We started the day in Garden City, KS well positioned for storms forming right across Kansas later in the day.
We decided to position North to give us options as the target area for storms was fairly broad. We stopped along the way for some sightseeing at Monument Rocks in Kansas.
By 3pm storms had begin to form and we targeted a storm to our South West over Cheyenne Wells. We were initially well placed to intercept near Tribune, KS. Unfortunately the storm split and sent the Southernmost cell on a due South course at about 25mph making for a very challenging chase to catch up and over take.
In order to see the storms structure and stay out of the hail core we took a short cut on a dirt road to ensure we stayed South and East of the storm.
We were able to successfully stay ahead of the storm and get some great views of the structure as it continued to evolve.
With limited roads options we had to drive further West bringing us closer to the storm.
With hail approaching it was time to make our escape, unfortunately this fast moving storm caught up with us on our way to seek shelter under a gas station.
Tennis ball sized hail started falling around us and unfortunately took out our windshield, so the chase was aborted early to seek shelter, and a room for the night.
Not sure what Monday will bring as we wait to get a new Windshield installed.
But the chase will resume…
Wow. Must have been both scary and exciting! Hope you get back on the road soon.
Glad to hear that you are all still standing, with the only dents being those on the car. Hope all can be sorted out and not interrupt your passage to much I really love the photo of the swift nests in the rocks. I’ve only ever seen swift nest on buildings here in England. I wonder where the swift’s have migrated from…I shall have to find out.