Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
These are original storm chase experiences recorded on VHS videotape by the late Jim Leonard with Chuck Robertson and another chase partner between May 14, May 16 and May 22, 1986. The first video was recorded along HW 62 near Snyder, Oklahoma as a tornado briefly occurred south of the Wichita mountain range. The video continues along with the NSSL TOTO entourage east of town where the group of storm chasers encounters damage to a farmstead and injured cattle.
For the NSSL TOTO crews perspective of the May 14, 1986 Snyder, Oklahoma tornado event, here is that video: youtu.be/7GCe7tPH8GI
The next chase day on the tape was May 16, 1986 near Sweetwater in Western Oklahoma. The video concludes with an impromptu storm chaser gathering at a park somewhere in Oklahoma with Roy Britt, Randy Zipser, Rocky Rascovich, Chuck Robertson and others.
This was about the point in time when portable video equipment was becoming slightly more commonplace, yet was still fairly cumbersome to document severe weather with. Jim Leonard was one of the first to adopt the new technology into various storm chases starting around 1983. Enjoy the memories!
All videography © 1986 Jim Leonard, All Rights Reserved.
These are original storm chase experiences recorded on VHS videotape by the late Jim Leonard with Chuck Robertson and another chase partner between May 14, May 16 and May 22, 1986. The first video was recorded along HW 62 near Snyder, Oklahoma as a tornado briefly occurred south of the Wichita mountain range. The video continues along with the NSSL TOTO entourage east of town where the group of storm chasers encounters damage to a farmstead and injured cattle.
For the NSSL TOTO crews perspective of the May 14, 1986 Snyder, Oklahoma tornado event, here is that video: youtu.be/7GCe7tPH8GI
The next chase day on the tape was May 16, 1986 near Sweetwater in Western Oklahoma. The video concludes with an impromptu storm chaser gathering at a park somewhere in Oklahoma with Roy Britt, Randy Zipser, Rocky Rascovich, Chuck Robertson and others.
This was about the point in time when portable video equipment was becoming slightly more commonplace, yet was still fairly cumbersome to document severe weather with. Jim Leonard was one of the first to adopt the new technology into various storm chases starting around 1983. Enjoy the memories!
All videography © 1986 Jim Leonard, All Rights Reserved.
