9/13/08 Reports: MI

[Kurt Hulst]

Headed out to southern MI with Bob H and later met up with David Diehl.

We intercepted the first supercell near Schoolcraft but were unable to get to the northern part of the storm to witness the tornado in Paw Paw. We witness a nice structured supercell and followed it to its death around Battle Creek. however, near Climax we witnessed a white broad cone funnel. We then headed to Marshall and caught a wifi spot because bobs cell phone was acting up. We then dropped south to meet with David north of Coldwater and watched the second play of the day in Indianan running almost Paralell to 120. We intercepted this supercell as it was still tornado warned with a nice elongated cone funnel what looked to half way to the ground Just outside of Orland. unfortunately with brief openings in the trees and corn fields not much was captured on video but I'll try to get a video grab or two of it. After reviewing the video there is a confirmed funnel. I'll post some vid grabs later contrast needs tweaking. bob may also have some still shots of the funnel.

So over all not a bad chase. A much needed chase as well. Post more w/ pictures and possible video later this weekend or in the week.

RD corrections made wrote it as i Just walked in the door pretty much, very tired. This is why i said i would post more later. Going to bed Ciao

 

[david diehl]

I left home at about 3:30pm and headed toward Sturgis Michigan area. I called Kurt Hulst so get an idea where to meet up at as him and Bob Hartig was coming down from Grand Rapids.

Kurt and Bob headed to intercept a cell that was coming across Lake Michigan. I then attempted to meet up with them on that cell, however I was not able to catch them. I then proceeded toward the Union city area when I was called by Kurt asking where I was at and telling me that him and Bob had lost data.

Kurt Bob and I finally net up just south west of Topinish Michigan. We then noticed a cell over by Elkarht Indiana that was starting to develop. we then started to head toward the indiana michigan state line with the plan of heading to Orland indiana.

when we were just north of Coldwater my windshield wipers quit working, thank god that I used car wax on my windshield last week, we stopped at the truck stops just off of I-69 and I got the wipers fixed. we then jumped onto Indiana state road 120 and proceeded to Orland. Just as we entered Orland we observed a funnel about 3 miles west of town.

I called the net control operator on the radio and informed her that I had a funnel and the location of it. we then droped about 2 miles south of Orland and stopped for a few minutes. at that time the cell started picking up on speed so we shot back to SR-120 and headed back east. we stopped for a quick look on the West side of Fremont. We then short east a couple of miles, and then headed north for 4 miles then back to the east and got just north east of the Clear lake area. by this time the radar was showing the system starting to bow, and even visibly we were seeing that it was turning to crap. We called off the chase at this point and headed back to my house for some food and fellowship.

 

[Bob Hartig]

Here are a few photos. The first is of a funnel southeast of Portage, Michigan. The second two were taken east of Orland, Indiana. The meso was wrapping in rain and exhibiting strong rotation.

 

[Kurt Hulst]

Final report

So i finsished my report with pics and video. You can find it here

Nice shots Bob. I was hoping you had one with the funnel in it. oh well.

 

[Bob Hartig]

You mean the funnel in Indiana, right? If you look at the photos, you can see what I think is a remnant of it to the left. I just wanted to be careful about calling it a funnel, since I'm not entirely sure. The other shots didn't capture the funnel the way I'd hoped.

Your video is sweet!