Storm Chasing

Committed tornado addicts in the southern USA now offer their services to the lunatic few who wish to trade their holiday time for the thrill of a perilous chase...

Storm-chasing is serious stuff. Those who regularly indulge tend to be very confident with meteorological charts and the inner workings of upper air pressure systems. They are also a tough breed as the dangers are legion - hail, lightning, flash flooding and blinding rain to name but a few.

Although there is no governmental regulation or other official control over the guys who do it (there are usually 50-100 serious chasers each season), a body of ethics has grown up within the chasing community to guide their behaviour - the website listed here takes you through the "proper" way to drive after storms.

If you're serious about experiencing a storm safari, you need to do some very thorough homework about who is offering their services and for what reasons. Also be warned that chasing comes at a steep price - expect to pay about US$2000 for a safari (excluding accommodation and flights, and your own personal insurance may be tricky to find cheaply!).

Clearly choosing the best time to go, and exactly where to go, is not an exact science. Spring is usually the best time (from early April to May) and Western Oklahoma and the East Texan Panhandle the places (although Kansas and Eastern Colorado have had their fair share of vortex action too). As there are few operators in business you'll need to book a stint well in advance. Good luck.

Related Information

Website: The latest on NASA's developments

Website: Storm Chasing Tours Website