Seconds later the twister struck. The kitchen door fell on the husband, pinning him to the ground. After the roof blew away, hail battered his face and body. The house disintegrated, but he survived and so did the dog. The woman, however, was crushed in the debris (Rosenfeld 179). By coincidence, researchers from the University of Oklahoma were just outside Spencer before the tornado hit, which is one reason authors like Rosenfeld know so much about the tornado that destroyed Spencer. He writes, "Just a mile outside town, scientists from the University of Oklahoma had parked a small truck full of computers and meteorological equipment. They had driven more than 300 miles to document Spencer's tornado with their Doppler radar" (Rosenfeld 180). These were professional storm chasers, who knew how to follow the weather that often predicts tornadoes.

In recent years, "storm chasing" has become a popular recreational pastime. Professional storm chasers include meteorologists and scientists who are studying storms to try to discover how to predict them earlier and understand just how they form, travel where they do, and then disappear. This type of chasing was popularized in the 1996 Stephen Spielberg film "Twister," and has become a popular form of entertainment for many thrill-seekers looking for new recreational opportunities. As one researcher notes, "Storm chasing began as a scientific research endeavor, but the majority of those who engage in the activity today do so as a leisure-time pursuit" (Robertson...

There is even a magazine, "Storm Track," that caters specifically to recreational storm chasers and their hobby. By 1999, there were several vacation and touring companies operating in tornado alley, catering to tourists who wanted to spend their vacations chasing tornados. Many serious scientists and researchers feel that this increase in storm chasing interest is dangerous and is degrading the scientific study. Researcher Robertson continues, "The growing participation is degrading the chasing experience, increasing the danger of the pursuit, and threatening the future of storm chasing on the Southern Plains" (Robertson 533). While storm chasing may simply be a fad that may die out in time, it seems to be a continually popular activity in many areas of the Midwest during storm season, and shows no sign of disappearing any time soon.
In conclusion, tornadoes are one of the deadliest atmospheric conditions known to humankind, and they occur every year in the United States just like "clockwork." The atmospheric conditions in tornado alley are perfect for the formation of tornadoes during late spring and early summer, and until scientists can learn more about predicting these deadly storms, people, cities, and even entire towns may simply be swallowed up in the dark funnel clouds twisting across the landscape.