APRIL 12, 2022 IOWA: CLOSE RANGE EF2 TORNADO CHASE NEAR GILMORE CITY
Severe warned storm to the south of Fonda, Iowa. Already getting that look to it with a broad, rotating wall cloud at this point.
Storm still looking good and intensifying as it approaches us.
Here it comes! Had to bail shortly after this photo was taken due to the proximity of the wall cloud moving overhead and hail starting to fall.
Mothership structure to this storm as it became tornado warned and soon dropped a tornado. Big blocky lowering in there on the left that was rotating hard.
TORNADO!! No condensation funnel making contact yet but the tornado is definitely down as it began churning up dirt over the field ahead of us. This is looking to the northwest near Palmer, Iowa.
Tornado starting to fully condensate to the ground. Nice and clear mesocyclone rotating above the tornado.
Tornado taking on the shape of a thick elephant trunk at this point.
After the initial touchdown in the previous photos, we drove up at it and got closer as the tornado planted once again and became stronger. Now between Palmer and Gilmore City. The tornado ended up being rated an EF-2 with a path length of 7.4 miles and peak winds of 115-125 mph!
Damage to a farmstead. Lots of tree and grain bin damage but appeared to be fairly minor damage to the house.
Grain bin destroyed with corn spilling out. Sheet metal from the grain bin was strewn downwind throughout the field for miles.
Tornado occluding and starting to weaken near Gilmore City, Iowa. This storm went on later to product another tornado that we could not get a view of.
Got back ahead of the tornado warned storm Kanawha, Iowa. Very dark at this point but could make out what appeared to be a base embedded in there.
The path of the tornado in yellow and the path we took with our vehicle in red, coming up at it from the south.
National Weather Service Summary
WATCHES AND MESOSCALE DISCUSSIONS:
SUMMARY...Convective initiation is expected by around 21-23z. A
tornado watch will likely be needed in the next hour or so. Severe
thunderstorms capable of large hail, damaging gusts and a few
tornadoes are possible.
DISCUSSION...A surface low is located near the central NE/SD border
as of 19z. A warm front was noted in surface analysis arcing from
the low across northeast NE into southern IA. Meanwhile, the surface
cold front was located across central NE and rapidly approaching the
surface dryline just a few counties to the east. Increasing cumulus
has been noted in visible satellite imagery along the dryline and
across the warm sector to the east across northeast NE. The cumulus
along the dryline has shown modest vertical development where
capping is likely less than further east. As the warm front
continues to lift northward and better quality boundary-layer
moisture works northward in conjunction with strong large-scale
ascent, convection is expected to develop near the triple point by
21-23z.
Initial convection across southeast SD into southwest MN to near the
NE/IA border may be elevated near/just to the cold side of the warm
front, with a better-quality warm sector remaining quite narrow from
near the MO River into northwest IA. Fast storm motion toward the
northeast could result in these storms rapidly moving away from the
better warm sector as they mature. Nevertheless, strong vertical
shear, steepening midlevel lapse rates and sufficient instability
should support organized supercells capable of large hail and
perhaps strong gusts. Any storm that develops in the better warm
sector or that can anchor to the warm front will access better
low-level shear and see an increased risk for tornado development.
Furthermore, any storm that develops further south along the cold
front/dryline in NE may be higher-based, posing a threat for large
hail and damaging gusts. If any dryline convection persists eastward
into better moisture, these cells also could become surface-based
within the better-quality warm sector with a corresponding increase
in tornado potential. With time into the evening, more linear
convective development is expected near/east of the MO River as the
cold front surges east.
SUMMARY...Supercell development will be possible in the next couple
of hours, near and east of a surface cyclone along the
Nebraska/South Dakota border. The storm environment will continue
to become more favorable for a few tornadoes (a couple of which
could be strong) and very large hail, if storms can mature quickly
enough in the relatively narrow, unstable warm sector near the warm
front. Damaging winds will also be possible, especially late this
evening when storms could grow upscale into a squall line along the
cold front approaching from the west.
The tornado watch area is approximately along and 60 statute miles
east and west of a line from 50 miles northeast of Yankton SD to 45
miles south of Sioux City IA. For a complete depiction of the watch
see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU1).
SUMMARY...Sustained strong supercells appear increasingly likely
through early evening. Some probably will pose a risk for producing
tornadoes, particularly around the Storm Lake and Fort Dodge IA
areas by 7-9 PM CDT, where a strong tornado or two is possible.
Additional, a severe thunderstorm watch will probably be issued soon
to the north of the current watch, where severe hail may become an
increasing concern this evening.
DISCUSSION...Thunderstorms are now initiating along the warm frontal
zone, north through east of a deep surface cyclone slowly migrating
east-northeast of the Sioux City area. This is being supported by
lift driven by low-level warm advection, and perhaps a subtle
mid-level perturbation forecast to migrate north-northeastward
across the mid Missouri Valley around Sioux City through early
evening.
The strongest thunderstorms probably will tend to evolve along the
front to the east-southeast of the warm front/dryline intersection,
now generally east of the Missouri River, where a narrow tongue of
modest boundary-layer moistening wrapping toward the surface low
center may be contributing to mixed-layer CAPE as high as 3000 J/kg
to the southwest of Fort Dodge. Into the the 00-02Z time frame,
southerly 850 mb flow across the narrow warm sector, into and across
the warm frontal zone is forecast to strengthen to 50-60+ kt,
contributing to very large, clockwise curved low-level hodographs.
