Benji and Andrea travel hundreds of kilometres while chasing storms. (source: Benji)
When a storm approaches, most people seek shelter. Not these two. Andrea and Benji—as they prefer to be known—have been observing and documenting storms across central Slovakia for several years. Their nicknames are an intrinsic part of their identity and are widely used within the storm chasing community.
They pursue storms intentionally, guided by weather forecasts, often travelling tens or even hundreds of kilometres. They regularly share the results of their work with the public and with experts.
They observe not only lightning and unique cloud structures, but also the overall atmospheric dynamics. Though not professional meteorologists, their observations carry significant informational value. To them, storms are both a fascinating natural phenomenon and a force to be respected—with safety always a priority.
While there are storm enthusiasts in western Slovakia—and perhaps in the north and east as well—these two remain the only active storm chasers in the central region. As a result, they often manage to capture moments most people would never witness.
More than just clouds and rain
“I used to have panic attacks as a child whenever there was a storm, but somewhere along the way that fear transformed into fascination,” Benji explains.
He began storm chasing around 2016 or 2017. Andrea, meanwhile, has been drawn to storms since childhood, often gazing skywards despite her mother’s warnings to keep away from the windows.
Their outings are now finely tuned: he drives, she monitors the radar and navigates.
For them, storm chasing is a mix of science, adrenaline, and adventure. Each storm is different, they say. “They all have varying strength, structure and a unique story. That diversity is what we enjoy most,” says Benji.
