Another storm chase over and what a brilliant week, we saw some amazing weather and had the occasional adrenaline rush!
I have gathered (and slightly edited) my favorite photos of the week below in no particular order.
Photo credit Daniel Gregory
We started Monday’s chase in Amarillo and woke up to a high risk area over the Eastern Texas panhandle and much of Oklahoma.
A high risk is very unusual, and a potentially dangerous situation
The SPC outlook gave a 45% risk of tornadoes, for context the risk of Tornadoes when we got our first for the week was 10%
Our initial target for the day was Childress TX, and our first and primary storm formed South West and became severe warned by 1.50pm, the chase was on!
Playing it safe on this first storm we headed east before dropping South to get into position on the storm as it picked up its first Tornado warning.
After getting South of the storm the first indication of it’s severity was evidence of some pretty big hail.
One of the challenges on Monday was the poor visibility, this is the first real view of our storm.
Due to the speed of Monday’s storms, (the winds were pushing them along at between 35 and 50 knots) we had to take a calculated risk to get east of the storm and back into position.
To get east we decided to punch the core of the storm.
The video below is an example of the conditions we had to drive through, as we got deeper into the core we were surrounded by lightning and buffeted by strong winds.
As we emerged from the core we were back in position and not far from a reported Tornado ( reported but not visible to us!)
The video below is the moment we decided the big Tornado looking thing in front of us might be a Tornado( it turns out it wasn’t but probably best not to risk it!) Dan gave a very serious warning encouraging everyone to stay in the car.
Although not visible in this photo a Tornado was confirmed in this area as we passed through.
Still Tornado warned and still looking ominous!
The storm was really rotating above us, and threatened to drop a Tornado at any moment
A funnel formed right ahead as the storm started to move away from us, other chasers reported a Tornado on the ground shortly after a little to our East.
Aside from rotation in the storm this video highlights the very real problem of chaser convergence.
The best view we got of our target storms structure
In the video below you can hear the tornado siren for the town of Hobart, not a sound any resident ever wants to hear!
After leaving Hobart we continued to chase our storm for a short while longer, eventually though it merged with several other cells losing it’s warnings and dumping a lot of rain over Oklahoma.
The final view of a wall cloud from our storm
The outflow from the storm formed a massive shelf cloud as we took a final look at our target storm before heading South
However on the drive South to Wichita Falls our stop for the day we were treated to a really quite special lightning show. Bolts were streaking across the sky above us multiple times per minute.
The images below are some of the better lightning shots I captured.
This one turned night into day!
The same bolt as the image above after my Camara had adjusted for the light.
Lightning partially illuminating the monster storm ahead.
Overall Monday was equal parts grueling and rewarding, the thrill of a core punch and rotating wall clouds being the highlight; chaser convergence and poor visibility blocking our view of Tornadoes made it one of the more challenging chase days I have experienced.
As the last storm of our 2019 tour though it was certainly a fitting end to very enjoyable 10 days.
Sunday was a down day for us, with storms predicted but not until midnight and even the Tornadic Wind And Thunderstorm Seekers need sleep. Sunday then was a bit of sightseeing and recharging our batteries for a big day on Monday.
The Shattuck OK windmill museum
Sights along old route 66
Waking up to the forecast for Monday made our rest day on Sunday seem even more prudent, the SPC has issued a high risk for severe thunderstorms and long track severe Tornadoes.
Tornado probability for Monday
Severe storm outlook
A high risk area is pretty rare and definitely makes it clear that we need to be extremely cautious when chasing today. There will be Tornadoes somewhere, the question is whether the conditions are too risky to get in close enough to see something, it’s definitely safety first today.
Saturday’s chase started with a 400 mile drive South to Woodward Oklahoma, and once again the waiting game!
At 4pm towers started to go up and the chase was on.
First signs of our storm just over Waynoka
30 minutes later our little pop of clouds had grown into a severe warned storm
We drove East to get out ahead of the storm and on the best side to watch it evolve as it made it’s way to us
You can see the base of the storm start to become more defined
A P-3 Orion (hurricane Hunter) had also taken an interest in our storm
Heading South from Cherokee OK as the storm continued to intensify
The next series of photos show the evolution of the storm as it began to rotate and evolve.
As the storm started to lose it’s structure we made our way West towards our hotel for the night, along the way however there were still some spectacular sights.
A truly spectacular shelf cloud
Mammatus
Another excellent chase and another excellent example of forecasting from Mr Daniel Gregory. It looks like we’ll be heading back into Texas for Sunday’s chase, with a marginal risk area over the pan handle. This should leave us in great position for the enhanced risk area on Monday.
We started Friday with a short set up drive to McCook Nebraska where we conducted a master class in the waiting game. Early storms fired up temptingly close but we trusted the models and Dan’s forecasting and waited and waited!
This is what waiting for storms in McCook looks like!The reason behind the decision to stay put while storms started to fire elsewhere was down to the better air for storms forming along the dry line to move into.
