A standard six-day storm chasing tour can offer a substantial introduction to severe weather across the Great Plains. Dedicated storm enthusiasts, however, may prefer more time in the field, a wider range of forecast setups, and greater exposure to the seasonal shift from the Southern Plains toward the Central Plains.
Combining Tour 4 with Tour 5A creates 16 active chase days in 2027. The combination connects a prime late-May period with a ten-day package extending into early June. It is a significant commitment, making it better suited to serious chasers who can manage the longer schedule, flexible routes, extensive road travel and higher overall cost.
How the 16 Chase Days Are Structured
Tour 4 begins with arrival in Wichita, Kansas, on May 22. Its six chase days run from May 23 through May 28. Tour 5A has an arrival date of May 29 and provides ten chase days from May 30 through June 8. Together, the packages offer 16 chase days, with May 29 serving as the transition and arrival day for Tour 5A.
The two packages are listed separately, so travelers should confirm accommodation and transfer arrangements for the transition directly with the operator. They should not assume that every hotel night between the packages is automatically covered.
Why This Seasonal Window Stands Out
Tour 4 is scheduled during a late-May period the operator describes as its most consistently successful storm chasing window. The six-day package is positioned within an active part of the Southern Plains season. Tour 5A continues through late May and early June. During this period, the chasing strategy begins shifting northward while still monitoring traditional Southern Plains targets.
The combined schedule may expose guests to:
- Peak-period Southern Plains storm setups
- More isolated Central Plains supercells
- Several changing weather systems
- Different landscapes and road networks
- Lightning, rotating storm bases, and tornadoes when conditions support them
No particular weather event can be guaranteed. The main advantage is the additional time available to follow several forecast cycles rather than relying on a single week.
What a Longer Tour Requires
Sixteen chase days involve much more than watching active storms. Guests should expect long drives, changing overnight locations, forecast discussions, waiting periods, and rapid repositioning. On a typical day, the team reviews current weather data before selecting the strongest practical target. The group may travel several hours, stop for meals or fuel, and wait for storms to develop. Once a storm becomes organized, the pace can change quickly. Guides may need to move the group to maintain visibility, avoid heavy precipitation or reach a better road.
This extended format suits travelers who enjoy the entire chasing process, including quiet forecast days and long-distance travel.
Professional Support Across Both Packages
Both tours include severe-weather forecast experts, guides, professional drivers, transportation and fuel during the active chase. Guests also receive weather forecast briefings and a guaranteed window seat. These features make it easier to follow changing cloud development and landscapes while the team manages navigation and storm positioning.
Tour 4 separately includes five hotel nights, while Tour 5A includes nine hotel nights. Airport pickup, final hotel-to-airport drop-off and an exclusive storm chasing adventure tour shirt are also listed among the standard inclusions. Guests must arrange the hotel nights excluded under each package’s terms and should confirm how those rules apply when booking the tours together.
Package Prices and Availability
Tour 4 is currently listed with one seat remaining. Its price is US$2,900 for a single traveler, with a listed US$2,700 shared-room couple rate. Tour 5A is currently sold out. Its price is US$4,700 for a single traveler, with a listed US$4,500 couple rate. The standard registration terms require a US$1,000 non-refundable deposit per person for each tour. Two seats must be placed in the booking cart to receive the applicable shared-room discount and travelers must arrange their own companions or roommates. Because Tour 5A is sold out, anyone interested in the combination should check the current waitlist and confirm whether the two packages can still be coordinated.
Who Is the Combination Best For?
The 16-day option may be suitable for:
- Experienced storm chasers seeking more field time
- Weather enthusiasts comfortable with unpredictable schedules
- Photographers wanting varied storms and landscapes
- Travelers able to manage more than two weeks of flexible road travel
- Guests with the budget for two separate tour packages
It may be less suitable for someone seeking a relaxed sightseeing vacation, fixed daily plans or guaranteed tornado sightings.
Conclusion
The Tour 4 and Tour 5A combination can be a strong choice for serious chasers who value time in the field and want to experience the transition from late-May Southern Plains activity into early-June Central Plains opportunities. Its 16 chase days provide more chances to work with changing forecast patterns, but the longer duration requires patience, flexibility and careful travel planning. With Tour 4 nearly full and Tour 5A currently sold out, travelers should review live availability, waitlist options and transition accommodation arrangements before planning the combined 2027 experience.