METC 490 / 590 Field Study of Severe Local Storms

Storm Chasing Class at Ball State University

METC 490/590 is a classroom and field course where students forecast, observe, and document severe local storms and tornadoes. Students first learn about thunderstorm and tornado dynamics, weather forecasting, and storm chasing in the classroom. Then in May and June, they take a field trip to the Great Plains to forecast, observe, and document severe local storms.

Ball State has offered the class since the late 1990s, and I've led it since 2007.  We know how to find tornadoes and keep everyone safe.  You also see more on our trip because we're out for longer than most other universities and storm chasing tours.

METC 490/590 is open to current students at any accredited United States university.

Tentative dates are below.  In 2025 I have must be in Muncie during Memorial Day weekend.  I am not sure if we are chasing before or after the holiday.

Learn more by the trip by clicking on the buttons below.  (I am on leave during fall semester 2024, so replies may take a few days.)  You may also wish to read the FAQ or my 2024 interview with Vox about the movie Twisters.