted the art and scouting departments
during the initial research phase of the film. The film never had a full-time consultant. I'm often asked, so I should note,
none of the characters in the movie were based on me. They were all based on scientists, mostly from the NSSL where Crichton got a lot of his references. I was invited to the premiere in Oklahoma City and I got to meet everyone. The one thing that
irritates me is I did not get the consulting credit I was promised!
Is there any hope of a future "Warren Faidley" themed adventure movie?
I've had a lot of unusual, unique experiences leading up to my career -- then during my 20 years of chasing -- you know -- the "truth is stranger than fiction" stuff. Maybe someone should do a weird twist on the story. Is Tarantino available?
Now you have my curiosity. What was one of those "strange" moments?
We found a small child standing in the
middle of a deserted highway while we were chasing a tornado. Then there are the characters. Oh my God! When I think back -- it's like I've journeyed though a modern day fairy tale. Weirdoes, strange women, beautiful women, mentors, jealous and vengeful competitors, oddballs, crazies, heros, crooks, evil scientists, pranksters, demonic authors, and fellow chasers who have come and gone. You think Twister was interesting? Ha! -- that was nothing!
What is your most memorable chase?
There have been many chases I would consider as "memorable." But the year of 2004 is at the top of the list. Three "High Risk" days that produced so many tornadoes, I lost count. I really lucked out and picked some of the best storms on each day and was able to maneuver into favorable shooting positions. I shot more graphic tornado footage and still images on those three days than all the previous years combined. On the last day of my chase season, I drove through a weak "F-O" tornado
in West Texas for S&%$'s and giggles. I knew it was a weak, nothing to worry about twister, so I said what the heck.
It was a great way to cap off a great season. (Don't try this at home... his chase truck is designed to safely survive an F-0 to F-1 tornado).
Here is a QT Movie sample of the 2004 chase season
His portfolio of
breathtaking pictures and film footage has made him, without any doubt, "America's top storm photographer." (Associated Press)
Editors note: Warren's amazing collection of images can be seen at the Weatherstock® homepage.
Your photography has been compared to Ansel Adams and others. What separates you from other photographers or cinematographers?
The big difference is the way I pursue storms and put them on film. As an artist, I'm always looking for the perfect shot or a specific scene. Someone once said, "Artists seek perfection in their work to make up for imperfections in their life." That fits me. I've given up on any
kind of a serious personal life or family and dedicated my life to my work. As for technique, I'm
a color freak. Most storms have a lot of flat colors. Hurricanes are all grey. It's a challenge to find color. When I do find color, I like to saturate the film with long exposures. This gives my images the vivid colors. I also like to exploit "beauty light," the intense and colorful light right before sunset. Some people find it hard to believe, but I've actually conducted a 4 week chasing expedition and not shot a single picture. A good shot -- with the right color, impact and perspective is very hard to find.
"As the towering storms drew closer, the sky darkened, and the clouds became translucent from constant internal lightning flashes. Some lightning bolts leaped from the top of the storms, reaching toward the heavens. The top of the western-most storm was bathed in a wondrous golden glow from some distant sunset, while overhead, a few bright stars shone like diamonds set on the storm's amber crown. We sat quietly and simply absorbed the show as it unfolded over the endless emerald fields which flowed to-and-fro from the breeze. Then it dawned on me; this was the essence of chasing. I had begun to fall in love with the Plains."
Warren Faidley - The Weather Channel's "Storm Chaser" - 1996
Why do you chase? What is your overall philosophy? In other words, what drives someone to devote and risk their life to capture a storm on film?
I was born an explorer. I knew it from my earliest days. When I was very young, teachers had to move me away from the windows because I was forever staring out, daydreaming of some adventurous quest. When my brother, sister and friends began to marry and raise children, I was tearing down some deserted Kansas highway with my hair on fire trying to line up a twister with a rainbow.
Chasing involves so many things I enjoy in life. The adventure, travel, science, the camaraderie and of
course -- the excitement. It's really a rush on the morning of a potentially big chase day -- anticipating the possibilities of what you might capture that day. Accomplishing a rare shot is like playing chess on an earth-sized board. It's complex and a constant mental game -- requiring an unlimited amount of patience. In fact, if I was not a storm photographer I might be a treasure hunter -- the attractions are similar. Big investment in time, life, research and money -- but big payoff it you strike it rich. It might not fetch me a million in gold doubloons, but the mental rewards are similar.
Even after all the years, it's like opening a birthday present every time I head out on a expedition -- knowing I have a chance to capture the "perfect storm." At this point it's quest of "epic" proportions. I've devoted my life to this quest. It is the challenge I cannot resist -- from accomplishing a great shot under extreme conditions and having the opportunity to capture something on film that exists for a fleeting moment -- otherwise lost forever. There are also the enjoyment and rewards derived from educating people about severe weather -- especially kids.
