2011-07-26 REPORTS: SD

[Adam Lucio]

Chased with Danny Neal and Jonathan Williamson, got on a nice isolated storm with cool structure that produced a weak tornado in Hoven, South Dakota. Video can be seen on the log here: http://www.chicagoillinoisstormchaser.com/072611-Hoven-South-Dakota-Tornado-Junly-26-2011.php

 

[Bill Doms]

FULL CHASE ACCOUNT HERE

Fun...but kind of frustrating chase day. Opted to stay north closer to the warm front /triple point and not go after the initial cells down by Gettysburg. Watched a couple of cells near Selby struggle and die the settled in on an updraft near Lowry which eventually grew into the sup which produced the weak Hoven torn. Was sitting just west of town on SD20 when the rotation really started ti wrap up. Had time to grab one shot looking about straight up (cropped from a 11mm shot) as a small drill bit ground circulation (about 20 feet across) started in the field to the northeast about 100 feet away but appeared to dissipate in a shelter belt on the north side of 20. Decided that was my chance to make a break for it to get east and south and during that 2 minutes, pretty much missed the rest of the show (what Adam and his crew saw) other than the view in the mirror with debris in the north side of town.

Followed the cell east and just outside of Groton, SD on 12, it produced another brief funnel before lining out. (video frame)

One image of the underside of the RFD gust front from before Hoven. Really disappointed in myself on how I handled the shooting of this storm as it was gorgeous with the golden hour light hitting it. I took a total of 3 minutes of video and 8 stills the entire day.

 

[jshields]

So there were other chasers out there this day I guess I did see one chaser vehicle that was stuck at the same one lane road waiting for the pilot car as well.

I chased the Hoven storm as well, apparently being very close to Bill for a while just west of town. After briefly watching the southern storm near Gettysburg, I followed the storm right along Hwy 20 as it strengthened and headed towards Hoven. Ended up with pics of the initial funnel right above me and video of the tornado going through Hoven from about 1/2 mile away. I believe I was the initial person to call in the tornado as I was speaking to the 911 operator and the sheriff at the same time who was unaware of the tornado. He was at a spot about 2 miles north of town and hadn't seen anything. I also sent the Aberdeen wfo my pics and video which they used for confirmation of a tornado touchdown!


Full chase account is here

link to youtube video of the wall cloud and tornado:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU5G4U_GIrg

storm developing near Akaska, SD west of Hoven

funnel just west of Hoven

tornado going through Hoven

 

[Brad Nelson]

July 26th, 2011 Chase Log

Unfortunately did not see the tornado near Hoven, but it turned out to be a pretty good chase day regardless! Full chase account can be found here: http://eyeonthetwister.com/2011/07/29/july-26th/