As this occurs, the warm frontal zone is expected to become the
focus for intensifying supercells, including the evolution of strong
low-level mesocyclones, potentially capable of producing tornadoes.
The warm front is rather sharp, and the air to the north of the
front rather cool and stable. However, the front is slowly
advancing northward, and model forecast soundings indicate low-level
thermodynamic profiles will destabilize across much of northwestern
through north central Iowa into early evening. It appears possible
that this will become sufficient for tornado development, with
highest probabilities for sustained/longer track tornadic supercell
development around the Storm Lake/Fort Dodge Iowa vicinities.
As storms progress north of the warm frontal zone, into the colder
air, stronger cells could continue to pose a risk for severe hail
while the tornado threat diminishes.
SUMMARY...The evolution of an increasingly organized cluster of
storms seems probable this evening, before overspreading the region
through 10 PM-Midnight, accompanied by a risk for damaging wind
gusts and tornadoes.
DISCUSSION...Strong thunderstorm development continues to increase
in coverage in association with large-scale ascent downstream of a
deep northeastward migrating surface cyclone. This is being aided
by forcing associated with a subtle lead short wave perturbation,
and includes an evolving cluster of supercells near the Fort Dodge
IA area.
As the mid-level perturbation migrates northeast of the mid Missouri
Valley toward the Upper Midwest through mid to late evening,
considerable further upscale convective growth will continue to
ensue. The evolution of an increasingly organized mesoscale
convective system seems probable as the environment destabilizes
coincident with increasing forcing for ascent overspreading the
region.
Embedded within strengthening deep-layer ambient mean flow (in
excess of 50 kt), increasingly widespread damaging wind gusts are
possible. A coinciding larger-scale bow structure may evolve in
radar reflectivities, with embedded supercell structures posing a
risk for tornadoes, mainly where the apex of the bow intersects a
northeastward advancing warm front ahead of the surface cyclone.
STORM REPORTS:
STORM PREDICTION CENTER OUTLOOKS:
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MARCH 5, 2022 IOWA: MY EARLIEST TORNADO OF ANY SEASON AND MY SON'S FIRST!
First severe storm of the day just west of Shenandoah, Iowa. We got on this one right away.
Tornado warned storm south of Red Oak, Iowa. This is looking to the southwest as the base was coming right at us.
Beautiful flanking towers going up on the southern end of what would become the tornado producing supercell that traveled over 100 miles to Des Moines and points east-northeast of there.
The contrast here around the rainbow was fantastic. Like a clear boundary of light and dark.
This was before our tornado and could have produced here well ahead of us as we were traveling east on Highway 34 near Corning.
Short lived funnel cloud right there in the middle shortly before producing the tornado near Prescott, Iowa.
Tornado! Near Prescott, IA at 4:06 pm. Unfortunately tearing up a barn and other farm structures.
Another shot of the tornado. Notice the condensation funnel overhead.
Funnel cloud, possible tornado, north of Macksburg, Iowa. Might be the start of the killer tornado that impacted Winterset.
Another shot of the persistent funnel cloud, possible tornado.
Ping pong ball size hail as we approach the town of Orient, Iowa.
BIG hail covering the ground everywhere in Orient, Iowa. Lots of windows busted out and tree damage.
You can see the car window busted out here due to the massive hail.
The car was sliding all over the road here due to all of the hail.
Tornado damage in Winterset, Iowa. There was so much more that was way worse than this even. Very sad.
Tornado damage to a hour to the northeast of Winterset, Iowa.
Trying to get ahead of the storm! Was really hard to keep up with since it was moving 50+ mph and we kept running into debris and small towns. Nice updraft and inflow tail here.
Coming across more tornado damage in Norwalk, Iowa. Hwy 28 impassable due to debris so we were forced to turn around and find another route.
Major damage to a shed in Norwalk.
More damage to homes and a church in Norwalk.
Tornado debris across the road in Pleasant Hill, Iowa on the eastern side of Des Moines. This was off highway 65 in the eastern metro.
Mammatus from the storm to the south as we were about to get around the east side of Des Moines and into I-80.
Spooky scene as we were blasting east to still try and get ahead of the tornado warned storm approaching Newton, Iowa. Storm still had a tornado at this point. Soon after had to call off the chase as I-80 slowed down to a crawl due to an accident.
MESOSCALE DISCUSSIONS AND WATCHES:
SUMMARY...Storms are expected to gradually increase in coverage and
intensity this afternoon. A few tornadoes, damaging winds, and large
hail all appear possible. Watch issuance is likely in the next
couple of hours.
DISCUSSION...An area of precipitation with embedded storms is
ongoing early this afternoon across parts of western/central IA and
vicinity. This activity is being aided by strong low-level warm and
moist advection occurring with a 40-50+ kt south-southwesterly
low-level jet. As pronounced ascent associated with a shortwave
trough ejecting across the central Plains overspreads the warm
sector across IA and northern MO, additional convection is forecast
to develop over the next couple of hours. The airmass across this
region is gradually destabilizing, with surface temperatures
generally in the mid 50s to upper 60s, and dewpoints in the low to
mid 50s. Around 500-1000 J/kg of MLCAPE may ultimately develop as
modest diurnal heating through cloud breaks occurs, as mid-level
temperatures are expected to rapidly cool with the approach of the
shortwave trough. Deep-layer shear of 50+ kt will favor supercells
with a threat for both large hail and damaging winds.
