The Storm that Wouldn't

Leora here to add on Byron's great blog. Yes, Byron and I were chase partners for the "carnado" exercise on Wednesday. Once a year, Josh tries to terrorize his team by using a vehicle to simulate a tornado progressing at 30 miles per hour, while we scurry to deploy pods and get out of the way before being propelled skyward--or, in this case, reinvented as road kill. The scene on Storm Chasers last year was highly entertaining, if any of you remember it. This time, Byron and I worked up quite a sweat, leaping out of the truck and lowering the 120-pound instruments, trying not to hit each other on the head with the metal mast (not entirely successfully. That's what helmets are for). Hannah and Justin worked together in enviable tandem. Aaron and Danny mumbled some excuses for being a bit slow. But truth be told, the pods they deploy are last year's models and demand many more steps. They're pros. I take my helmet off to them.

In real time, it's unnerving to know that every second counts during deployment. It matters if you fumble with the rear truck door, or as happened during the chase last night, you forgot to plug in the pod connectors that morning. It matters how fast you clamber into the back of the pick-up to yank the pod towards your partner. Or how fast you hit the gas pedal and then pull to a complete stop a quarter of a mile later to deploy the next pod. You're aware with all your senses that the storm is closing in. The rain may be drenching you. Hail pounds. Lightning flashes a mile away. The wind, the moist blasting wind, is buffeting you. And you know, that in a minute or two it will be time to bail. No excuses.

As you've guessed the chase last night in eastern Kansas was very exciting. Yet, though, I'd like to tell you we intercepted our first tornado of the season, we did not. We were in active chase mode from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Many times, it seemed that yes, finally the storm would produce a tornado. In fact, Herb, Justin and Hannah are convinced they spotted a weak tornado--a rotating condensation funnel descended from the cloud--and radar data show some evidence of one. However, for Josh to consider the mission a successful intercept, the tornado needs to be long-lived, fairly powerful and most importantly, to register on our instruments.

Of course, we all were conflicted, wanting the spectacular phenomenon to unfold, but no, not near a town or farmhouse. As we drove through Fredonia, the sirens wailed. People drove home at insane speeds to take shelter. I worried for them. Such is the confused mindset of the storm chaser. You hope the tornado materializes--but please, only over a field. It was terribly sad to hear today of the 15-year-old girl who lost her life in Arkansas. Our sympathies are with anyone who was hurt.

The supercell we tracked had many of the traits of a tornado producer. Josh, Justin, Mark and others were all in agreement. On radar it had a tightly coiled hook at times. Mark admired the rounded bulge we saw as we drove towards it. It was sufficiently isolated from other storms for a while. The rotation of the mesocyclone was satisfactory. Yet, ultimately, it was a disappointment. The DOW forecasters had considered traveling as far south as Oklahoma that morning, and given the tornadoes there, that would have been an superior choice. Justin had even targeted Osage County, which took direct hits. Next time we'll be there!

By the way, if you're wondering why we couldn't keep going east, racing after the storms, I asked Josh the same question. He explained that the squall line, which extends about 500 miles, generates tornadoes in ways that appear random. He's unable to predict where along the line the next devastating wind will flare up.

I'll answer DOW and Probe questions on an upcoming blog. Thanks for asking! Oh, and here's another photo of the TIV team--cheers, Byron!

Comments

[Alex]

Thank-you for the update Leora. I noticed that the team deployed over in southern KS (near Independence) and that storm looked quite good on radar, as you mentioned. I'm quite surprised that it did not produce a tornado. Sometimes it might seem like mother nature is playing tricks with the team and not giving what you guys are looking for. In any case, there will be plenty of other chances. I just hope that Sean does not take his anger out on Josh or anyone else, hehe. I don't blame him though.

I understand that the tornadovideos.net team, led by Reed Timmer has joined the chase team. I am wondering if Josh or anyone else stays in contact with Reed during chases because I have noticed that he tends to be very successful in finding nice tornadoes. Josh and Reed would work very well together in my opinion. Just a thought.
-Alex

[Ryan Vaughan]

You should have been in Arkansas. If my math is correct, Arkanas has seen more tornadoes since 2000 than Oklahoma.

Despite what some folks say, the Eastern part of Arkansas is flat and provides a good place to chase. If you ever make your way here, feel free to email me. My wife will cook up something nice for everyone! and you can hide the TIV and DOW at our station. lol

Tornado pictures and damage aerials can be found on my blog.

Stay safe guys!

Ryan Vaughan
KAIT- Chief Meteorologist
Jonesboro, AR

[Byron]

Thanks for the great photo!

Probe 2 Rules!

[tulsa_time]

You guys missed several great ropes over Osage county!

I was also up near the Fredonia storm you were on, but when the cell merger and backbuilding kept up I headed south to Pawnee county and came up behind the tornadic cell over southern Osage. WFO Tulsa surveyed and rated the primary tornado an EF1 that was on the ground for 17 miles and reached a width of 450 yards (On the ground 45 minutes).

Looks to be another active week here in Oklahoma next week (and yes, maybe even Arkansas (Pun intended Ryan@KAIT :-)).

Cheers!

[shirley lyons]

Hi! My name is Shirley Lyons, I live in rural Logan County, OK, east of I-35, southeast of the town of Guthrie,Oklahoma, elevation 927+, So we have a great view. On May 1, 2008, I caught some 40 digital photos between 7-7:30pm as 2 storms started brewing overhead of my property, we were only in a severe tstorm warning, tornado watch. But I caught pics of two funnels, and am sure they are what hit Pawnee,OK. Would any of you be interested in looking at them? I sure would love to have your expert opinion on just what I saw and photographed. shirleylyons3@aol.com

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