The storm chasing season across Tornado Alley changes from week to week. As spring moves toward summer, favorable severe-weather areas often shift northward, altering the landscapes, road networks, and storm types a tour may encounter.
Tours begin in early May with a Southern Plains focus and continue through late June, when the chase strategy may extend into Nebraska, Colorado, South Dakota and the Dakotas. This progression helps travelers choose dates that match their interests.
Early May Opens the Southern Plains Season
The opening part of May focuses mainly on Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. These states offer broad horizons, open roads, and classic Tornado Alley scenery.
Tour 1 begins with arrival in Wichita on May 1 and chasing from May 2 through May 7. It opens the 2027 schedule during a period associated with notable early-May tornado outbreaks.
Tour 2 follows from May 9 through May 14. It remains within the Southern Plains period while moving closer to the height of the May severe-weather season.
During rare breaks, either route may pass near the Twister Museum in Wakita, Oklahoma. Weather takes priority, so this is a possible stop rather than a guaranteed part of the itinerary.
Mid-May Reaches the Peak Southern Plains Period
By the middle of May, the schedule moves into what the operator describes as the peak Southern Plains season.
Tour 3 runs from May 16 through May 21. Its six-day format balances cost, time and field experience during an active part of the season.
Tour 4 follows from May 23 through May 28. The operator describes this late-May window as its most consistently successful period, and the package currently has very limited availability.
Travelers during this stage may encounter:
- Structured Southern Plains supercells
- Rotating cloud bases and lightning
- Long chase days across Kansas or Oklahoma
- Rapid route changes as forecasts evolve
- Tornadoes when the required conditions develop
No tour can guarantee a tornado. The May schedule provides several forecast days during an important seasonal period.
Late May Begins the Northward Transition
The final days of May mark a change in chase strategy. The team may still work within the classic Southern Plains, but stronger opportunities can begin appearing farther north.
Tour 5 runs from May 30 through June 4. Tour 5A follows the same seasonal window but extends through June 8, providing ten chase days instead of six.
These packages may combine intense Southern Plains storms with more isolated Central Plains supercells. The longer Tour 5A gives the team additional time to respond to changing weather systems.
Both 2027 packages are currently sold out, showing strong demand for this period.
Mid-June Shifts the Focus to the Central Plains
By mid-June, the chase area increasingly moves into the Central Plains. Wider landscapes and more isolated storm structures can make this stage attractive to photographers.
Tour 6 begins after arrival in Wichita on June 12 and provides six chase days from June 13 through June 18. Its route may include traditional areas near Oklahoma before extending into Nebraska and beyond.
The official description highlights open vistas, isolated mothership-style storms, and unusual destinations. Guests may pass through remote communities, although no sightseeing stop is guaranteed.
Late June Brings the Northern Season
Tour 7 closes the 2027 schedule with chasing from June 20 through June 25. By this stage, the strongest opportunities may reach northern Plains states.
The northern season can bring frequent convection, striking supercells, and dramatic scenery. Depending on the route and downtime, the group may travel near Mount Rushmore or the Badlands in South Dakota.
Tour 7 suits travelers who appreciate severe weather, long-distance travel, changing landscapes, and flexible destinations.
What Remains Consistent Across the Season
Although target regions change, the core tour structure remains similar. Six-day packages include five hotel nights during the active chase, while Tour 5A includes nine hotel nights.
Packages also include transportation and fuel, forecast experts, guides, drivers, weather briefings, airport transfers, a guaranteed window seat and an exclusive tour shirt.
Guests arrange their own accommodation for the arrival night and the night following the final chase day.
Conclusion
The 2027 storm chasing season develops in clear stages. Early May focuses on the Southern Plains, mid-May reaches the peak period, late May begins the northward transition and June moves into the Central and Northern Plains. Tour 1 and Tour 2 suit early-season travelers, Tour 3 and Tour 4 cover the heart of May, Tour 5 and Tour 5A follow the transition, and Tour 6 and Tour 7 emphasize later-season landscapes and northern routes.
Comparing these differences helps travelers select a package based on timing, scenery, trip length and the type of storm chasing experience they want.