Spring and fall storms are a common sight for Tennesseans. While some folks hardly glance up at a darkening sky, others grow more alert, scanning radar apps or tuning in to local broadcasts. And then there are the weather watchers — the ones who track every front and funnel cloud, not for a paycheck, but out of a deep-rooted concern for their neighbors.

The work that meteorologists on local news and the National Weather Service do is lifesaving but they have many counties and cities to cover; they can’t always give attention to specific areas when the thunder is rolling and the skies are bright with lightning.

This is where RobCo Weather Watch and Sumner Severe Wx come in. Though neither are big-budget operations, they do have a combined 15,000 followers on social media. The two individuals behind the posts and alerts are motivated by one thing — protecting the people and communities they love.

Jason Walker of RobCo Weather Watch and Mackenzie Lowe of Sumner Severe Wx both share a passion for what can happen when moisture, wind, sunlight, and temperature form the perfect storm-forming ingredients. Most days, their job is simply to keep an eye on what might be coming. But on those days when everything lines up just so — when storms start brewing — their calling kicks in. That’s when they track storm paths/timing and share updates to help keep their followers safe.

Whether it’s a tornado warning or an ice storm, Jason and Mackenzie take their volunteer work seriously. They know people are counting on them.

“I know people depend on us for information because I get calls, texts, and messages almost every day,” Mackenzie shares. “When there are storms, I don’t sleep because I’m always on radar. During this last storm system, a lot was happening over an extended period, but all I was thinking about was helping get the right information out at the right time. That’s why I do live streams — I can give people info right there.”

Mackenzie’s passion for weather began at a young age as she battled storm anxiety. Through her grandpa, she found help from a family friend, Chuck Carter, a retired employee of the National Weather Service. Chuck took Mackenzie under his wing, guiding her through storms with hours-long phone calls, patiently answering questions, and becoming a steady mentor during uncertain weather. Though he has since passed away, Chuck’s calming presence and generosity left a lasting mark on her journey.

After experiencing the 2009 Good Friday Tornado in Murfreesboro, Mackenzie knew without a doubt that she wanted to be someone who helped others stay informed and safe. That calling led her to study meteorology at Mississippi State University. She’s also a trained weather spotter for the National Weather Service.

Like Mackenzie, Jason’s passion for weather started early — around age five. He remembers watching meteorologists on TV and tracking storms as they passed through his area, completely fascinated by every part of it.

The defining moment for Jason came during the West Virginia Flood of 2001. He found himself asking, “How can the weather transform people’s lives in an instant?” That question stuck with him and helped shape his path. He later attended Western Kentucky University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Geography with an emphasis in Meteorology and Climatology.

“I want to help people understand that the weather matters. It affects people whether they know about it or not,” Jason shares. “The more you know about it, the more you can be prepared for it. While none of us can control the weather, we can control our response to it, and I hope this page helps people be prepared.”

Walker and Lowe run their respective weather pages as bi-vocational meteorologists. While tracking storms, issuing warnings, and keeping up with real-time updates is demanding, both also work full-time jobs.

Mackenzie is an author who’s currently writing books about the weather — and how understanding it can help build faith in an all-powerful God.

Jason works as a human resources specialist at Wylie Steel in Springfield. The family-owned company relies on him not just for HR needs, but also as a safety coordinator to help keep all employees as safe as possible. This means tracking the weather is part of his everyday responsibility.

In a world where information flies fast and trust is hard-earned, it’s the steady, familiar voices like Jason Walker and Mackenzie Lowe that folks turn to when the skies turn ominous. Their work may not come with big titles or flashy graphics, but it’s full of purpose. With every radar update and storm warning, they’re not just sharing weather info — they’re offering peace of mind.

Their shared advice? “Whether you track the weather or not, there’s no reason to be scared if you’re prepared. Preparation looks like knowing who to trust, understanding what’s going on and when. Take the weather seriously, because it can change in an instant.”

Follow Jason & RobCo Weather Watch here.

Follow Mackenzie & Sumner Severe Wx here.

Cover photo courtesy of Mackenzie Lowe.