bristolstormchaser

So guys and girls, less than 5 weeks to go before tour 1 kicks off, can't wait! I think nearly everyone on tour 1 has said hi on this forum, is there anyone else wanting to stick their head above the parapet? ;-) Maybe just add your names on this page if you feel happy to. Also, Paul Botten and Nick Finnis are coming out as staff. Who else is coming out to drive/navigate etc?

I'm hearing they were not impacted by the weather. Possible lack of concentration at a cross roads.

So today is looking pretty good for severe storms and possible tornadoes with greater moisture in place than on Sunday. SPC have a 10% tornado risk forecast which isn't bad. As for initial targets for today, mine would be Childress. May be a bit too far northeast so would use the Highway To Heaven the 287!

I was pending too after my application. I logged out and back in and I was accepted! :-)

Regarding the amount of money to take, unfortunately the pound has dived somewhat since the brexit vote :-( However as Mike said, around $500 should see you through. Take a mixture of cash and card. I applied for a Halifax Clarity Card which has no fees and charges you the exchange rate on the day you do the transaction. The rate is pretty good and the card performs pretty well in the league of best cards to take abroad. Cash wise, i'd take a couple of hundred dollars just for flexibility.

Hi Jodie, good plan re the rush hour traffic! :-) A direct flight is always the best option, dependant on the price, so great result. Only 8 weeks to go now, so see you on in Tornado Alley at the airport :-)

That's great! Really good to know you have such a passion for severe weather already.....you could end up getting hooked! As for the photography, you shouldn't be too disappointed. Those Mothership Supercells are mind blowing! Will keep in touch, having an evening get together once we arrive may be an option. See you in the Alley :-) Olly.

What time is your flight from Heathrow Jodie? I can offer you a £6 single rail journey from Temple Meads to Heathrow early on the morning of the 8th May if that helps. Would need to be for the 04.47 from Bristol though if that's not too early.

So with just over 9 weeks to go who will be on Tour 1? Paul Botten will be the lead chaser although I don't know about which other staff/drivers will be with us. There's Jodie from Nth Somerset, Mike from Manchester, Adam from Wilts, Mark from Lincs and me. Feel free to add your names and sorry if I have left anyone out.

Just a reminder to newbies who haven't been to the States before be careful not to get fleeced by some of the money making ESTA Agency sites. Always apply direct for the best price. Should be around $14. Here is the link to the correct site: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/application.html?execution=e1s1

Hi Mark, given my delayed reply you have probably worked out the answer to your question. I'm flying Into Dallas Love Airport so working out travel options to the hotel. The walk from the railway station to the airport Is an estimated 30 mins, taxi 4 mins so take your pick. Personally I love a good walk but not that much! I hope your plans are coming together well. Olly

Will be good to meet you. If there are 3 cars on tour 1 this could be the biggest tour 1 ever. No wonder after last years awesòme tour 1!

Definitely feeling closer now, thankfully! I'm on tour 1 too, got a decent price on a one change from Heathrow, changing at Atlanta flying to Dallas Love. Arrival time at Dallas 17.37. A bonus chase day is always welcome. If we hadn't of had one last year on tour 1 then the Wray Tornado in Colorado would of been a massive loss to put it mildly!

Booked for tour 1 next year. Will be my 3rd tour with Netweather and after the huge success of tour 1 this year I can't wait. I managed to get the same flight deal as Nick. We book through Expedia, prices seem to go up and down like a whores draws, so keep trying daily and see what daily deals come up. Flying from LHR to Dallas Love with one change at Atlanta. Cheaper to arrive there than Fort Worth I found. Just keep trying different options and your patience will be rewarded. B.A normally have a sale around Christmas going through to New Year. Who else is on Tour 1?

Hi Jodie, an early welcome, this will be my 3rd tour 1 and this is likely to be your best holiday ever! This year I took a digital SLR for decent photography, mostly wide angle, plus I took my work phone which is a Samsung Galaxy S6. The SLR camera is a combi which is great for versatility but when it's all kicking off you really need a separate camera for either video work or photography and versatility. I was surprised how good a decent phone can be for filming decent footage, plus something small and easy to use makes all the difference when it's kicking off. I hope this helps, listen to other peoples ideas too about what works for them as what works for one person may not work for someone else. Look forward to meeting you out in tornado alley :-) Olly

This pic gives an idea of the structure we saw.

16th May. Chaser ants escaping the storm

14th May. Twister 20th Anniversary tribute

13th May. Distant bows, smoke and hail.

12th May. Heartbreaking Wynnewood Tornado destruction.

11th May, some down time.

9th May, Katie/Wynnewood Tornado. Stormchaser making the most of the opportunity!

8th May. Stunning Anvil at sunset.