Randy Baker,
Mark Rader
Target:
SC Kansas
Distance:
564 miles
Duration:
˜12 hrs
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Partners: Randy Baker, Mark Rader Target: SC Kansas Distance: 564 miles Duration: ˜12 hrs |
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We headed west out of Wichita to our target in SC Kansas. Storms fired to the south and we crossed into N. OK near Alva. Despite the unstable atmosphere, the storms we hoped to intercept began to dissipate. We decided to go for on-going storms backbuilding to our east. As we approached Ponca City, the storms became better organized and a tornado warning was issued. We stopped just east of the Arkansas River and watched a wall cloud form and fall apart. Then we headed south and watched another wall cloud form west of Ralston (on the east bank of the river) at dusk. After sunset, the cells merged into a squall line and we stopped a few times to take some lightning pictures before staying the night in Stillwater.
 Storm structure on storms to the east |
 Lightning from the approaching gust front, east of Ponca City, OK |
 Wall cloud east of Ponca City, OK |
 Lightning and mesocyclone west of Ralston, OK |
 Lightning from behind squall line NW of Stillwater, OK |
Lightning from behind squall line NW of Stillwater, OK |