Michael Towers
Supporter
Short summary: One junkcell, one tantalizing classic supercell
Instead of chasing the closer WF target with higher tornado probabilities I opted for the dryline with a target of Hillsboro hoping for a chance at a nice isolated classic supercell. Unlike 4/12 where my initial target ended up being about 400 miles off (targeted Kansas dryline, ended up chasing the Iowa WF) I nailed the target this time as TCU went up just to the SW and became a severe warned cell as it hit the target. Unfortunately it went all downhill from there as it never got organized, I tracked it for about 40 miles before deciding to let it go near Liberty in favor of a new cell organizing to the SW. Even though it appeared to be tracking toward the same area worked over by the first storm it was apparent the environment wasn’t fouled as strong surface winds brought warm/humid air from the south ahead of its approach. I noted a broad RFB with light precip to its north and in the span of 5 minutes it went severe warned to tornado warned to producing a funnel that made it about halfway down. The funnel happened so quickly that I missed its initial descent but still managed to capture some of it on film. A tornado report quickly followed but it must have been brief and somehow obscured from my view as I did not see it. Back in the day this would have really pissed me off but I’ve missed so many by now that it hardly registered and I was actually encouraged by the development.
The next 30 minutes would be among the most tantalizing under a storm I can recall, the motions were so convincing I was sure a tornado was about to happen again and again and again. I let it go south of Chapman as a gravel road turned to mud and the resultant backtrack basically ended any chance of further effective pursuit. Although I didn’t witness a tornado the overall chase was very rewarding, my target was dead on and although the first cell was a dud I was ultimately able to observe an awesome classic supercell for an extensive period of time. Overall a more gratifying experience than some of the tornado producing storms I’ve seen that were either messy or went messy or rocketed off after a quick spin-up.
I didn’t even know about the Andover tornado until getting home the next night and at first there was a sense of disappointment and jealousy but in retrospect I have no regrets and if I had to do it again I’d play it the same way. Drive 650+ miles and have a storm go up at your target in an environment conducive to producing strong tornadoes? I’m not going to let it go in hopes another storm will go up later when the LLJ is stronger and hope it’s in a location that I can intercept and chase effectively.
Tragic news about the traffic accident that claimed the lives of three chasers, may they rest in peace and my condolences to those grieving their loss.
Instead of chasing the closer WF target with higher tornado probabilities I opted for the dryline with a target of Hillsboro hoping for a chance at a nice isolated classic supercell. Unlike 4/12 where my initial target ended up being about 400 miles off (targeted Kansas dryline, ended up chasing the Iowa WF) I nailed the target this time as TCU went up just to the SW and became a severe warned cell as it hit the target. Unfortunately it went all downhill from there as it never got organized, I tracked it for about 40 miles before deciding to let it go near Liberty in favor of a new cell organizing to the SW. Even though it appeared to be tracking toward the same area worked over by the first storm it was apparent the environment wasn’t fouled as strong surface winds brought warm/humid air from the south ahead of its approach. I noted a broad RFB with light precip to its north and in the span of 5 minutes it went severe warned to tornado warned to producing a funnel that made it about halfway down. The funnel happened so quickly that I missed its initial descent but still managed to capture some of it on film. A tornado report quickly followed but it must have been brief and somehow obscured from my view as I did not see it. Back in the day this would have really pissed me off but I’ve missed so many by now that it hardly registered and I was actually encouraged by the development.
The next 30 minutes would be among the most tantalizing under a storm I can recall, the motions were so convincing I was sure a tornado was about to happen again and again and again. I let it go south of Chapman as a gravel road turned to mud and the resultant backtrack basically ended any chance of further effective pursuit. Although I didn’t witness a tornado the overall chase was very rewarding, my target was dead on and although the first cell was a dud I was ultimately able to observe an awesome classic supercell for an extensive period of time. Overall a more gratifying experience than some of the tornado producing storms I’ve seen that were either messy or went messy or rocketed off after a quick spin-up.
I didn’t even know about the Andover tornado until getting home the next night and at first there was a sense of disappointment and jealousy but in retrospect I have no regrets and if I had to do it again I’d play it the same way. Drive 650+ miles and have a storm go up at your target in an environment conducive to producing strong tornadoes? I’m not going to let it go in hopes another storm will go up later when the LLJ is stronger and hope it’s in a location that I can intercept and chase effectively.
Tragic news about the traffic accident that claimed the lives of three chasers, may they rest in peace and my condolences to those grieving their loss.
