Jason Persoff
EF3
TARGET: Burlington CO
REASON: Dry punch, boundary on radar, etc...see forecast thread
SHORT: Bust
LONGER: Hung around on I-76 most of the day in CO. Couldn't quite understand why things were firing in Kit Carson, CO, so stuck to my target until 4pm MDT. The only Cu that formed along that boundary were flat and never achieved even remotely healthy status. It was clear that I probably need to deal the harsh reality that is was real, ongoing convection versus wishcasting.
I saw the storm in Kit Carson beginning to get its act together, but was still in an ugly environment of low Tds, high LCLs, and poor directional shear. But, mesoanalysis showed winds in the NE corner of CO were highly backed (out of the east at a brisk 15-20) and I began to entertain the idea that as the multicell cluster moved further north into the more easterly flow at the surface, we'd start to see that directional shear increase, potentially salvaging the day. But that never really materialized and the storms just crappily rolled along.
TUMBLEWEEDS: I gotta comment on the unbelievable tumbleweed infestation today. The sfc winds were screaming out of the ESE (at one point almost ripping my car door from the hinges). The tumbleweeds were hysterical in their incredible density. I was unable to dodge them and am personally responsible for a large amount of tumbleweed carnage along US 61. I'll take personal responsibility for my actions, though. But fortunately, left no survivors to claim damages against me...Seriously: lots of tumbleweeds. Lots of 'em.
I gave up the ghost in Sterling CO...I stayed up late last night w/ my folks and so I'm pretty sleepy today. Given tomorrow's chase prospects, I wanted to be rested.
I guess the thing I still don't get is why things didn't unfold at all in my original target. And for that matter, why everything went up in an area with no obvious trigger (i.e., Kit Carson). There weren't really any signs that led me to consider that area, and I was surprised to see the sustained, albeit multicellular, convection. The speed shear was there, but what triggered this today?
CLASSIC CLOSING CLICHE: Didn't really care that I'd busted today. After all, I'm here, on the Plains. I got to test all my equipment and got to listen to a terrific ghost story (books on tape) whilst listening to the wind careen around my car. Perfection. Lots of comfort comes from the evolution of tomorrow and the subsequent chasefest to follow. Not too shabby.
FIN
REASON: Dry punch, boundary on radar, etc...see forecast thread
SHORT: Bust
LONGER: Hung around on I-76 most of the day in CO. Couldn't quite understand why things were firing in Kit Carson, CO, so stuck to my target until 4pm MDT. The only Cu that formed along that boundary were flat and never achieved even remotely healthy status. It was clear that I probably need to deal the harsh reality that is was real, ongoing convection versus wishcasting.
I saw the storm in Kit Carson beginning to get its act together, but was still in an ugly environment of low Tds, high LCLs, and poor directional shear. But, mesoanalysis showed winds in the NE corner of CO were highly backed (out of the east at a brisk 15-20) and I began to entertain the idea that as the multicell cluster moved further north into the more easterly flow at the surface, we'd start to see that directional shear increase, potentially salvaging the day. But that never really materialized and the storms just crappily rolled along.
TUMBLEWEEDS: I gotta comment on the unbelievable tumbleweed infestation today. The sfc winds were screaming out of the ESE (at one point almost ripping my car door from the hinges). The tumbleweeds were hysterical in their incredible density. I was unable to dodge them and am personally responsible for a large amount of tumbleweed carnage along US 61. I'll take personal responsibility for my actions, though. But fortunately, left no survivors to claim damages against me...Seriously: lots of tumbleweeds. Lots of 'em.
I gave up the ghost in Sterling CO...I stayed up late last night w/ my folks and so I'm pretty sleepy today. Given tomorrow's chase prospects, I wanted to be rested.
I guess the thing I still don't get is why things didn't unfold at all in my original target. And for that matter, why everything went up in an area with no obvious trigger (i.e., Kit Carson). There weren't really any signs that led me to consider that area, and I was surprised to see the sustained, albeit multicellular, convection. The speed shear was there, but what triggered this today?
CLASSIC CLOSING CLICHE: Didn't really care that I'd busted today. After all, I'm here, on the Plains. I got to test all my equipment and got to listen to a terrific ghost story (books on tape) whilst listening to the wind careen around my car. Perfection. Lots of comfort comes from the evolution of tomorrow and the subsequent chasefest to follow. Not too shabby.
FIN