Meteorology includes the study of weather and climate. Meteorologists are particularly interested in studying the evolution of thunderstorms and tornadoes. Researching and observing storms began as a hobby for Howard B. Bluestein. Bluestein's interest in meteorology began with cloud photography. After earning a degree in electrical engineering, he continued his graduate studies with a specialization in meteorology. In his book Monster Storms of the Great Plains, Bluestein recounts his experiences storm chasing and tornado research. It also traces the history of technology used to research and collect storm data. Thunderstorms can be spectacular but also destructive. How thunderstorms develop and why tornadoes form remains a mystery to scientists (Bluestein, 1999, loc. 2046). The development of a storm begins with the accumulation of clouds (cumulative stage) and updrafts. The moisture in the clouds turns into liquid water and releases heat. The moisture in the clouds turns into raindrops, which changes the density of the clouds. The cooling and the weight of the rain cause a downdraft. The wind moves with the downdraft, causing wind gusts. Tornadoes can develop within thunderstorm cells. According to Bluestein (1999), cells arise when dry thermal currents, floating unsaturated air parcels, reach the condensation level and remain buoyant. In the absence of dry thermal currents, cells can fire if unsaturated air is raised to its condensation level by various means (loc. 359). The word supercell was coined by a British meteorologist to describe a large storm that lasts for more than a year. hour. Supercells are severe thunderstorms that produce hail. Updrafts in supercells can be so strong that the development of tornadoes is very complex. Thunderstorm cells form through a process of dry thermal currents and floating parcels of unsaturated air reaching the condensation level and remaining buoyant. The cells then fire if the unsaturated air is raised to its condensation level by various means. Thunderstorms can spawn tornadoes when conditions are right. Tornadoes can occur anywhere and at any time in the world. Tornadoes most often occur in an area called Tornado Alley. Howard Bluestein has spent more than twenty years chasing storms and researching tornadoes. Although many new technologies have enabled extensive research in this area, the development of tornadoes still remains a mystery to meteorologists. Works Cited Bluestein, H. (1999) Tornado alley: monster storms of the Great Plains. [Kindle version]. Retrieved from Amazon.com