Jim Bishop was born in California in September of 1980 and currently lives in Boston with his wife MaryLeigh. He began storm chasing in 1999 while atttending OU and received his Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma in August of 2004.

Jim has been watching storms for about as long as he can remember. But he truly discovered his love for storms as a kid when he saw his first hailstorm in the most unlikely place -- Southern California. Shortly thereafter his family moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Jim further realized his overall passion for weather when he experienced winter storms, lightning, and different aspects of severe weather while growing up in middle Tennessee.

Some of Jim's most memorable chases include the F4 Manchester tornado on June 24, 2003; the record-breaking 2.5 mile wide Wilber, Nebraska tornado on May 22, 2004; and witnessing simultaneous tornadoes in the Texas panhandle on May 15, 2003. One of Jim's more recent memorable tornadoes was the May 10, 2008 Picher, OK EF4 tornado. His wife, MaryLeigh, accompanied Jim on that chase as she does quite often. Another memorable tornado was the Henryville, Indiana EF4 tornado on March 2, 2012 that he witnessed with Simon Brewer.

Jim is currently the Lead Meteorologist for Boston Energy Trading and Marketing (BETM). There he forecasts temperatures, energy demand, wind, hurricanes and weather patterns across the U.S. from a few hours into the future to months into the future. He has been working as a meteorologist in the energy industry since 2005.

Jim has been chasing since 1999, but the thirst for the next chase grows stronger by the day. He says storm chasing is not just about finding tornadoes, it is about finding spectacular supercells while enjoying the road trip and comradery. Supercells are what drive Jim to chase, and tornadoes are merely the icing on the cake. Jim also loves witnessing big hail! He will probably continue chasing until a hailstone impails his head! But since that probably won't happen, he will simply chase storms until he is physically unable to do so.

Jim has also given many presentations on storm chasing over the years. In the spring of 2005, 2006 and 2007, Jim gave a presentation on the storm chasing and tornado/severe weather safety at WeatherQuest in San Antonio and Brownsville, TX. He also gave a presentation on storm chasing at the Tri-State Weather Conference in Danbury, CT on October 9, 2010.

Finally, Jim's tornado footage has been shown on the following networks: ABC, CNN, the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, National Geographic Channel, the UK's Channel ONE, and many other television programs worldwide. Jim has also appeared on the following shows: Many episodes of The Weather Channel's 'Storm Stories', the Discover Channel's 'Raging Nature: Tornadoes', the History Channel and other national networks. Jim has also been interviewed on NPR, ABC and Irish radio.

Questions or comments? Email Jim at
stormgasm@yahoo.com

The Weather Channel's "Caught on Camera"

Jim Bishop is interviewed to talk about his experience chasing the June 24, 2003 Manchester, South Dakota F4 tornado with friend Reed Timmer. The interview and tornado footage were put together for an episode on The Weather Channel's "Caught on Camera". Jim explains what it was like chasing the June 24, 2003 Manchester, South Dakata F4 tornado.

The Discovery Channel's "Raging Nature: Tornadoes"

In this show, Jim Bishop explains what it was like chasing the June 24, 2003 Manchester, South Dakata F4 tornado.

The History Channel's "Shockwave"

Once again, this show has Jim Bishop explain his experience with the Manchester tornado. Only this show is different from the Discovery Channel show, as it gives more of a historical look at the town of Manchester.

The Weather Channel's "Full Force Nature: Wilber Nebraska 2.5 mile wide tornado"

In this episode of Full Force Nature, Jim Bishop explains his experience chasing the largest tornado ever recorded -- 2.5 miles wide -- near Wilber, Nebraska on May 22, 2004. The tornado was rated F4.

As seen in the UK "Is this the Worst Weather Ever?"

Jim Bishop and Simon Brewer comment on their experience chasing the 2.5 mile wide Wilber, Nebraska tornado on May 22, 2004.

Jim Bishop's storm chasing presentation at the Tri-State Weather Conference October 9, 2010

On October 9, 2010 Jim Bishop gives a presentation on Storm Chasing at the Tri-State Weather Conference in Danbury, CT. The Video begins a few minutes after the presentation starts.

This is part 1 of 2 YouTube clips.

Jim Bishop's storm chasing presentation at the Tri-State Weather Conference October 9, 2010

This is part 2 of 2 YouTube clips.