Chase planning
Chase tours vs DIY
A guided tour costs $3,500 per week. DIY costs less but takes years to learn. Here is which suits which chaser — and the top-tier tours to consider.
The DIY cost breakdown (1 week)
- Flights to Oklahoma City: $300-600.
- Rental SUV: $500-800.
- Hotel (6 nights): $600-900.
- Fuel: $400 (2,000 miles).
- Food: $200-400.
- Cell data / roaming: $50.
- Chase gear (initial): $500-1,500.
- Radar app (RadarScope Pro): $10.
- Total first year: $2,500-$4,500 with gear investment.
- Total repeat years: $2,000-$3,500.
The tour cost breakdown (1 week)
- Tour fee: $2,700-$4,500.
- Includes: transportation, hotel, forecasting.
- Excludes: airfare to origin city (OKC or Denver).
- Excludes: food.
- Excludes: alcohol.
- Airfare: $300-600 depending on origin.
- Food: $200-400.
- Tips for guides: $100-200.
- Total: $3,500-$5,500.
What you get with a tour
Expertise
Pro guide with decades of experience.
Vehicle
Chase-outfitted van/SUV with radar, communications.
Insurance
Vehicle insurance included.
Structure
You show up. They handle everything else.
Community
Fellow tourists become chase buddies.
Meteorology school
You learn while chasing.
Safety net
Someone knows the storms, roads, exit routes.
Access
To areas you wouldn't drive alone.
What you don't get with a tour
- Control over target choice.
- Ability to stop for specific photos.
- Independence.
- The learning that comes from your own decisions.
- The satisfaction of your own successful intercept.
- The freedom to blow off a day and go to a museum.
- Chase groups can be 6-8 strangers in one vehicle.
- You share the shot with everyone else on the tour.
The top-tier tour operators
Silver Lining Tours
30+ years operating. Roger Hill leads. Wide range of dates.
Cloud 9 Tours
Charles Edwards. Experienced chase leader.
Extreme Chase Tours
Chris and Kathy Kridler. Family operation.
Tempest Tours
Bill Reid. Long history.
Storm Chasing Adventure Tours
Todd Thorn. Small groups.
Weather Adventures
Michael Bettes / Weather Channel-adjacent.
Blue Sky Chasing
Newer, growing reputation.
Chase By Design
Custom private tours.
The tour risks to know
- Not all tours are equal. Vet your operator.
- Bad tours: too many chase vehicles convoying, poor forecasting, dangerous positioning.
- Good tours: max 3 vehicles, tight communication, safety briefing at start.
- Ask about safety record.
- Ask about how they handle "bad" chase days.
- Ask what happens if a tornado is close to your vehicle.
- Ask about their insurance for you.
- Ask about refund policy for weather.
Best tours for specific goals
First-time chaser
Silver Lining, Tempest, Cloud 9.
Photography-focused
Chris Kridler chase tour, Storm Chasing Adventure Tours.
Small group
Extreme Chase Tours, Chase By Design.
Budget-conscious
Silver Lining lowest-priced dates.
Extreme adventure
Reed Timmer's occasional tours.
Non-US chase
Silver Lining Argentina.
When DIY makes more sense
- You've chased before.
- You have chase-capable vehicle and gear.
- You want independence.
- You want to learn by doing (and failing).
- You want to bring family or friends.
- You want specific dates that no tour offers.
- You want to save money over multiple years.
- You live within driving distance of the Plains.
When a tour makes more sense
- You've never chased before.
- You don't know how to forecast severe weather.
- You don't have a chase vehicle.
- You're short on time.
- You want to bank knowledge from an expert.
- You want structured group experience.
- You want maximum photo opportunities in minimum time.
- You're nervous about safety.
The hybrid approach
Many chasers do a tour their first season, then DIY thereafter with the knowledge gained. Others do tour + DIY days in the same trip. Some operators offer 'ride-along' half-day options for cheaper.