There is still some uncertainty in the coverage and intensity of
severe storms later this afternoon owing to the modest instability
and leading band of ongoing storms, which may hamper additional
diurnal heating. Potential does exist for this leading band to
strengthen as it moves across central/eastern IA while posing a
threat for mainly hail and strong/gusty winds. Current expectations
are for a greater severe threat to develop with supercells that
should form near the NE/IA/MO border, in close proximity to the
surface low over northeastern KS. This activity should have access
to slightly greater instability and low-level moisture, with a
better chance for these storms to become surface based and produce
isolated large hail. Strong low-level wind fields and 200-300 m2/s2
of effective SRH should prove favorable for updraft rotation, and a
few tornadoes appear possible with any storms that can remain at
least semi-discrete. Scattered damaging winds should also occur as
convection attempts to grow upscale later this afternoon/early
evening while moving quickly eastward across IA and northern MO. A
watch will likely be needed within the next couple of hours as the
severe threat gradually increases.
SUMMARY...Thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon along
a cold front moving into western Iowa/Missouri. These storms will
track across the watch area, posing a risk of damaging winds, hail,
and a few tornadoes.
The tornado watch area is approximately along and 85 statute miles
east and west of a line from 60 miles north northwest of Des Moines
IA to 40 miles south of Lamoni IA. For a complete depiction of the
watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7).
SUMMARY...Ongoing severe storms should continue to track east
northeast over the next several hours across IA and northern MO.
Damaging wind gusts, large hail and a few tornadoes will be
possible. Some upscale growth is expected as storms track farther
east into central and eastern Iowa later this evening.
DISCUSSION...As of 21:45 UTC, a semi-discrete band of supercells
were ongoing across far southwestern IA and northwestern MO. In the
wake of early-day storms, clearing ahead of a strong surface cyclone
and upper trough have allowed weak destabilization (500-1000 J/kg)
of MLCAPE to propagate ahead of the cells ongoing across central IA
and northern MO. These storms should continue to keep pace with the
rapidly recovering warm sector posing a risk for all hazards over
the next few hours.
Initial storm mode has been messy with multiple updrafts in close
proximity across western IA. This is likely a result of
relatively-long straight-line hodographs above weekly veered surface
flow. Additional upscale growth appears likely with these storms as
they track northeastward. All hazards, including damaging wind
gusts, and a few tornadoes will however remain possible given strong
low-level shear (0-1km srh 150-200 m2/s2) supporting small
mesocyclones.
Farther south, more discrete convection across northern MO were
tracking toward southern IA. Greater residence time within the
expanding warm sector and resulting stronger low-level mesocyclones
may result in a locally greater risk of tornadoes over the next
several hours. Upscale growth into more linear segments with a risk
of damaging gusts appears possible into portions of eastern Iowa
where an additional watch may be needed later this
afternoon/evening.
SUMMARY...The tornado threat will be focused in parts of central and
southeast Iowa this evening. This threat may extend beyond the WW 27
and an additional downstream tornado watch will likely be considered
this evening.
DISCUSSION...A strong supercell continues to move through southern
suburbs of Des Moines. This storm has had consistent rotational
velocities in the 55-70 kt range over the past hour. Other discrete
storms are moving out of north-central Missouri into south-central
Iowa. At least one tornado was reported in Wayne County, IA, with
this activity. These storms are moving into a similar environment
and will continue to pose a threat for tornadoes over the next 1-2
hours. To the west of these discrete storms, a more broken line of
convection has developed along the cold front. This activity will
pose greater threats for large hail and damaging winds than
tornadoes.
Farther to the north and east, earlier cloud cover and precipitation
has limited destabilization. For parts of eastern Iowa and perhaps
far northeastern Missouri, an additional downstream tornado watch
will need to be considered this evening.
SUMMARY...Storm mode has trended more linear in WW 29. Low-level
wind fields will still support damaging wind gusts and brief
tornadoes.
DISCUSSION...Modest destabilization continues ahead of a broken line
of quasi-linear storms in eastern Iowa and far northeastern
Missouri. Though storm mode has trended less discrete, regional
radar velocity data has shown periodic embedded circulations
developing within the line segments. A couple of measured severe
gusts were reported within the last hour in eastern Iowa. Given the
strong low-level shear and veering seen on the KDVN VWP, there will
be continued potential for this sort of activity. Damaging winds and
brief tornadoes will be the primary threats. The observed DVN 00Z
sounding showed an 8 C/km mid-level lapse rate which would also
support marginally severe hail, despite the less favorable storm
mode.STORM REPORTS:
STORM PREDICTION CENTER OUTLOOKS:
OCTOBER 24, 2021 MISSOURI: MY FIRST OCTOBER TORNADO... ALSO MAKE IT THE SECOND AND THIRD!
