The day begins

Each morning, we analyze the upper air and surface data, forecast models’ satellite imagery, and other types of weather data. We also will call our severe weather consultant for his input. With all this information, we will forecast the best severe weather target area for the day.

We will depart our hotel at about 9:00 a.m. after discussing the forecast and target area with our tour guests. We wait until midmorning because the new upper air data is not available before that time. We will refine the target area as the day goes on with any new severe weather information we obtain from our broadband two-way Internet satellite system & Continual tracking weather radar system as we drive to the target area. We also can contact our severe weather consultant by cell phone or satellite phone for further analysis.

Since prime storm chasing time is in the late afternoon and early evening hours, we will try to find a locally popular restaurant for our midday lunch, which may become our main meal of the day. By 4 to 6 p.m., we want to be in the vicinity of the severe weather target area on chase days, so late afternoon rest stops tend to be fast food or snack opportunities.

Because we may be in very rural areas for the afternoon and evening storm chases, we may not be able to stop for dinner until 9 p.m. or later. Please note that we will not stop for dinner once the chase is on since we don't want to miss anything. We may not arrive at our hotel until after 11 p.m. or later, if there is a good lightning show in our chase area. When there are no storms or on non-chase days, we should arrive at our motel around 5 to 7 p.m.

During your trip, you'll be part of an important service, which relays timely information back to the National Weather Service to help prevent loss of life, injury and property damage in local areas affected by severe storms.

Chase Territory
We will travel as far as necessary to have the best chance for tornado viewing. Most likely, this area will cover Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, eastern Colorado, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, eastern Montana, eastern Wyoming, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota and other Midwestern states.