At 3.30 we decided to head South as the storm was starting to take shape and received a very early severe warning
By 4.30 we had moved South and were very much chasing this increasingly severe storm.
Our first good look at our target storm
With so much chasing today this is my only lightning shot, despite seeing lots.
If storms aren’t exciting enough we also had a good look at a Cobra attack helicopter
After our first look at the storm we tracked east where we got our first indication that this storm had Tornado potential.
Spot the funnel!The air was literally being sucked into the storm like a vacuum!
Shortly after the funnel was spotted a tornado warning was issued
Always reassuring!
With limited paved roles it was a race to keep up with the storm down dirt track’s
After a race down several of Bob’s roads, we found a paved high way and a quite spectacular surprise!
Tornado on the ground near McCook!After observing the Tornado it was back on the road to continue tracking the storm to see what else we could find.In order to keep up with the storm we had to move quickly which didn’t leave much room for photos so what follows doesn’t truly capture the spectacle of the storm we were on, with lightning all around and rotating clouds above us at every turn!
After chasing and glimpsing the remnants of a second tornado we started to lose the light.
Last stop on Fridays storm before calling it a night, and heading back to North Platte on the way to our hotel for the night we had one last treat in the form of a core punch!
Out of the storm!Saturday and Sunday are both looking like good days so more updates to come!(I will be updating this post with videos shortly as well)
Earlier in the week it had looked like Thursday wasn’t going to be much of a chase day, but it turned out to be the highlight of the trip so far!
We continued our journey North leaving behind Kansas and heading into Nebraska.
Fort Cody.in North Platte Nebraska, famous for it’s connection to Buffalo Bill.
Dan had picked a target area right on the border of Colorado and so we had to play the waiting game, until about 3pm when the storms started to fire up where we wanted them.
The first storms of the chase had started to form.
We drove west of North Platte to Ogallala where we could wait for the storms to develop and take advantage of good road options as we narrowed down our target.
Our first storm of the day heading into Nebraska from Colorado.
We had our sights on 2 storms, in the radar you can see both, over Holyoke and Imperial
Our intial target was to get on the Holyoke storm, knowing that we could drop South for the storm over imperial if it started to weaken.
The storm darkening the sky in Nebraska
Nebraska always serves as a beautiful backdrop,
After our first photo stop it was back on the road South, and the town of grant to get a closer look at our storm.
Into the storm as we passed through Grant NE
As the storm moved North East our goal was to get South and see the structure, unfortunately, we didn’t quite get the right angle to truly take in the structure but there were some impressive views none the less!
Mammatus!
Double rainbow, but no lucky charms
After some more photos we dashed East to see more of the storm moving up from Imperial. Once we were on the Imperial storm there wasn’t much time to stop and take photos, so the images and photos that follow are my best attempt to show what it was like driving through the belly of the beast.
We continued to drive North through the storm as it picked up a severe warning, and things started to get really interesting! In each video below you can see the visibility decrease and frequency of lightning increase!
As we drove through the storm Dan was able to get some fantastic shots of lightning from the passenger seat.
Photo credit Daniel Gregory
Thursday was a truly epic chase but hopefully just the first of several good chases ahead over the next few days!
Starting the day exactly where we need to be on Friday!
The storm chasing community is getting quite excited about the risk of severe weather in the plains starting on Friday. This article on accuweather gives a good summary of what we’re expecting. With the Friday outlook in mind and a slight risk of storms in Nebraska on Thursday our focus on Wednesday was on getting North and out of Texas.
First stop on the way from Abilene was Amarillo and the Big Texan
Cadillac ranch- from a distance, twice is enough for me!
Our stop for the night was Garden City Kansas 4 hours North from Amarillo; by the time we crossed the border into Oklahoma we had covered over 2000 miles in Texas during our first 4 days of chasing!
This sums up the view I had for about 8 hours on Wednesday.
Drive by storm photography.
As we crossed Oklahoma into Kansas we were treated to a handsome little thunderstorm for the last few miles of 500+ mile drive for the day!
Photo credit Vicky Brown
Today’s drive has put us right where we need to be for the next few days and the outlook for storms is good!
It looks like we’ll be heading into Nebraska for Thursday’s chase
The outlook for Tuesday wasn’t very promising so the main goal was to get out of West Texas and set up for what is promising to be a very exciting end to the week- more on that tomorrow!
Not to be defeated though Dan picked a target for some possible activity near Fredericksburg TX, with a stop in San Antonio and the Alamo, on the way.
Remember the Alamo
The San Antonio Riverwalk
San Antonio was a surprise with a vibrant downtown and lots of period buildings to explore, not limited to the Alamo!
By late morning however it was time to see what we could get from the weather and resumed course on our target for the day.
Just outside of Kerrville our target received a severe warning
As the storm became severe warned the hilly terrain of this part of Texas gifted us the perfect place to stop and watch as the storm rolled over.
Viewing the storm from a rest stop on I-10
As the storm rolled over we took shelter at the rest stop, witnessing the heavy rain, and cannon like thunder!
