Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the details of the trip? Here are the most frequently asked questions regarding a storm chasing tour.
WHAT IS REQUIRED BEFORE I GO ON THE TOUR?
2025 Storm Chasing Tours! Upon the first day (the day the tour officially begins), we will have a safety meeting and orientation at the base hotel. This meeting is required to attend to go on the tour. During this meeting, we will review the Liability Waiver and the Storm Chasing Adventure Tours Agreement, which you will be emailed and can review before the tour begins. You must sign the waiver and Tour Agreement at the end of the meeting before you can join the tour. We also highly recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider to ensure you are fit and healthy to go on the tour.
Whats included in the storm chasing tour?
Lodging during our storm chasing tour including Arrival night, transportation, fuel, and guide/driver are included “See Tour schedule for more details from the menu above.” This is effective on new tours booked after February 22nd 2024
What is not included in the storm chasing tour?
Airfare to and from the base city. Meals, items you wish to purchase along our trip, such as drinks and souvenirs, and lodging on the last night we return to our base city are not included. This is effective on new tours booked after February 22nd 2024
What Hotels will we stay at during our storm Chasing Tours?
We prioritize the comfort and safety of our storm chasing tour guests by booking only quality hotels during our storm chasing tours. You’ll enjoy proper, clean & safe lodging each night with private rooms if you are by your self at nice locations and 3 stars rated or better like Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Super 8, Days Inn, Best Western Plus, and others. With the assistance of our corporate lodging account and experienced booking agent, we can locate suitable hotels in rural areas every night. We take great pride in our ability to provide quality accommodations consistently, and we strive to ensure that negative experiences are rare. For nights beyond those we pay for, we offer a booking portal with discounted rates at our base city hotels in our base cities. As you can see, we are committed to ensuring your comfort and enjoyment throughout your storm chasing adventure with us.
What kind of vehicles will we be chasing in?
Our storm chasing tours are conducted in spacious and comfortable passenger vans/SUVs, with air conditioning ensuring our guests are always at ease. Each guest has a window seat for optimal viewing so everyone can enjoy the breathtaking sights. Our vehicles are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and safety features, enabling us to easily navigate the roads of Tornado Alley. This guarantees our guests ample opportunities to capture stunning videos and images as we track severe storms and tornadoes, providing them with the ultimate storm chasing experience.
What should I bring with me on a storm chasing tour?
Please bring all necessary medications, eyewear, and personal hygiene items to ensure your health and well-being throughout the tour. Our team is happy to assist in picking up any forgotten items from a nearby Walmart or drugstore when possible. Clothing suitable for changing weather conditions is essential, as temperatures can vary drastically during our chase days. While heavy winter gear is unnecessary, please consider layering to stay comfortable. Comfortable and sturdy footwear, such as sneakers or light hiking shoes, is recommended, while sandals and flip-flops may not be ideal for chase days. It is important to bring items to document your adventure, including a cell phone, professional camera, or action camera with sufficient battery life and storage. To stay entertained during long drives, noise-canceling headphones, books, music players, and video games are great options. Other items to consider include a travel pillow, a small blanket, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, and possibly a bathing suit for hotel amenities. Lastly, we always provide cold water in the vans, so feel free to store a small snack or extra drink if space allows.
Will I see a tornado during my storm chasing vacation?
We sure hope so! We cannot guarantee you will see a tornado on your storm chasing trip. That is all up to the atmosphere! We can ensure you will see storms and severe weather, but so many ingredients must be perfect for thunderstorms to produce tornadoes. For this reason, we can’t promise you a tornado. We can promise that we will strive each day to get you on the best storms available so that we can increase your chances of seeing a tornado. In addition to the thrill of storm chasing, our tours also offer the opportunity to visit locations seen on TV and the web, learn from knowledgeable pros, and connect with other storm enthusiasts. And who knows, you may even find a special someone and make unforgettable memories, just like some of our past guests who’ve met and become engaged right in front of a tornado!
What is a typical chase day like?
A typical chase day involves a morning weather briefing with all the tour guests before departure from the hotel. This is to inform you of the day’s potential in terms of severe weather and where we will be traveling. We typically try leaving the hotel around 9:00 AM (central time) and end the day around 9:00 PM (central time). These times are subject to change due to the weather and the distances we need to travel, but it gives you a rough schedule of the chase day. We will spend an average of 6-12 hours daily in the vans/SUV’s. Sometimes, there are many hours of waiting for the storms to form once we arrive at the target location; be prepared for this to happen before the chase begins. We try to wait where there is food, drinks and restrooms if possible.
How far do you travel during the week?
Our team is dedicated to providing top-notch storm chasing experiences for our customers. We make sure to take you to the best spots to witness severe storms and tornadoes, whether it’s near or far. Our customized tornado tours ensure that you have the opportunity to capture the most photogenic storms and document tornadoes. Depending on the weather pattern, we may travel across Tornado Alley or focus on local chasing in Oklahoma and Kansas. On average, we travel between 200 to 400 miles daily and cover 1500 to 2500 miles weekly to ensure that you have an unforgettable experience with us.
Where will we be chasing?
Our storm chasing tours target all tornado alleys, stretching across vast landscapes of the prairie lands of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. We have extensive knowledge of these regions and the severe weather patterns that occur, making these states our top priority. Although rare, we may venture outside our typical chasing area. Still, we always keep your safety in mind by sticking to areas with open PRAIRIEs and few trees, providing you with unobstructed views of these remarkable severe weather phenomena.
What are the risks involved with chasing severe storms?
When storm chasing severe storms and tornadoes, it’s essential to consider the potential risks and take safety seriously. As with any travel, hazards are associated with traveling Tornado Alley and seeking out severe weather. Our primary concern is the safety of those on the road, including ourselves as storm chasers and other drivers. However, we strive to position ourselves and our passengers in the best location to view the storms safely, capture stunning photos, and record amazing videos. It’s important to note that some storms may pose additional risks, such as lightning or debris. In these situations, we prioritize the security of all our passengers by taking necessary precautions and following safety protocols. By doing so, we can continue to chase and experience the excitement of severe weather while keeping everyone safe.
Which tour date will have the best potential for seeing a tornado?
Our storm chasing tour dates have been planned around the heart of tornado season and have equal chances of witnessing a tornado. That will ultimately be up to the weather pattern during our storm chasing tour. There is no way of knowing months in advance how that weather pattern will look when your tour date arrives. Even tornado forecasting can be tricky several days in advance due to the abundance of micro-scale processes required for storms to generate tornadoes. In May, the storm track is tracking in the southern states. As you enter June, the storms tracks in central and northern states like Nebraska and South Dakota. One year, we saw 22 tornadoes on tour 6. The June tours can be as good as the May storm chasing tours.
Do you offer a discount for booking multiple tours?
Yes, Let us know what tours you want and how many are going. We will get back to you with a price. then, if you want to book the tours, we will send you a discount code to enter when booking.
What About Deposits and Refunds?
Deposits are nonrefundable because it covers business expenses such as insurance, office, tour booking, vehicle purchase and other related expenses. If you do not agree to sign the terms and conditions of the tour before the tour begins, you will only be refunded for the amount minus the deposit. However, if we can resell your vacated spot, you would be given a refund, less the nonrefundable deposit. Once the waiver has been signed, we do not refund any payment, including the deposit. Under very special circumstances, we may allow some tour fees to be rolled over to a different tour time.
After booking a storm chasing tour when do you send my Information?
Hotel information will be sent out to you as an email information pack in January the same year as your tour.