Robbie Reeves, Zac Keever
Target:
Ardmore, OK
Distance:
˜350 miles
Duration:
˜7 hrs. 45 min.
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Partners: Robbie Reeves, Zac Keever Target: Ardmore, OK Distance: ˜350 miles Duration: ˜7 hrs. 45 min. |
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The data on April 2nd suggested a widespread severe outbreak the following day, however, 12Z model runs on the 3rd hinted at veered SW winds at 850mb. This, along with several other factors, suggested that it would not be a very productive chase day, depsite the high instability. Zac had already taken off work the day before, so we were already committed to chase. Just before depature, I was treated to a brief pea-sized hailstorm at my house. Zac arrived a few minutes later, and after dropping his car off at the Norman Wal-Mart, we headed south on I-35. Robbie left about 30 minutes after us because he had to work. We waited for Robbie at exit 1, and contemplated our next move. A cell, which had fired to the SW earlier, was about 10 miles north of us. It was moving ENE into the unfavorable chase territory of SE Oklahoma.
We opted to chase a cell that had broken the cap near Olney, TX instead. We targeted Bowie as the intercept location. As we approached Bowie, the cell looked unimpressive. We were treated to brief hail (about quarter-size) near Sunset, TX. The storm increased it's speed dramatically, and we were unable to keep up. A colorful sunset occurred as we watched distant storms. In hindsight, the strong instability could not overcome the veered flow.
 My house. Midwest City, OK. Brief hail before departure. |
 SE view from Hwy. 287. Near Sunset, TX. Rainbow in the wake of storm. |
 East of Sunset, TX The storm that left us behind. |
Near Era, TX. Colorful North Texas sunset. |
 NE view from near Era, TX. One last view of the storm we chased. |
 NW view from near Era, TX. View of storm near Duncan, OK we drove through on the way home. |