2013-05-31 EVENT: KS, OK, MO, IL

[Greg Flint]

I looked at radar scans several times throughout the night an when I saw the SuperCell finally form a hook, I prayed. It looked like it was seriously going to level OKC/Norman or Moore area. It looked like an absolute BEAST> the size of CT. Rather than hundreds die in rubble, many take a chance in their car. Rhetorical question, Why are people NOT riding the storm out? Because humans have a need to feel in control of their surrounings and people feel like they at least have a chance when they move out of the way of a storm that size. If a tornado hits their car, like the unfortunate victims yesterday, they don't stand much of a chance. But who can blame them? They know damn well if an F5 hits their home, they are toast. 99 out of 100 people here would probably flee if they lived in an area that had an impending F5 heading their way.

Guess the question remains, are chasers adding to the problem driving in/around major cities at rush hour during an outbreak? I would say they are not the root of the problem, but the sensationalism of the past 5 or so years of Tornado media has caused a completely skewed view of the dangers.

 

[Mike Smith]

A couple of thoughts:

1) While I don't doubt the soil is poor in some parts of Oklahoma, the entire state? I have friends in Arkansas City, KS (2 mi. north of border) with basements and one in Comanche Co., Kansas (5 mi. north of border) with a basement. The Flint Hills of Kansas are known for their limestone (heck, there is a mine in Butler Co.)but, again, homes and commercial buildings in the Flint Hills have basements. I just don't buy the "soil is poor" argument over every square mile of Oklahoma (and, yes, my friend in Tulsa tells me he doesn't have a basement because "the soil is poor").

2) I haven't seen anyone comment on the sinusoidal movement of the tornado(s) and its effects on the chasing mess last night. See: http://meteorologicalmusings.blogspot.com/2013/06/comments-about-fridays-storms.html A similar movement occurred with the Cleburne, Texas, tornado recently.

 

[Andy Wehrle]

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/?n=events-20130531

Survey results are indicating the initial storm's second or third cycle produced a tornado that was on the ground for 32 minutes, with a 10.4 mile path length and a 1.4 mile maximum path width in a densely populated area, and a damage rating of only EF1? That has got to be EXTREMELY unusual as well as very fortunate for those trapped in the path.

 

[Jake Orosi]

I couldn't agree more fully. News networks talking about how professional & safe the videos and chasers are that they show? For ex. Mike Bettes does a dis-service getting a vehicle demolished: too close, too irresponsible, way too ratings-crazy. I've been at this since 1996, even subscribed & contributed to the StormTrack paper version. But, it's not about me, it's about the fact that during the last week, we've reached a new low, because people are putting themselves in positions to get hit by tornadoes, & then saying Ooops, & providing the media with torn-porn. Frankly, it's an embarrassing time to be a chaser.

That's it exactly. Some outfit I've never heard of is being heavily promoted by having their video of being pelted with large debris broadcast on every channel from hell to breakfast. Their YouTube video, complete with a description in 12-year-old-ese, proclaims it to be "the most incredible footage ever caught by an unarmored vehicle". The footage is inter-cut with interior shots showing a passenger-seat chaser screaming like a girl about how they're all going to die or something (amusing, but an editing decision I personally would not have made in their position, unless they really didn't like that guy). Another video's description informs us that it is the "the LONGER INCREDIBLE WAY TOO CLOSE video" that its poster took, and includes an anecdote about how he had to stop the car because his sunglasses had blown off.

Storm chasers have long, long fought against the stereotype that they are simply thrill-seekers out for a rush. But how can you fight that fight, in the midst of a deluge of videos like these, which very clearly are people deliberately putting themselves in harm's way and very clearly not with any intent to "save lives"?

 

[Deleted member 2911]

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/?n=events-20130531

Survey results are indicating the initial storm's second or third cycle produced a tornado that was on the ground for 32 minutes, with a 10.4 mile path length and a 1.4 mile maximum path width in a densely populated area, and a damage rating of only EF1? That has got to be EXTREMELY unusual as well as very fortunate for those trapped in the path.

I can only armchair, I was watching rads and chase vehicle livestreams. To me, this was not a typical tornado, what started out as a tornado, rapidly changed into a large rotating base that kept putting down small vortexes over and over that rotated within the base. So that in places, with all the rain and junk in that air, it seemed to be a monster, when in fact is was more or less a contained swarm or cluster. I cant believe anyone in the right mind would actually tell people to try to go get into a car and drive to get away. Yes, we all know it is easy enough to observe from a distance and continue to move to stay safe, but masses of people getting into a car, and then becoming afraid by the large swirling mass and backed up traffic, will just panic.

Last thing, a Question, Who all was in the Weather Channel car that crashed? I saw one video from inside a car, and swear I heard Timmer yelling that everything was ok, but then it seems as if they got hit too?

In any event this tornado really needs serious study as to find out why is was so bizarre and why it made directional changes it did. Glad so few lost lives to it, again chasers save lives.

