Bill Hark
EF5
Please post any reports for May 20, 2004. Below is my chase report and link to image of wall cloud.
I started the day in Des Moines, Iowa after a really awful bust yesterday in western Iowa. There were two possible target areas. The first was in southern Iowa along the boundary, the other was in northeastern Colorado. I didn't think the storms would fire because of the cap in Colorado, though I liked the backed winds. Making a decision was difficult since going to Colorado would require leaving before the 15Z RUC. I talked with Jeff Piotroski and we checked additional data. We finally decided to target an area south of Des Moines. We headed south on Interstate 35 as towers began to develop in a west to east line by mid afternoon. Visibility was poor. We stopped in the town of Osceola and followed a developing storm eastward and to the north. The storm exploded and a tornado watch was issued for the surrounding area. Other storms were also forming to the east and later the west of our position. We followed the initial storm northeast to near Lacona. We passed by several other storm chasers. The storm was initially linear but briefly became supercellular. A wall cloud formed but no tornado. We encountered small hail, frequent lightning and heavy rain. The storm then split and slowly died. Another storm formed to the southwest and started to make a right turn. We dropped south but as we neared the southern storm, it died. We kept in contact with other chasers in the area and were also given data by Jason Politte who was nowcasting from home. Thanks Jason! By 7:30PM, we decided the chase day was over and headed to Des Moines.
Wall Cloud near Liberty Center, Iowa
http://www.harkphoto.com/tempwallcloud052004.jpg
(the streaks below the wall cloud are from my windshield)
Much to my dismay, one beast of a supercell did form northeast of Denver. It was tornado-warned and had large hail. The cap finally broke but very late. I am surprised that I seen any posted reports on that storm. That was a dangerous storm since it was tornado warned after dark. Anyone fleeing the storm east on the interstate would have been nailed by the core as the interstate turned northeast. I hope everyone is safe.
Bill Hark
http://www.harkphoto.com
I started the day in Des Moines, Iowa after a really awful bust yesterday in western Iowa. There were two possible target areas. The first was in southern Iowa along the boundary, the other was in northeastern Colorado. I didn't think the storms would fire because of the cap in Colorado, though I liked the backed winds. Making a decision was difficult since going to Colorado would require leaving before the 15Z RUC. I talked with Jeff Piotroski and we checked additional data. We finally decided to target an area south of Des Moines. We headed south on Interstate 35 as towers began to develop in a west to east line by mid afternoon. Visibility was poor. We stopped in the town of Osceola and followed a developing storm eastward and to the north. The storm exploded and a tornado watch was issued for the surrounding area. Other storms were also forming to the east and later the west of our position. We followed the initial storm northeast to near Lacona. We passed by several other storm chasers. The storm was initially linear but briefly became supercellular. A wall cloud formed but no tornado. We encountered small hail, frequent lightning and heavy rain. The storm then split and slowly died. Another storm formed to the southwest and started to make a right turn. We dropped south but as we neared the southern storm, it died. We kept in contact with other chasers in the area and were also given data by Jason Politte who was nowcasting from home. Thanks Jason! By 7:30PM, we decided the chase day was over and headed to Des Moines.
Wall Cloud near Liberty Center, Iowa
http://www.harkphoto.com/tempwallcloud052004.jpg
(the streaks below the wall cloud are from my windshield)
Much to my dismay, one beast of a supercell did form northeast of Denver. It was tornado-warned and had large hail. The cap finally broke but very late. I am surprised that I seen any posted reports on that storm. That was a dangerous storm since it was tornado warned after dark. Anyone fleeing the storm east on the interstate would have been nailed by the core as the interstate turned northeast. I hope everyone is safe.
Bill Hark
http://www.harkphoto.com
We need a FCST 5/21 thread :wink:
