First Kuwaiti-Arab female storm chaser captures nature’s fury

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NEW YORK, Oct 3, (Agencies): In the tumultuous era of 2023, marked by catastrophic weather events globally, the world finds itself grappling with unprecedented climate-related disasters. The United Nations reports a staggering surge in such disasters since the turn of the millennium, impacting billions of lives. Amid this chaos, one remarkable woman, Sarah Hasan Al-Sayegh, an accountant by profession, has emerged as the first Kuwaiti-Arab female storm chaser, fearlessly venturing into the path of Earth’s most destructive natural forces. Her mission: is to capture images that can shed light on extreme weather patterns and enhance our ability to predict them.

A Journey into the Storms

Sarah Hasan Al-Sayegh, 40, initially pursued photography as a hobby, focusing on landscapes and cityscapes. However, her fascination with meteorological phenomena was ignited by an unexpected encounter in 2011. While out photographing a landscape, a massive “Haboob” dust storm swept towards her. “Haboob,” an Arabic term, refers to a wall of cloud formed by a low-level jet from the north lifting dust. This encounter left Al-Sayegh captivated, prompting her to delve into the world of storm chasing.

Since that pivotal moment, Al-Sayegh has been documenting storms across Kuwait and the Arabian Peninsula. Her mission extends beyond capturing the wild beauty of nature; it’s about understanding the mechanisms behind storms and tornadoes. Despite lacking a meteorological background, her experiences have made her acutely aware of changing weather patterns and the realities of climate change.

Climate Change Unveiled

In recent years, the Middle East and North Africa have witnessed a series of extreme weather events, from devastating floods to frequent sandstorms attributed partly to climate change. Al-Sayegh has noticed an increase in tornadoes across the region, a phenomenon not previously common. While storm chasers like Al-Sayegh contribute valuable data to meteorology, they are often not taken seriously in the Middle East.

Al-Sayegh diligently collects her photographic and video records, comparing them with prediction data from each chase. She shares her findings on social media and collaborates with weather monitoring accounts to contribute to the understanding of international weather phenomena.

A Risky Endeavor

Storm chasing demands meticulous planning, patience, and complex data analysis. Errors in judgment can lead to missed opportunities or, worse, perilous situations. Al-Sayegh acknowledges the unpredictability of nature and the need for a well-thought-out exit strategy during each chase. She recalls a close encounter with lightning in 2016 as a stark reminder of the dangers involved.

In a predominantly male-dominated field, especially in the Gulf region, Al-Sayegh aspires to inspire more Arab women to venture into storm chasing. Her message to aspiring female storm chasers and those pursuing male-dominated careers is simple: “Don’t let people say that you cannot do it because you’re female.”

While Al-Sayegh has yet to witness a tornado on the Arabian Peninsula, her photographic journey has captured remarkable cloud formations, including enormous “supercells” resembling flying saucers. Her future ambitions include expanding her meteorological knowledge and raising awareness about climate change through her photography and storm-chasing endeavors.

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