After getting what we could from the storm we continued North towards Abilene TX, via beautiful Fredericksburg and some truly stunning scenery.
With no chasing expected today and tomorrow we’ll continue our trek north and recharge our batteries in anticipation of an exciting end to the week.
Monday’s chase started in Odessa TX with a big decision, Oklahoma or South Western Texas??
Monday’s outlook, we were hoping for a marginal risk in Oklahoma.
With nothing more than a thunderstorm warning we decided to stick with the safer bet and head South. Our short set up drive also meant we had time to sight see in Odessa…
Number 2 on the list of things to do in Odessa, a scale replica of Stonehenge. My new second favorite henge after Carhenge Nebraska.
After soaking in all the culture Odessa had to offer (about 15 minutes worth) we went South for our initial target of Fort Stockton TX.
By midday storms had already started to form a line West of Fort Stockton. Unfortunately a line of storms makes for difficult chasing and a reduced risk of the severe weather we are here to see. After careful analysis Dan set his sights on the only isolated storms of the day, with just one problem they were South of the border down Mexico way. As a result we were in a 200 mile race with the Weather!
Our next stop was Comstock TX, a welcome break at the end of highway 162 (aka the storm chase rally stage!)
Scenic Comstock
Ang made a friend while we filled up in Comstock- This was inside a very local shop…
After checking the radar we decided to try and get a good look at our target storm still building in Mexico. The Pecos river bridge was a great backdrop. A truly impressive structure, second only to the bravery of our compatriots with stormchasing.com who walked out to the middle of the bridge for a photo op!
The Pecos river bridge from a scenic overlook to the South.
Our target storm off in the Distance looking SW.
Our target storm on radar at the time the photo above was taken.
After a short wait we decided to go for broke and keep chasing the storm from Mexico and set our sights on Del Rio TX as the site it would cross into the US.
The storm takes shape North of Del Rio as a bird photo bombs!
Mammatus!
We continued South along the border as the storm continued to intensify as it made it’s way toward the US. Trying to get a good view of the storm in the SW TX terrain was pretty tricky, almost resulting in a accidental incursion into Mexico! Eventually after getting South of Del Rio, we were able to find a view over the Rio Grande right in the path of the approaching storm. With a great location storm chasing became storm whatching.
Watching across the Rio Grande is certainly one of the more unique locations for storm spotting.
All we had to do was sit an wait for the storm to come to us
As we watched the storm, us border patrol was watching us!
Hints of rotation and the winds sculpting the storm into the shape of a cake
The Rio Grande is right ahead, the dirt track in the distance is the Mexican side of the river bank.
We relocated slightly north in the hope of a better view, and we got it!
Lightning and a possible wall cloud…
The storm started to weaken as it reached us, shedding it’s hail core. The white precipitation is hail, recorded up to 1.25″ in size and blending in with heavy rain on the right.
After the storm reached us it was an easy drive to dinner in Eagle Pass TX accompanied by an epic lightning show.
Tomorrow and Wednesday are not looking great for storms so we’ll likely be using both days to set up further North ahead of what is looking like an exciting end to the week.
It’s great to be back in Tornado Alley with the Tornadic Wind And Thunderstorm Seekers!
This year we’ve made a couple of changes, namely starting in Dallas and staying out for 10 days without having to return to any fixed location. The 10 day plan will hopefully give us more time to follow the weather and find that sweet spot where everything comes together to produce an exhilarating chase.
Our fearless leader and forecaster Dan has already spent a week warming up for the main event (tour 1 may disagree with this sentiment) over the next 10 days.
We kicked off the tour with dinner, drinks and war stories, with our fellow chasers.
All of the 2019 T.W.A.T.S together for one night only!
Sunday morning was our first day on the road chasing and an easy 300 miles from Dallas to our target area near Fort Stockton Texas.
Chasing a slight risk near Mexico!
Our target area of West Texas proved to be a tricky chase, with a lack of Doppler coverage near the border and tricky mountainous terrain. However as the only show in town it was an easy choice.
By 3.30 storms had formed over the mountains and started to look promising
With limited road options getting close to the forming storms was very tricky. So photo opportunities were limited, however I have included the best shots of the afternoon below.
First eyes on our storm, if you zoom in you can see the base of the storm just above a distant mesa
Getting closer after an exciting ride down Bob’s road.
Soaking in the isolation!
About as close as we could get to this storm before it fell apart
After more than an hour on our initial target, a storm to the South began to strengthen. We had to make a decision on where to go next, with limited road options we decided to drive around the mountains to get a better view of the Southern storm.
Unfortunately the roads didn’t play ball and the storm was restricted from view by the spectacular West Texas landscape. Trapped in the mountains our storms started to weaken and we called it a day on Sundays chase.
Monday is looking like an exciting day, with a potential gamble on the cards!
Texas or Oklahoma?!?
Do we stay in Texas where the odds on severe storms is higher, but the roads make seeing them harder, or role the dice on Oklahoma?
Tune in next time to find out!