Following the release of the film Twister in 1996, came a flurry of interest in the huge spiraling funnels which dot the Great Plains in the spring. And where there's public interest, there's cash potential, realized a number of entrepreneurial storm chasers, who have managed to turn their hobbies into lucrative businesses. The average chase vacation begins with a basic instruction in the art of finding severe weather, and, with a bit of luck, ends with at least one successful sighting. Most tour guides are seasoned chasers who have spent years learning about and following storms, but Silver Lining Tours Director, David Gold, is one of a select few who can claim a degree in meteorology. He says his book smarts are an asset while out on the road, as he is better able to understand the concepts that shape severe weather.
Tours can range from the informational to an almost spiritual harmonization with nature.
Stephen Levine, leader of Tornado Alley Safari, views storm chasing as a transcendental experience. But those who sign up for a tour with the expectation of encountering skies filled with churning cumulonimbus clouds and a string of twisters dipping from the sky, find that a typical day on the road can be less than inspiring. Each morning begins with a careful study of weather patterns across the region. The guide pores over satellite and radar data to come up with a direction and plan for the day. When a location looks rife for action, the next several hours are spent driving in search of that perfect storm.