FARGO, N.D. — Dr. Reed Timmer, an extreme meteorologist and prominent storm chaser, is slated to bring his “Dominate the Storm” presentation to the Fargo Theatre on Friday, February 20, 2026. Doors are set to open at 7 p.m., with the show commencing at 8 p.m.
Dr. Timmer specializes in intercepting the planet’s most powerful storms to collect valuable scientific data. Holding a PhD in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma, he is both a dedicated storm chaser and a scientist focused on understanding these destructive weather phenomena and their evolving nature. With a career devoted to extreme field research and storm chasing, Dr. Timmer has intercepted over 1,000 tornadoes and more than 50 hurricanes over several decades. He is one of the few individuals in history to have chased both an EF5 tornado and a Category 5 hurricane, viewing the close-range pursuit of tornadoes as an art form refined through years of experience. The renowned, tank-like storm chasing vehicles, known as the Dominators, were invented by Timmer in 2009 specifically for recording data within these highly dangerous storms.
The Dominators remain fully operational today, equipped with state-of-the-art meteorological sensors and protected by an aerodynamic, armored outer shell capable of anchoring to the ground with hydraulic spikes. Timmer has pioneered various delivery mechanisms for deploying sensors into tornadoes and hurricanes, including ground-based probes, drones, balloons, and even model rockets. Since 2020, Dr. Timmer has driven directly inside 10 tornadoes in Dominator 3, making him the storm chaser who has been inside more tornadoes than any other human in history.
Among Reed Timmer’s most notable storm chases are the intercept of a strong tornado in southern Nebraska with Dominator 1 on June 17, 2009, where on-board sensors and mobile radar measured a 140 mph wind gust from inside the vortex. Another significant event occurred last year, when a trackable sensor was launched by model rocket into a mile-wide EF4 tornado in eastern Kansas using Dominator 3’s roof-mounted rocket launcher. This sensor, attached to a parachute, was lofted up to 39,000 feet by the EF4 tornado at speeds of up to 190 mph, recording unprecedented high-resolution (10 Hz) meteorological data throughout its 30-mile journey inside the vortex. Over the past two decades, his notable hurricane intercepts include Hurricane Katrina in Slidell, LA; Rita in Orange, TX; and Category 5 Hurricane Michael in October 2019.
Beyond his field science, Dr. Timmer also provides life-saving reports and content while storm chasing through both traditional and social media platforms. He currently chases storms for the National Geographic Channel and the RadarOmega application. For Reed Timmer, “NEVER stop chasing” is not merely a motto, but a way of life.
Tickets for the event will be available to the general public on Friday, July 25, at 10 a.m. An exclusive online-only presale is scheduled for Thursday, July 24, from 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Reserved seating for the event begins at $45.50.
Tickets can be purchased via JadePresents.com, by calling (701) 298-0071, or at the Tickets300 box office (1320 1st Ave. N.), which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
