Shawn Gossman
Supporter
I think these sort of services are cool. If a person wants to get into storm chasing and they can afford it, this is one of the best ways to decide if you want to do it or not. Just pick a tour group that wont pass people on a hill and get ya killed lol
Frank Kienast
I went on my first tour back in May. It really was not that much more expensive than it would have been to drive out there myself and chase for a week. And this way, someone else got to do the driving and I could read or snooze if things got boring. I guess it would be a big difference in price if one lives in Tornado Alley and can chase from home. For others too, it could be an "ego" thing - wanting to find their own storms. But for someone who lives half way across the country away, and is going to have to pay to fly, rent a car, stay at motels, etc. it was well worth it to me. Ended up seeing several tornadoes in SD and funnel clouds in CO, plus hail, a good squall line, and of course plenty of lightning.
That's not to say I won't ever chase by myself. I lived in Indiana for a few years and did chase a bit on my own then when something was close.
I would definitely recommend a tour if your main object is to see severe weather, and particularly if you don't have a lot of chasing experience. Be sure to check out the reputation of the tour company; I believe Tim has guidelines on this site somewhere (and I know he has them in one of his books). Reputable tours do book up pretty early - I made my reservations and paid a deposit back in January to get my choice of May tours.
Frank Kienast
That's not to say I won't ever chase by myself. I lived in Indiana for a few years and did chase a bit on my own then when something was close.
I would definitely recommend a tour if your main object is to see severe weather, and particularly if you don't have a lot of chasing experience. Be sure to check out the reputation of the tour company; I believe Tim has guidelines on this site somewhere (and I know he has them in one of his books). Reputable tours do book up pretty early - I made my reservations and paid a deposit back in January to get my choice of May tours.
Frank Kienast
Andy Jackson
EF3
It seems like Tempest tours is getting a plug too from the new stormchaser fiction novel. I just wonder who is doing the limo tour? I might want to get in on that. 
