Welcome to the Chase 11B log. It is my pleasure to share the fun, exhilarating, educational, and humorous times of Chase 11B. We were blest to have a tornado, landspout, beautiful lightning shows, displays of high winds, and massive amounts of tumbleweed and cows. Over the course of ten days, we learned from each other, shared some laughs, and continued our growing knowledge of the meteorological world in the Great Plaines. Enjoy the ride…we sure did!
Rock star cast of Chase 11B and mileage guesses:
The Pilot (The Abduls)
Bart Wolf (Field Coordinator) – 5,915
Emily Kowalski (Driver) – 5,555
Dan Alrick (Navigator) – 5,800&
Ben Hampton – 5,675
Velocity Couplet (VC)
Rachel Trimarco (Driver) – 5,625
Mark Trahin (Team Leader) – 5,911
Andy Dixon – 5,750
Chris MacDonald – 5,700
El Tornado Loco (ETL)
Ben Deubelbeiss (Driver) – 5,852
Jarrod Lichty (Team Leader) – 5,222
Zach Horn – 5,375
Michelle Harrold (Trip Logger) – 5,725
Car Irresistible
Jason Baldwin (Driver) – 5,775
Nick Metz (Team Leader) – 5,580
Angie Fritz (Videographer) – 4,500
Eric Camel – 4,992
Car Ramrod/Roadrage
Melissa Hoeman (Team Leader) – 4,600
Jessica Busse (Driver) – 4,750
Justin Hampton – 5,409
Kathy Quardokus – 6,000
Day 1 (May 31, 2004)
7:15 Briefing/meeting to discuss plan of action. We decide to drive as far SW as possible today to put ourselves in better position for severe weather in Texas tomorrow.
7:45 Group picture with the Chase 11B crew.
7:50 Roll out! Leaving VU.
7:50 We’re already stopping, so Bart can make a quick stop at the mail box.
7:52 Right on US 30 W.
7:54 Left on IN 2 W.
8:10 Taking caution after stoplight in the metropolis known as Hebron is not functioning.
8:14 Lake County/continuing on 2 W.
8:30 41 S/2 W.
8:33 41 S
8:37 After Melissa reports to Nick that the backlight on his car is out, people entertain us all with their broken car stories.
9:01 Iroquois County, IN
9:04 24/52 W
9:10 Iroquois County, IL (state count is 2…we are looking to break massive state records)
9:18 Continuing on 24 W/1 N
9:23 Continuing on 24 W
9:36 Continuing on 24 W/25 S. Angie requests to sleep with Michelle…if Michelle only knew what she was getting into on this trip…
9:38 Stopped for gas and potty break at Phillips 66.
10:02 Continued on 24 W
10:04 Continued on 57 S (brief construction)
10:27 Champaign County
10:52 Douglas County
11:12 Coles County
11:30 Cumberland County
11:37 Shelby County
11:40 Effingham County
11:43 Continued on 57S/70W
11:47 Drove by the big, huge cross on the side of the highway (previously said to have been an eye opening experience for thousands)
11:48 Continued on I-70W
11:59 Fayette County
12:12 Exit 63 to stop for lunch at Subway…Springfield, MO here we come. Party at Melissa’s house tonight!
12:48 Gassing up at Marathon
12:59 Continuing on 70W
New Day 1 same as previous Day 1…slight risk in Arkansas, Oklahoma City has severe weather south of I-40, and elevated convection near Amarillo, TX
1:05 Construction on 70W
1:08 End of construction on 70W
1:25 Madison County
1:30 Pop vs. Soda controversy. Pop wins over soda (10 pops, 5 sodas, and 1 milk…)
1:39 55S/70 W towards St. Louis to see Bart’s surprise for us…we are on the edges of our seats.
1:42 It is revealed that we will be visiting the world’s largest catsup bottle.
1:44 Exit 15A to 159 S towards Collinsville
1:50 Slightly lost in search of the giant catsup bottle
“Oh my gosh, it’s the Holy Grail.” – Bart
1:52 Spotted the catsup bottle, and the caravan stopped to take some pictures of the pinnacle of trip this far.
1:59 Back on the road…after a few close turning encounters.
2:03 Troops collected and back on track…maybe. Darn the one way roads…
2:06 After many interesting turns, the crew is ready to get back on 55S/70W
Throughout the last few minutes, we have: Turned L on 159 N, R on Main St., L on Vandalia St,. L on Clay St., L on Seminary St., L on Church St., L on Center St., R on Main St., L on 159 S., L on Church St., L on Clinton St., R on Johnson St., and last, but not least, L on 159 N…I think.
2:07 “We have to be confident in our navigator even if he does suck.”
2:13 St. Clair County. The St. Louis Arch is visible!
2:15 Continued on 64W/70W/55S.
2:19 Mississippi River! Now starts unfathomable amounts of Missouri trivia brought to you by Melissa.
2:20 Continuing on 44W/55S.
2:21 Continuing on 44W/50W.
2:27 St. Louis County
2:28 Bad Paula Abdul spotting.
2:37 Discussion of political views…in 2020 be prepared to see Metz/Fritz/Hampton on the Democratic ticket and Horn/Harrold on the Republican ticket.
