Category: Storm Chasing

I have precious little time to post a forecast as I am heading out the door now for a general target of Wichita Falls, TX. The above graphic from the NWS: Ft Worth, TX illustrates the overall thread area nicely.

Forecast is tricky today, but there looks to be tremendous instability. The are some things I really dislike about the wind fields, but given it’s the middle of May, and with as much instability that is forecast, I can’t sit at home watching this on radar.

I actually have the gut feeling that south of the Red River in Texas may prove to be the better show, but I want to give myself some options, so I am heading for a preliminary target of Wichita Falls, and can adjust north or south as needed.

The LIVE ChaseCam should be up and running around the 3-4pm CDT timeframe. Expecting severe weather initiation around 4 pm. All modes of severe weather to be expected today, including some VERY large hail, and tornadoes.

Yesterday did not turn out at all like I anticipated. Supercells were nearly non-existant. A case of too much all at once. Got some severe level winds and saw some downed power lines early on, and even managed to get a decent wall cloud, but could not keep up with the storm speeds so I ended up dropping back southwest again for the second round around dark.

Second round made the day for me, as I hung out around the oilfield community of Denver City which is laden with power lines and refineries because of the oil fields. Patience paid off as a cell came over and one of the best barrages of CG lightning I have ever saw commenced. Perfect opportunity to get some more lightning practice.

After that passed, followed it on back to Brownfield for a few more lightning shots before calling it a night. So I thought. After dragging in all the equipment a supercell popped up just 30 miles southwest, quickly got a hook and tornado warned. I rushed down to intercept it and it turned to crap of course as I did. Finally ended up shutting down for good around 3:30 a.m.

Below are the best of 50 lightning pics I took last night! I can see improvement, but still need more practice. I am quickly seeing the need for a better lens than the kit lens that came with my Canon XTI. Enjoy. Be sure to click on each to see the bigger image.

This one below is my favorite of all of them!