Before booking the storm chasing tour

There are a few things you need to consider before going on a Storm chasing tour and before booking. It is a very different type of vacation and you should be prepared for both good and bad! Read the introduction to storm chasing before booking and make sure you know what you are getting into.

Checking up the tour company

Even though most companies have a good record there have been occations when there have been disagreements between tour operators and their clients. In order to limit this risk, we have a bit of advice for you.

• Read the reviews posted on this website
• Check references and make sure they are legit. If needed, ask about money back guarantee, references and more.
• Assume a healthy critical stand point to what you hear from the tour company itself. No one can guarantee anything about the weather for example.
• Go with those who have a good track record and read the stories from different tours. Many tours publish this information on their websites.
• Ask what is typically done on Down Days, when there are no storms about.
• Check alternate sources as well: Google, read (or post) in the Stormtrack.org-forum for example.

Things that can go wrong

The nature of Storm chasing allows for a lot of things to happen, most of them fantastic but some unfortunate. This is a short list of things that could and that you should take into consideration before booking.

It could be a good idea to discuss some of these things with the tour companies before booking. Please note though that just because they could go wrong does not mean they are very common (Moore's law does not necessarily apply here!). Some of them could however be devastating to your tour if they occur, some other are just nuisances.

• The vehicle could break down.
• If really unlucky, the vehicle could crash.
• You could get sick and not be able to follow the tour for a few days. Will someone pick you up?
• You could get injured by hail or lightning
• You might be unlucky with the weather and see close to nothing for the full extent of the tour
• You might be too late or just not there for an amazing tornado that virtually "everyone" else saw
• You might dislike some other tour member but still have to spend a lot of time in a small van together with that person.