Storm Chasing Blog

This morning will be heading up to Lamar CO. Once there will take a look at the models to see whats going on.

Currently, the SPC is calling for 2% chance of tornadoes and a 15% chance of hail and wind.

Looking at the current models. Today looks to more of a hail and wind event. The lack of a low level jet and 0-6km bulk shear is almost non existent.

Will be looking for maybe some nice structure and lightning today.

Left late morning from Amarillo and headed towards Lubbock. From there headed west towards Seminole, TX. At this point I checked models, radar, and what I was seeing for myself. I then headed north to Plains, TX watching a cell develop. However, as fast as it went up, it died.

Then went back looking at radar. A Tornado watch had been issued for the Midland and Odessa area. I proceeded south towards Midland.

This storm produced at least tornadoes and 3" hail. Heavy flooding in Midland, roads under water. I finally got on the storm just around 7pm.

Here are three images from the chase. I have another 110 to process when I get home.

Stats for the day:
Start time: 11:15am
End Time: 00:45am Friday
Mileage: 790

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Currently there are two possible areas to chase. One is north of Amarillo and the other just south of Lubbock. Both have pros and cons.

The one down by Lubbock is call for baseball sized hail and a possibility of tornadoes. North of Amarillo the models show a similar but lesser chance of tornadoes. The other problem for Amarillo is how does the outflow from this morning storms interact with the incoming trough.

At this time either one is less than a two hour drive.

Will have to wait a few more hours to see how the models handle the on going convection.