Most Unexpected Successful Chases

[Alvaro ivan]

Now this is one of my most unexpectedly successful chases, it was during June 11, 2022 in Tabanan, Bali where i caught this funnel cloud that descended probably halfway to the ground although i can't see the sign for the possible ground circulation as my view was a bit obstructed by building so the only thing that i can see was the top and middle part of the funnel cloud itself. I think i'm the only one who saw it, here is the photo at it's mature stage :

 

[Ethan Schisler]

I have a couple others to add to this list from this year on July 8, 2022. There was no 2% out, barely a general thunderstorm risk, we had a LP supercell go up on a mesoscale low in West Central IL and produce a photogenic tornado that sat stationary for several minutes before dissipating. It was rated EF-0 due to just hitting bean/corn fields and sitting largely stationary. Here are some photographs I took:


Large rotating wall cloud develops


Mesocyclone develops and immediately begins occluding


Funnel cloud forms to my due north and produces a cloud of tree and crop debris as it crosses the county road I'm on.


The original funnel/tornado lifted and is getting ready to plant to my E. I believe there is still ground circulation here


Nearly fully condensed white tornado just E of Spring Lake Park, Mcdonough County


Continuing onward to the ESE at a slow rate. 70mm, F/2.8 on my Sony A1




Tornado kicking up crop debris and ropes out shortly after this to my ESE before getting to US-67.


Tornado outlook that morning, didn't change much throughout the day. The only reason I was out, was I was grabbing lunch and get ready to head out to my birding spot and shoot photos for the afternoon. That ended up being a bust, however the storms/surprise tornadoes were not

 

[Ethan Schisler]

Another one to add from this year that was pretty noteworthy. I intercepted a high end EF-1 cone tornado a few miles from my house after a long jog through the plains the previous weekend (Memorial Day 2022). We chased a 15% hatched the day before that didn't do much and a cap bust the day before that. I came home that night and was out shooting lightning when I noticed velocity going up on radar and a tornado warning was issued. I bolted due south toward Fandon, IL and then E toward Industry, IL where a tornado rapidly developed and tracked E damaging numerous farms earning a high end EF1 (bordering EF2) rating due to the damage it inflicted. I rattled some shots off and came away with a few keepers, here is my favorite image of that tornado. I believe I am the only person to have gotten imagery of it:





Once again, the tornado itself track JUST outside the 2% region. I wasn't really expecting to chase this day, but it was a nice end to my chase trip getting a tornado so close to home again. I saw several landspouts on May 13th as well in the same area that was not outlined in a 2% area either for tornadoes (some were photogenic). Goes to show that the higher end days aren't always the best in terms of quality and what you come home with.