The Pursuit of Power — Severe Weather Calendar 2026 showcases Europe’s leading storm chasers through their most powerful weather imagery. The third month, March 2026, features storm chaser Danijel Palčić and his large, well-defined shelf cloud approaching the island of Pag, Croatia.
The interview series for featured photographs in each monthly edition of the calendar offers a closer look into the photographer behind the scenes, his approach to photography, his passion, and his striking storm images.
Don’t forget to follow Danijel’s social channels and support his work — you’ll find all the links at the bottom of the interview.
About the Photographer – Introduction: Danijel Palčić
Let’s start simple — who are you? How old are you, and where in Europe do you call home?
I am 27 years old, and I come from a small village, Proboj, on Pag Island in Croatia.
When did your passion for storms and photography begin? Was there a specific moment that pulled you into chasing?
As a kid, I loved watching storms, clouds, and other weather phenomena. But my genuine interest in photography began 12 years ago when a severe storm caused significant damage in my area.
A few years later (in 2015), I bought my first DSLR camera, and since then, I have been photographing storms.
Gear & Chasing Setup
What’s inside your camera bag and chase vehicle today? Any must-have gear you never leave home without?
My photography equipment includes a Nikon D750 DSLR with three lenses — Nikkor 16–35mm, 24–85mm, and 70–300mm — and a tripod.
What part of storm chasing gives you the biggest adrenaline rush or emotional high?
The biggest adrenaline rush comes in the moments when a storm is approaching, and I can feel the power of nature right in front of me. That mix of anticipation, speed, and unpredictability is what gives me the strongest emotional high.
Waterspouts give me the biggest adrenaline rush, but living on the island of Pag, famous for its strong bora winds, brings its own excitement.
The intensity of the bora creates dramatic scenes that are as breathtaking to witness as they are to photograph.
The Chase Experience
The photo we selected for the calendar is genuinely inspiring. What was the atmosphere like around you — the mood, the light, the energy of the storm — and what went through your mind as you pressed the shutter?
With so few storms this season, I wasn’t sure if this one would turn out like the previous disappointments. But as the shelf cloud approached, I knew I had something truly special to capture.
The light was stunning — the storm arrived just before sunset, casting rich, dramatic colors across the scene.
How far has this passion taken you? In how many countries have you chased or photographed storms so far?
So far, I have mostly photographed storms on my home island of Pag in Croatia, where I know the landscape best and can capture the most dramatic scenes, especially during the strong bora winds and unique coastal conditions.
I haven’t had the chance to chase storms in other countries yet, but it’s definitely one of my goals for the future.
Tell us about your chase vehicle — is it a normal car, or have you turned it into a lightning-hunting machine? Do you chase solo or with partners?
I use my own car for chasing storms, and I usually go solo.
Being on my own gives me the freedom to follow the storm wherever it leads and to focus entirely on capturing the perfect shot.
Describe your ultimate dream chase: location, storm structure, light, terrain — the perfect scene.
My ultimate dream chase would be in Tornado Alley at sunset, inside a powerful supercell, with the sky painted in warm colors, a wall cloud forming a tornado, and lightning striking around it — a perfect mix of light, structure, and raw energy.
Be honest: a powerful supercell forms 20 km away… right as a boring work meeting is about to start. What happens next?
I’d probably get everything ready as quickly as possible and head out to capture the storm before it moves away.
Luckily, I can usually plan my schedule so I don’t work on days when a storm is expected, and whenever possible, I make sure to be out there chasing it — there’s nothing quite like being in the middle of the action.
Inspiration & Milestones
Which storm chasers or photographers have inspired your journey? Anyone you look up to, even today?
Yes, there are a few storm chasers who have inspired me, including Mike Olbinski, Brad Hannon, and Marko Korošec, all of whom truly live for storms and weather phenomena.
The greatest inspiration and support, however, comes from my good friend Maja Kraljik, who is always ready to help and has given me even more reason to love photography and storm chasing.
What moment in your chasing or photography career are you most proud of — a capture, a trip, or a personal milestone?
I’m proud to have captured some truly rare and breathtaking moments that I never imagined I would witness in Croatia, including the Aurora Borealis.
I also had the opportunity to collaborate with Mate Rimac on their hypercar ‘Nevera,’ where several of my photographs were featured as part of the car’s promotion.
What’s the closest call you’ve ever had? Any dangerous moments you’ll never forget, and what did you learn from them?
Storm chasing can be dangerous, but it’s essential to behave correctly during a storm. You need to know when to leave a location before it becomes risky, mainly because there is a significant danger of lightning strikes, so it’s wise to avoid exposed spots that are more likely to be hit.
Even though safety always comes first, capturing a great photo sometimes requires taking a little risk. I’ve had a few risky situations myself — a lightning strike that came a bit too close, and feeling the electricity on a hilltop when my hair literally stood on end.
Connect With Photographer’s Work
And finally, where can people follow your work and chase adventures online? (Facebook, Instagram, X, website, TikTok,…)
You can find my photos and adventures online at:
- Instagram: @danijel_palcic Instagram page
- Facebook: Danijel Palčić Facebook page
Final Note
Thank you, Danijel, for being part of the Pursuit of Power project!
Your story and visuals help showcase the strength, beauty, and diversity of European storm chasing.
The Calendar has 13 pages – a cover page plus 12 monthly pages.
The calendar can be purchased here: Pursuit of Power – Weather Calendar 2026
Take a quick 2-minute survey and help shape the future of Severe Weather Europe: what you enjoy most, what interests you, and what you’d love to see next.
As a thank you for sharing your thoughts, you can enter our giveaway to win one of five SWE rewards, including the brand-new ‘Pursuit of Power’ Severe Weather Calendar 2026.
Your feedback truly helps us create a better SWE service for everyone!