June 25, 2010 - Landspout Tornadoes!!!
After a bust day in NE Colorado on the 24th and a down day the day before, I was really needing a good chase. Did I ever!
I caught three landspout tornadoes with some incredible funnels around Thedford, Nebraska. It was a tough forecast with the models really struggling. I finally decided on Thedford after analyzing surface data which were showing strong convergence and high instability around Thedford and ENE to the South Dakota border.
The convergence was strongest near Thedford where light northerly winds convereged with stronger S/SSW winds. The HRRR model FINALLY busted out an isolated cell there with it's early afternoon run. After seeing some towers beginning to go up in that area, the choice was clear. It was also a good setup for landspouts.
I got under the new updraft bases as they grew into storms and quickly produced the first funnel cloud NE of Thedford. It became tornado #1. Off to the west, the other cell produced one of the longest, thinnest funnels protruding out at least a mile from the updraft base. It was stunning as it was white in stark contrast against a blue sky and dark storm base. I had two funnels at the same time from two different cells!
Stayed with the westernmost storm as it produced a couple more landspout tornadoes. It came close to producing a mesocyclone tornado, but just couldn't do it. Not sure why it didn't.
Today, heading to southern South Dakota around Pierre/Murdo as my initial target....adjusting as the day wears on and the surface parameters become more clear.
Pictures!!!! (click on the arrow below to start the slideshow). If you have a problem, check out my gallery directly by CLICKING HERE.
I caught three landspout tornadoes with some incredible funnels around Thedford, Nebraska. It was a tough forecast with the models really struggling. I finally decided on Thedford after analyzing surface data which were showing strong convergence and high instability around Thedford and ENE to the South Dakota border.
The convergence was strongest near Thedford where light northerly winds convereged with stronger S/SSW winds. The HRRR model FINALLY busted out an isolated cell there with it's early afternoon run. After seeing some towers beginning to go up in that area, the choice was clear. It was also a good setup for landspouts.
I got under the new updraft bases as they grew into storms and quickly produced the first funnel cloud NE of Thedford. It became tornado #1. Off to the west, the other cell produced one of the longest, thinnest funnels protruding out at least a mile from the updraft base. It was stunning as it was white in stark contrast against a blue sky and dark storm base. I had two funnels at the same time from two different cells!
Stayed with the westernmost storm as it produced a couple more landspout tornadoes. It came close to producing a mesocyclone tornado, but just couldn't do it. Not sure why it didn't.
Today, heading to southern South Dakota around Pierre/Murdo as my initial target....adjusting as the day wears on and the surface parameters become more clear.
Pictures!!!! (click on the arrow below to start the slideshow). If you have a problem, check out my gallery directly by CLICKING HERE.
posted by Steve Miller TX at 6/26/2010 06:53:00 AM
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