Initial wall cloud on the storm near the Kansas/Missouri border south of St. Joseph, MO. Already a tornado warned storm within an hour of initiation.
Beautiful wall cloud tightening up and rotating hard with a funnel cloud condensing near Turney, Missouri.
More zoomed out view of the wall cloud twisting up right in front of us.
One more shot of this wall cloud. Thought it was going to drop a tornado right here! Sure came close.
First tornado of the day east of Turney, Missouri! This was taken by my chase partner this day, Melanie Metz, as we were driving and trying to get a better view.
A second tornado with stronger debris cloud between I-35 and Mirabile, Missouri! Taken by Melanie Metz.
Photo by, Melanie Metz, shortly after the 2nd tornado occurred and lifted.
Funnel cloud still holding on as the storm moves just to our east. After a brief stop, we had to quickly get going again to keep up with it.
Melanie taking photos as the continued tornado warned storm approached us with the tornadic circulation passing to our north.
Third tornado of the day, looking north as the storm moved towards Linneus! This matches up with the location and time of the report and sure looks like it in Melanie’s photo. Taken shortly after the previous image in the same spot.
New southern updraft starting to go up on the southern flank of the tornado warned storm near Linneus, Missouri shortly after the 3rd tornado of the day moved to our north.
Another lowering tightening up as we watched to the south and encountered gust RFD winds. This was south of the main circulation on the supercell that went on to produce another tornado near Purdin, Missouri.
Backside of the storms as they passed to our east near LaPlata, Missouri at the end of our great chase day.
Another shot looking to the north of the storms moving to our east as we begin our journey back home to Minnesota.
STORM REPORTS:
STORM PREDICTION CENTER OUTLOOKS:
AUGUST 9, 2021 NORTH DAKOTA: SUPERCELL STRUCTURE AT ITS FINEST .
First storm of the day going up right on the triple point near Harvey, North Dakota. We are in the right spot!
Storm base starting to tighten up a bit with tilted updraft overhead. Can see another storm base forming to the south.
Wall cloud formed a short while later and began to get organized.
Broad mesocyclone with bowl lowering in there for a while near Hamberg, North Dakota.
We got cows! They’re wondering what I’m doing here while another wall cloud organizes behind them near New Rockford, North Dakota.
Awesome structure on the storm with impressive, big wall cloud and inflow tail near McHenry, North Dakota!
Big crescent roll twisting and turning wall cloud. Lots of motion going on with this thing at this time with very fast condensation right to left of the inflow tail.
Major hook echo and couplet on the storm at this point when the wall cloud was tightening up.
The storm structure is hanging on very well here near Binford, North Dakota.
Terrific vantage point here up on a big hill watching the next storm approach from the southwest. Caught a lightning bolt in there on the left side of the core.
New storm starting to get organized as we approach sunset.
Wall cloud now forming on the new storm near Aneta, North Dakota. Love that color as the sun is setting behind the storm as we’re looking west.
Tornado warned storm with well established wall cloud near Aneta, North Dakota after sun has set.
Lit up storm with strobe lightning east of Finley, North Dakota.
STORM REPORTS:
STORM PREDICTION CENTER OUTLOOKS:
AUGUST 8, 2021 MINNESOTA AND IOWA: CHASING A LONE LONG LIVED SUPERCELL FOR OVER 6 HOURS
First storm of the day near Edgerton, Minnesota. Can see a lowering trying to wrap up in there to the left-center of the image. We got on this storm just after it already produced a brief tornado further north.
This was a short while later as the lowering tightened up and produced a funnel cloud that we could tell was clearly spinning on the left side of the image here.
Two action areas on the broad mesocyclone near Worthington, Minnesota.
Wall cloud on the tornado warned storm near Worthington, Minnesota.
A pair of wall clouds on the storm as it was crossing the border into Iowa.
A wall cloud on the storm near May City, Iowa.
Wall cloud and brief funnel cloud near Everly, Iowa.
Inflow tail right to left into the wall cloud that was twisting and turning here.
Wall cloud with fast condensing inflow scud fingers on the storm near Everly, Iowa.
Beautiful wall cloud trying to tighten up.
Looking out the window at a funnel cloud forming as we were driving and trying to get ahead of the storm.
The cloud bases are so low here you cannot even see the tops of the windmills!
Just an awesome supercell that just keeps trucking along and cycling repeatedly.
Yet another wall cloud near Sioux Rapids, Iowa.
ANOTHER wall cloud with a brief funnel forming.
Blocky lowering tucked in near the core that could have easily touched down a tornado near Albert City, Iowa. No confirmation that it did touch down though.
STORM REPORTS:
STORM PREDICTION CENTER OUTLOOKS:
JULY 28, 2021 WISCONSIN: STORM NEARLY DROPPED A TORNADO, CHASING IN WOODED AREA
First look at the storm as I pulled up just southeast of it southwest of Grantsburg, WI near the St Croix River. Of course a tree is blocking the view but you can make out the lowering, possible wall cloud in there underneath the storm. This was just before it became tornado warned.
Tornado warned storm about to pass to my west.
Nice mesocyclone on this storm as it was passing just west of me here and great structure!
I moved west for a closer view before getting cored. Great structure but definitely losing organization. Still have inflow however.
