Most people try to avoid threatening weather; however, some Iowa State students drive hundreds, if not thousands, of miles in a day to witness severe storms.

Tuesday was one of those days, as severe thunderstorms struck southwest Iowa.

“We saw the storms early on and headed toward [southwest] Iowa,” said Steve Aves, junior in meteorology. “We went by sight and followed things as they progressed into far southwestern Iowa.”

The storms developed around 5 p.m. and quickly became severe. Storm spotters reported hail of 1 inch and larger along with some gusty winds.

The storms were rotating and did have the potential to produce tornadoes, which was why Iowa was under a tornado watch until midnight.

Joe Gale, graduate student in geological and atmospheric sciences, also was chasing the storms.

“We saw some good wall clouds and rotation … a few funnel clouds and a possible tornado,” he said.

The storms in southwest Iowa “developed ahead of the cold front,” said Bill Gallus, professor of geological and atmospheric sciences.

“Ahead of a front like that you have a large-scale region of lift, so the atmosphere is getting primed for the slightest little things to create thunderstorms,” he said.

Aves and Gale continued to watch the storm until dark.

“We had to call it off around 8:30 [p.m.] because it got too dark, and we were concerned for our own safety,” Aves said.

“When you can’t see where the storm is, you never know if you could end up in an area that has tornadoes,” Gale said.

For the chasers, it is unusual to find storms close to home.

“It was right in our backyard, so we didn’t have to go too far to see some good stuff,” Gale said.

Gale said the best way to start storm chasing is to find someone experienced and ask to go with them.

“But make sure you find someone you would be willing to trust with your life,” he said.

Aves always has been fascinated by the severe side of weather.

“It is absolutely beautiful; the storms are so powerful,” he said. “I stand there in awe sometimes. It is nature’s beauty and ferocity all in one.”