Reed Timmer Biography: Meteorologist and Renowned Storm Chaser
Reed Timmer is a well-known American meteorologist and storm chaser. Born on March 17, 1980, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he developed an interest in weather at a young age.
He pursued this passion by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma in 2002 and later obtaining his Ph.D. in Meteorology from the same institution in 2015.
Career Highlights
Reed Timmer is best known for his work on the Discovery Channel’s reality television series Storm Chasers, which aired from 2008 to 2011.
He has also appeared in the documentary film Tornado Glory and the series Tornado Chasers. His storm-chasing career began in 1999 when he joined the University of Oklahoma’s storm chasing team.
Notable Storm Chases
Throughout his career, Timmer has documented over 1,000 tornadoes and has chased numerous hurricanes and blizzards. Some of his most notable storm chases include:
- 1999 Bridge Creek–Moore Tornado: Timmer filmed this tornado, which was part of the 1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak.
- 2011 Super Outbreak: He chased tornadoes during this historic outbreak, which included the Tuscaloosa–Birmingham tornadoes.
- 2013 El Reno Tornado: Timmer was injured while chasing this EF3 tornado.
- 2022 Hurricane Ian: He chased and filmed the eyewall of this Category 5 hurricane.
Contributions and Innovations
Reed Timmer is known for his innovative approach to storm chasing, including designing and building a series of armored vehicles called “Dominator”.
These vehicles allow him and his team to safely navigate through intense weather conditions. His research focuses on collecting valuable data from within severe storms to improve tornado forecasting and warning systems.
He continues to be active in the field of meteorology and storm chasing, sharing his knowledge and experiences through various media platforms.
Age:
Reed Timmer is 44 years old, born on March 17, 1980. His zodiac sign is Pisces. He is American by nationality and his ethnicity is White.
Parents and Siblings:
Reed Timmer was born in Ada Township, Michigan, to Susan Tolbert and Dan Timmer. He has two sisters: an older sister named Cortney and a younger sister named Dayna. Reed’s parents divorced when he was ten years old, and he was raised primarily by his mother.
Growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Reed developed an early interest in weather and science. He often watched The Weather Channel and was fascinated by severe weather events.
His first experience with a significant storm was at the age of five, during a tornado-warned storm that left a lasting impression on him.
By the age of thirteen, he had his first “storm chase” during a hailstorm, which resulted in his family’s video camera being destroyed while trying to capture it.
Reed was also involved in various activities during his youth, including playing the oboe and earning a music scholarship.
He participated in the Science Olympiad competition in both middle school and high school and became an Eagle Scout in 1995.
His passion for weather and science continued to grow, leading him to pursue a career in meteorology and storm chasing.
Wife:
Reed Timmer was married to Maria Molina, a meteorologist who works for the FOX News Channel.
The couple tied the knot on December 29, 2015, in a unique ceremony held at the Masaya Volcano National Park in Nicaragua.
Their wedding was quite memorable, as they exchanged vows at the top of one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
Unfortunately, Reed and Maria divorced in 2018. Since then, Reed has continued his career in meteorology and storm chasing, while Maria has also pursued her career in weather reporting.
Reed Timmer Kids
Reed Timmer and his ex-wife, Maria Molina, do not have any children together. Since their divorce in 2018, there haven’t been any public updates about Reed having children.
Height, Weight:
Reed Timmer stands at a height of 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm). His weight is approximately 185 lbs (84 kg).
Career and Background:
Reed Timmer pursued meteorology at the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a doctorate in the field.
He gained fame through his work on the “Storm Chasers” series, showcasing intense storm footage and documenting tornadoes up close.
Timmer is known for his dedication to capturing real-time data during severe weather events, often at great personal risk.
He has also created multiple documentaries, and his footage is widely used by news outlets, weather services, and research organizations.
Reed has made extensive contributions to the understanding of tornadoes and extreme weather events.
Here are some key highlights:
Early Career and Education
Reed Timmer’s interest in weather began at a young age, and he pursued this passion by studying meteorology at the University of Oklahoma.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Meteorology in 2002 and later completed his Ph.D. in Meteorology in 2015. During his time at the university, he joined the storm chasing team and began documenting tornadoes.
Discovery Channel and Television Appearances
Reed gained widespread recognition through his appearances on the Discovery Channel’s reality television series Storm Chasers, which aired from 2008 to 2011.
He also appeared in the documentary film Tornado Glory and the series Tornado Chasers. His on-screen presence and daring storm chases captivated audiences and brought attention to the field of meteorology.
Storm Chasing Career
Reed Timmer has chased and documented over 1,000 tornadoes since he began his career in 1998. Some of his most notable storm chases include:
- 1999 Bridge Creek–Moore Tornado: Timmer filmed this tornado, which was part of the 1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak.
- 2011 Super Outbreak: He chased tornadoes during this historic outbreak, including the Tuscaloosa–Birmingham tornadoes.
- 2013 El Reno Tornado: Timmer was injured while chasing this EF3 tornado.
- 2022 Hurricane Ian: He chased and filmed the eyewall of this Category 5 hurricane.
Innovations and Contributions
Reed Timmer is known for his innovative approach to storm chasing, including designing and building a series of armored vehicles called “Dominator”.
These vehicles allow him and his team to safely navigate through intense weather conditions.
His research focuses on collecting valuable data from within severe storms to improve tornado forecasting and warning systems.
