SWS OPS: MONITORING & STANDBY
⚡ SWS GROUND INTELLIGENCE: Tracking severe convective threats across Tornado Alley and the Great Plains • Direct Doppler Radar integration active • Stay Weather Aware • Welcome to Severe Weather Specialist
00:00:00 UTC
Official Storm Chasing & Spotter Network

SEVERE WEATHER SPECIALIST

Different Storms • Same Mission • Stronger Together

Founded and led by Travis Johnson, Severe Weather Specialist (SWS) is an elite collective of chasers, certified spotters, radar analysts, and meteorologists. Driven by brotherhood and public safety, we deliver real-time ground-truth intelligence to protect communities in the path of violent severe storms.

Launch Live Radar Join SWS Team SWS Weather Family Submit Storm Report Message Travis
REAL-TIME
Ground-Truth Intercepts
NEXRAD / MRMS
Doppler Dual-Pol Feeds
100% FREE
Public Safety & Warning
ONE FAMILY
Chasers, Spotters & Techs
Radar Surveillance Desk

LIVE DOPPLER RADAR & WARNINGS

High-resolution composite reflectivity loop powered by NOAA NEXRAD, overlaid with live NWS warning polygons.

NWS Doppler & MRMS
Syncing Radar...
📢 Report Storm
dBZ
Severe (70+ dBZ)
Field Intercept Hub

LIVE CHASE BROADCAST & DISPATCH

Live stream feed from Travis Johnson and the Severe Weather Specialist intercept units in the field.

BROADCAST STANDBY
Channel: Severe Weather Specialist Official

SWS Field Stream Standby

Intercept teams are currently monitoring atmospheric conditions. When Travis and the team deploy into active supercells, the live 4K feed will stream right here.

Monitor Radar Now
SWS Field Dispatch Status
UNIT 1 • COMMAND INTERCEPT
Travis Johnson
Team Founder & Lead Intercept
Vehicle Rigged • Radios Online
UNIT 2 • RADAR / NOWCASTING
SWS Tactical Meteorology Desk
Dual-Pol & Velocity Dealiasing
Mesonet Monitoring Active
NETWORK • SPOTTER CORPS
Nationwide Spotter Family
Ground Truth Surface Verification
40+ Certified Spotters Connected
Transmit Field Report
Brotherhood & Community

THE SWS WEATHER FAMILY

We are more than just a storm team. We are a family united across distances, bound by a shared passion for severe weather and protecting our communities.

Travis Johnson - Team Founder
FOUNDER & LEADER

Travis Johnson

FOUNDER & LEAD INTERCEPT COMMANDER

"Weather has a higher purpose — always and forever we will be family. Through every siren, every hailstorm, and every dark road, we look out for one another and the people in harm's way."

Travis Johnson built Severe Weather Specialist from the ground up on the foundation of authenticity, dedication, and true family values. Believing that severe storm chasing is not about ego or adrenaline, but about life-saving ground truth warnings and mutual support, Travis leads an extensive network of spotters, technicians, and friends who stand together through every storm life brings.

SWS Weather Family

One Family • Stronger Together

"Our Family — Different Paths, Same Hearts, Always Together"
Spotters • Chasers • Radar Tech • Dispatch • Meteorologists • One Family

Severe Weather Specialist brings together passionate weather spotters, chasers, and communicators across communities. With open communication, real-time ground-truth reports, and a dedication to safety, we support each other through every severe weather event.

Field Intercept & Chasers

Experienced mobile crews navigating hazardous roads, Caprock canyons, and high-precipitation cores to intercept tornadic circulations safely and responsibly.

Certified Spotter Network

Trained SKYWARN observers stationed throughout towns and counties, providing rapid real-time reports of hail sizes, wall cloud rotation, and flash flooding.

Radar Tech & Nowcasters

Behind-the-scenes meteorological operators analyzing radar velocity couplets, correlation coefficient (CC) debris balls, and mesoanalysis targets.

Dispatch & Family Logistics

The backbone of our organization: dispatchers coordinating chase vehicle paths, relaying emergency alerts, and ensuring every member returns home safely.

2026 Recruitment Open

WANT TO CHASE WITH THE SWS WEATHER FAMILY?

Whether you are an experienced tactical intercept driver, a certified SKYWARN spotter, a radar nowcaster, or an eager learner seeking field mentorship with Travis Johnson, we want you on our team.

Apply for Team Membership
Ground Truth Portal

SUBMIT A SEVERE STORM REPORT

Witnessed severe weather? Send direct ground-truth observations to Travis Johnson and the SWS Operations Desk.

SAFETY FIRST: Never put yourself in danger to take photos or report weather. Only report from a secure, reinforced shelter or safe vantage point.
Pea
0.25"
Dime
0.70"
Quarter
1.00" ⚠️
Golf Ball
1.75"
Tennis Ball
2.50"
Baseball
2.75"
Softball
4.00"+
Preparedness & Education

SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY GUIDE

Knowing what to do before the storm strikes saves lives. Essential tips from the Severe Weather Specialist team.

Tornado Protection

  • Seek shelter immediately in a basement or storm shelter.
  • If no basement, go to an interior room (bathroom, closet) on the lowest floor.
  • Put as many sturdy walls between you and the outside as possible.
  • Protect your head with bicycle or sports helmets, heavy blankets, or cushions.
  • Never park under highway overpasses: they act as deadly wind tunnels and offer zero debris protection!

Cloud Morphology

  • Wall Cloud: Persistent, lowering cloud base under rain-free updraft with violent vertical motion and rapid rotation — indicates high tornado potential.
  • Shelf Cloud: Low, horizontal wedge cloud attached to rain base; produces high straight-line winds and rain, but does not rotate into tornadoes.
  • Scud Clouds: Ragged, loose fragments lifting into storm updraft. Often mistaken for funnels, but lack sustained rotation.
  • Always look for debris swirls on the ground to confirm a tornado!

Flash Flooding & Lightning

  • Turn Around, Don't Drown: Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock you off your feet; 12 inches can sweep away cars and trucks.
  • Arroyos and dry creek beds in high-desert and plain terrain can flash flood in minutes, even under clear blue skies if storms rage upstream.
  • When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors: If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance of deadly lightning.
Direct Leadership Communication

GET IN TOUCH WITH TRAVIS JOHNSON

Reach out to team founder Travis Johnson for general inquiries, storm chasing questions, media licensing, or joining the SWS spotter network.

Contact Information

Team Founder & Leader

Travis Johnson

Official Email

swsweatherfamily@gmail.com

Official Website

severeweatherspecialist.org

Media & Broadcast Licensing

High-resolution 4K tornado, lightning, and severe storm footage available for broadcast news and scientific research.

Send a Message