Robbie Reeves,
Robbie's Ex,
Jason Fuller
Target:
Seiling, OK
Distance:
˜200 miles
Duration:
˜7 hrs
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Partners: Robbie Reeves, Robbie's Ex, Jason Fuller Target: Seiling, OK Distance: ˜200 miles Duration: ˜7 hrs |
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We set out for Seiling, OK early in the afternoon, but changed course due to convection to the SW. A LP supercell was intercepted near Hammon. We followed it to Custer City, however the cell outran us because we were trailing the hook to avoid near golf-ball sized hail damage. This decision also cost us the chance to witness a reported tornado SW of Thomas.
Inflow to the supercell was in excess of 50mph as we stopped at the Geary exit on I-40 to refuel. One of the most impressive beaver-tails I have ever seen extended to the SW horizon. After fueling, we made it to Calumet just in time to see a tornado touchdown north of town. Currently, this still remains the most ridiculous case of chaser convergence I have ever seen. There was a single-file line for at least a mile in both directions as we traveled east of Calument towards Concho. The tornado roped out along the way, and the sun began to set. At dusk we joined the chaser convergence, now on Hwy. 81 S of Okarche, to marvel at a crazy-looking "armored" vehicle. The rumor, at the time, was that the driver was going to drive it into a tornado. Our team thought this was a joke. It turned to be my first glimpse of the TIV, which was indeed built for the purpose of driving into a tornado.
 West Central Oklahoma, near Hammon. LP Supercell |
 Near Custer City, OK Rainbow in wake of storm. |
 Hwy. 33 between Custer City & Thomas, OK. Near golf-ball sized hail. |
North view, from 1mi. S of Calumet, OK. Tornado 4mi. N of Calumet. |
 NE view, from 1mi. S of Calumet, OK. Tornado tracks ENE of Calumet. |
 ENE view, from 5mi. E of Calumet, OK Tornado begins to rope out. |