Clayton the storm chaser

Tyalgum storm chaser Clayton Buckland is looking for a partner to help him follow wild weather in the Tweed.

Crystal Spencer

TYALGUM teenager Clayton Buckland has always had a keen interest in the weather; rain, hail or shine.

But the 17-year-old amateur storm chaser is looking for something a bit more devastating, and he wants someone there with him.

The Year-12 student is looking for a fellow weather tracker to join him on his expeditions around the Tweed.

“It’s a great feeling chasing storms, but it’s hard to find people who are interested in it, especially at school,” Clayton said.

“I’ve always been interested in weather, especially lightning.

“I get a great adrenaline rush when I’m out there doing it.”

Clayton began chasing storms in November, but has since expanded his area to anywhere between Grafton and Brisbane.

“It has been a pretty bad season for it, though in the Tweed nothing too major has happened,” Clayton said. “I’m hoping for one big one before the season comes to an end in February.”

Clayton is looking to find someone locally who shares his same interest in storms.

“It would be great to have someone with the same interest in it all as me. I’m hoping for someone who wants to share driving duties,” he said.

“Just to have a second opinion on things would be fantastic.”

He said he once chased a storm for 500km.

“That’s nothing though. I’ve heard of professionals who’ve gone from Sydney to the Gold Coast doing it,” Clayton said.

Clayton is also a volunteer storm spotter for the Bureau of Meteorology and has just joined the Australia Severe Weather Association.

He hopes to study meteorology at university next year.