Skip to main content

Extreme Tornado Tours: The Most Exciting Way to See a Storm

extreme tornado tours betty rose s
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Danger in pursuit of experiencing natural wonder has long been part of the intrepid traveler ethos and in recent years, come April, more and more thrill seekers are heading to the Midwest, drawn not by what is happening in the plains of those states, but rather what is happening in the sky. Storm chasing, be it epic supercells or tornadoes, from Texas clear to North Dakota, has become one of the highest octane and awe-inspiring experiences a true nature freak could ask for and, given the relatively few number of experts, high risk and high demand, it’s best to start thinking about your storm chasing experience now.

Extreme Tornado Tours, based in Norman, Oklahoma and founded by Discovery Channel’s Reed Timmer, is considered by many to be the top Extreme Weather tour company in the world. Extreme Tornado Tours uses professional meteorologists to lead small groups on seven and ten day adventures across Tornado Alley where visitors from all over the world will likely encounter supercells, lightning strikes, hail storms, sunsets, rainbows, and almost always, the piece de resistance, tornadoes.

Extreme Tornado Tours Storm Chasing
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Like anything in nature, it is impossible to predict when and where storms will present themselves, but the staff at Extreme Tornadoes will get you as close to as many storms as possible and you’ll learn a lot and see a lot of the country along the way. So given nature’s unpredictability and the expanse of the entire middle of the US, how does such an adventure work?

Recommended Videos

“Being in the elements in inclement weather with professionals that chase for a living is a first-hand experience that can be done with relative safety,” says Storm Chaser and Owner/Guide of Extreme Tornado Tours Nick Drieschman. “Not only does a tour give you the ability to partake in safer chasing, they will also be able to get you on the right storms, and show you how they go about it.”

Each spring, guests on either a seven or ten-day tour, arrive to a host city (Oklahoma City or Denver) where they meet the Extreme Tornado team. The team, helmed currently by Drieschman and meteorologist Kevin Rolfs, alongside guides and prominent storm chasers Blake Brown and Christian Cleary, using state of the art tracking technology, have studied the weather patterns predicted over your stay and you set out immediately in the direction of the nearest storm. The entire group is divided up into two groups of six guests, each assigned to one of three vans along with two storm chaser guides.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

On a good week, the team might put the group on a large storm system and the group might stay with it as it morphs and changes over the course of several states and several days. Each night the group’s leader will find lodging and accommodations (think Comfort Inn…) in a town along the route. Other times, one supercell might pop up in Nebraska and another in Texas. No tour will ever be alike. All you can count on is that you will be as close to as many incredible storms as possible in the safest possible manner.

Each spacious and comfortable van has a power station so that guests may charge their camera batteries and smart devices. Each van also has on board computer and radar along with a chaser so that guests may watch as the chasers choose their routes based on weather patterns. The four storm chasers have a combined forty years among them chasing storms and are a wealth of knowledge in transport from weather event to weather event.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

And while the thrill of seeing a multi-vortex tornado as lightning fires from one side and a rainbow sprouts from the other can be a thrill, chasing is not without its safety risks, both to participants and those affected by the storms. “It’s the bittersweet part of beautiful storms, the damage. Although it is surprisingly rare while chasing with the majority of twisters churning across open country, severe damage can and does happen,” says Drieschman.

When weather is not cooperating, there are a variety of weather oriented activities in which guests can participate in the host city. “On ‘down days’ we have many options and connections for entertainment including tours of The Weather Center, Storm Prediction Center, visiting national parks, amazing museums and famous restaurants featured on TV,” says Drieschman. “We hope to not have many down days, and usually they are used to travel- But we have become well prepared in many years doing this to keep your tours exciting!”

Matt Payne
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Matt Payne is an Oklahoma-based travel photographer, writer, public speaker, and filmmaker. Matt has covered Rwanda, Alaska…
Singapore Airlines revamps cabins for its long-haul flights
Singapore Airlines renovates cabins on its long range airplanes
Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900ULR

On Monday, Singapore Airlines announced cabin renovations for its long-haul Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The $835.5 million interior refresh covers 41 long-range and ultra-long-range airplanes, raising the bar for the airline’s highly-rated in-flight experience. 
Details of Singapore Airlines’ A350 cabin refresh
Singapore Airlines business class refresh Singapore Airlines

The airline’s seven A350-900ULRs lead the way with a brand-new first-class cabin. The carrier says it’s "designed with increasingly discerning travelers in mind." Only renderings are available now, but the cabin will surely create a premium experience. Singapore Airlines uses the A350-900ULR on its longest routes, including those from Singapore to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). 

Read more
The surprising European cities where travelers waste the least — and most — time on vacation
Luxembourg tops the list as the most time-efficient European city.
Jardin du Luxembourg

In an effort to help vacationers make the most of their time, a new study by Avis has unveiled which cities allow travelers to make the most of their vacation – and which ones can lead to significant time wasted. The findings reveal that vacationers typically spend an average of 5 hours and 45 minutes of their vacation waiting in lines and navigating delays, highlighting the importance of efficient travel planning.

Topping the list of efficient destinations is Luxembourg, where visitors can enjoy a quick 12-minute car journey from the airport to the city center. Paired with an efficient public transportation system, Luxembourg emerges as the clear leader for time-conscious travelers. 

Read more
You can now enjoy Michelin-starred cuisine while traveling through Europe on this train
Michelin-star Chef Heinz Beck will curate the menu for these train journeys.
La Dolce Vita Orient Express

Set to launch in Spring 2025, the La Dolce Vita Orient Express promises to whisk travelers on a rail journey through Italy’s most breathtaking regions. Adventurous globetrotters will have the choice of eight unique one- or two-night itineraries, guiding them through the enchanting landscapes of Italy.

But the luxury rail experience will offer more than just stunning Italian vistas; the recent announcement of Chef Heinz Beck's appointment as the head of the train’s culinary program is sure to elevate the journey even further. Renowned for his three Michelin-starred restaurant La Pergola in Rome, Chef Beck, in collaboration with Beck and Maltese Consulting, will design exclusive dining experiences that celebrate Italy’s diverse landscapes.

Read more