Meteorologists honored Twister star Bill Paxton in a tribute that perfectly captured Bill Harding's Storm Chasing Spirit.

Movies are not only entertainment but also sources of inspiration and influence. While movies like Steven Spielberg's Jaws became harmful to sharks, the 1996 blockbuster Twister ended up becoming a cultural touchstone. Such a storm was created by a single film that it not only sparked a passion for weather phenomena among countless viewers, but also gave a significant boost to the recreational activity of storm chasing.

Bill Paxton [Credit: Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams | Dimension Films]Part of the film's success was Bill Paxton's incredible portrayal of Bill Harding, an intrepid storm chaser, who left an indelible mark on both the film industry and the meteorological community. After his tragically untimely death, American meteorologists paid him a special tribute in a manner befitting his iconic role.

The 1996 disaster epic, Twister, was more than just a movie made for entertainment. Basically, the film turned out to be a great cultural phenomenon that influenced people all over the world and the United States. While storm chasing experienced a significant boost as an activity, a large number of people also became interested in atmospheric sciences, leading to the so-called Twister Effect.