Tour 5 and Tour 5A cover the same late-May storm chasing window, but they offer noticeably different experiences. Both begin as the severe-weather strategy starts shifting northward while still monitoring the classic Southern Plains.
The main decision is whether six chase days provide the right balance of time and cost or whether ten consecutive chase days better suit the traveler’s goals. Comparing the schedules, prices and practical demands can make the choice clearer.
What Tour 5 Offers
Tour 5 begins with arrival in Wichita, Kansas, on May 27, 2028. Chasing runs from May 28 through June 2, providing six chase days and five hotel nights during the active tour.
The package lists a US$2,800 single-traveler rate and a US$2,600 shared-room couple rate. A US$1,000 non-refundable deposit per person is required to reserve an available seat.
Tour 5 may suit travelers who want a substantial storm chasing experience without committing to a longer ten-day schedule. Six chase days provide several opportunities to follow changing forecasts while remaining easier to fit into a standard vacation period.
What Tour 5A Adds
Tour 5A has the same May 27 arrival date, but chasing continues from May 28 through June 6.
The package includes ten chase days and nine hotel nights during the active tour. Its listed price is US$4,700 for a single traveler and US$4,500 for couples sharing a hotel room.
The longer format gives the forecast team four additional chase days. These extra days may expose guests to more than one weather system, a wider range of target areas and changing storm environments as the season continues moving northward.
More chase days can improve the opportunity to encounter organized severe weather, but they do not guarantee a tornado or any particular storm.
Key Differences at a Glance
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Tour 5: Six chase days and five hotel nights
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Tour 5A: Ten chase days and nine hotel nights
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Tour 5 chase dates: May 28–June 2
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Tour 5A chase dates: May 28–June 6
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Tour 5 single rate: US$2,800
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Tour 5A single rate: US$4,700
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Both arrival dates: May 27 in Wichita
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Both packages: Currently listed as Now Booking
These differences affect the total budget, flight planning, time away from work and the level of road travel guests should expect.
Which Package Offers Better Value?
Tour 5 may offer better practical value for a first-time storm chaser or someone with limited vacation time. It provides nearly a full week of active chasing while keeping the price and travel commitment lower.
Tour 5A may offer better value for dedicated weather enthusiasts who measure the experience by time in the field. The higher price includes four additional chase days and four additional active-tour hotel nights.
The better choice therefore depends on the traveler’s priorities rather than price alone.
Who Should Choose Tour 5?
Tour 5 may be suitable for:
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First-time storm chasing guests
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Travelers with approximately one week available
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Couples or friends managing a smaller budget
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Photographers seeking a focused late-May package
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Guests who prefer a shorter period of flexible road travel
The six-day format still requires patience. Guests should expect long drives, changing hotels, delayed meals and waiting periods before storms develop.
Who Should Choose Tour 5A?
Tour 5A may be more appropriate for:
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Experienced weather enthusiasts
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Photographers wanting more field opportunities
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Travelers comfortable with ten weather-led days
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Guests seeking exposure to several forecast cycles
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People able to manage a larger travel budget
The longer package is not automatically more relaxing. It involves additional road time, hotel changes and days when the forecast may develop slowly.
What Both Packages Include
Both options include transportation and fuel during the chase, severe-weather forecast experts, guides and drivers, weather forecast briefings and a guaranteed window seat.
They also include hotel accommodation during the active tour, airport-to-hotel pickup, final hotel-to-airport drop-off and an exclusive storm chasing adventure shirt.
Guests must arrange the outside hotel nights required by the individual package listings. Two travelers seeking the shared-room discount must add two seats to the same cart and arrange their own companion or roommate.
Consider the Extended Tour Combinations
Tour 5 can be combined with Tour 4 for 12 chase days. Tour 5A can be combined with Tour 4 for a longer 16-day storm chasing experience.
These combinations may appeal to serious chasers, but they require additional budgeting and careful confirmation of accommodation between the separately listed packages.
Conclusion
Tour 5 is the more practical choice for travelers who want six professionally guided chase days within a shorter schedule and lower budget.
Tour 5A is better suited to guests who value additional field time and can manage ten consecutive chase days, nine hotel nights and a higher package cost.
Both follow the late-May seasonal transition from the Southern Plains toward the Central Plains. The right choice depends on available time, budget, road-travel tolerance and how deeply the traveler wants to experience the 2028 storm chasing season.