Professor Scott Varnell holds a prominent position as a meteorologist, serving as the department chair of Meteorology at Canute College. Additionally, he plays the role of team leader for the storm chasing team. He is deeply passionate about tornadoes and their study. This interest was sparked by a personal experience – the destruction of his own childhood home by a tornado.

Over the course of the last 15 years, Scott has dedicated his efforts to delving into tornadogenesis, the intricate process through which tornadoes take shape. This pursuit holds the potential to revolutionize tornado warning systems by extending the time available for alerts and precisely identifying the inception of tornadoes. Scott has an exceptional skill in foreseeing the locations where tornadoes are likely to form, a talent that boasts an impressively high accuracy rate. Scott's passion for storm chasing is not just a professional interest but a personal obsession. Despite the potential dangers, he eagerly chases tornadoes and seems to find a unique beauty in severe weather.

Scott expresses frustration with his current students, describing their lack of enthusiasm and engagement in contrast to his previous, more dedicated students.

It's worth noting that Scott has an allergy to cats and a strong aversion to chocolate. He states that he had a bad s'mores experience in 2002.

At some point, Scott's career took a downturn. He applied for tenure and promotion to the rank of Full Professor at his college, but his application was rejected due to concerns about the quality and frequency of his publications. This rejection seems to have affected his mood and behavior, making him more bitter and disillusioned about his work and his colleagues.

Scott feels unappreciated and unrecognized for his expertise and accomplishments. He's frustrated by the lack of respect and compensation he receives despite his extensive knowledge. Scott's bitterness towards the academic system and those who he believes have held him back leads him to sabotage his own team's chances in the Green Skies competition. He's willing to collaborate with Brooke Tavanah to ensure her team's victory and secure his own financial gain. This reveals his willingness to compromise ethical boundaries for personal gain.

Scott was given community service as a penalty for causing harm to public property and tampering with public safety records. Additionally, he was fired from his position at Canute College. In light of his sentence, Scott would be serving the community in a more direct and meaningful way, by doing tasks like picking up garbage by the side of the road.

Dr. Deborah "Debbie" Kircum, a recent recipient of a Ph.D. in Meteorology, has spent the past five years as an integral part of the Canute College storm chasing team.

Debbie serves as the team manager under the team leader Scott Varnell. While Scott's mood can be unpredictable, Debbie has learned to navigate his personality and idiosyncrasies. She deeply respects his knowledge and skills in predicting tornado formation, but there seems to be some tension between them. She often has insights into Scott's behavior and can read him well.

Despite her impressive credentials, Debbie is approachable and down-to-earth. Her expertise in meteorology and her dedication to storm chasing make her an integral part of the team. Debbie is proactive and takes charge in various situations. She plays a crucial role in managing the team's activities, making decisions during storm chases, and coordinating research efforts. She also works on maintaining the storm chasing equipment and is quick to delegate tasks to others when necessary. Despite the challenges the team faces, including equipment malfunctions and internal conflicts, Debbie remains focused on the team's goals and ensuring their safety.

When she's not in pursuit of storms, Debbie finds her passion in the realm of theater. At the Grange Theater, she takes on the roles of both stage manager and director for sound and lighting.

It becomes evident that Debbie is not just an accomplished meteorologist, but she also has a strong sense of responsibility and integrity. She's determined to do what's best for the team, even if it means confronting difficult situations. Her dedication to the safety of the team members and her commitment to accurate data collection set her apart as a reliable and capable leader.

Debbie's concerns about Scott intensified after Pete, a former team member, was deliberately harmed due to Scott's choices. Collaboratively, Debbie and Frosty endeavored to encourage Scott's departure from the team. Yet, as events transpired, Debbie recognized the flaws in her approach. Despite her missteps, Debbie takes accountability for her actions and endeavors to mend her relationships. Debbie had been unaware of Scott's involvement in sabotaging the team and colluding with Brooke Tavanah.

Ultimately, Debbie unites the remaining members from both storm chasing teams, resulting in improved performance unburdened by Scott's detrimental impact. The team may have accurately predicted a tornado touchdown. While the results of the Green Skies competition are still pending, the team's prospects appear promising.

Tobias "Frosty" Harlow serves as the media specialist for the storm-chasing team. He handles various types of equipment, including cameras for stills, audio, video, digital, and analog. He takes pride in his skill set and considers himself proficient at his job.

