Community

Modern chase legends

The 2015-2026 era produced new chase legends. Livestream culture, YouTube dominance, social media era.

Ryan Hall Y'all

Kentucky-based severe weather channel.
4M+ YouTube subscribers.
Livestreams every major severe event.
Focus on public safety education.
Community engagement.
Grew from 2019 to top severe weather channel.
Reached millions during 2021 Mayfield event.
Model for weather-adjacent broadcasting.
Non-chaser background — meteorology-adjacent.
Broke traditional TV broadcasting model.

Reed Timmer

Multi-decade chase career.
AccuWeather affiliation.
YouTube channel large following.
Dominator armored vehicle.
TV show alumni.
Continued extreme intercepts.
Some community controversy.
Post-2013 El Reno reflection.
Continues to chase into 2020s.
Established chase brand.

Max Velocity

Livestream chaser.
Growing rapidly 2020s.
Fast-paced coverage.
Event-focused.
Community engagement.
Newer generation chase brand.

Live Storms Media

Multi-chaser operation.
Content broker.
Live streaming during events.
Real-time coverage.
Community aspect.
Business model innovation.

Pecos Hank

Boutique photography-focused.
YouTube channel.
Poetic storm photography.
Chase Films series.
Documentary approach.
Aesthetic-driven.
Selective posting.
Community respect.

Skip Talbot

Analytical chase style.
Case study creator.
Chase Chronicles YouTube.
Weather education focus.
Structural composition photography.
Community teacher.
Multi-decade career.

Kelly DeLay

Documentary storm photography.
Structural focus.
YouTube presence.
Community respect.
Print portfolio.
Continued chase.

Chris Kridler

Composition mastery.
Multiple chase tours.
Photography career.
Family operation with Kathy Kridler.
Small group chase tours.
Editorial photography approach.
Community leader.
Multi-decade continuity.

Roger Hill

Silver Lining Tours founder.
Multi-decade chase career.
Community mentor.
Chase tour standard.
Numerous celebrities on his tours.
Photography portfolio.
Community respect.

Warren Faidley

Solo chase pioneer.
Photography career from 1980s.
Book author.
Established brand.
Continued chase into modern era.
Business acumen.
Community elder statesman.

James Spann

Alabama TV meteorologist legend.
Multi-decade broadcast.
Social media pioneer.
Public safety focus.
Community trust.
Widely respected.
ABC 33/40 Birmingham.
Model for broadcast meteorology.

Mike Bettes

The Weather Channel.
Chase coverage.
2013 El Reno TWC survivor.
Continued severe weather focus.
Community respect.
Public communication skill.

The newer generation (2020-2026)

Krissy Scholfield

Southern chase, aesthetic photography.

Multiple TikTok chasers

Fast growth via short-form.

Instagram-first chasers

Building through visual platforms.

Podcast hosts

Weekly weather commentary.

Chase educators

Course creators.

Regional specialists

Deep South chasers particularly.

The academic influencers

Marshall Shepherd

Weather Geeks podcast host.

Chuck Doswell

Retired research meteorologist.

Harold Brooks

NSSL researcher.

Josh Wurman

DOW pioneer.

Jeff Frame

University of Illinois.

Various university faculty

Public engagement.

The community shift

From TV to YouTube and livestream.
From individual to community.
From closed to open.
From competitive to collaborative.
From chase-only to chase + education + safety.
From regional to national.
From traditional media to social platforms.
Continues to evolve.

Their common threads

Public safety mission.
Community engagement.
Education focus.
Long-term commitment.
Ethical practice.
Continued learning.
Business sustainability.
Family and personal life.
Weather passion.
Reputation matters.

For aspiring modern chasers

Study these figures.
Understand their trajectories.
Note ethical practices.
See long-term horizons.
Model community engagement.
Learn from mistakes and successes.
Find your niche.
Build sustainably.
Care for community.
Enjoy the chase.