Eric Nguyen

Eric Michael Nguyen (January 2, 1978 – September 9, 2007) was an American professional storm chaser, meteorologist, and photographer whose work reshaped visual and scientific documentation of tornadoes across the United States. Born in Newport Beach, California, and raised in Keller, Texas, Nguyen developed an early fascination with severe weather, channeling childhood curiosity into a lifelong pursuit of mobile instrumentation and high‑resolution photography. He enrolled at the University of Oklahoma in 2001, earning a B.S. in meteorology in May 2005, and quickly translated academic training into field expertise, joining the vibrant storm‑chasing community that roams the central Plains each spring. Beginning in 1994, Nguyen captured iconic images such as the white tornado with a rainbow over Mulvane, Kansas, a photograph that has become one of the most licensed and celebrated tornado pictures in history, frequently appearing in publications ranging from Smithsonian Magazine to NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day. His portfolio was distinguished by a bold use of foreground elements and an uncanny ability to render unusual color palettes, turning chaotic weather phenomena into compelling visual narratives that appealed to both scientists and the general public. Beyond photography, Nguyen contributed to peer‑reviewed scientific papers on lidar measurements and atmospheric stability, demonstrating a rare blend of artistic vision and rigorous data collection. In April 2007, while chasing with partner Amos Magliocco in Tulia, Texas, his instruments recorded an unprecedented pressure drop during a tornado impact, underscoring his commitment to advancing meteorological knowledge even under extreme danger. Tragically, Nguyen’s promising career was cut short when he died in Arlington, Texas, on September 9, 2007, following a suicide attempt. In the wake of his death, the meteorological community honored him with a memorial at the National Weather Center, an endowed scholarship at the University of Oklahoma, and exhibitions that continue to inspire future generations of storm enthusiasts.