Inappropriate / Inaccurate? Ron Gravelle

Description

I went storm chasing with Ron Gravelle for 19,900 km's. I got to drive the intercept vehicle and learned how to navigate through a storm using Ron's equipment.

While every single day isn't going to be a perfect day for storms. Ron filled off-days with activities, such as going to downtown New Orleans to talk to locals and survey Katrina storm dammage, still painfully obvious in 2008.

We witnessed 2 tornadoes, and every day he took us to the most powerful storms in all of North America.

Description

Ron's storm chasing tour is simply an experience you'll never forget. It brings nothing but feel-good memories of our long trips together. The beauty of the wide open plains, magnificent storms, the humorous moments that had me roaring with gut bursting laughter, and the food experiences. We've been to New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. I've been storm chasing since 1998 in southern Ontario, but I have been unable to drive, so I normally ride as a passenger, helping out with navigating, forecasting, sky reading, photography, etc. Anyways, it has always been my lifelong dream to go to tornado alley, and Ron, whom is a personal dear friend of mine, granted me that wish. In 2006, I went for the first time down to the alley with Ron and Scott. We went down during an excellent time that year because it was a rather dry year for storms. Some chasers never did see a tornado that year. In fact if it were not for me, Ron wasn't planning to go! We're both glad we went. We saw several supercells, a gigantic beautiful hybrid storm in Colorado that seemed to fill the entire sky, and then I got my first photograph and video of tornadoes in South Dakota, which gave me euphoria for months afterward!

Since then, I've been going back with Ron. He will try his hardest to get you to the storm of the day. From my research, we were the only chasers to witness the SD tornadoes that day... most chasers were in Nebraska and they busted. Ron doesn't listen to others' forecasts; he will go with his gut instinct. He will analyze data for hours and hours! I am not kidding. Sometimes Mother Nature doesn't always go as planned, but you'll be guaranteed a fun filled day regardless. He's taken us to beautiful and interesting places you wouldn't know existed in the alley.

Ron cares about his clients. He will make sure safety is number one priority, that everyone is comfy because it's a long drive! And he is also a teacher. You will learn how to read the sky, know what to look for and how to interpret weather forecast models and maps.

Every year, I see at least one tornado. In May 2010, I saw 10 tornadoes, making it the best season yet.

On your tour, you will receive a t-shirt and highlight DVD of your trip experience.

Ron has taken clients from Canada, the US, France and the UK. Ron will check the long range forecast before the trip and if it does not look to be active, Ron will ask you if you still want to go, and if not, you will get a full refund.

I've taken thousands of photos over the past several years, and yes Virginia, I will do it again. If you go, and I recommend you do if you have a passion for weather, you will NOT forget this once in a lifetime experience.

I hope to see YOU on the tour next year! And don't forget to pack an extra pair of clean underwear.