Tornado Chasing (north, Georgia)

[1101]

Hi Everyone

I've been a weather geek forever and I am completely fascinated by Tornados and Thunderstorms. I've got tons of books (including my prized 1,300 page "Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991" ), lots of videotapes that I transferred to DVD, and I am hooked whenever I see one of those TV programs about severe weather.

If there is a big storm rolling through (I'm in NC) you can find me out on the screened-in porch enjoying the rain on the metal roof and the thunder.

I tell you this to emphasize that I really do enjoy storms .... and I'd love to see a tornado one day.

The closest I've ever come was when I was 14 or 15 years old (1977) , on my way home from school during a severe weather event. I looked directly above me into a thunderstorm where I saw a small knot of cloud swirling around in a circle. No funnel. Just a very tight, well defined knot of swirling black cloud.

I've thought about signing up for one of those tornado chasing "tours" (or whatever they're called).

Has anyone here ever gone on one of these things? What are they like? Is there a particular company that has a better track record than others?

I'd love to hear what your experience was like.

Thanks!

_Dale

[country pride]

Ive never done it but wouldnt mind observing one. Tornadoes and storms dont really bother me.

[Lamplight]

Actually, on April 10th we had an EF-4 tornado pass about half a mile or so behind where I work. It was fascinating, and terrifying. When people say it sounds like a freight train they are lying; it sounds like twenty freight trains. At first it looked like it was heading straight for us, but it kind of went just north of our vantage point. It was the only time I can remember actually shaking from fright. Easily the most amazing thing I've ever seen. Here it is:



I also have a lot of pictures of damage. This building was just a few hundred feet from my apartment: