(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — Storm chasing may sound like something out of Twister, but for one local chaser, Stefan Klein, it’s a passion that started in an unexpected way.

Growing up in Louisiana, Klein says he was actually afraid of thunderstorms. “I used to be terrified of thunderstorms as a child,” he told me. That changed when his family moved to Midland, Texas, in the mid-1990s. To escape the heat, he would stay inside and watch tornado specials on TV. “Ironically, it was my getaway from the heat,” Klein said, and it turned a childhood fear into lifelong fascination that he continues today.

Today, he’s chasing storms across Colorado, a place he says offers some of the most unique setups in the country. “Out here, you don’t need as much CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy, essentially fuel for developing thunderstorms) because of the altitude. Storms form by the Springs, roll east, and just explode,” he explained. Even on days when other chasers might doubt the conditions, Klein says Colorado skies can surprise you. “I’ve had friends say, ‘Why are you chasing when the dew point’s only 47?’ But it’s totally worth it out here.”

Of course, storm chasing comes with risks and dangers. Klein has had close calls with hail, including a couple of chases where his windshield didn’t make it back home. “I’ve lost the windshield twice. That’s one of the scariest things I’ve ever experienced storm chasing,” he said.

So why keep going, despite the dangers? For Klein, the answer is simple: it’s not about adrenaline, but about the awe. “Storms are still a wow for me,” he said. “I’ve seen a million tornadoes, but I’m always chasing that perfect shot.. maybe twin tornadoes, maybe lightning with a storm. There’s always something more to capture.”

For Stefan, storm chasing is less about thrill-seeking and more about documenting nature’s most powerful moments; one chase at a time.