Jessica Moore
By Erica L .
Recently , I had the privilege of interviewing 34-year-old Jessica Moore , who chases hundreds of storms every year . She ? s a soon-to-be meteorologist , a storm photographer , and is currently a Storm Chaser for RadarOmega .
Though her career as a Storm Chaser started nearly 8 years ago in 2012 , her passion started at a much younger age . ? I was probably 13 when I knew I wanted to be a Storm Chaser .? Jessica said , recalling , ? That was when I watched the movie Twister for the first time !? Along with the inspiration of a movie , Moore cannot remember a time when she wasn ? t enthralled and fascinated by passing storms . Her passion for storms seems to run deep within her . She says that brewing storms bring an energy to the atmosphere that makes her come alive . It is no wonder why Jessica Moore later went to college for meteorology .
Shortly into her first year of college , she got her first solo flight as a Storm Chaser . Jessica remembers that she was going between classes when she noticed a towering thunderhead in the distance . ? I decided to skip my afternoon class , which I wouldn ? t recommend , to chase the storm .? Moore said . She headed in the direction of the storm , staying
a safe distance away since she wasn ? t a trained Chaser yet . Jessica reminisced , ? I felt like I had the storm all to myself ? It was the perfect chase and I knew I wanted to learn more .?
As she began her training , she learned from multiple sources , taking classes like Skywarn Spotter Training and meteorology . She also grew in experience and training by chasing with experienced Storm Chasers . She admitted , though , that she learned just as much from forecasting and chasing failures as from any successes she had .
The storm chasing and meteorology communities struggled with Jessica rising in knowledge since she is a woman . Jessica explained , saying , ? Most female meteorologists work as broadcasters and do on-air reports in front of a green screen . Not many women actively chase storms in the field .? This didn ? t stop Moore from earning respect , though . No matter how much backlash she received , she proved herself time and time again . Jessica feels that her hard work , passion , and position as a meteorologist for a well-known weather company have proven that she is serious about her work .
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