Arizona monsoon is prime time for storm chasers
Jun 26, 2015, 7:58 AM | Updated: 7:59 am
PHOENIX — Everyone may have a little storm chaser in them, but there are those who kick it up to the next level.
Jerrod Harris started chasing down storms as a University of Arizona student in 2001. It’s an adrenaline rush but it comes with some fear.
“I’d say the one thing that scares me the most is lightning because it’s so unpredictable,” Harris said.
“More recently I was out on the plains chasing tornadoes and one curved above me so that was a little hairy.”
Arizona’s monsoon is officially in season, so Harris could be busy. And while it might be fun chasing down storms, chasers pay for it at the gas pumps.
“Last year it was a lot because gas prices were so high. I spent about $1,000 and drove 16,000 miles just during the monsoon season,” Harris said.
That’s on top of high-end video and editing equipment. For those wanting to join the storm chasers’ club, Harris has these words of advice:
“Just get out. Drive around and take a road trip to see all of Arizona. There’s always a storm that’s involved.”
