Who doesn't love a good thunderstorm? As a kid I remember being in awe of the enormity and power displayed by nature in thunderstorms. In high school, I worked at a summer camp and when the late-night thunderstorms would roll in, I'd sit out on the balcony of the cabin, watching the lightning bolts course through the sky.
If you're like me and have any interest in storms, tornadoes or hurricanes, Indiana Storm Chasers Convention is the place for you. Returning for their 12th year INChaserCon will take place Nov. 4, 2023 at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds & Conference Complex.
INChaserCon
To kick off the weekend, an evening ice breaker event will be held the night before on Nov. 3 at the Springhill Suites Indianapolis Airport in Plainfield from 6-9 p.m. The event will be a great opportunity to network and talk stormchasing.
The convention provides a weekend packed full of weather-related conversation, presentations, exhibitors and networking.
Weather enthusiasts, storm chasers, storm spotters and meteorologists come from around the country for this event.
All ages will be in attendance, and students are encouraged to attend!
History
Joseph (JT) Cooper is the founder of INChaserCon. He has chased storms for 17 years and studied meteorology at the College of DuPage and Mississippi State University.
He got the idea to start a convention in Central Indiana in 2011. At the time, there were no weather-enthusiast conventions anywhere in the Midwest.
About 15-20 people attended that first gathering, and it is grown substantially. In 2017, the event drew people from 18 states and as far away as Canada!
What to Expect
Beth Carpenter, the event organizer and nine-year storm chaser, stresses the event is open to everyone. You don't need to be a storm chaser or even have a background or training in weather to attend.
The speakers cover topics everyone can understand, and they continue to diversify topics and speakers each year. This year, the convention will have four guest speakers, including local meteorologist Sam Lashley of the National Weather Service. Sam will speak on the 1974 Super Outbreak, the second largest tornado outbreak on record, which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year.
Emmy Award-winning meteorologist Hannah Strong of WDRB in Louisville will also serve as a featured speaker, as will Mesoscale Assistant/Fire Weather Forecaster Evan Bentley.
Tickets & More Info
You can find a complete list of speakers, the convention agenda and hotel and registration information by visiting the convention website. Ticket prices range from $20 (students with ID), $40 until Oct. 30 and $45 the day of the event. To register and purchase tickets, click here.
You can also contact Beth Carpenter by email if you would like more information on exhibiting at the convention, have any questions or would like more information on the event,
