Skip to main content

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

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…
Have lost luggage? Here’s exactly what to do next
Here’s how to stay calm, get answers, and (hopefully) get your stuff back fast
Baggage claim in airport terminal. Suitcases on the airport luggage conveyor belt.

It’s happened to me before — stepping off a long flight, heading to baggage claim, and watching the carousel go around and around without ever seeing my suitcase.

At first, you tell yourself it’s just delayed. But then the crowd starts to clear, the belt slows to a stop, and reality sets in: Your luggage didn’t make it.

Read more
A Clueless suite? As if! Beverly Hills hotel debuts iconic tribute
The Clueless Suite was designed to celebrate the iconic film's 30th anniversary
L'Ermitage BH Clueless Suite

Just in time for the 30th anniversary of Clueless, L’Ermitage Beverly Hills is rolling out the pink carpet with a dreamy, fashion-forward hotel experience that would make Cher Horowitz say, “Ugh, as if!” In partnership with Bloomingdale’s Century City, Paramount Pictures, the Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau, and legendary costume designer Mona May, the hotel has unveiled The Clueless Suite, a nostalgic, over-the-top homage to the beloved 1995 film.

Available to book from July 12 through September 1, the limited-edition suite transforms 750 square feet of space into a stylish time capsule. Highlights include a yellow plaid accent wall inspired by Cher’s iconic first-day-of-school outfit, a neon “Carpe diem! Okay?” sign, fuzzy pens, and pop art touches straight out of a Beverly Hills dream. A Clueless board game, Polaroid camera, and a fully stocked glam closet curated by Mona May and Bloomingdale’s in-house stylists take the experience to the next level.

Read more
This West Palm Beach hotel now offers luxe private yacht experiences
The Ben at Sea offers three luxury yacht options
The Ben Hotel, Autograph Collection

The Ben Hotel in West Palm Beach is taking luxury hospitality to the next level, by sea. With the launch of The Ben at Sea, guests can now set sail in style thanks to a new yacht charter experience designed to bring the hotel’s signature service beyond the shoreline.

In partnership with PorterYachts, The Ben offers access to three sleek, high-end vessels docked at the nearby marina. Whether it’s a romantic getaway, a chic wedding, or a next-level corporate retreat, each yacht charter comes with a dedicated captain and crew. Guests can also upgrade their experience with a private chef, onboard bartender, or even live music to create a fully customized day on the water.

Read more