 

[MClarkson]

That the tornadoes in southern OKC itself only reached EF1 is not surprising. The radar presentation had decayed significantly, and was a fairly average supercell(or couple supercells) with broad rotation and maybe a hook at times during its pass through OKC itself. Additionally spotters were reporting intermittent funnels and occasional power flashes... not the typical calling cards of powerful twisters. This contrasts with the epic radar images and obvious large tornado when it was out west of the city.

 

[Bob Schafer]

This was a garden-variety sup with decent but not exceptional parameters. There is such a thing as too much CAPE or too much shear, unless you have tons of each. There was too much CAPE for the shear. The hodos were not that good. The great 300 and up venting was north of there. If it weren't for all the peripheral stories involved with this storm we would all have already forgotten about it. I mean no disrespect or lack of compassion for the victims whatsoever. What wedge? Somebody please show me a photo of the alleged wedge.

 

[Jacob Ferden]

This was a garden-variety sup with decent but not exceptional parameters. There is such a thing as too much CAPE or too much shear, unless you have tons of each. There was too much CAPE for the shear. The hodos were not that good. The great 300 and up venting was north of there. If it weren't for all the peripheral stories involved with this storm we would all have already forgotten about it. I mean no disrespect or lack of compassion for the victims whatsoever. What wedge? Somebody please show me a photo of the alleged wedge.

http://loadedgunchasing.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Bishop-wedge-pic.jpg

 

[Bob Schafer]

http://loadedgunchasing.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Bishop-wedge-pic.jpg

Nicely done! I still say this was not an exceptional supercell, however, versus all the hyperbole that has followed.

 

[MClarkson]

While it was west of the city, it was pretty epic. I'll try to dig up a radar grab tomorrow. The hook/velocity couplet were spectacular, for a brief period.

 

[Shawn Schuman]

While it was west of the city, it was pretty epic. I'll try to dig up a radar grab tomorrow. The hook/velocity couplet were spectacular, for a brief period.

This was at ~2500ft and obviously doesn't represent near-sfc winds of the tornado itself, but it's very impressive nonetheless.

 

[Stan Rose]

That's it exactly. Some outfit I've never heard of is being heavily promoted by having their video of being pelted with large debris broadcast on every channel from hell to breakfast. Their YouTube video, complete with a description in 12-year-old-ese, proclaims it to be "the most incredible footage ever caught by an unarmored vehicle". The footage is inter-cut with interior shots showing a passenger-seat chaser screaming like a girl about how they're all going to die or something (amusing, but an editing decision I personally would not have made in their position, unless they really didn't like that guy). Another video's description informs us that it is the "the LONGER INCREDIBLE WAY TOO CLOSE video" that its poster took, and includes an anecdote about how he had to stop the car because his sunglasses had blown off.

Storm chasers have long, long fought against the stereotype that they are simply thrill-seekers out for a rush. But how can you fight that fight, in the midst of a deluge of videos like these, which very clearly are people deliberately putting themselves in harm's way and very clearly not with any intent to "save lives"?

Well, since Brandon is an active member, he's entitled to respond! As for the second video--i invited the poster (one of whom is a member) to respond here and the response on YT that i got was, "Who the hell ueses stormtrack anymore?" There you have it... I really dont have a problem with the thrill seekers--if they wanna die that's their business, it's only when they endanger me or others that i have a problem. So, I don't mind the silly vids, I mind the media's hypocrisy in promoting them as if it somehow is beneficial.

 

[Shawn Schuman]

Well, since Brandon is an active member, he's entitled to respond! As for the second video--i invited the poster (one of whom is a member) to respond here and the response on YT that i got was, "Who the hell ueses stormtrack anymore?" There you have it... I really dont have a problem with the thrill seekers--if they wanna die that's their business, it's only when they endanger me or others that i have a problem. So, I don't mind the silly vids, I mind the media's hypocrisy in promoting them as if it somehow is beneficial.

I mostly agree, except that I do have a problem with the behavior some chasers display because it reflects on the whole community. I think in some cases it's more poor situational awareness or just plain bad luck than willfully stupid decisions, and that's something to keep in mind. But even outside of the issue of getting too close, there's a whole lot of other bad behavior out there. I've always defended it as just a few stupid people who don't reflect what most chasers are about, but it's getting hard to do that when it seems every event is followed by tales of chasers behaving like idiots in some way or another.

 

[John Farley]

I looked at radar scans several times throughout the night an when I saw the SuperCell finally form a hook, I prayed. It looked like it was seriously going to level OKC/Norman or Moore area. It looked like an absolute BEAST> the size of CT. Rather than hundreds die in rubble, many take a chance in their car. Rhetorical question, Why are people NOT riding the storm out? Because humans have a need to feel in control of their surrounings and people feel like they at least have a chance when they move out of the way of a storm that size.

Of course, the best way they could really be in control would be to have a safe room in their home. I know basements are difficult in OK, but safe rooms are a viable alternative, especially in the case of new construction.

 

[Tim Supinie]

Nicely done! I still say this was not an exceptional supercell, however, versus all the hyperbole that has followed.

Were you watching the same supercell I was? Yeah, when it was over the city, it was pretty mushy and outflow-y, but it had a very intense radar presentation for a few frames near El Reno. Other than the junk running into it from the back end, it looked pretty classic.

Base Reflectivity:

Base Velocity: