Reed Timmer is a renowned meteorologist and extreme storm chaser who has dedicated his life to studying and documenting severe weather events. Born on March 17, 1980, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Timmer developed a fascination with weather at a young age. He pursued his passion by earning a B.S. in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma in 2002 and later obtained his Ph.D. in Meteorology from the same institution in 2015.
Timmer's storm chasing career began in 1999 when he joined the University of Oklahoma's storm chasing team. He quickly gained notoriety for his fearless approach to intercepting tornadoes and hurricanes, often placing himself in harm's way to gather valuable data and capture stunning footage.
Timmer's research focuses on collecting valuable data from within the heart of severe storms using state-of-the-art instruments, such as mobile tornado probes. By gathering this data, he has helped improve tornado forecasting and warning systems, ultimately saving lives and property. His innovative approach to storm chasing led him to design and build a series of armored vehicles called "Dominators," which allow him and his team to safely navigate through the most intense weather conditions.
In addition to his scientific contributions, Timmer has played a significant role in educating the public about severe weather and storm safety. He has been featured in numerous television shows and documentaries, including "Storm Chasers" on the Discovery Channel and "Extreme Weather" on National Geographic. These appearances have helped raise awareness about the dangers of severe weather and the importance of being prepared.
Timmer's commitment to education extends beyond the media. He frequently gives presentations at schools, universities, and community events, sharing his knowledge and experiences with audiences of all ages. His engaging and informative talks inspire future generations of meteorologists and emphasize the critical role that storm safety plays in protecting communities.
Beyond his research and educational efforts, Timmer has also ventured into entrepreneurship. He founded TVN Weather, a company that provides live severe weather video content to media outlets, allowing viewers to witness the power and beauty of extreme weather events from the safety of their homes. Additionally, he established SRV Dominator, which offers storm chasing tours and experiences to the public, giving individuals a unique opportunity to learn about severe weather firsthand.
In 2008, Timmer became a featured meteorologist on the Discovery Channel's reality television series "Storm Chasers." The show followed Timmer and his team as they pursued severe weather events across the United States. During his time on the show, Timmer showcased his expertise and innovative storm chasing techniques, including the use of armored vehicles like the "Dominator" to safely navigate through dangerous conditions.
Throughout his career, Timmer has witnessed and documented over 1,000 tornadoes and numerous hurricanes, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Harvey in 2017. His up-close footage of these powerful storms has provided valuable insights for the scientific community and has helped raise public awareness about the dangers of severe weather.
In addition to his storm chasing endeavors, Timmer is also an accomplished researcher. His doctoral thesis focused on the study of tornadoes and their environments using high-resolution radar data. Timmer's research has contributed to a better understanding of tornado formation and has the potential to improve tornado warning systems.
As an educator, Timmer has taught meteorology courses at the University of Oklahoma and has been a guest lecturer at numerous universities and conferences worldwide. He is also the author of the book "Into the Storm: Violent Tornadoes, Killer Hurricanes, and Death-Defying Adventures in Extreme Weather," which chronicles his experiences as a storm chaser and meteorologist.
Reed Timmer's dedication to studying and documenting severe weather events has made him one of the most respected and well-known figures in the field of meteorology. His work has not only advanced our understanding of these powerful natural phenomena but has also helped to save lives by providing valuable information to the public and emergency management officials.