Storm chasing is, in relative terms, a new kind of tourism. Television shows like In Search Of… (1978) and movies like Twister (1996) introduced professional storm chasing to the wider public, and over the last twenty years or so, a number of tour companies have sprung up offering people the chance to join in with the chase.
I only learned of this possibility when a local forecaster joined a chase in 2014. I did some research and contacted Tempest Tours, one of the best reviewed companies on the net. I got a prompt response and answers to all my questions. I signed up for two tours in 2017 and I was hooked and have returned every spring since then (except ’20 and ’21).
Unlike the coach tours I’ve taken, storm chasing has no set itinerary, no hotel list and no included meals. For that matter, it can’t even guarantee that you will get to sit down for lunch or dinner. The itinerary is dictated solely by the weather.
It is the ultimate road trip.
Every tour can log more than 5000 kilometres. We have climbed to three thousand metres in Wyoming, ranged as far south as the Mexican border and as far north as Stanley, North Dakota. We visited historic and natural sites, said hello to the aliens in Roswell and Devil’s Tower and rode an antique carousel.
In my time, I’ve seen more than two dozen tornadoes, incredible structure and mind-blowing lightning storms. We’ve driven through hail, dust storms and rain so heavy, we’ve spent a half hour on the side of the highway waiting until it was safe to continue.
And I go back every year for more.
The tales were written as we travelled and include a lot of details covering the day to day travel and intercepts. Some days will reference Bill Reid’s website which contains more details and/or Chris Gullikson’s videos from the cam on the van roof.
There is also an Overview that has some hints and tips as it describes the daily routine, the vans, hotels and I comment on my camera gear.
The Table of Contents for each tale can be found here:
2017 Tour 6 and Chasing the Great American Eclipse
All my photos can be found on my flickr pages here:
2017 Tour 6 and Chasing the Great American Eclipse
Coming soon: June 2024 Chase
Enjoy.
🙂
