Jim Bishop is a 29 year-old storm chaser residing in Shelton, CT. He began storm chasing in 2000 and received his Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma in August, 2004.

Jim has been watching storms for about as long as he can remember. But he truly discovered his love for storms when he saw his first hailstorm in the most unlikely place - Southern California. Shortly thereafter his family moved to Nashville, Tennessee in the summer of '91. 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. Jim's most recent memorable tornado was the May 10, 2008 Picher, OK EF4 tornado. His wife, MaryLeigh, accompanied Jim on that chase.

Jim is currently the head meteorologist for Sasco Energy Partners, a growing energy trading hedge fund located in Westport, CT. There he forecasts temperatures, hurricanes and weather patterns across North America from ten days to months into the future.

Jim has been chasing for 10 years 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 is also a major hail freak! He will probably continue chasing until a hailstone impails his head, for Jim will drive anywhere for a storm.

Bring on the next Chase!

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

Pride of Oklahoma pictures from 1999