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Storm chasing is one of the most unforgettable ways to experience the raw power of nature. Imagine standing on the wide-open prairies as a massive supercell towers above you. Lightning flashes across the horizon, thunder rumbles in the distance, and intense winds try to blow your camera out of your hands.
For many, this sounds like a scene from a movie. But with the right preparation (or by joining a professional storm chasing tour), it can be a safe and life-changing adventure.
If you’ve ever wondered how to storm chase, this storm chasing guide covers the essentials: from storm science and safety to photography and why a guided storm chasing vacation in Canada, specifically the Prairies, is the best way to experience it.
Storm chasing is the pursuit of severe weather (typically thunderstorms, and particularly supercells) for observation, photography, or scientific study. While it may sound like racing dangerously close to tornadoes, true storm chasing is far more about strategy, patience, and understanding the atmosphere than adrenaline.
Chasers spend hours analyzing weather models, radar data, and surface observations to predict where storms will form. Once a target area is chosen, they drive into position – often hundreds of kilometres – just to be in the right place at the right time. The best storm chasers are part weather scientist, part photographer, and part adventurer.
But make no mistake: storm chasing is not something to do on your own without experience. Weather can change rapidly, and a safe chase requires an understanding of the nature of severe storms, road networks, and escape routes. That’s why joining experienced storm chasers on a guided tour is the safest – and most rewarding – way to experience severe weather.
Professional storm chasers know how to read the storm and anticipate a storm’s next move. They understand how close to get, when to pull back, and where to position for the best view and safest experience. When you join one of our Canadian Prairie storm chasing tours, you’re not just watching storms; you’re learning the art and science of chasing from seasoned experts who make safety their top priority. You get all the excitement of the chase without the danger or guesswork, just front-row access to nature’s most awe-inspiring displays.
Every storm begins with three key ingredients:
Moisture – humid air that fuels cloud and storm development.
Instability – warm air at the surface rising into cooler air aloft.
Lift – a mechanism, such as a front or trough, that pushes air upward.
When these conditions combine with wind shear (winds changing speed or direction with height), a storm can develop rotation. These rotating supercells are the crown jewel of storm chasing, often producing dramatic cloud formations and sometimes tornadoes.
Successful storm chasers rely heavily on technology. Some of the most important tools include:
Radar apps to track storm intensity and structure.
Satellite imagery for identifying large-scale cloud patterns.
Forecast models to predict where storms are most likely to form.
Surface observations like temperature, dew point, and wind data.
For a beginner, this can be overwhelming. On our storm chasing tours across the Canadian Prairies, you’ll watch professionals interpret these tools, showing you exactly how they decide which storm to target. It’s like a crash course in meteorology, but in the best classroom imaginable, the open prairie sky.
Storm chasing can be dangerous if not done properly. Hazards include hail, flash flooding, high winds, and lightning. That’s why experienced chasers follow strict safety rules:
Never “core punch” (driving straight into the storm).
Always have multiple escape routes.
Stay aware of road conditions—many rural roads can become muddy and impassable after rain.
Respect property, local traffic laws, and communities.
For more detail, check out our Guide to Safe and Responsible Storm Chasing
Storm chasing is perfect for nature photographers. Every chase offers opportunities to capture jaw-dropping images: towering supercells over the landscape, dramatic shelf clouds rolling overhead, and bolts of lightning lighting the night sky. No two storms are ever alike, which means every photo tells a different story.
One of the most powerful ways to share the storm chasing experience is through timelapse photography. By shooting a sequence of images over time, you can reveal the motion in these storms: updrafts boiling upward, storm bases rotating, and lightning flickering across the frame. A timelapse transforms what your eyes see in the moment into a cinematic experience that captures the storm’s true energy and scale. You can see some examples of the power of storm timelapse photography on one of our guides’ websites, here.
But storm photography can be challenging. Storms move fast, light conditions change quickly, and capturing lightning requires both skill and timing (and luck of course!). That’s why our Canadian Prairie storm chasing tours are led by professional photographers who know exactly how to set up and shoot in these extreme environments. From camera settings to lens choices to composition tips, you’ll get hands-on guidance in the field.
