Storm chasing in Tornado Alley
Oklahoma·United States
Photo: NOAA / National Severe Storms Laboratory · Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Why go
Every spring, warm moist air from the Gulf of Mexico meets dry air from the Rockies over the southern Great Plains, building the most powerful thunderstorms on earth. Guided chase tours follow the forecast across Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas to watch towering supercells, lightning, hail and, sometimes, tornadoes.
When
In season: May–Jun · Peak: May
Who it’s for
Storm chasing specifics
- Guided
- Yes
- Region
- Oklahoma, Kansas and the Texas Panhandle
- Tornado guarantee
- No
- Distance per day
- 600 km
What to expect
Long days of driving, sometimes over 800 km, waiting for storms to fire and then positioning safely to watch them. Tornadoes are never guaranteed, but supercells are spectacular on their own.
Routes
What the difficulty bands mean
- moderate
- Sustained effort or some exposure; comfort on the terrain expected.
Great Plains chase week
moderateFollowing supercells across Oklahoma and Kansas with a guide
Dryline chasing in the Texas panhandle
moderateThe early-season setup where storms fire most reliably
How to start
Book a week-long tour with an established chase company led by meteorologists, based out of Oklahoma City. Go in May for the best odds, and never chase alone without training.
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