Aaron Kennedy
EF5
Just fill shade all of ND for me 
If there are storms here, you'll see them.
If there are storms here, you'll see them.
Turnpike Chasing; Uggh.
- Thread starter Stephen Locke
- Start date
Brandon Ivey
EF2
I don't have a lot of chases in the caprock region, so I can't say that it would be my favorite. I am sure I am missing out on a lot by not chasing this region much. I think I have only a handfull of chases in West Texas due to the amount of time it takes me to get down there from Wichita. Same for the Dakotas. I have never chased eastern Montana or North Dakota ( I would like to someday). I have chased in South Dakota 3 times. I would say my favorite location to chase in would be western or central Kansas. Someday, I hope to be able to venture further away from town and enjoy the far southern and northern reaches of tornado alley. A week of chasing in Canada is also on my list of "chases to do".
afischer
EF4
I don't know how you could find better chase country than the western half of the TX South Plains, as a couple of others have already indicated. I've only chased there once (May 5, 2006... southern sections near Brownfield/Seminole) and it was enough to make me a believer. Flat, almost no trees, a high density of paved farm roads (or whatever you call them), and I assume plenty of side/gravel roads that are in decent shape.
I like the central 1/3 of Kansas quite a bit, mainly south of I-70... a decent network of paved roads, a 1x1 grid of gravel/dirt roads in most places, and it's tough to beat the storms in central Kansas. Funny how my least favorite place to chase (the Flint Hills) lies right next to there.
I haven't chased in Iowa a whole lot, but the northern 2/3 seems excellent (with the exception of the MO river valley, particularly in far westcentral IA, which is horrible... the MS river valley may be problematic too, never been way over there); it's reasonably flat or gently rolling, nothing too forested, and the paved road network seems quite good.
I like the central 1/3 of Kansas quite a bit, mainly south of I-70... a decent network of paved roads, a 1x1 grid of gravel/dirt roads in most places, and it's tough to beat the storms in central Kansas. Funny how my least favorite place to chase (the Flint Hills) lies right next to there.
I haven't chased in Iowa a whole lot, but the northern 2/3 seems excellent (with the exception of the MO river valley, particularly in far westcentral IA, which is horrible... the MS river valley may be problematic too, never been way over there); it's reasonably flat or gently rolling, nothing too forested, and the paved road network seems quite good.
Stephen Locke
EF3
Hi Verne, Seems like most people have some affection for chasing in their own back yard. I for one like chasing in the Flint Hills of Kansas even though it is hilly and the roads are unpredictable . . . my advantage is I know that area like the back of my hand. Question; I notice the High Plains of eastern Colorado get a really low rating on your map even though I think you are based in Denver. Is it the sparse road network? Any more comments?
Brandon Goforth
Okay, you're talking wayyy south of I-40. I was more referring to the area east of Plainview, and then back north. It's not bad, but it's not great either, vs. west of 27 in the SW TX PH for instance.
Rob Wadsworth
EF5
Vern Carlson's map is intriguing. I would hope that he will continue to update his map according to further posts.
Since chasing regions with a lot of trees and poor road systems is considered a lost cause, it should make it easier to nail down the locations that chasers both prefer and experience tells them which are best.
It's too bad that it doesn't always work out that way.
IF there was a major four-day breakout in the tree-covered portion of Arkansas, I'm willing to bet that most - if not all - chasers on this site would be camping there for a week!
Since this has been my first year, my limited exposure and experience would have me vote for E & C Iowa, as well as W & C Kansas. I was in the TX panhandle in April with a few storms that never materialized severe enough, but I must admit that the roads and topography is as good as others have already stated.
Those would be my votes, Verne...
Since chasing regions with a lot of trees and poor road systems is considered a lost cause, it should make it easier to nail down the locations that chasers both prefer and experience tells them which are best.
It's too bad that it doesn't always work out that way.
IF there was a major four-day breakout in the tree-covered portion of Arkansas, I'm willing to bet that most - if not all - chasers on this site would be camping there for a week!
Since this has been my first year, my limited exposure and experience would have me vote for E & C Iowa, as well as W & C Kansas. I was in the TX panhandle in April with a few storms that never materialized severe enough, but I must admit that the roads and topography is as good as others have already stated.
Those would be my votes, Verne...
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Verne Carlson
EF5
I was surprised that no one mentioned eastern CO, eastern NE, the OK panhandle or IA on my original tally. I think the forest density map that Stephen posted is a great overlay to create a map on top of that shows the best places to chase. Ideally if we could combine a forest density, paved road density and chaser survey we could come up with a pretty good map of where people like to chase in the US.
I'm still pulling in 'votes' as the thread builds and people chime in on where they like to chase.
I'm still pulling in 'votes' as the thread builds and people chime in on where they like to chase.
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Skip Talbot
EF5
The Illinois region should extend into southern WI. Just make sure its 40 miles back from Lake Michigan because the city and burbs make this area unchaseable. Iowa is also good north of 80 between 29 and 380 well into southern MN. The roads aren't as good or numerous as in Illinois though.
Dan Robinson
The I-70 corridor (about 100 miles north and south of the interstate) from Columbus, Ohio through Indy to STL is generally great chase terrain. Good for the fall and early spring outbreaks. Most of IL, aside from a few areas south of I-64, are western Kansas-like. Central IL is Caprock flat but with a few more trees. When I cross the Wabash River westbound on I-64, I feel like I'm already on the Plains.
mikedeason
EF5
I'd concur with the thoughts about central IL. I'd only caution about chasing in the Lincoln Hills region between the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers in west central Illinois. It can be frustrating in some areas due to the hills and trees.
Of course I'm partial to the Platte River Valley in central Nebraska.
Of course I'm partial to the Platte River Valley in central Nebraska.
Jim Cross
EF1
Verne heres your Oklahome panhandle and southwest Kansas choice. From Boise City over to Guyman then points northeast. There are 2 highways 56 and 54 that both run northeast towards Dodge City and are great choices to chase storms moving northeast out of the Oklahoma panhandle into southwest Kansas. Personally its one of my favorite areas to chase along with the caprock in Texas and anywhere in western Kansas. I will also mention northeast Arkansas and southeast Missouri as areas that dont recieve much attention but have decent areas to chase also.
Leah Robertson
EF1
Tool ROCKS...and so does A Perfect Circle. Ironically, the group I was listening to during my last backyard-chase was Atmosphere.
I agree with Jim. The Oklahoma panhandle and SW Kansas are also ideal areas to chase based on the roadwork and terrain; just be cautious with the speed limits there...you'd think I would've learned after my 4th ticket not to speed on 56/54. Ah, well. The NE Texas panhandle is also another great area chasing storms into Oklahoma.
Really? Wow, I had no idea. I'd figured those areas would be heavily wooded like the Ozarks.
Central to Western Minnesota into eastern SD and Northern IA is awesome chase territory. The only bad thing about Northwestern Iowa is that data can be sketchy there for most companies.
Mike Ridgeway
EF2
Eastern Colorado, especially the northeastern part. Love the hail in that area and the high altitude leads to good visibilty, which is excellent to view storms.
Dan Robinson
I'd say that IL and the good areas east of the Mississippi are 'convenience' areas for those of us who live over on this side. As in no multi-day marathon drive needed to chase a setup there. I can chase IL and points east and be back home in WV the same day (around 1-3AM anyway).
Tornadoes can be had over here - they're more rare, but it just makes it that much more satisfying to score one.
Tornadoes can be had over here - they're more rare, but it just makes it that much more satisfying to score one.
