Outdoors & Adventure

Brian Morganti's laptop computer shows weather data from Baron Threat Net, an XM-radio subscription service offering radar data.

Brian Morganti’s laptop computer shows weather data from Baron Threat Net, an XM-radio subscription service offering radar data.  (Robin Rauzi / LAT)

Share
Vigo Park

A tornado decorates the horizon near Vigo Park, Texas.  (Robin Rauzi / LAT)

Tempest

Tempest Tours is one of several companies that chase severe storms.  (Robin Rauzi / LAT)

Striking vision

A South Dakota sunset illuminates a storm.  (Robin Rauzi / LAT)

Nature at work

Rainbows are the reward after a fierce storm in South Dakota, where sunlight bathes the prairie in honey gold.  (Robin Rauzi / LAT)

Tornado tourists

Jack Bobo, left, and Rick Weber discuss the serious business of storm chasing. This was Bobo’s second trip and Weber’s first.  (Robin Rauzi / LAT)

A sighting

A thin, ropelike tornado spins ominously above the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. In spring, tour participants traverse the byways of the Great Plains hoping to see such thrilling and terrible manifestations of nature.  (Robin Rauzi / LAT)

Newell

A storm system builds near Newell, S.D.  (Robin Rauzi / LAT)

sweep

Lightning and rain paint the landscape.  (Robin Rauzi / LAT)

Drive

In a year of bountiful snow, Mammoth Mountain offers winter recreation through July.  (Mark Boster / LAT)