ARLINGTON, TX -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/24/07 -- An active tornado season is in store for parts of the US, according to storm chasers at Texas-based Tempest Tours, Inc., a company known for successfully forecasting and intercepting dozens of tornadoes since 2001. "The latest analysis indicates a continuation of an active jet stream across the south central US," said storm chaser and Tempest Tours founder Martin Lisius. "We believe the southern branch of the jet will continue to send storm systems from the Southern Plains into the lower and middle Mississippi Valley region for the next several weeks. The systems look like ripples or valleys moving down a rope. As the air over this region continues to warm and moisten, each new system will have a greater chance of producing severe weather," he said.

Is there any link between this severe weather pattern and global warming? According to Tempest's senior chaser and climatologist William Reid, "Global warming is expected to result in stronger tropical weather systems, including hurricanes, as these cyclones thrive over warm seas," he said. "The lifeblood of severe weather systems and tornadic storms is water vapor and heat energy, and the most significant severe weather outbreaks on the Plains are associated with warm and humid air that has surged northward off of the Gulf (of Mexico) waters. Thus, it appears straightforward that global warming would favor a corresponding increase in severe weather and tornadoes on the Great Plains."

Participants from around the world travel to America's Tornado Alley during May and June to chase with Tempest Tours. 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 May.

Photos are available for use with this story at www.tempesttours.com/media_resource_center.html

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CONTACT INFORMATION:
Tasha Monroe
Tempest Tours, Inc.
817.274.9313
Email Contact