Hailey Jo Wx

Being able to see the aurora borealis twice now in my home state is the most unreal feeling. It makes me realize how grateful I am to live on this planet and witness the beauty of nature and the sky.

Every photo here is unedited, just used long exposure on my iPhone! 🫶🏻✨💫🌌 (ps I know that’s the Milky Way… however we need an aurora emoji!!!!)

Chase mode is activated today for a local threat! Let’s get it (and not cause destruction, please).

A few days into 2024 (started the year sick, of course!) and I’ve been able to cogitate a lot on 2023 as a whole. I’m sure everyone is tired of seeing all the posts that relate to the new year and with that being said— you thought you were done seeing sappy reflection posts, lots of random photos and paragraphs on paragraphs? Surprise shawtay, here’s one more:

2023 will always hold a special place in my heart because it is the year I officially started chasing storms. After years of watching livestreams, tornado videos/docs, Jim Cantore and even radar from the comfort of my home, I made the best decision for myself and chose to get out into the elements to experience something that has held my mind captive ever since I can remember. Storms are one of the biggest parts of who I am (maybe because my name has the word ‘hail’ in it or maybe because I was born on May 3rd, 1999 ;)). I have always loved to stand in the garage with my dad and watch a spring thunderstorm roll in, squealing with excitement as the lightning illuminated the neighborhood, feeling my hands get sweaty and my heart start thumping when the tornado sirens went off… I always knew I had this passion for weather. At my elementary school book fair, I would always buy three things— a Justin Bieber poster, scented pens and a book about weather. I only say this just to really appreciate every little moment leading up to my first chase.

I have to thank my friend Brian Allen for allowing me to ride along for a chase in Illinois on April 4th. I will remember that day forever, we saw four tornadoes (two of them being twins and one of them sadly being a destructive EF-3). That day solidified to me that this was something I absolutely would continue doing and hopefully be able to go out on my own using my own knowledge and everything Brian taught me about chasing.

There were a couple of roadblocks this year (ha, pun intended).. Penny, my Jeep, met the end of her road with me and I purchased my “official” first chase rig, Stormy. By that I just mean she’s a RAV4, badass and has taken me to 11 states to chase since I got her at the end of May.

During my “chasecation” in June, I got to meet and have the honor to chase alongside so many more amazing people who I am eternally grateful to call my pals. Rabbit, Nate, James, Hunter, Ryan, Charity, Jimmy, Max, Aaron, Jacob… you all are wonderful and there are so many people I know I didn’t mention and honestly that’s just because my brain capacity is kinda low (for that I’m sorry pls forgive me I still love you).

Anyway, to wrap this up because I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore… thank you to everyone who supported me and/or my storm chasing content in 2023. I’m proud of where I ended the year and I can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store. 🥂✨🤍🌪️⚡️

Now here’s a bunch of photos you could probably care less about with captions that likely won’t even be read. Cheers!