Randy Baker,
Phil Kurimski,
Mark Rader,
Kirk Swain
Target:
Woodward, OK
Distance:
510 miles
Duration:
˜14 hours
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Partners: Randy Baker, Phil Kurimski, Mark Rader, Kirk Swain Target: Woodward, OK Distance: 510 miles Duration: ˜14 hours |
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After a much needed nights rest we left Hays, Kansas and headed south
on 183 towards Woodward, Oklahoma to gather data and further assess the
situation. However, due to getting pulled over and construction on
Highway 183, we were delayed about an hour. The delays did not give us time to gather
further data, beyond what WxWorx was providing. A nice
supercell developed rapidly over the northeastern TX panhandle and moved
northeast into NW OK. We followed it northeast into Buffalo, OK
but
the storm fizzled out. We then sped toward a second storm just
north of
Canadian, in the Texas panhandle. The storm was quite impressive as we approached,
however it was undercut by the RFD and decreased in intensity.
ATTM, a third cell upstream in the line over Hutchinson County was headed in our general direction.
We headed south and east to try and intercept it. The best
we could do was Highway 70, since there were no good roads over the Canadian River to take us
west to a hook in Hutchinson County. We had to settle for waiting in Roberts
County. We did observe a wall cloud with this storm, and a possible
brief tornado at 852 pm CDT. However, the storm did not hit us until
around sunset so the
lighting and visual on the storm was limited. We also
encountered massive chaser convergence on this cell as it crossed
Highway 70. With darkness quickly approaching we encounter
more chasers in Pampa at the Taco Bell. Since all hotels were taken by
chasers in Pampa we head further southwest to Amarillo where we ran
into additional cells developing to the south of the main line, after stopping to take
a few lightning pictures. Even though we struck out by three storms that
seemed like they were going to produce a tornado, it was a productive day as I learned
quite a bit about lightning photography from my new partners.
When we get to our hotel we encounter the local cops as
somone had gone on a robbery spree of the local hotels. Obviously, we carried
everything of value into the room with us to ensure we did not become robbery victims
ourselves.
 The cap breaks around 16:00 CDT in NW OK. |
 The first cell begins to rotate. |
 The first cell begins to develop a wall cloud. |
 The second cell becomes undercut by RFD as we approach. |
 The third cell approaches,located about 35 miles SW near Stinnett |
A wall cloud becomes visible as the storm approaches. |
 Lightning luminates a wall cloud as the cell nears. |