The Art of Storm Chasing

Guest: Mike Olbinski

For most people, a thunderstorm is something you watch from a window. But for storm chasers, it's a front-row seat to some of nature's most spectacular displays—and few have captured those moments as beautifully as today's guest. On this episode of Weather Geeks, we're joined by storm chaser and filmmaker Mike Olbinski. Based in the Desert Southwest, Mike has spent years documenting everything from towering monsoon thunderstorms and dramatic haboobs to lightning-filled skies across the Great Plains, creating breathtaking imagery that has inspired weather enthusiasts around the world. We'll talk about what makes chasing storms in Arizona so unique, some of the unforgettable moments he's experienced on the road, and how the art of storm storytelling has evolved alongside advances in cameras, social media, and live streaming.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Mike Olbinski and his work
2. 13:38 Break 1
3. 13:39 How technology has changed storm chasing
4. 24:38 Break 2
5. 24:40 Advances in weather models and forecasting
6. 26:53 Mobile connectivity and Starlink for storm chasing
7. 28:22 Apps and tools for real-time weather data
8. 28:45 Use of drones in storm photography
9. 29:45 Carving out a niche in storm photography
10. 30:22 Advice for aspiring storm chasers and photographers
11. 32:34 Platforms to follow Mike Olbinski
12. 33:24 Closing remarks and upcoming projects

Resources

• Storm Photo Contests - https://stormphotocontest.com/
• Stormchaser Atlas App - https://stormchaseratlas.com/
• Weatherfront App - https://weatherfront.com/

Guest links

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikeolbinski/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/mikeolbinski

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