Unlike general storm chasing trips, our main goal is storm photography. Every decision we make on the road, from where we stop to how long we stay, is designed to give you the best chance to come home with portfolio-worthy shots. Whether you’re a beginner learning to shoot your first lightning strike or an experienced photographer chasing the perfect timelapse, our tours are built to maximize your photographic success.
UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES, WORLD-CLASS INSTRUCTORS, LIVING SKIES, AND AWE-INSPIRING LANDSCAPES
While the United States is famous for its Tornado Alley, Canada has its own storm chasing hotspot: the Prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Known collectively as the “Land of Living Skies,” the Prairies offer some of the best storm photography opportunities anywhere in North America.
Why the Prairies?
Flat, open landscapes – perfect visibility for watching storms develop and move.
Frequent severe weather – the Canadian Prairies see an average of 43 tornadoes every year, along with countless severe thunderstorms and lightning shows.
Unique beauty – there’s a rustic beauty across the Canadian Prairies. The landscape sometimes feels like you’ve stepped back in time. From abandoned buildings in a field of golden canola to the badlands in south Saskatchewan and Alberta, there’s an array of compelling beauty to photograph with our dramatic skies
Our tours are based here because it truly is the best storm chasing destination in Canada. If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing a Canadian supercell on the prairie horizon, this is where it happens.
The best time to chase storms on the Canadian Prairies is June and July. During these months, the prairies are primed for severe weather:
Warm summer air collides with cooler systems aloft, fueling powerful updrafts.
Long daylight hours mean more time to spot and photograph storms (the sun doesn’t set until after 9 PM during peak season).
The storm setups are frequent enough to keep tours exciting.
If you want to experience storm chasing at its peak in Canada, this is the window to do it.
You could try chasing storms on your own, but for beginners, it’s risky and often frustrating. Joining a storm chasing tour on the Canadian Prairies comes with big advantages:
Canada’s Only Tours – We’re proud to offer the only dedicated storm chasing tours in the country.
Expert Knowledge – Learn forecasting, storm structure, and safety strategies directly from seasoned chasers and photographers.
Hands-On Experience – Watch forecasts unfold in real time, ask questions, and gain confidence in reading the weather.
Safe Adventure – Chase-ready vehicles, experienced drivers, and planned escape routes ensure peace of mind.
Photography Focus – With professional photographers as guides, you’ll capture storms in ways most people only dream of.
Unforgettable Memories – Each storm brings a new adventure, whether you see a dramatic tornado or simply a sky painted with lightning.
It’s possible, but never guaranteed. The Canadian Prairies average 43 tornadoes every year, but even on non-tornado days, you can witness incredible supercells, lightning shows, and dramatic prairie skies—often just as spectacular. And on non-storm days, our tours are designed to maximize the nature photography opportunities in the Canadian Prairies.
Yes, when done with professionals who prioritize safety. Our tours are designed to keep participants out of harm’s way while still close enough to witness storms.
Not at all. While most guests are photographers, some join simply for the adventure and experience.
Comfortable clothes, good shoes, a good camera (if you have one), snacks, and a sense of adventure. We provide transportation and weather briefings. You can find out more about our tour experience and what’s needed here.
Storm chasing isn’t just about the storms. It’s about the adventure, the education, and the unforgettable moments spent under some of the most powerful skies on Earth. Whether you’re a weather enthusiast, a photographer, or someone looking for a bucket-list experience, a storm chasing tour on the Canadian Prairies offers a safe and exciting way to do it.
Book your storm chasing vacation in Canada today and experience why the Prairies truly are the Land of Living Skies.
UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES, WORLD-CLASS INSTRUCTORS, LIVING SKIES, AND AWE-INSPIRING LANDSCAPES
Living Sky Photography Tours is your destination for photography workshops in Canada, featuring two of Canada’s premier photography educators: Scott Aspinall and Craig Hilts. We’re dedicated to helping you elevate your photographic skills and explore the outer limits of your creativity. Our passion lies in extraordinary experiences – those awe-inspiring moments that make life truly special. Through our photography tours, we have the privilege of transforming these moments, previously dreams, into cherished memories.