Who Runs This Site?

[Main index]

[Weather Photography]
[Severe Weather Forum]
[Storm News & Storm Chasing]
[Tropical Cyclones]
[Weather Data and Links]
[Bush Fires / Wild Fires]
[Observation Techniques]
[Weather Photo Catalogue]
[Tornadoes]
[Video Movies and Stills]

The web designers and the main source of information and images at this site are Michael Bath from McLeans Ridges near Lismore on the North Coast of NSW and Jimmy Deguara from Schofields in Sydney, Australia. They are not employees of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, nor trained meteorologists. However, they are both very keen severe weather enthusiasts and are storm spotters for the NSW Spotter Network. Jimmy and Michael also record daily rainfall for the Bureau. Their first storm chase was in 1993 - their aim to gain a better understanding of severe thunderstorms and to capture spectacular photographs and video. Together they have built the largest website and collection of severe weather resources in Australasia. They are committed to reporting accuracy and are actively involved in the weather community through various weather groups and forums.

Michael Bath

Michael is currently a media reporter after being involved in the information technology industry for 10 years. He has been interested in the weather since about 1981. This interest was reinforced by two major floods in the Lismore area of northern NSW during 1987 (while living at Ballina). Michael moved to Sydney for work in 1989 and met storm chase partner Jimmy Deguara at a BoM storm spotter training session in 1993. Michael returned to the NSW North Coast in early 1999. Thunderstorms and storm chasing, weather & lightning photography, floods and tropical cyclones are his main interests. His most memorable weather event was the Casino HP supercell disaster. Michael is prominent in local and national media aimed at increasing public awareness of severe weather.

Contact via email at: Michael.

Jimmy Deguara

Jimmy is a mathematics teacher. His interest in weather goes back for as long as he remembers. It was the influence of floods and runoff associated with heavy rain which first intrigued him, and the challenge in forecasting led to his interest in thunderstorms, particularly heavy rain and hail. During 1989, a talk by Chuck Doswell on tornadoes enhanced Jimmy's dream of chasing after a tornado. There have been a few tornadic encounters in Australia including a storm that has to be one of the favourites with an inflowband at Coffs Harbour. But it was the US trip and associated tornadoes that became the highlight of his career and dream come true! US chasing will now be an important part of his chasing calendar. And just to add to the excitement, Jimmy intercepted at close range a strong Australian tornado in northeastern NSW at the township of Dunoon. Check out the tornado video.

Like Michael, Jimmy has frequented the media.Stories usually relate to severe weather events or interest in storm chasing. He is committed to public awareness and safety issues related to severe storms.

Jimmy's photographs taken courtesy of Chuck Doswell - 30th May 2005

Contact email at: Jimmy.

Dave Croan

Dave has a PhD Degree in Science, and has been chasing severe weather since 1995. Lightning captivated his imagination as a boy growing up in Sydney. That led an interest in severe thunderstorms, supercell dynamics and ultimately the pursuit and documentation of tornadoes. Dave teamed up with Jimmy Deguara in 2001 and together they tackled the Great Plains of the US - 'tornado alley' - they intercepted 7 tornadoes, including a large violent tornado in the Texas Panhandle.