Current Work
Reed Timmer currently works as an Extreme Meteorologist at AccuWeather, where he combines his meteorological knowledge, experience, and passion for chasing storms to deliver riveting, up-close weather coverage.
He uses 360-degree video cameras to provide viewers with a unique insider perspective on weather events.
Reed Timmer has made numerous memorable weather forecasts throughout his career, often capturing the raw power of nature in his reports. Here are some of his most notable forecasts:
- 1999 Bridge Creek–Moore Tornado: This tornado was part of the 1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak and was one of Reed’s earliest significant chases. He documented the tornado, which was an F5 on the Fujita scale, providing valuable footage and insights.
- 2011 Super Outbreak: During this historic outbreak, Reed chased multiple tornadoes, including the Tuscaloosa–Birmingham tornadoes. His forecasts and real-time updates helped keep people informed and safe.
- 2013 El Reno Tornado: Reed was injured while chasing this EF3 tornado, which was one of the widest tornadoes ever recorded. His forecast and footage of the tornado provided critical information to the meteorological community.
- Hurricane Michael (2018): Reed experienced the intense winds of this Category 5 hurricane firsthand as it made landfall in Florida. His forecast and on-the-ground reporting highlighted the destructive power of the storm.
- Hurricane Laura (2020): Reed chased this Category 4 hurricane as it devastated Louisiana. His forecast and footage showed the eyewall passing directly over the Lake Charles area, causing widespread damage.
- Hurricane Ian (2022): This was one of the most extreme hurricane chases in Reed’s career. He captured footage of the eyewall and provided real-time updates as the Category 4 hurricane hit Florida.
Reed’s forecasts are known for their accuracy and his ability to capture the intensity of severe weather events. His dedication to storm chasing and meteorology has made him a respected figure in the field.
Reed Timmer has collaborated with several colleagues throughout his career, many of whom are also prominent figures in the field of meteorology and storm chasing. Some of his close colleagues include:
- Chris Chittick: Chris is a storm chaser and meteorologist who has worked closely with Reed on various projects and storm chases. They have a long-standing friendship and professional relationship.
- Jordan Hall: Jordan is a storm chaser and filmmaker who is part of Reed’s team, Team Dominator. They often collaborate on storm-chasing expeditions and produce engaging content for Reed’s YouTube channel.
- Sean Casey: Sean is another well-known storm chaser and filmmaker who has worked with Reed on several occasions. He is famous for his Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV), which has been featured in various storm-chasing documentaries.
- Tim Samaras: Although Tim Samaras tragically passed away in 2013 while chasing the El Reno tornado, he was a close friend and colleague of Reed’s. Tim was a respected meteorologist and storm chaser who made significant contributions to the field.
These colleagues have played important roles in Reed’s career, contributing to his success and the advancement of meteorological research and storm chasing.
Reed Timmer on Joel Taylor Death
Reed Timmer was deeply affected by the death of his close friend and storm-chasing partner, Joel Taylor. Joel passed away on January 23, 2018, at the age of 38.
Reed expressed his grief and shock on social media, stating, “I am shocked and absolutely devastated by the loss of my incredible, caring friend.
We chased so many intense storms, and I wish we could have just one more storm chase. I’ll miss you forever, Joel. We lost a legend.”
Joel Taylor’s death was a significant loss to the storm-chasing community, and Reed’s heartfelt tribute highlighted the strong bond they shared through their many storm-chasing adventures.
Net Worth and Salary:
Reed Timmer’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million. This wealth has been accumulated through his successful career as a meteorologist, storm chaser, and media personality.
His salary as an Extreme Meteorologist at AccuWeather ranges from $45,000 to $110,000 per year.
This estimate can vary based on additional projects, consulting work, and appearances on television and other media platforms.
Reed’s financial success is a result of his dedication to meteorology, his innovative storm-chasing techniques, and his ability to engage and educate the public about severe weather events.
His work on the Discovery Channel’s Storm Chasers and his contributions to AccuWeather have significantly contributed to his net worth.
Is Reed Timmer Married?
As of recent reports, Reed Timmer is not currently married. He was previously married to Maria Molina, a meteorologist, in 2015, but the couple divorced in 2018.
Despite the personal challenges, Reed continues to be dedicated to his work in meteorology and storm chasing.
How Old Is Reed Timmer?
Reed Timmer is 44 years old. He was born on March 17, 1980, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
What Happened to Reed Timmer and Ginger Zee
Reed Timmer and Ginger Zee have both had successful careers in meteorology, but there haven’t been any recent major news stories specifically about them together.
Reed Timmer continues to work as an Extreme Meteorologist at AccuWeather and is known for his daring storm chases.
Ginger Zee, on the other hand, is the Chief Meteorologist for ABC’s Good Morning America and has also appeared on Dancing with the Stars.
Where Is Reed Timmer Working At?
Reed Timmer is currently working as an Extreme Meteorologist at AccuWeather. In this role, he combines his extensive meteorological knowledge and passion for storm chasing to provide riveting, up-close weather coverage. He uses 360-degree video cameras to give viewers a unique insider perspective on severe weather events.
Reed Timmer is quite active on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. He also has a YouTube channel with over 1.18 million subscribers as of Novermber 2024.
On his channel, he shares videos of his storm chases, weather forecasts, and behind-the-scenes content from his career. He also engages with his followers through comments and updates about upcoming chases and projects.
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