Meteorologist Reed Timmer Unpacks His Storm Chasing 'Obsession,' Its 'Dangers' and 'Devastation'
Meteorologist Reed Timmer Unpacks His Storm Chasing 'Obsession,' Its 'Dangers' and 'Devastation'
Lizzie HymanTue, June 23, 2026 at 7:38 PM UTC
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Reed Timmer in 'Never Stop Chasing'.Credit: Falco Ink -
Once afraid of storms, Meteorologist Reed Timmer now chases them, documenting the destruction they cause and the risks he takes to capture them
"I want to get close to a tornado because every one is different in its own way," Timmer says in the new trailer for the upcoming documentary Never Stop Chasing
The filmopens in theaters nationwide on Aug. 21
A man who once feared storms now pursues them, documenting both his "obsession" with extreme weather and the "devastation" it leaves behind.
In the trailer for the upcoming documentary Never Stop Chasing, meteorologist Reed Timmer and the people who know and work alongside him offer their perspectives on storm chasing. The film explores the risks involved, its potential benefits to society and features never-before-seen footage from Timmer's pursuit of some of nature's most powerful storms.
The trailer for the documentary, directed by Ken Cole and opening in theaters nationwide on Aug. 21, begins with Timmer, 46, running down an empty road as he explains what drives his passion for storm chasing.
"I want to get close to a tornado because every one is different in its own way," he says. "You can actually see science in motion. It's incredible."
The footage then shows Timmer and his group —Team Dominator — filming from their vehicle alongside a tornado. "We're meteorologists," one team member tells a bystander, who responds bluntly: "I don't care what you are. You're crazy."
Despite his love of extreme weather, Timmer hasn't always felt this passion. "Reed was very afraid of thunderstorms when he was a toddler," his mother says while childhood photos of the meteorologist appear on screen. As an image of a younger Timmer studying storms appears, she adds, "But a fear became an obsession."
The trailer continues with dramatic footage of storm-damaged roads as Timmer and Team Dominator navigate treacherous conditions. "This is a dangerous situation. It's going to be a big tornado," Timmer says in one clip. Moments later, footage shows part of their vehicle lying in the road. "All right, we just ripped the hood off," he says.
Reed Timmer and his team in 'Never Stop Chasing'Credit: Falco Ink
Amid scenes of chaos — including a rain-soaked Timmer yelling "Run!," falling trees and Team Dominator struggling to control their vehicle — the meteorologist emphasizes safety. "Survival is still the number one priority, of course," he says. "There has been a little bit of pushback on our storm chasing from the beginning."
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Opinions about Timmer's work vary. "Reed Timmer was not contributing to windstorm science," one man says in the trailer. Another offers a different perspective: "Learning more about tornadoes will help save lives," he says as footage of Timmer surveying widespread destruction, including damaged homes and vehicles, appears.
The documentary also highlights the emotional toll of chasing extreme weather. "I could love everything about the experience," one member of Team Dominator says, becoming emotional. "And at the same time, feel that immense pain at the devastation."
Reed Timmer in 'Never Stop Chasing'Credit: Falco Ink
Addressing the risks involved, another interview subject says, "He is the best to ever do it," as a news alert about veteran storm chasers being killed flashes across the screen. "But even the best can have a bad day."
Many of those featured in the film say they are inspired by Timmer's dedication. "Never stop chasing. He is the embodiment of those three words," one man says. Another adds, "It's what he was set on this earth to do."
Timmer and Cole previously worked together in 2003 on the PBS documentary Tornado Glory, which was released three years later, and on the Discovery Channel docuseries Tornado Chasers, which aired from 2007 to 2011.
Per the press release for Never Stop Chasing, "The film also explores Timmer's profound grief over the 2018 passing of his best friend and longtime Storm Chasers partner, Joel Taylor. Through these losses, Never Stop Chasing charts Timmer's evolution from youthful invincibility to a richer, harder-won confrontation with aging and mortality — while he continues to push further into storms than anyone else on earth."
Never Stop Chasing opens is select theaters Aug. 21.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