General Biographical and Reference Information
"Meet Warren Faidley -- The Cyclone Cowboy"
TM
(Japanese TV Production, 1992.)
Warren is recognized as a "hands-on" expert on severe weather and natural disaster safety, interception and education. His popular new book "How to Survive Any Storm - A Severe Weather Guidebook,"
is suggested reading for many public safety and spotter groups. The book has received outstanding reviews from spotter groups and public safety experts.
Warren is a frequent guest speaker at universities, corporate events and safety-educational functions. He often serves as an on air consultant
for corporate and media clients. He has appeared on numerous television shows and in magazines, including CNN, MSNBC, NOVA, PBS, The History, Discovery and Weather Channels, CBS-NBC-ABC News, The BBC, The O'Reilly Factor, National Geographic Explorer, Fox News, Real-TV and the Emmy Award winning show Front Runners. He was a contestant on the To Tell The Truth show.
His diverse film and video credits include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Paul McCartney, Sheryl Crow, MTV, Jurassic Park and Michael Jordan.
In 1989 Warren founded Weatherstock® , a photo, film and video library specializing in weather
and natural disaster images. A few years later Warren opened Storm Chaser® Services, providing
stock photography services and extreme weather consulting
for commercial and media clients.
Warren's photography, video and film footage is represented
in almost every country in the world.
Warren has written and produced eight severe weather video productions, including the first ever commercially released chase video Thunderstorm in 1989.
Warren has worked on book projects with author Steven Kramer, including Lightning in 1992 and a children's book,
Eye of the Storm (Putnam) in 1997.
Warren's popular Storms Calendar is sold out every year.
Warren is an advocate for severe weather and natural disaster education and safety. His observations over the years has provided him with a unique insight to global warming issues. His work is often used for scientific, educational, safety and charitable projects, including those of the American Red Cross and the National Weather Service. He often serves as severe weather spotter by relaying critical storm (or disaster) information to the National Weather Service and local Emergency Management agencies. He is an Arizona State Land Department certified wildland firefighter and an EMT-B.
Warren has an Associates of Arts Degree from Pima College and a B.A. degree from the University of Arizona. He is the lead severe weather forecaster for his chase team. Warren is the recipient of numerous journalism, photography and public service awards including: A Special Service Award from the United States Department of Commerce and the National Weather Service, The Washington Edpress Award, a 2002 IRMA Photography Award and several Associated Press and UPI awards.
Warren's personal interests include WW-II aviation and history (he is a pilot), theatrical fencing/rapier, pre-1900's nautical history, downhill skiing, NASCAR auto racing
(he is a former stock car driver), classical music studies and world travel. Warren is an Eagle Scout and former Tour de Phoenix and Tour de Tucson 25-mile cycling champion. Warren is single (and available if you want to date an adventurer!) and lives in the foothills of Tucson, Arizona.
Warren is the founder and chairperson of the Storm AngelTM Foundation, an organization devoted to the educating and assisting children who are victims of severe weather.
Warren is also a supporter of the American Red Cross.
Mr. Faidley is a member of the National Weather Association, the National Press Photographers Association, the Society of Professional
Journalists and the National Association of Storm Chasers and Spotters.
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Contact Warren's 
Warren's on-going, life's quest to find the "perfect storm" has rewarded him with moments of awe -- but often left him standing on the doorstep of disaster. During Hurricane Ivan in 1994, he narrowly averted "the grasp of death" when a sinkhole open under him. His escape was made by leaping onto a chain-link fence -- as the ground beneath his feet fell into the agitated ocean. In 1987 he photographed a lightning bolt hitting a light pole in an oil and gasoline storage facility. Although the lightning strike lifted him off the ground -- he managed to reach over and trip the shutter of the camera -- capturing the world's closest, high quality image of lightning striking an object. In 1997 he made cinematographic history when he shot the first 35mm motion picture footage of a real tornado.
About a year after my near death experience I decided to ride my bike into the center of a large dust devil, a tornado-like thermal vortex. I got the big idea after watching the Wizard of Oz. I formed a chase group of neighborhood kids. We wore old jackets and safety goggles to protect us from the
flying debris. On several occasions I was able to penetrate the interior of a dust devil.
My weather adventures lead to my first job, collecting deadly scorpions. The heavy monsoon
rain storms drove the critters out of their hiding places, ready for the
taking. I dodged the lightning bolts and sold the scorpions to an old geezer who put them into plastic
paperweights, the kind sold at roadside travel stores.
Eventually, some parents found out about my near drowning, scorpion trade and dust devil adventures. The majority of my "devil squadron" were banned from hanging out with "That Faidley kid'.
The movie Twister. How were you involved?
Warren is recognized as a "hands-on" expert on severe weather and natural disaster safety, interception and education. His popular new book 
