Jeff House
Supporter
Thought it would be fun to create a thread for best tornado days. Let this be the opposite of the Missed Tornado thread. Inject some positive energy ahead of chase season 2019!
Harper, KS 2004: Stumbled out of Wichita work into an outflow boundary enhanced cyclical show. First time chaser went with me, and apparently I piggy backed off that beginners luck. We saw a couple ropes and then it took a while to regroup. Attica tornado was reddish at first before becoming a darker tube and elephant trunk. Cycled again. Harper was a wide stovepipe or column. We saw another backlit by lightning, but were not aggressively chasing after dark and on the way back.
Kingfisher County, OK 2008: Wichita felt cold and clammy so we punted the WF farther north. Elected OFB down in north-central OK. We got there after the first couple tornadoes (rope and hose?) The Truth radio station chasers reported the first two. Approached as their second tornado lifted. Waited several minutes and an elephant trunk dropped. Next cycle was a broad cone aloft with vorticies dancing beneath. Eventually it became a large wedge wrapped in rain. We departed victorious.
Rozel, KS 2013: Two amazing cycles! Cell north a few counties dropped first but we did not try to give chase. Continued the wait as mid-levels improved. First cycle went straight to a powerful tornado. Second cycle was the finesse finish. At one point another funnel accompanied it. Long duration rope out was spectacular. Chaser convergence social hour before the event was great company too.
Dodge City 2016: Talk about a family of tornadoes! We saw all the cycles, but we did not get as close at first. We circumnavigated DDC to the east, rather than approach from the south. Actually left town to the east from the airport and saw a brief tornado behind wind turbines, but did not get a picture. It was a cool ending.
Despite a couple frustrating seasons, much for which to be thankful. Add a total solar eclipse in 2017 and surprise aurora on a summer trip to Jasper NP, Canada years ago.
Harper, KS 2004: Stumbled out of Wichita work into an outflow boundary enhanced cyclical show. First time chaser went with me, and apparently I piggy backed off that beginners luck. We saw a couple ropes and then it took a while to regroup. Attica tornado was reddish at first before becoming a darker tube and elephant trunk. Cycled again. Harper was a wide stovepipe or column. We saw another backlit by lightning, but were not aggressively chasing after dark and on the way back.
Kingfisher County, OK 2008: Wichita felt cold and clammy so we punted the WF farther north. Elected OFB down in north-central OK. We got there after the first couple tornadoes (rope and hose?) The Truth radio station chasers reported the first two. Approached as their second tornado lifted. Waited several minutes and an elephant trunk dropped. Next cycle was a broad cone aloft with vorticies dancing beneath. Eventually it became a large wedge wrapped in rain. We departed victorious.
Rozel, KS 2013: Two amazing cycles! Cell north a few counties dropped first but we did not try to give chase. Continued the wait as mid-levels improved. First cycle went straight to a powerful tornado. Second cycle was the finesse finish. At one point another funnel accompanied it. Long duration rope out was spectacular. Chaser convergence social hour before the event was great company too.
Dodge City 2016: Talk about a family of tornadoes! We saw all the cycles, but we did not get as close at first. We circumnavigated DDC to the east, rather than approach from the south. Actually left town to the east from the airport and saw a brief tornado behind wind turbines, but did not get a picture. It was a cool ending.
Despite a couple frustrating seasons, much for which to be thankful. Add a total solar eclipse in 2017 and surprise aurora on a summer trip to Jasper NP, Canada years ago.
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