What Is Tempest Tours and How Does It Work in Storm Chasing?
Tempest Tours refers to guided storm-chasing expeditions—organized tours that take paying participants into severe weather systems to observe and document storms, tornadoes, hail, and lightning. These tours operate within the broader storm-chasing ecosystem, where enthusiasts, researchers, and tourists pursue active weather for education, photography, and experience. Understanding what Tempest Tours offers—and how it differs from other ways people engage with storm chasing—requires looking at the model itself, what's typically included, and the factors that shape the experience for different participants.
What Tempest Tours Actually Does
A storm-chasing tour company operates by assembling a group of participants, deploying trained chasers and drivers, and positioning the group in geographic areas where severe weather is forecast. The core service is guided access to active storm systems combined with transportation, real-time forecasting expertise, and safety protocols.
The typical model works like this:
- Forecasting and positioning: Tour operators monitor atmospheric data, radar, and storm reports to predict where severe weather will develop. Participants travel to a regional staging area (often in the Great Plains or Midwest during spring severe-weather season).
- Mobile pursuit: Once a target storm is identified, the group travels by van or bus to intercept or observe the system. Drivers navigate to positions that allow safe viewing and photography while tracking the storm's movement.
- Real-time updates: Professional chasers aboard provide commentary, explanation, and safety direction as the storm unfolds.
- Duration and scope: Tours typically last several days to a week, covering multiple states and potentially multiple storm encounters depending on weather activity.
This is fundamentally different from self-directed chasing (individuals planning their own routes) or armchair chasing (following storms remotely via live radar and reports).
Key Variables That Shape the Experience
The value and outcome of a Tempest Tours experience depends on several factors that vary widely between individuals and even between tour dates:
Storm Activity and Luck
The most obvious variable: severe weather doesn't cooperate with booking schedules. A tour booked during an active severe-weather week might include multiple significant storm encounters. The same tour booked during a quiet pattern might involve a lot of driving and minimal storm activity. Tour operators cannot guarantee storm intensity, frequency, or type—weather forecasting has limits, and storms are inherently unpredictable.
Participant Goals and Background
Different people join storm-chasing tours for different reasons:
- Photography enthusiasts prioritize positioning for photo/video capture, lighting conditions, and proximity to visually dramatic features like rotating updrafts.
- Science-minded participants may be more interested in explanation, data collection, and understanding atmospheric processes.
- Thrill-seekers want proximity and intensity; others prioritize safety and prefer distant observation.
- Complete novices need more foundational education; experienced chasers may find the educational pacing slow.
A tour that excels for one profile may not match another's expectations or learning pace.
Physical and Practical Demands
Storm chasing involves:
- Long hours in vehicles—often 10–14 hours per day of driving, waiting, and repositioning.
- Unpredictable schedules—tour dates and daily itineraries shift based on forecasts, not convenience.
- Travel across multiple states—significant mileage and time away from home.
- Variable comfort—accommodations vary, and weather conditions (heat, dust, rain) can be harsh.
- Physical stamina—even non-intense storms require alertness and the ability to stand/move quickly.
Participants with mobility limitations, inflexible schedules, or low tolerance for discomfort and uncertainty will have different experiences than those comfortable with these demands.
Tour Operator Expertise and Resources
Not all storm-chasing tour operators are equivalent. Differences include:
- Experience level of lead chasers and forecasters.
- Vehicle quality and safety equipment (communication systems, weather monitoring tools, first-aid supplies).
- Group size (smaller groups allow more flexibility; larger groups offer lower per-person cost but less personalized attention).
- Educational depth and presentation style.
- Safety protocols and decision-making frameworks for proximity and risk.
A tour led by a meteorologist with decades of chasing experience differs meaningfully from one led by someone with casual interest and a vehicle.
What Typically Comes With Tempest Tours 🌩️
Most organized storm-chasing tours include:
- Transportation during the tour period.
- Forecasting and route planning by professional or experienced chasers.
- Real-time storm tracking and positioning.
- Educational commentary during storm encounters.
- Access to radar and forecasting tools onboard.
Most tours do not include:
- Lodging (participants book their own hotels, though some operators offer packages).
- Meals (participants typically pay for their own food).
- Photography instruction (though some tours cater specifically to photographers).
- Insurance or liability coverage beyond standard tour operator policies.
- Guaranteed storm encounters of any specific type or intensity.
Always verify what's explicitly included in tour pricing—assumptions can lead to unexpected costs.
How Tempest Tours Fits in the Broader Storm-Chasing Landscape
Storm chasing exists on a spectrum:
| Approach | Participant Role | Cost & Commitment | Flexibility | Expert Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-directed chasing | Plan route, drive own vehicle, make real-time decisions | Low cost, flexible timing | High (pursue whatever you want) | None; research required |
| Tempest Tours / Guided tours | Join group, follow operator's forecast, ride in tour vehicle | Moderate to high cost ($2,000–$5,000+ per tour) | Low (group schedule, preset itinerary) | High (professional chasers, forecasters onboard) |
| Virtual/online chasing | Watch live feeds, follow radar remotely | Very low cost | Very high (no time commitment) | Moderate (expert commentary via stream) |
| Educational workshops | Attend classroom-based storm science | Variable | None (fixed dates/locations) | High (academic or professional instruction) |
Tempest Tours sits in the middle: higher cost and lower flexibility than self-directed chasing, but dramatically more expertise and safety structure. It appeals to people who want professional guidance, community, and curated access without the research burden and vehicle/planning responsibility of going solo.
Factors to Evaluate When Considering Tempest Tours
If you're thinking about booking, consider:
Your actual interest: Are you curious about storms, passionate about photography, interested in meteorology, or seeking adventure? The tour's focus should match.
Physical realities: Can you handle long hours in a vehicle, changing accommodations, and unpredictable schedules?
Realistic expectations: Understand that you cannot control whether storms occur or how close you'll get. Some tours encounter nothing; others encounter multiple significant storms. Tour operators' marketing often emphasizes best-case scenarios.
Operator track record: Research reviews, ask for references, verify the experience level of lead chasers, and understand their safety decision-making process.
Cost-benefit fit: Tours are not cheap. Weigh whether the expert access, community, and convenience justify the price for your goals.
Seasonal and regional patterns: Severe weather patterns vary. Spring Great Plains tours have higher historical chase activity than other regions and seasons, but no guarantee applies to any specific date.
Insurance and liability: Understand what risks you're accepting. Storm chasing inherently involves proximity to dangerous weather. Confirm what liability protections exist and whether additional insurance makes sense for your situation.
The Reality of Storm-Chasing Tours
Tempest Tours is a legitimate way to experience storm chasing with professional oversight—but it's not a polished consumer product with guaranteed outcomes. Weather is chaotic; tours are inherently uncertain. The value comes from access to expertise, community with others who share the interest, and the removal of planning and driving burdens—not from guaranteed encounters or controlled conditions.
People report widely different experiences: some call their tour the highlight of their life; others feel they drove for days with minimal payoff. Both outcomes are possible, and factors within your control (choosing the right operator, managing expectations, matching the tour to your actual interests and tolerances) shape your experience more than the tour operator can alone.