cdcollura
EF5
Good day all,
I was able to intercept and observe an isolated (but intense) supercell storm from just southwest of Sebring, FL and eastward into Highlands county. This storm waqs tornado warned, and well ahead of a squall line of severe thunderstorms. It formed in an area of prefrontal convergence intersecting a quasi-warm front axis oriented NW to SE.
Above: Radar reflectivity (left) and velocity (right) of the isolated supercell storm.
Above: Visual of the storm SW of Sebring, FL on Jan 25, 2011 with the rain-free base and precip core to the right. The view is SW.
Above: Wall cloud and RFD region of intense supercell storm SE of Sebring near the airport. Storm intensifying rapidly. View is to the NW.
Above: RFD clear slot (impressive for FL!) and funnel / tornado just under it (center of image and under wall cloud). View is due north.
Above: Possible tornado (with large funnel to its left) associated with supercell storm E of Sebring, FL on 1/25/2011. View is to the NNW. Sorry about the low light.
Below is the full chase log for this storm...
Jan 25 - 6:00 PM: Observation and indirect penetration of a very severe and tornadic thunderstorm near Hardee and Highlands Counties, Florida from southwest of Sebring, Florida and Highway 27 and eastward along Highway 98. The storm began as a classic supercell thunderstorm, with a very impressive structure, rare for Florida, and evolved to HP during the latter part of its lifecycle.
The storm initiated to the SW of Sebring, well ahead of a squall line to the west, and tracked across the state to the ENE then out to sea near Palm Bay before the squall line caught up with it. A large rotating wall cloud, impressive RFD clear slot, and possible tornado was observed from a distance with this storm east of Sebring in Highlands County before dark and poor road networks. The storm also produced frequent lightning, 60 MPH winds (RFD), and heavy rains.
The core was not directly penetrated. Conditions causing the storms were a warm frontal boundary (oriented NW-SE), pre-frontal convergence area (oriented SSW-NNE), pre-frontal surface heating, and a strong upper trough / jet stream overhead. A 2009 Ford Escape was used to chase the storms. Documentation was still photos and HD video. A tornado watch was also valid for the area until 9 PM EST.
I was able to intercept and observe an isolated (but intense) supercell storm from just southwest of Sebring, FL and eastward into Highlands county. This storm waqs tornado warned, and well ahead of a squall line of severe thunderstorms. It formed in an area of prefrontal convergence intersecting a quasi-warm front axis oriented NW to SE.
Above: Radar reflectivity (left) and velocity (right) of the isolated supercell storm.
Above: Visual of the storm SW of Sebring, FL on Jan 25, 2011 with the rain-free base and precip core to the right. The view is SW.
Above: Wall cloud and RFD region of intense supercell storm SE of Sebring near the airport. Storm intensifying rapidly. View is to the NW.
Above: RFD clear slot (impressive for FL!) and funnel / tornado just under it (center of image and under wall cloud). View is due north.
Above: Possible tornado (with large funnel to its left) associated with supercell storm E of Sebring, FL on 1/25/2011. View is to the NNW. Sorry about the low light.
Below is the full chase log for this storm...
Jan 25 - 6:00 PM: Observation and indirect penetration of a very severe and tornadic thunderstorm near Hardee and Highlands Counties, Florida from southwest of Sebring, Florida and Highway 27 and eastward along Highway 98. The storm began as a classic supercell thunderstorm, with a very impressive structure, rare for Florida, and evolved to HP during the latter part of its lifecycle.
The storm initiated to the SW of Sebring, well ahead of a squall line to the west, and tracked across the state to the ENE then out to sea near Palm Bay before the squall line caught up with it. A large rotating wall cloud, impressive RFD clear slot, and possible tornado was observed from a distance with this storm east of Sebring in Highlands County before dark and poor road networks. The storm also produced frequent lightning, 60 MPH winds (RFD), and heavy rains.
The core was not directly penetrated. Conditions causing the storms were a warm frontal boundary (oriented NW-SE), pre-frontal convergence area (oriented SSW-NNE), pre-frontal surface heating, and a strong upper trough / jet stream overhead. A 2009 Ford Escape was used to chase the storms. Documentation was still photos and HD video. A tornado watch was also valid for the area until 9 PM EST.
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