05/23/07 NOW: MN/WI/NE/IA/KS/MO/CO/OK/NM/TX

[Scott Olson]

Quite a bit of upscale growth and storm mergers have hampered things a bit. Currently favoring the cell near Stinnet as there is a pretty good vertical reflectivity increase and some mid-level rotation. This is still a bit problematic with a cell likely contaminating it's updraft as well.

EDIT: Quite a spike of reflectivity, with 60dbz extending to at least 35kft. Cell approaching Libscomb looking impressive with an increasing mid-level mesocyclone.

 

[Dave Gerstner]

This was 10 SSE of Kinsley Ks 5:23PM. Encountered quarter-sized hail through it.

 

[Heath Schroeder]

I know this isn't tornado related but if you are traveling or planning on traveling through Hutchinson KS, you might find another route. Over 7" of rain in 3.5 hrs. Numerous roads under water. K96 closed around the K17-K96 Junction in Central Reno County. Just thought I would pass it along.

 

[HAltschule]

Supercell over Hutchinson County, TX at around 7:55 CDT had 3 distinct areas of rotation with attendant TVS's for each area...all within the same storm. I saved a couple of images. But it appears likely that at least 1 or 2 tornadoes were on the ground in different areas of the storm (if not 3 Tor's) based on the very strong rotation. Nice!!

 

[Andy Wehrle]

Why has there been no discussion of the beast in Hutchinson County, Texas? It has displayed a pronounced couplet and hook for the past 1/2 hour or so. Quite an HP structure but with the couplet it had about 10 minutes ago there had to be something on the ground.

 

[Skip Talbot]

Why has there been no discussion of the beast in Hutchinson County, Texas? It has displayed a pronounced couplet and hook for the past 1/2 hour or so. Quite an HP structure but with the couplet it had about 10 minutes ago there had to be something on the ground.

That storm has been amazing to watch on radar. That extremely pronounced couplet turned a hard left and cut right through the core of the storm as a new couplet, well definied couplet and hook is forming on the southern flank. The back end of the storm, which appears to be a separate cell actually, also has a couplet. There were three TVS's on the last scan.

It looks like there are very minimal road option down there, and with the HP nature of the storm, it must be pretty darn difficult to get a glimpse of anything.

 

[HAltschule]

David Drummond looks to be on this massive storm and hopefully has some good reports or confirmations (video?) of what's happening there. However, in all hnoesty, it most likely was a massive RAIN-WRAPPED wedge based on radar.

 

[Skip Talbot]

David Drummond looks to be on this massive storm and hopefully has some good reports or confirmations (video?) of what's happening there. However, in all hnoesty, it most likely was a massive RAIN-WRAPPED wedge based on radar.

He punched a 75 VIL core on his way down to the southern flank. I hope he and Dave Floyd still have their windshields intact.

 

[HAltschule]

Everything I am seeing is leading me to believe that there is either a very large rotating wall cloud or a large, wedge tornado on the ground in Northern Hutchinson Cty, TX. The "eye" in the g2g shear is scary!!

 

[HAltschule]

Looks like the Hutchinson Cty storm is splitting now into 2 distinct tornadic supercells. Still incredible g2g shear with the eastern -most cell. Now it is becoming especially concerning IMO for any homes or towns in the path.

PS: I bet it is one heck of a light show also. Tops are at 41,000 feet.

 

[HAltschule]

Besides the gorilla sized hail this Hutchinson County storm is dropping, this storm is well above the tropopause. Not the tallest thunderstorm that i've ever seen, but 47,000 foot tops are pretty high. Like I said earlier, folks to the E and SE of this beast are feasting on an incredible light show from many, many miles away. Wish I were there!!

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

Sitting nw of Canadian now, waiting on some better contrast on this beast to the west. Pretty sweet mammatus display east of it. This is the first time today I've been able to get data and see radar. Sort of happy right here.

 

[Warren Faidley]

Late report..... Impressive lowering crossed main highway near Stinnett, but no tornado as far as we could see. Very, very close call as the wide, ground-hugging, rotating wall cloud went right over the southern part of Stinnett. Original wall cloud to the SE appeared to travel through the core (like the Greensburg meso) -- to the NW side of the storm, but will need to see radar to confirm this. One day I was glad not to see a tornado.

Warren

 

[James Siler]

Sitting NW of Folett TX on 2741 and watching an area just north of me that I can't quit tell if it is a shelf cloud or a developing wall cloud but it has persisted for almost 20 minutes. Right now there looks like a tube trying to snak its way down!

 

[Steve Burrows]

Currently heading north to spearman, incredible shear around but very unorganised, intense lightning display