Southern end of the meso as it started to look more like a shelf cloud. I quickly bailed west back to Hwy 87 through the forward flank core to get back south right after this.
All that is left of the occluding wall cloud looking to the north-northwest. Storm still tornado warned.
Mothership coming in! This was as I finally got back south ahead of it again near Trade River, WI. Stupid power lines in the shot.
Looking back north it still had an action area and rather unorganized lowering but still holding on to inflow.
Wall of rain about to soon overtake me near Cushing, WI.
Tried to get some lightning shots but not a lot of CG's to speak of. Still the CC lightning was enough to illuminate the storm at dark near Osceola, WI. Scud lowering in there is not a funnel cloud but certainly a look alike.
Last shot of the day as the storm was moving to my due east after sunset. This storm went on to bow out and produce a couple tornadoes and a lot of straight line wind damage as it progressed southeast through the night.
STORM REPORTS:
STORM PREDICTION CENTER OUTLOOKS:
JUNE 24, 2021 KANSAS: TORNADO WARNED STORM BUST AND STUCK IN THE MUD
First storm of the day developing near Marysville, Kansas as a tornado watch was being issued.
Wall cloud forming on the storm as we were looking north on Hwy 36 just west of Marysville, Kansas. Storm exhibiting some nice structure here with the spiraled bands above the low level mesocyclone.
Another shot of the wall cloud quickly becoming more mature as we continued to watch stationary at our position for the moment.
We started racing north to intercept the storm and get closer to the action area at this point to the north of Marysville.
And soon after we got stuck on a blackjack clay road north of Home, Kansas. This is Melanie Metz whom I was chasing with this day trying to clean out some of the mud from around the tires. We were stuck here for over an hour as I had to help push the vehicle a mile back up the road very slowly without going into the ditch. This was the worst I’ve ever been stuck chasing and it ended our day! Very frustrating but storms that kept moving further east really did not do much so we didn’t miss much. We could not drive the vehicle over 30 mph so were forced to drive back to Marysville and luckily found a self service car wash where we spent 3 separate instances spraying out the entire underside of the vehicle, around the tires and inside the wheel wells. Then spent the night in Marysville and chased the next day.
STORM REPORTS:
STORM PREDICTION CENTER OUTLOOKS:
MAY 26, 2021 KANSAS: TORNADO WARNED SUPERCELL STORMS OFF THE DRYLINE
Isolated storm blowing up fast west of Scott City, Kansas on the dryline. PDS tornado watch issued as this storm was developing.
Storm struggling a bit with a skinny updraft and base as we watched near Scott City, Kansas. Can see left split storm base to the right and main storm updraft to the left.
Ended up bailing on our original storm and blasting north to intercept an LP supercell near Grinell, Kansas. This storm was never a threat to produce a tornado but it did exhibit some really good structure.
Another tornado warned storm near Lenora, Kansas.
Looking south at a new tornado warned storm and its inflow region. Low storm bases at this point as we approach evening.
Nice C rear flank downdraft cut on this storm near Lenora, Kansas. Certainly was trying to tighten up and produce a tornado here!
MESOSCALE DISCUSSIONS:
WATCHES:
STORM REPORTS:
SPC OUTLOOKS:
MAY 24, 2021 KANSAS: ONE OF THE BEST STORM STRUCTURE DAYS OF THE YEAR!
First storm of the day developing near Leoti, Kansas. Strong updraft and dark, flat base immediately as the storm developed.
A short time later as the storm began to split with two distinct updrafts. We had not moved at all from the previous image.
A new storm developing to our southwest as we prepared to reposition.
Wall cloud underneath the storm base near Scott City, Kansas. We could not go up the road any farther due to the mud and risk of getting stuck. This was very close to Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park.
After bailing on the northern storm, we progressed south to intercept a new tornado warned storm near Lakin, Kansas.
Storm starting to exhibit outflow dominant characteristics.
Still some inflow and organized rotation on the northern edge of the storm base here near Lakin, Kansas.
Really nice storm with a wall cloud rotating around the southeast side of the parent mesocyclone near Deerfield, Kansas.
Total occlusion of the wall cloud here with a broad mesocyclone still present.
Awesome storm structure near Holcomb, Kansas! The entire storm is rotating. I love that well defined inflow tail.
Wow, what a storm!!!
Best Beaver Tail / Inflow Tail that I saw in 2021. Terrific structure and definition to it!
Impressive wall cloud forming underneath the storm as it approaches us. Looking due west.
What an incredible, beautiful storm. Still well organized and good inflow/outflow balance taking place with a few action areas to monitor just ahead of us.
Needle funnel cloud forming under the main action area of the storm.
This is a tornado! Had a debris cloud underneath the wall cloud/funnel right after the clear condensation funnel appeared. It’s subtle but it was there for a short time.
Storm is pretty much done for any tornado threat here. Still severe with a lot of hail and wind though.
Final shot of the day as I was able to grab a lightning bolt with the storm during the evening to the southeast of Holcomb, Kansas.
Mesoscale Discussions:
WATCHES:
STORM REPORTS:
STORM PREDICTION CENTER OUTLOOKS:
MAY 23, 2021 COLORADO: PHOTOGENIC AND TORNADO WARNED SUPERCELL STORMS
First storm of the day near Rush, Colorado. Already a nice, flat, dark base and intense core on this storm.
