Winkler Centennial Library featured a presentation by storm chaser from Manitoba, Francis Lavigne-Theriault, the founder of Near Zero Probability Chasers.

Lavigne-Theriault spoke to children and parents about the basics of his craft: how to safely follow severe weather and the elements that cause it to form. Part of the mandate of NZP Chasers is to follow any lead where storms may pop up, even if there's a low chance it will materialize--hence the name.

"For me [storm chasing is] chasing blizzards, tornados, severe thunderstorms. I don't have a set time that I'll be chasing, I do it all year long," said Theriault.

His fascination with storms started his chasing career, but now he travels across the province and the continent to keep Manitobans informed about severe weather that may affect them.

The United States experienced 976 tornadoes last year. States within tornado alley, Midwestern United States, have special building codes which must be able to withstand certain levels of tornado severity.

Manitoba, and Canada in general, is not as well prepared.

"The U.S. is really good at creating awareness for severe weather," Lavigne-Theriault said, "Canada lacks in that department."

To build knowledge about how to be safe around severe weather, requires individuals to take the initiative and educate people.

The way Lavigne-Theriault and his three-man team stays safe is partly their off-road, and highly equipped vehicle. It has cameras, live-weather radar, CB radios, and first aid kits.

"We put a lot of money in our vehicle to stay safe," he said.

Theriault added that storm chasing is nothing like the movies which are "hollywoodized" to create effect and drama.