In 2009 and 2010 there was a really big tornado research project in the Great Plains of the U.S. Up to 40 research vehicles including mobile radars and vehicles with instruments attached would surround a supercell thunderstorm and take measurements so we could better understand how tornadoes form.

Susan created Chase Stormdog in 2009 as a way to talk to kids about thunderstorm and tornado science and safety. She learned that by talking about tornado safety with her children on a sunny day, they were calm and ready when a tornado threat existed.

This blog has been spinning in Susan's head since then! She is not sure where it will go, but she has lots of ideas and characters to introduce to Chase and his friends.

Chase is modeled after Mr. Bingley, a miniature Australian Shepherd. He likes to make sure everyone is okay. Susan took care of him when he was a puppy, and they became fast friends. He even put up with her putting a helmet on his head for tornado safety!