Shortly after the previous image was taken, a wall cloud begins to develop on the rotating storm.
AHHHH… this is where it really got interesting as the wall cloud was near ground with strong inflow right to left as noted by the tail.
A closer shot of the wall cloud and inflow tail on the tornado warned storm near Rush, Colorado.
Funnel cloud on the left edge of the wall cloud and just right of the core as the wall cloud began to mature.
Closer view of the funnel cloud and inflow tail with strong right to left inflow at the time.
Storm updraft on a new supercell near Siebert, Colorado.
Funnel cloud starting to form underneath a strong updraft south of Burlington, Colorado.
A new storm we were watching south of Burlington off the dryline.
A new rotating storm we intercepted near Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. Really nice storm we intercepted after the first one!
Storm forming a solid base as it approached the wind farm in front of us.
Storm moving to our north with continued great structure near Cheyenne Wells, Colorado.
STORM REPORTS:
STORM PREDICTION CENTER OUTLOOKS:
MAY 22, 2021 COLORADO: TORNADO NEAR BRUSH, SUPERCELL NEAR GENOA
Roger Hill’s cropped shot of the rope tornado near Brush, Colorado. Blurry due to driving on a bumpy road and trying to get west, closer to the storm at the time. Was barely able to get out of Brush to capture the tornado before it lifted.
Tornado near Brush, Colorado taken by Roger Hill. I was driving and not able to get a photo but Roger was able to get a quick shot before it lifted.
After the tornado, the storm held onto a wall cloud underneath the base and cycled a few more times but did not produce another tornado.
Lots of scud being pulled up into the base with a continued wall cloud southwest of Brush, Colorado.
Wall cloud took on an even more classic, blocky shape as we continued to watch in the same spot southwest of Brush, Colorado.
Another more wide angle shot of the storm and wall cloud just southwest of Brush, Colorado.
After leaving the storm near Brush, we blasted south to intercept another promising storm. Awesome merry-go-round wall cloud spinning away just to our east on this tornado warned storm just a mile north of Genoa, Colorado.
Looking south there was another wall cloud coming up quickly on the left. You can see the northern, more mature wall cloud on the right on this tornado warned storm.
The second wall cloud came up from the south and took on a similar shape as it matured just ahead of us on the road over the wind farm.
The storm eventually occluded the wall cloud/action area to the west of the rain core and held onto some good structure for a while.
Supercell starting to gust out and produce a shelf cloud north of Genoa, Colorado. Big wind maker with a lot of gustnadoes spinning up at this point.
Storm really gusting out hard now with interesting lowerings twisting and turning on the leading edge of the outflow. Gustnado can be seen on the far right. There were many at this point and we drove through one shortly after this shot to the delight of the guests!
STORM REPORTS:
STORM PREDICTION CENTER OUTLOOKS:
MAY 21, 2021 NEBRASKA: STORMS FORMING AS A BACKDROP TO CHIMNEY ROCK
First storm of the day going up near Lorenzo, Nebraska over the wide open and green countryside.
Chimney Rock, Nebraska with storms developing in the background.
Chimney Rock is much more striking when you have storms around!
Silver Lining Tours guest enjoying the view. Tour 4 Primetime Tour 2021 with 3 vans and another photo van in caravan.
STORM REPORTS:
May 20, 2021 Colorado: Sunset Supercell
First storm of the day dumping a hail core near Raymer, Colorado.
Beautiful double rainbow near Carpenter, Wyoming! My favorite of 2021.
Another shot of the double rainbow, albeit with rain drops on the lens as I had a difficult time keeping it dry.
Wall cloud and storm ahead of us on an endless dirt road in the wide open Plains near Padroni, Colorado.
Low precipitation storm on a lonely dirt road as we near sunset with mammatus overhead.
Another shot of the storm as the sun was setting.
It is faint, but there's a cloud to ground lightning bolt in there in the middle of the photo.
Finally get a decent photogenic lightning bolt after the sun has set!
Yes! Another bolt at the end of the day as we were packing up and getting ready to call it a day.
STORM REPORTS:
STORM PREDICTION CENTER OUTLOOKS:
MAY 18, 2021 WEST TEXAS: SOME GOOD SUPERCELL STRUCTURE
Severe thunderstorm near Muleshoe, Texas. High based here but good structure. Can see the rear flank downdraft winds kicking up dirt around the south side of the mesocylcone to the left.
Another shot of the severe thunderstorm as it was approaching use near Muleshoe.
A short time later near Muleshoe as the storm was rolling over a wind farm.
Plenty of inflow bands streaming in and feeding moisture into the supercell at this point!
Long base to this storm with a lot of twisting and turning motion going on here.
Previously tornado warned storm moving into Gail, Texas. Still severe warned here. Starting to gust out as noted by the developing shelf cloud.
Beautiful storm here near Gail, Texas approaching sunset at the end of our chase day.
Mesoscale Discussion issued at 1:57 pm CDT. This discussion highlights the potential for a couple supercell storms and brief/weak tornadoes, but overall a limited severe weather risk and only a 20% chance of issuing a watch.
Mesoscale Discussion issued at 6:07 pm CDT highlighting the risk for sporadic severe wind and hail with storms into the evening hours.
