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Mar 31, 2009 12:24 pm By: Ally

5

Storm Chasing with Tempest Tours Just wanted to say that Tempest Tours is the most awesome group of folks I've ever met. Their customer service is top notch and their knowledge of storms is thorough. I would suggest this company to anyone.

Description of Active Adventure

Tempest Tours is operated by a team of highly experienced and respected storm chasers who thoroughly understand every facet of storm chasing. Our goal is to share our knowledge and appreciation for storms with others. Each tour is comprised of 10 "chase days." Guests will travel to our base cities, either Oklahoma City or Denver, where they will join Tempest Tours for their tour or "expedition." Each tour will be comprised of 12 guests. Guests will ride in two smoke-free 15-passenger vans, with a limit of six guests per van for added comfort. Each tour will be led by our Tour Director, William Reid, and two other experienced storm chasers. A fourth team member, Dr. Charles Doswell, will accompany the "Lecture Series" tour in late June. Upon arriving in the designated base city, guests will proceed to the base city hotel where our team will provide an orientation to guests. The orientation will provide information on tour safety guidelines and procedures.

On the morning of each chase day, the Tour Director will present a forecast briefing to the group. The briefing will outline the day's target and departure time. If forecast parameters suggest an early departure, the Tour Director will inform the group the night before, when possible. However, the group must be ready to depart for a chase target with very little notice. Lack of notice on the part of Mother Nature is one of the many things that make storm chasing both challenging and exciting. Guests should be prepared to travel several hundred miles each day, on average, to reach chase targets. The goal of each chase day is to forecast and intercept the most significant weather that we expect to develop on the Plains later in the day. We will travel far and wide to meet our goal. Tempest Tours expeditions will take place primarily in the Tornado Alley states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, the Dakotas, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. Along the way, our team will educate guests about the many facets of storm chasing including the meteorology, logistics and even romance of the discipline. Guests will gain an education and new found appreciation for the atmosphere and the Great Plains.

Our Tour Director will concentrate on forecasting supercell thunderstorms, the initial objective for storm chasers. Supercells are thunderstorms with long-lived rotating updrafts. They are the most prolific producers of significant tornadoes and large hail. Supercells also produce spectacular lightning and potent straight line winds. If supercells develop as forecasted, then the group will intercept and view the storms from a safe distance. Guests will be afforded many opportunities for storm photography. The chase will continue usually until dark or when storms dissipate, which ever comes first. Whatever the case, the Tour Director will always emphasize safety first.

Age range, type of group

Tempest Tours is for anyone interested in learning more about storm chasing or seeing Great Plains storms.

Sleeping and meals

Clean, comfortable motels.

Restrictions

For the comfort and safety of our guests, no smoking, alcoholic beverages or pets will be allowed on tour vehicles.

Rates

Rates range from $1895 to $2795 per person, per tour. See our web site for details.

Other Information

Complete information is available at

Discounts Offered

Discounts are offered to guests sharing a room.