Jacob Honeycutt

🌪 Official on-air Storm Tracker at FOX4 News Kansas City & KSN News 3 Wichita | Executive Producer of The National Storm Chaser Summit | Opinions are my own

[Jacob Honeycutt @Jacob_Wx3]

5:30pm: just west of Butler, MO
@fox4wx
@NWSKansasCity

[Jacob Honeycutt @Jacob_Wx3]

Severe storms producing aggressive structure in north central KS this evening. 70mph winds with these storms. @fox4wx @KSNStormTrack3

[Jacob Honeycutt @Jacob_Wx3]

Somewhere, Jeremy Goodwin is punching the air right now #IYKYK @BrandonCopicWx

[Jacob Honeycutt @Jacob_Wx3]

We will be starting today along the outflow boundary and follow storms south through the KC area. Stay with @KSNStormTrack3 and @fox4wx and we will keep you advised

[Matthew Cappucci @MatthewCappucci]

Really eyeing where this outflow boundary from the northern storm complex intersects with an approaching frontal system/low pressure.

Enhanced spin along the boundary could bolster supercell/tornado risk in northern Kansas and northwest Missouri.

[Jacob Honeycutt @Jacob_Wx3]

@WesWeather Got to love the TV life. But it’s MR! dumbass. Jeez

[Jacob Honeycutt @Jacob_Wx3]

Chased a few tornado warned storms. No tornadoes reported but the storms did look intense across central MO this afternoon.
@fox4wx
@fox4kc
@LisaTeachman
@NWSKansasCity
@NWSSpringfield

[Jacob Honeycutt @Jacob_Wx3]

1:40pm: El Dorado Springs, MO. Watching closely @fox4wx

[Jacob Honeycutt @Jacob_Wx3]

Tickets are on sale NOW for the @chaser_summit 2027! Get them while they last! https://t.co/MeNCF38eok

@EdgarONealWX
@erikfox2000

[Jacob Honeycutt @Jacob_Wx3]

Out in the field chasing with @erikfox2000 and @project_otus in Kansas tonight
@fox4wx @KSNStormTrack3 @LisaTeachman

[Jacob Honeycutt @Jacob_Wx3]

8:15pm: Storms continuing near Olathe, KS
@fox4wx

[Jacob Honeycutt @Jacob_Wx3]

7:35pm: storms developing near Gardner, KS
@fox4wx

[Jacob Honeycutt @Jacob_Wx3]

This is unconstitutional as it gets. I would personally fight this in court. Even though I would qualify for Ben’s pink puck, this is ridiculous. Don’t let people like this have any say in “regulation.”

[Trooper Ben @TrooperBenKs]

Storm spotting has changed.

When I first started in law enforcement 26 years ago, we did not see what we are seeing today.

Back then, storm spotting had a different feel. It was often done by trained people trying to help communities, support weather reporting, and provide information that could help protect lives.

Today, we still have many skilled and needed storm spotters doing valuable work.

BUT we also have a growing number of storm enthusiasts and thrill seekers rushing toward dangerous weather. Many are trying to gather content for their social media pages.

That becomes a real problem when it chokes down a roadway, limits movement, and makes it harder for first responders to do their work.

What recently happened in Marshall County should serve as a reminder of what can happen when this continues to grow without clear rules, expectations, or accountability.

When hundreds of vehicles converge on the same storm, especially in small Kansas communities and on rural roads, the roadway can become part of the emergency.

Emergency vehicles can be slowed down. Local residents can be boxed in. Deputies, troopers, firefighters, EMS, and emergency managers can have a harder time getting where they need to go.

That is why I think it is time to change the way we do business with storm spotting.

It starts with an idea. Then we talk about it. We adjust it. We take it further where it makes sense. We pull it back where needed. But we have to start somewhere if we want to make things better and safer.

My idea is this…

Kansas should take the lead and begin looking at a statewide credentialing system for official storm spotters.

A trained storm spotter who wants to be recognized by the State of Kansas should have to apply, provide proof of training and experience, and meet a clear standard.

I also do not believe just anyone should be able to apply on their own.

To become an official storm spotter in Kansas, a person should be connected to a recognized organization.

That connection would help show there is a real need, a clear role, and some level of accountability.

Once approved, they would receive official Kansas storm spotter credentials.

I also believe approved storm spotters should be required to display a bright neon pink glowing puck on top of their vehicle while actively spotting storms.

The light should illuminate upward. It should not shine toward the front or back like an emergency light. It should sit on top of the vehicle and glow steadily upward so law enforcement, first responders, emergency managers, and community members can quickly identify that person as an approved storm spotter.

The goal is to identify them.

It would give law enforcement a simple visual way to separate official storm spotters from thrill seekers who are rushing into dangerous weather with no training, no purpose, and no accountability.

If someone is actively chasing a storm without the approved identifier, law enforcement should have the ability to stop that vehicle, check for credentials, and issue a citation if that person is not approved.

Maybe a $1000 fine. 🤔

That may sound strong, but when someone blocks roads, slows emergency response, or adds to the danger during an active storm, there needs to be a real consequence.

This is not about stopping good storm spotting.

This is about stopping unsafe storm chasing.

Maybe this exact idea is not the final answer.

But doing nothing should not be the answer either.

Storm chasing has become overly saturated. The roads around dangerous storms are becoming more crowded, more confusing, and more challenging for everyone involved.

So let’s start the conversation.

What do you think?

How would you adjust this idea?

How do we make it better?

How do we protect the trained storm spotters who are doing good work, while also addressing the people who are creating hazards?

#KSwx

[Jacob Honeycutt @Jacob_Wx3]

@TrooperBenKs Absolutely not! Totally unconstitutional.

[Jacob Honeycutt @Jacob_Wx3]

@BrandonCopicWx is the GOAT. And does more to save lives than the ego bruised jealous guy in Topeka ever has. And most chasers for that matter. #Opinion

[Brandon Copic @BrandonCopicWx]

Waking up to a TV Meteorologist trying to cancel me for not stopping completely at stop signs, crossing a no passing zone line to #1 go around a turning car, and #2 to not hit part of the road falling apart and get a flat, as well as doing U-Turns with no traffic around LOL

[Jacob Honeycutt @Jacob_Wx3]

There was a fly in the ointment today. Given the parameters, these should have produced sizable tornadoes. I would have been right there to see them. But something was off and they stopped at rotating wall cloud mode. @KSNNews @fox4wx

[Jacob Honeycutt @Jacob_Wx3]

Possible tornado damage west of Holton, KS after tornado warned storm passed through about 7:20pm

@NWSTopeka
@KSNNews
@fox4wx
@KSNTNews