Storm Chasing Blog

What a day this was.

Intercepted a nice supercell just north of Sydney, CO. When I arrived the storm was inflow dominate. A little while later it became outflow dominate. You could see the hail core getting larger as I was standing there. Reports of 3 inch hail were being reported. As the storm became outflow dominate winds picked up to 40mph plus. As the hail core was getting closer I moved south towards Sydney. Stopped in a few locations for pictures. I proceeded east in I-80. Again, stopping for pictures when able.

I got back to Julesburg and looking at radar I decided to head south. This was a mistake. I should have continued east on I-80. At this point the outflow was pushing out faster than the main storm. Some reports had winds in excess of 70 mph. As I headed south more storms were developing to the west and southwest. Once I got down to Wray, CO I headed east. I was starting to get hit with hail. I took cover under a gas stations roof an waited it our until the storm past.

Once the storm past I headed west back towards Wray. Once there I headed south for awhile then headed back to were I started the day in Goodland, KS.

I will post images later on. I did record some video of the outflow near Sydney.

As of right now my storm vacation is done. The next two days don't look promising. However, If some storms approach were I am of course I will see what I can get.

Start Time: 9:30am
End Time: 8:15PM
Mileage: 573

Another interesting day on tap. SPC has issued a 5% chance of tornadoes in southwest NE and northwest KS. With a 30% chance of significant hail and wind.

Currently the models are in agreement that storm initiation in the southern panhandle of NE.

Looking at heading towards North Platte, NE and reassess. More than likely will be heading west into CO.

Well had a good day of chasing. Caught a low precip cell north of Stratton, CO. It produced several mesocyclones that were photogenic.

Proceeded towards Holyoke, CO. Stopped just south and did some video and took pictures of lightning. Stayed there for awhile until several bolts struck nearby. These bolts originated in the anvil. Anvil lightning are positively charged, compared to what normal cloud to ground are negatively charged.

Stats for the day:
Start time: 9:30am
End Time: 9:15pm
Mileage: 642

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Wit the recent update from the SPC, they are calling for a 2% chance of tornadoes from western NE and KS, and eastern CO. Also, a 15% chance of significant hail in northwest KS. Significant hail is larger than 2 inches. Plus, a 15% chance of significant wind in southwest KS.

Looking at the current CAMS(convective allowing models), not much agreement on timing and location.
However, there are several shortwaves moving through the mid-level flow that might create enough lift to get storms going. The dewpoints will be in low to mid 60's. There is enough CAPE of 2500 to 3000 joules per kilogram.

The dynamics are in place its just see if everything can come together.

Will be waiting to see the next SPC update in about 3 hours. Will be checking models again when I stop for lunch.

Left Amarillo and headed to Dalhart, TX. From there I headed west into NM watching storms develop off of the Raton Plateau.
I got to Des Moines, NM and headed north into CO. Still watching the storms develop off to my west. The storms then headed southeast. From where I was located there was no roads to get me into the OK panhandle. Those storms did go severe warned.

In CO I headed east into KS. As I got close to Garden City I could see a thunderstorm developing. Unfortunately, the closer I got to Garden City the storm started to dissipate.

Overall, got to see some scenic areas of northeast NM and southeast CO. Not much in the way of storms.

Stats for the day:
Start time: 11:00am
End Time: 6:45pm
Mileage: 425

The next few days look to be the central plains.