STORM REPORTS:
STORM PREDICTION CENTER 1630Z OUTLOOKS:
MAY 17, 2021 WEST TEXAS: A COUPLE TORNADO WARNED SUPERCELLS AND TERRIFIC STRUCTURE
Supercell storm forming off the dryline near Brownfield, Texas.
Storm getting more organized and moving towards us. Good structure with this base and storm updraft. Not much precipitation falling quite yet.
Another shot of the storm slowly moving towards us. Looking west.
Awesome structure with this storm near Brownfield, Texas!
Beautiful storm base and updraft.
Looking up at the storm updraft.
Terrific structure with this storm as Silver Lining Tours guests look on.
Incredible storm and mammatus display at sunset on a new tornado warned storm near Lubbock, Texas!
Looking southwest at the mammatus. Storm is to the right of this vantage point.
Amazing twisting, turning barberpole updraft into the base of this storm.
I am just loving the scene of this storm at sunset! What an end to the day.
Mesoscale Discussion issued at 2:11 pm CDT. Supercell development expected to develop soon near and ahead of the low on the warm front and off the dryline.
Tornado watch issued at 3 pm, valid until 11 pm across nearly all of west Texas.
New mesoscale discussion issued at 5:36 pm CDT.
Mesoscale Discussion issued at 9:44 pm CDT as severe storms continued moving east of I-27.
STORM REPORTS:
STORM PREDICTION CENTER 1630z OUTLOOKS:
MARCH 10, 2021 MINNESOTA: EARLY SEASON TORNADO WARNED STORMS
The first cumulus towers going up on the western side of Owatonna, MN as we watched in anticipation from the John Deere parking lot. Notice the snow piles still around.
Pronounced wall cloud with the storm near Faribault, MN, looking southwest. Could not tell if it was rotating but was there for a while.
Ground scraping inflow as the storm between Faribault and Dundas, MN rode the warm front. Seriously on the ground!! Impressively low LCL's.
Another shot of the ground scraping inflow along the warm front feeding what I presumed was the wall cloud coming around the south end of the storm here.
This was interesting as a bowl lowering on a tornado warned storm was rotating near Shieldsville, MN. Looking from the north to south and just getting out of nickel size hail so was a tough vantage point.
Lots going on here. This was near Stanton, MN. So much motion in the clouds here and broad rotation around this action area. We had strong RFD at one point as we got east of the hook. Was just not organized enough and couldn't tighten up.
Awesome structure on the tornado warned supercell near Randolph, MN! Shot out the front window. Wish we would have stopped to take more photos here. Massive lowering.
Wrapping up nicely between Cannon Falls and Miesville, MN. This whole thing was rotating and the area to the right of the road was reaching for the ground. Nice structure to this updraft reaching of the supercell.
Beast mode supercell between Miesville and Hastings, MN. You can see the inflow tail on the right feeding the storm that was latched onto the warm front here. Left side was coming around very fast with the rear flank downdraft. That cloud bank on the leading edge of the RFD was literally on the ground.
Another shot of the storm right before we drove north right into it. Got down to very low visibility and gusty winds once we hit that low cloud bank.
Mesoscale Discussion issued at 1:32 p.m. CST indicating severe thunderstorm development by 21Z. Watch issuance probability at 60%. https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/md0150.html
New Mesoscale Discussion issued at 5:43 p.m. CST as the severe potential continues with an isolated tornado threat: https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/md0152.html
STORM REPORTS:
STORM PREDICTION CENTER OUTLOOKS:
JULY 18, 2020 MINNESOTA: TORNADO WARNED STORM THROUGH NORTHERN TWIN CITIES METRO
Met up with Roger Hill, Rusty Nelson and the Silver Lining Tours crew in Willmar, MN as we waited for storms to initiate. Good to see them and catch up!
Storm developed further east than we were expecting. Had to blast back east towards the Twin Cities. This is the initial storm updraft looking southeast from Annandale, MN towards Brooklyn Park.
A nervous moment as we watched this wall cloud mature, driving on Hwy 14/Main Street from Coon Rapids into Blaine. Inflow right to left into the wall cloud and condensation/rotation with that small dark feature on the right side underneath the wall cloud as it was trying to produce a funnel. Glad it didn't drop a tornado in the northern suburbs!
Wall cloud on what is now a tornado warned storm in Blaine, MN.
Another shot of the wall cloud in Blaine, MN as it was tightening up and becoming better organized.
Turbulent underside of the wall cloud as it overtook us and moved to our southeast. This was as we were approaching White Bear Lake.
East of Hugo, MN the storm became even better organized. Thought it was going to produce a tornado here!
Driving back home after our chase had ended. Beautiful storm erupting at sunset over Eagan, MN.
Taken from my driveway. Love this shot of two storm updrafts approaching Farmington and gap in between!
Shot of the storm to the east of our house, lit by lightning in the evening.