Frosty joined Scott's tornado-chasing team after their previous photographer left. He became an integral part of the team, contributing his media skills to capture storm-related content. Frosty gets along with everyone on the team, including Scott, despite Scott's occasional outbursts. He seems adaptable and tolerant of Scott's yelling. He also makes light of rivalries, as evidenced by his description of Brooke, the rival team's leader.

The nickname "Frosty" has an interesting backstory. It originates from an encounter he had with a powerful thunderstorm. A few years prior to joining the team, Frosty was caught in a severe storm while taking pictures. He had inadvertently driven into the core of a powerful high precipitation (HP) supercell, experiencing intense rain, strong winds, and massive hailstones. This encounter led to his nickname, as he emerged from this experience with extraordinary photos and footage of the hail, solidifying his reputation as a fearless documenter of extreme weather events. This experience marked a turning point in his career and personal identity.

Frosty's willingness to chase storms and document extreme weather events shows his adventurous nature. He embraces the excitement and danger of storm chasing and takes pride in capturing unique footage. Frosty's passion for storm photography shines through his anecdotes about storms, his dream of photographing Nacreous clouds, and his commitment to his work. His ambitions extend beyond the team, as he envisions launching his own photography business.

Despite his fearless demeanor in extreme weather situations, Frosty has an irrational fear of mice. He reacts strongly to the presence of mice and even enlists Nancy's help to deal with them, showcasing a humorous contrast between his brave exterior and this particular fear.

Despite his trustworthy appearance, Frosty is revealed to have been secretly selling tornado footage and pictures to an aspiring nature photographer. Despite the legality of the situation, he rationalizes his actions as helping someone get a start in their career. Frosty's ethical choices come into question as he navigates between his loyalty to the team and his personal ambitions. While his actions have financial motives, he still cares about his team members and the quality of his work.

Scott's departure from the team leads to Frosty renegotiating his contract and establishing his own media business. He seizes the opportunity to pursue his personal projects and capitalize on his media skills, further solidifying his position as a media expert in the field of extreme weather documentation.

Chase Relerford, a skilled mechanic and resourceful handyman, forms an integral part of the storm-chasing team. He's the go-to person for fixing things around the team's operations, including vehicles and electronics. He's confident in his abilities and doesn't hesitate to tackle technical challenges, immersing himself fully even if it means getting his hands dirty.

Chase is a practical, straightforward man with a down-to-earth personality. Possessing a helpful and resourceful disposition, he readily lends his expertise in fixing a wide variety of equipment. Chase is good at explaining tasks and helping others learn as seen when he guides Nancy in fixing the LED display and putting the car transmission back together. He's also willing to teach Nancy about wiring circuit boards and even offers a reward-based incentive system for her work. Chase's preference for earning pennies rather than receiving them for free suggests his appreciation for the value of hard work and earning rewards through effort.

Chase doesn't mince words and often uses colloquial phrases. He's humble about his skills, never boasting, and even jokes about his name when people assume it's related to his tornado-chasing activities. Chase has a sweet tooth. He expresses unabashed excitement about receiving candy and his love for chocolate demonstrates his childlike enjoyment of simple pleasures.

Chase likes keeping busy and enjoys his role within the team. He's known for his clever inventions, like the prairie dog vacuum. His choice to design such a device for relocating prairie dogs, even if it's unorthodox, emphasizes his creative problem-solving skills and dedication to animal welfare. Chase is also perceptive, uncovering anomalies in the storm equipment, such as the unusual wiring of the lightning rod.

Despite his practical nature, Chase had a brief phase where he tried to find oil using a stolen divining rod. His attachment to the idea of using this tool reveals a touch of superstition or nostalgia for family traditions. Chase eventually realized the futility of this endeavor and admitted his actions to Nancy. He shows remorse when his actions go against his upbringing and values, demonstrating self-awareness and a willingness to change for the better.

Chase evolves from focusing on finding oil to becoming an essential member of the team, particularly under the leadership of Debbie. He contributes his technical skills and understanding of weather patterns to assist in storm chasing and teaching classes related to weather phenomena.

"Pa" Ochs, whose real name is unknown, is the owner of Ma 'n Pa's General Store, which also serves as a museum showcasing historical artifacts related to the town and its past.

Pa is known for being friendly, talkative, and deeply connected to the local community. He has a warm and inviting demeanor, often engaging in conversations and sharing his thoughts openly. Pa created "Pa Pennies" as a form of currency for tourists visiting his store. This quirky and unique idea adds a playful element to his interactions with visitors.

