Most university syllabuses lay out exactly when and where a topic will be covered — not so for the Hokie Storm Chase class at Virginia Tech.

Students in the advanced meteorology field course, in the Department of Geography, climb into three specially outfitted vans, and take the mobile classrooms on the road as severe storms develop.

“Every year when we’re leaving Blacksburg, we have no idea where we’re going to be,” said Aaron Swiggett, of the class of 2018, who was a trip leader for the seventh time this year. “Maybe the Northern Plains or the Central Plains, or maybe the foothills of the Rockies.”

Each of the six has a job as they try to position themselves to safely observe the extreme weather.

Swiggett, with his experience, is usually a driver. A navigator is in the front passenge

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