ARLINGTON, Texas, March 5, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Powerful weather systems, like the one that produced deadly tornadoes last week across the central and southern U.S., increase public interest in severe weather. That leads to more bookings for one Texas-based tour company that specializes in weather experiences. "We see a rise in registrations after a tornado outbreak," said Tempest Tours president and veteran storm chaser Martin Lisius. "People just want to see a tornado for themselves and to learn more about what causes them," he said.
Each spring, Tempest Tours leads guests into America's Tornado Alley to discover the science of nature's most violent weather. The staff is comprised of some of the country's most experienced and successful storm chasers who are eager to share their knowledge of storms with others. Over the years, they have led guests to dozens of supercell thunderstorms, the potent storms responsible for producing the majority of significant tornadoes. Careful forecasting and logistics has allowed the team to intercept over 60 tornadoes since 2003.
"Teaching guests about severe weather is Tempest Tours' primary mission," said Lisius. "It's rewarding to see their faces light up when they discover something new, like how tornadoes develop and what we look for when forecasting a target for the day. So many people barely understand tornadoes and what we do as storm chasers. Most of their knowledge comes from television and the movies. We open a whole new world of truth and wonder to them," he said.
Tempest Tours conducts storm chasing expeditions May through early July, during the peak of tornado season in the U.S. Base cities include Dallas-Ft. Worth, Oklahoma City and Denver.
More information about Tempest Tours can be acquired by calling (817) 274-9313 or by visiting the company's web site at www.TempestTours.com. The site includes tour registration information, a storm glossary and video clips of tornadoes the team has photographed. Early registration is suggested as tours typically sell out by spring.
Photos are available for use with this story at www.tempesttours.com/media_resource_center.html