US Storm Chasing 2011

[jamie]

im currently talking to Roger about going on his close encounters tour in 2011. just have to decide if i can justify spending that much money for a 10 day chase again.

[Weetbicks]

Okay, so my next question is - what's the difference between this tour & a normal tour, and is it worth the $ ? I ask because I'm considering going on a tour also, but need to justify the cost somehow.

[jamie]

the difference is the close encounters gets you close. like really close. he runs them separate from the SLT company to avoid safety issues. thats where the extra costs comes in. also you are always guaranteed to stay in nicer hotels compared to the normal tours. Numbers are also very restricted on the normal tours so it makes getting around much easier and comfier.

[03Stormchaser]

5-6k for 10 days, or 5-6k if you do it your self for about 3 weeks....
Im hoping to go next year, already booked a 3 month window off work to head overseas next year. Whether its chasing or not all depends on the bank balance!

[03Stormchaser]

Did you end up booking Jamie?

[NZstorm]

Weetbix wrote

but need to justify the cost somehow.

If you have the interest then a storm chasing tour is well worth the money. You'll have an experience of a lifetime.

[03Stormchaser]

Whats everyone's thoughts on chasing 2011? Im planning on this stage but all depends on a couple of investments my money is in to pull off, should have a clear answer by mid Feb. Checked flights today $1850 return with Air NZ and $1500 return with V Australia. If a group of us want to go together happy to organise something together.

[tgsnoopy]

Unfortunately out of the question for me again this year.... Unless something changes dramatically.

I wouldn't be able to commit until mid March... And would probably only be able to get 2 weeks off in any case.

Come the time if their are 3 going and you have a 4th spot spare I'll do my best to wrangle it.

I notice V Australia seems to be doing some great deals on those trans pacific flights. Unfortunately it does add to the travel time somewhat.

[NZstorm]

I've got no plans to go to tornado alley at this stage but there's a chance I may make it over there. If I go I think it'll be late in the season (June).

[spwill]

Having just had the trip to Darwin it might be hard for me to justify a trip to USA this year. I will leave the decision until April so a late season chase with NZstorm is possible.

[Michael]

Not USA but Europe appears to have interesting weather judging what I seen from that area,seems to be lots of lightning in summer there,guess if its tornados the USA is a safer bet.

[Robert_Edmonds]

You don't need to spend thousands more, to have a personal tour. I offer small tours with at most 5 guests on a single tour. Feel free to email me, I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.

My storm chasing tours may be found at:
http://stormchaseguide.com

Thank you for your consideration.

[Willoughby]

Whats everyone's thoughts on chasing 2011? Im planning on this stage but all depends on a couple of investments my money is in to pull off, should have a clear answer by mid Feb. Checked flights today $1850 return with Air NZ and $1500 return with V Australia. If a group of us want to go together happy to organise something together.

Would love to go again!! Who else is keen... Weetbicks? Mike?

[NZstorm]

The airlines (Qantas, AirNZ) always have a good sale in February. Thats usually a good time to book.

[RODALCO]

I have booked tour 3 and tour 4 with SLT.

Start in Oklahoma City, Finish in Denver. ( late May, beginning June )

Get a lift with them between the two tours.

Still have to get the air travel sorted out.

Looking forward to some action

[NZstorm]

Have you chased in the US before Rodalco? Your timing should be good.

[RODALCO]

Have you chased in the US before Rodalco? Your timing should be good.

No I have not.
Just looked at the schedules and timeslot May - July are the most active seasons for tornado chasing

[NZstorm]

Should be another active season this year with La Nina running well into the US spring.

[03Stormchaser]

Looking like I wont be going this year, unless something amazing happens (financially), but will be going to Darwin later this year.

[Weetbicks]

For anyone interested, ChaserCon 2011 is on right now and is being streamed live @ severestudios.com, it is 29.95 US for full coverage & everything is available for 7 days afterwards also. Am watching it now, quality is good, sound good... Dr Greg Forbes from the weather channel is about to speak on the 2010 year in review of severe weather, and Reed timmer is up after that talking about TVN & its research

[jamie]

I have booked tour 3 and tour 4 with SLT.

Start in Oklahoma City, Finish in Denver. ( late May, beginning June )

Get a lift with them between the two tours.

Still have to get the air travel sorted out.

Looking forward to some action

Very good! I have chased 3 times with Roger. He is very very good, tells you exactly what he is always thinking and explains what exactly your seeing. Always a good group of people chasing with him too.

[jamie]

Did you end up booking Jamie?

Woops sorry for late reply.

No i didnt in the end. If i didnt spontaneously take off to Fiji for a week last year and spontaneously take off to Perth for a week a few weeks ago i would definitely have thought about going over with a group from on here as it is just that much cheaper.

I am going to book myself and my partner in for 2012 close encounters tour with Roger soon. (have to get in very early for that tour). My partner is very intrigued by what shes heard from me and seen on TV so it will be good to get her into it. Then i can justify going over more often

[jamie]

$1737 return to LA or San Fran currently with Air NZ with a travel period 4th May - June 17th. Thats pretty good considering what you get with Air NZ.

[Weetbicks]

Reed Timmer up in 5 minutes, Greg Forbes just did a very good 2010 wrap-up presentation. Tim Samaris & Roger Hill are MC'ing the chasercon...

[Weetbicks]

Reed just finished giving an awesome talk, he really is a great public speaker. A lot of it was stuff from storm chasers but it is very cool to hear his own perspective on things and there were lots of behind the scenes tidbits and stuff not from the show. He also presented some of his research from his radar and gps parachutes, very cool.