• After witnessing the continued decrease of involvement in the SpotterNetwork staff in serving SN members with troubleshooting issues recently, I have unilaterally decided to terminate the relationship between SpotterNetwork's support and Stormtrack. I have witnessed multiple users unable to receive support weeks after initiating help threads on the forum. I find this lack of response from SpotterNetwork officials disappointing and a failure to hold up their end of the agreement that was made years ago, before I took over management of this site. In my opinion, having Stormtrack users sit and wait for so long to receive help on SpotterNetwork issues on the Stormtrack forums reflects poorly not only on SpotterNetwork, but on Stormtrack and (by association) me as well. Since the issue has not been satisfactorily addressed, I no longer wish for the Stormtrack forum to be associated with SpotterNetwork.

    I apologize to those who continue to have issues with the service and continue to see their issues left unaddressed. Please understand that the connection between ST and SN was put in place long before I had any say over it. But now that I am the "captain of this ship," it is within my right (nay, duty) to make adjustments as I see necessary. Ending this relationship is such an adjustment.

    For those who continue to need help, I recommend navigating a web browswer to SpotterNetwork's About page, and seeking the individuals listed on that page for all further inquiries about SpotterNetwork.

    From this moment forward, the SpotterNetwork sub-forum has been hidden/deleted and there will be no assurance that any SpotterNetwork issues brought up in any of Stormtrack's other sub-forums will be addressed. Do not rely on Stormtrack for help with SpotterNetwork issues.

    Sincerely, Jeff D.

01/25/11 Reports: FL

cdcollura

EF5
Joined
Jun 12, 2004
Messages
1,436
Location
Sunrise, Florida
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.

scell_012511a.jpg


Above: Radar reflectivity (left) and velocity (right) of the isolated supercell storm.

p012511a.jpg


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.

p012511b.jpg


Above: Wall cloud and RFD region of intense supercell storm SE of Sebring near the airport. Storm intensifying rapidly. View is to the NW.

p012511c.jpg


Above: RFD clear slot (impressive for FL!) and funnel / tornado just under it (center of image and under wall cloud). View is due north.

p012511d.jpg


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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