Mesoscale discussion issued at 3:12 PM CDT for central and southern Minnesota into northwest Wisconsin. 95% chance of watch issuance! Strong instability nosing into the southern half of Minnesota. https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/2020/md1264.html
Severe thunderstorm watch issued at 3:55 PM CDT. https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/2020/ww0382.html
The next mesoscale discussion issued at 6:15 PM CDT as one lone tornado warned storm was trucking through the northern Twin Cities metro (which we were on), while new storms were developing west and north. https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/2020/md1267.html
Mesoscale discussion issued at 8:36 PM CDT for most of northern Wisconsin and the UP of Michigan. Severe storms moving east into Wisconsin. This was near when we called off the chase north of Hudson, WI and let the storms go. https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/2020/md1268.html
Severe thunderstorm watch issued at 9:40 PM CDT ahead of the developing broken squall line now across western Wisconsin. https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/2020/ww0383.html
STORM REPORTS:
STORM PREDICTION CENTER OUTLOOKS:
JULY 13, 2020 MINNESOTA: WAITING AROUND FOR A GOOD EVENING STORM
An intense rain and hail core on our initial storm to the southwest of Ottertail, Minnesota.
Vertical shot of the storm updraft above the intense rain and hail core.
Wall cloud forming on the storm with quick right to left condensation into the base.
Vibrant colors at sunset as the storm approached us near Deer Creek, Minnesota.
Magnificent color and storm structure at sunset!
Looking back to the east the other direction from the previous photo. Love the color of the blue sky and the backlit clouds from the setting sun.
Mesoscale discussion issued at 3:52 PM CDT for northwest Minnesota ahead of the occlusion and low. We were just outside of this MD on the southern end near the triple point. https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/2020/md1214.html
Mesoscale discussion issued at 7:34 PM CDT as new severe storms were expected to form during the evening ahead of the cold front. We were on the far northern end of this MD near Ottertail watching a strong storm towards sunset. https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/2020/md1217.html
STORM REPORTS:
STORM PREDICTION CENTER OUTLOOKS:
JULY 8, 2020 MINNESOTA: AN EPIC EF4 TORNADO INTERCEPT AND #100 OF MY CHASING CAREER!!
We were fortunate to be right on this storm at the initial updraft at it was punching through the CAP southeast of Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Stopped for 15 minutes to gas up and use the restroom and BOOM! the storm went up fast right on the warm front and ahead of the triple point.
Wall cloud formed 20 minutes after the initial updraft went up. When this happens and you already have a lowering in a favorable storm environment, you know something special could happen. This was looking from the north near Dalton as the storm was moving northeast.
Low contrast here but this was the initial tornado touchdown looking south from Dalton on Hwy 82 shortly after the last photo.
Driving southeast on Hwy 82 as the tornadic circulation strengthens and the tornado “plants”. Perfect road to continue safely southeast as the tornado moves to the left (northeast) across I-94 at this point.
Another shot of the tornado as we stopped near Hwy 82 and 130th St.
Drove right up to the tornado as it slowly moved across Hwy 82, unfortunately hit a structure, and started throwing a lot of dirt in the debris field! Tornado was moving from our right and into the photo and left out of the photo. Did not want to turn left here as there was concern we would end up too close to the tornado path.
UNBELIEVABLE!! At this point I knew we were witnessing a monster. Intense tornado with large debris field. We could hear the roar of the tornado at this point and smell all of the dirt, trees, and debris being chewed up and lofted. Can count on one hand the times I have experienced such exhilaration of the chase.
Absolutely stunning tornado as we stood watching in awe.
Large pieces of debris being thrown here as the tornado appeared to be fully wrapping up under the parent circulation.
One of my favorite storm chasing photos I have ever taken here. Would be hard-pressed to ever get a shot like this again. This print is blown up large and hanging on my wall! Perfect spot to capture the white tornado with excellent contrast with no precipitation and sun illuminating everything.
Tornado started moving away from us as we watched from a distance while a rainbow forms and points towards the tornado base. Interesting white debris field here.
Beautiful scene with a white tornado in the distance and a rainbow in the foreground. Such an awesome view to behold! This was somewhere north of Ashby, MN as we continued chasing the tornado to the northeast.
Tornado starting to occlude as the storm condensation base erodes but still going strong northwest of Ashby, MN. Terrific contrast and debris cloud with rainbow.
Wall cloud wrapping up with the white tornado in the distance.
Look at the structure!! No rain around the tornado, wall cloud and mesocyclone as you’re able to see the tornado and twisting updraft overhead.
Majestic white tornado starting to rope out between Sewell Lake and Johnson Lake, MN.
Incredible and jaw dropping rope-out at the end of this tornado life cycle!
National Weather Service Review of the EF-4 Tornado: https://www.weather.gov/fgf/2020_07_08_Tornadoes
Mesoscale discussion issued at 3:03 PM CDT. Notice the triple point of the low, trough and warm front where our tornadic storm formed just to the east. Storm rode that warm front with the enhanced low level shear and ingested rich boundary layer moisture pooling along the boundary. https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/2020/md1142.html
Mesoscale discussion issued at 6:17 PM CDT as multiple tornadoes have occurred, with our EF4 ongoing with our lone supercell across west-central Minnesota. Storm right on the northern end of the instability axis. https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/2020/md1145.html
Mesoscale discussion issued at 7:58 PM CDT as new storms, a couple that did produce additional tornadoes, were forming along the warm front. https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/2020/md1147.html
Mesoscale discussion issued at 9:51 PM CDT as the severe weather risk continues as storms congeal. https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/2020/md1149.html