Pa has a fondness for the past and history, as evidenced by his dedication to maintaining the historical artifacts in his store. He takes pride in knowing about the town's history and sharing stories with visitors. Pa's attachment to nostalgic candies and his reminiscing about the past, such as Clove Bark Snappers and Dr. Bellerton’s Reconstituted Rhubarb Cordials, reflects his sentimental side.

Pa demonstrates an impressive ability to gather information about people. He memorizes Nancy's cell phone number and knows details about her role as a tornado chaser. This knowledge showcases his keen observation skills and curiosity about the lives of others.

Pa's involvement in the local theater showcases his creative side and his willingness to participate in community activities. His comparison of the theater to the anticipation before a storm highlights his appreciation for both art and nature's power. Pa's perspective on tornadoes provides insight into his philosophy on life's unpredictability. He believes that tornadoes are uncontrollable forces and that the only response is to watch and accept their impact.

Despite his friendly nature, Pa also seems to have a guarded side. The passing of his wife Betsy, also referred to as "Ma," due to a tornado, has left a noticeable impact on Pa. Pa avoids discussing or acknowledging Ma's absence. It's apparent that he's grappling with a sense of denial, as his way of talking about her implies that he's pretending she's still alive.

Pa serves as a symbolic figure in the community, representing stability, tradition, and connection. His presence at the general store and his willingness to help others create a sense of unity and continuity within the town.

Betsy "Ma" Ochs was a prominent and beloved figure in the small town of Canute, Oklahoma. She was known by everyone in the community and had been a steadfast presence behind the counter of Ma 'n Pa's General Store for over three decades.

Ma had a warm and friendly demeanor, always ready to greet the day with fresh coffee and the latest gossip. She had a deep connection with the people in the town and was considered the glue that held the community together.

Ma was not only known for her role in the general store but also for her extensive involvement in various community activities. She was a tireless organizer and a good neighbor, contributing to the formation of numerous clubs and organizations, earning her a reputation throughout the state. Her ability to connect with people was described as something beyond special.

The town was deeply impacted by the unexpected death of Ma, who passed away due to a tornado. Her absence left a void that the community struggled to fill. A memorial appeared outside the general store, with heartfelt farewells to Ma, along with messages of encouragement for her husband "Pa".

As the town mourned Ma's loss, questions arose about the effectiveness of the tornado warning system. Some residents questioned why the sirens hadn't gone off in time to provide adequate warning.

Scott Varnell expressed a strong commitment to improving tornado forecasting and prevention, driven by the tragedy that had befallen Ma. He and his fellow tornado trackers aimed to develop a forecasting system that truly worked, ensuring that the events leading to Ma's demise would never happen again.

P. G. Krolmeister is the founder of Krolmeister Industries, a company that produces a wide range of products, from high-tech storm detection equipment to salad dressings and other inventions.

Krolmeister is a driven and energetic individual who values his creations and inventions, considering each product a work of art. He has a strong belief in the quality and reliability of his inventions, emphasizing that Krolmeister products never break. He expresses concern over the repeated equipment failures within the storm research team he sponsors and believes that the incidents are not accidental but rather acts of sabotage.

Krolmeister has a personal connection to the matter at hand, as he is deeply passionate about understanding and predicting tornadoes due to a traumatic experience in which a tornado tore through his home. This event sparked his obsession with creating machinery capable of studying and handling storms, with the ultimate goal of preventing others from being caught off guard by such natural disasters.

Despite his busy schedule and sometimes eccentric demeanor, Krolmeister genuinely cares about the investigation's progress and the well-being of his team. He maintains an open line of communication with Nancy Drew, offering advice and support. Krolmeister is pragmatic but also philosophical in his approach, offering wisdom through metaphors and anecdotes that reflect his experiences.

To express his gratitude for her efforts and for successfully solving the case, Krolmeister rewards Nancy with a lifetime supply of Koko Kringle chocolate bars and an all-expenses-paid trip to Kyoto, Japan.

Originally from New York, Brooke Tavanah is the leader of a team of storm chasers from Kingston University. They are participating in the Green Skies competition with the goal of uncovering the mysteries behind tornadogenesis.

Engaging in direct rivalry against Scott Varnell's group, Brooke's team strives to emerge victorious. Fueled by a strong competitive drive, Brooke is committed to ensuring her team's triumph.

Scott, on the other hand, has taken to undermining his own team's efforts in a bid to aid Brooke in securing a win. This collaboration is driven by a financial incentive offered to Scott. Their covert agreement involves clandestine activities that have the potential to compromise the competition's integrity.

Ultimately, Brooke found herself out of a job due to the circumstances surrounding Scott's actions.