Laura Hedian

Meet the Chasers #1

For the first feature as a part of Girls Who Chase’s ‘Meet the Chasers’ Series, we would like to introduce Laura Hedien! She is currently retired from everything except for what she wants to do and we were very excited to hear her wisdom from previous and ongoing chase adventures.

Laura has liked photography since high school, which was coupled with her interest in weather. She used to sit up and watch storms in the middle of the night with her Mom, who described thunder and lightning as the angels bowling. Despite this positive description, Laura was terrified of thunder and loud noises, but shares she has the best mother for this care and support!

Despite her fears, Laura began her storm chasing endeavors in 2005 after discovering the College of DuPage field study storm chasing classes. Following these experiences, “the rest is history”!

Storm chasers alike know there are many lessons to be learned when out in the field. Laura highlighted the importance of recognizing “you won’t get a home run every time you go out”. She further shares how important it is to enjoy the “little” things you see out on the road, especially in the Plains! “You don’t need a raging supercell to enjoy yourself. A distant mesoscale convective system (MCS) with lightning in the middle of nowhere? Listening to Pink Floyd? HEAVEN!” According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), a MSC is a “collection of thunderstorms that act as a system (http://bit.ly/3Zqlb3l). These systems can span a very large distance and last as long as 12 hours.

Most Memorable Storm Chasing Experience

Laura’s most memorable chase experience to date is the Silverton, Texas tornado that occurred on June 2, 2024. “Our confidence wasn’t extremely high about this day and we certainly don’t think it’d have the epic results we were blessed with. Our initial route had a “road closed” sign but how often does that occur and things work out even better? We ended up staying in one location for over twenty minutes for the best part of the storm’s genesis. To add to the drama, the things we can’t control, lighting, background/foreground worked out great. It really was a perfect storm. It always goes without saying we never want people injured or property destroyed from these storms”.

As a woman in the field of storm chasing, Laura has maintained a steadfast perspective on her place in the community. When asked what being a girl who chases means to her, she stated, “I’ve never done the male-female thing. People are people. Period. I don’t let others’ opinions and barriers affect me and pave my way. Weaker sex? My ass. Get out of my way.”

From Laura’s experience in the field, she shared it is a great idea to “chase with a college group to get the education needed to understand just what storm chasing is all about” and stay away from those who are “trouble”. “If people have to wrap their cars, put light bars on their roof, or use any other similar attention attracting items, they are yahoos”. She advises those aspiring to follow a similar path or get into storm chasing to not drive into hail or tornadoes and follow those who are educated. We are lucky to have so many resources at our fingertips in this day and age, but it is our responsibility to use them for good!

One on One with a Female Storm Chaser

Don’t drive into hail or tornadoes. http://www.weather.cod.edu Follow the educated.

What is your career path and/or current position?

Retired from everything except what I want to do.

Stay away from those who are “trouble”. If people have to wrap their cars, put light bars on their roof, or use any other similar attention attracting items, they are yahoos. Chase with a college group to get the education needed to understand just what storm chasing is about.

What is your most memorable chase experience to date?

June 2, 2024. The Silverton TX tornado.

Where do you believe your interest in weather came from? Was it an evolution, or a specific event or experience?

Liked photography since high school and was interested in the weather. I used to sit up and watch the storms in the middle of the night with my Mom. When there was thunder and lightning she’d tell me the angels were bowling. Little did I know she was terrified of the thunder and loud noises. She was the best Mother.

How did you get started in storm chasing?

I always liked the weather. In 2005 I found out about College of DuPage field study storm chasing classes and the rest is history.

What does being a girl who chases mean to you?

Honestly, nothing. I’ve never done the male-female thing. People are people. Period. I don’t let others opinions and barriers affect me and pave my way. Weaker sex? My ass. Get out of my way.

What are some challenges unique to being a female chaser you have experienced or witnessed?

None. I wouldn’t allow it. If you don’t look for it or expect it, you might not find it. I suspect the “female” portion questions might not be what you’re looking for but I don’t tolerate that BS so it’s not an issue for me.

What important lessons have you learned that you wish you’d known when you started chasing or got involved in the weather community?

You won’t get a home run everytime you go out. Enjoy the “little” things to see out on the Plains also. Don’t always have to have a raging sup to enjoy yourself. A distant MCS with lightning in the middle of nowhere? Listening to PInk Floyd? HEAVEN