Chase 2017 – Journey home

Having covered just shy of 5000 miles chasing the Midwest of America in search of severe weather we return home, spending the afternoon in the country’s capital on the way:

No tornadoes this time, but that’s weather for you and in many ways its unpredictability is what drives me to study and observe it – in all its forms. You also get to see some of the world’s most awesome scenery in the company of the most frustratingly amusing person I know – thanks Zoe!

Cheers for the chase America – and see you next year.

Chase 2017 – Chase Days 10 and 11

Started yesterday in Hutchinson, KS and moved on to track potential storm risk up near Topeka. We did well and caught initialisation and followed some nice cells east towards Kansas City. Not wanting to stray too far we bailed out around 4pm as there was no chance of anything going too severe:

Today was a long shuffle south as we need to be in Dallas Thursday afternoon. We visited the Twister The Movie Museum in Wakita, OK – a town that was literally pulled down for the film then partly rebuilt by the film company (many of the houses were in disrepair anyway, including the one used as Aunt Meg’s House). Here we are next to the actual device (Dorothy 1) used in the film, and outside in front of the iconic Wakita water tower:

Chase 2017 – Chase Day 9

Another down day so repositioned to central Kansas for tomorrow’s slight risk. On the way we visited Greensburg, KS which was almost totally destroyed by an EF5 tornado on 4th May, 2007. The town was rebuilt from scratch using a ‘sustainable’ blueprint which leaves a very low carbon footprint – virtually unheard of in middle America. In the Big Well museum they have an excellent exhibit telling the story of that night. Here’s what was left of the tornado siren which thanks to storm spotters sounded a full 17 minutes before the tornado hit, likely saving many lives. The ‘stop’ sign was found over a mile away wrapped around a gate post:

Chase 2017 – Chase Day 8

Down day today, so a visit to the zoo was in order – Oklahoma City Zoo to be precise. If you avoid the extra charges for feeding sessions, presentations and the road train the $8 entrance fee is worth the money.

Moved across to El Reno to see the memorial to the Twistex Team, Tim Samaras, his son Paul and friend Carl Young who died when the car they were driving was thrown off the road by the El Reno tornado of 31st May, 2013. They were the first storm chasers to die as a direct result of chasing for many decades. A memorial to them was erected using funds raised in their memory by the chasing community:

Chase 2017 – Chase Day 7

Made an effort to get into far SE Kansas (250 miles) from our overnight in Hays and got into view of a large storm moving into Missouri. We followed it on country roads all the way to Springfield, MS but never properly engaged with it. Turning back, the very moist sector started to fire around Joplin and we chased these fur a few hours before dark. We had strong SLW (straight line wind) and tree damage and areas of rotation but no tornado which was a bit dissapointing considering the conditions.

Overnight Tulsa, OK and we’re down today – going to the zoo!

Chase 2017 – Chase Day 6 report

Great day with a bullseye forecast (well done HRRR). Got on the cell of the day about 20 miles NW of Limon, CO and stuck with it whilst it matured into a classic supercell with big hail. Got shafted by RFD in Joes, trekked along dirt roads and saw some impressive gustnados (inflow and outflow). Some decent updrafts at times but no tornado. Coined a new phrase for rising dust – Updusts! Managed over an hour on Livestream so hope you enjoyed it if you caught it.

Now 11.15pm local time in Hays, KS (legged it 180 miles east to be in range of far SE Kansas for tomorrow). Bedtime.

Chase 2017 – Day 5 report

Managed to get back into far E Colorado and got on to the few cells that formed this afternoon and moved into far NW Kansas. Got a few lightning strikes but no hail yet. We are in Goodland KS overnight and in position due tomorrow’s activity.

Here’s a shot of the storm as it moved away east from us:

Chase 2017 – Day 4 report

As non stormchasing ‘down’ days go, this was up there with the best of them. Having made the effort yesterday to drive half way to California, we moved up from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon. Wow what a place (120deg pano):

Taking back roads, we started the long trek back east through the Navajo territory of Arizona, taking in the Four Corners monument (Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico meet at a point):

We then took the Dolores River pass through the southern end of the Rockies, where at 10,000ft we had snow to enjoy:

Great stuff, but back to the job in hand tomorrow!

Chase 2017 – Day 3 report

Decided not to go for slight risk in S Texas and someone had this crazy idea of visiting the Grand Canyon (I say someone – it was a joint decision), so tonight we are 650 miles further down the I40 in Flagstaff, AZ ready for the morning at the Grand Canyon. Will try a live stream there around 6pm your time.

We did drop into Fort Sumner, NM to visit the Billy The Kid museum which was interesting:

Chase 2017 – Day 3

Hobbs, NM. The elevated storms in far E New Mexico were decent enough and we got some lightning. Today the activity moves SE towards far S Texas and with Thursday in mind (the start of several active days in Kansas and Oklahoma) we are having down/travel days, and first on my list is the museum to Billy The Kid in Fort Sumner, NM. Yehaa!