Monday was a 570 mile chase from Pierre, SD to Lancaster, MN. My morning surface-based forecast favored central SD, but chase friends said it would be capped, so I joined their caravan on the long trek north. When the 3:17 MD saw a better chance west of Jamestown for "boundary layer based convection," we stopped east of Devils Lake to reassess. Some were undecided about where to go next, so I broke away and dropped 30 miles south to look back west. However, that area looked mushy and linear and, moreover, strong surface winds were now turning from the SSW. I drove east, looking north and south, and then heard Tornado Watch #303.
That detour did get me into the clear air, where I could see the entire convective line from the south. I drove north from Grand Forks, turned east into Minnesota, and then north to just east of Hallock and the southernmost cell. The base was clearly visible the entire time.
It initially produced a small, flat lowering south of the rain core, which then lifted. Then the rain band seemed to grow smaller, as fractus formed beneath. One large scud pocket and several smaller tags developed and rose but never reached the base. Several weak cloud tracks converged from the SE-S. With a clear view from 5 miles SE, I never saw any condensation tube, significant lowering, or dust/dirt rotation on the ground. However, the condensation beneath cloud-base was turbulent. At the time of the second tornado report (7:25), one very thin, ropy condensation column briefly formed mid-way to cloud base and moved rapidly upward. I assumed that was when ground damage occurred. However, no pictures or video were taken, since it never looked that impressive.
I passed one chase van with Scott Weberpal and others, while driving back west and down to Hallock but saw no damage. Despite the "tree was twisted" report, I am reluctantly inclined to agree with Scott that this was a localized downburst. At least, we were on the only tornado warned storm.
While stopped east of Hallock, my eye caught a silver/metallic reflection from the left front tire. A half inch of steel cord was sticking out, completely around both outside tread bands on one tire and the outside band on the other! I had been chasing the last hour on steel --and was lucky to be alive (didn’t blow at 75MPH on the Interstate)!! Returning south, 25 miles from Grand Forks, the left tire went flat. I got out and was promptly attacked by a swarm of mosquitoes. Fortunately, years of chasing had placed spray repellant in my tool box. After a generous application, the tire was changed --and no bites. I limped into town on the other steel rimmed tread and stayed overnight at a Super 8. The next morning, the airport rental agent courteously provided another car, and I drove home. However, I did take several pictures of the two front tires, with license plate clearly visible, next to a copy of the local newspaper. If they ever give me any future problem, I will remind how they put my life at risk, and we will come to an accommodation.