2:48 77 F
4:17 78 F with spotty clouds to north and mostly clear to the south.
4:48 Webster County
5:13 Exit 80A to Business I-44
5:14 R into Best Western
6:04 Departure to Melissa’s humble abode.
6:05 L onto Business 44 E
6:06 44 E
6:09 MO-65 S
6:17 R onto Evans Road
6:18 R onto Southwood Road
6:19 L onto Wildwood
6:20 R onto Ramsgate…welcome to Melissa’s house, where her parents have graciously offered to feed all of us.
8:33 Back on the road after Emily expertly backed out of the driveway.
8:37 L onto Wildwood and R onto Southwood
8:38 Left onto Evans
8:39 L onto Farmers Branch
8:40 Stopped at Phillips 66 for gas
8:55 $122 dollars later, we leave the gas station.
8:56 R onto Farmers Road and R onto 65 N
9:06 44 W
9:09 Exit 80A and R onto Evergreen
9:11 Best Western for the evening.
Day 1: 574.5 miles
3 states (IN, IL, MO)
Day 2 (June 1, 2004)
7:59 The discussion was lead by Emily, Angie, and Michelle. Day 1 was pushed west and northward as we expected. We decide to head SW again towards Sherman, TX, and once we get there we will decide whether to move north or south. The outflow boundary from the MCC last night is expected to play a role in today’s convection. Instability was forecasted to be around 3,500-4,000 J/kg in today’s chase area.
8:29 Leaving the Best Western, L onto Evergreen.
8:30 44 W
8:32 68 F and clear skies.
8:33 “We are an all-star cast.”- Melissa
9:02 Attempting to locate the weather scanner.
9:11 ETL is deeply disturbed after finding out that dodgeball is illegal in middle school in some states. This statement caused a few minutes worth of nostalgia about dodgeball moments as well as embarrassing stories from our younger years.
9:27 Newton County
9:35 OKLAHOMA!
9:42 Reported that Dallas, TX is 81/81.
10:10 Paid a massive $3.50 toll…welcome to Oklahoma…
10:12 Exit 283 towards US 69 for a refund for the massive toll. Turned L onto US 69 S.
10:17 Mayes County
10:20 76 F
10:48 Wagoner County
10:52 79 F
11:16 82 F
11:30 Exit to get gas and potty break at Flying J. Gas was $1.809. The MIA scanner was also found.
12:07 Leaving the Flying J and back on 69 S.
12:09 Holding traffic
12:15 Base support reported that Dallas has a CAPE of 2,500 J/kg.
12:24 Pittsburgh County
12:30 88 F
12:31 91/51
12:40 91/50 and entering McAlester City limits
12:41 90/61…realized that Velocity Couplet’s dew point is about eight degrees too high.
12:42 Holding traffic
12:59 HUGE update:
Day 1
Initialization around SSE Wichita Fall, TX
25% hatched hail
2% tornado around Wichita Falls
wave coming through the TX panhandle with shear weak aloft
Day 2
Initialization in W TX and NM
25% centered around Lubbock, TX
WI supercell index around 40-50
Appears severe weather tomorrow will be around SW OK and TX panhandle.
We decide to head south today to catch initiation, and then for tomorrow head west.
1:02 93/53
1:04 101/60 in Irresistible and entering Atoka County
1:13 91/60
1:22 88/72 in Durant, OK
1:25 Continuing on 69S/75S
1:26 Reported that there is more shear in Dallas than Wichita Falls, but anything east of I-35 is bad chase territory.
1:32 90/65
1:35 NE of Abilene, TX is a synoptic low and initialization is expected there.
1:42 Bryan County
1:45 91/65
2:07 TEXAS as well as crossing the Red River. We have been informed that there are seven Texas virgins on this trip.
2:09 94/64
2:13 Gusts up to 25 mph outside
2:17 Exit 63 to 82 W
2:29 95/60
2:45 CIN is 25 J/kg to west around Wichita Falls, TX with CAPE increasing to our east as reported to us by base support.
2:48 Continuing on 35 S
2:50 Exit 296 B to F.M. 51/California and L onto California Street
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you all to Gainesville, TX. Besides having the worst and most confusing road system, we were denied by two hotels and a gas station. The love for Gainesville was pouring out by the time we left…the worst city ever.
2:51 L on Culberson and then left on W Broadway
2:52 R on Frontage Road and into the Holiday Inn Express
2:56 Denied be the Holiday Inn Express.
3:04 L on Frontage and R on W Broadway
3:05 U-turn…still on Broadway
3:06 L on Frontage
3:08 continuing on 35 N
3:10 R into Best Western, but after checking it out, we decide to move on from here and go west.
3:12 R on Frontage
3:13 R into Exxon for gas and a quick rest
3:21 Leaving Exxon. The credit card was denied, so we could only fill a few of the cars. Holding traffic.
3:27 R on Frontage
3:28 35 N ramp and exit 497 onto Frontage
3:29 R into Texaco to fill up the rest of the cars
3:38 Base support reports that east of Wichita Falls has a moisture maximum, Cu are building to our west, and a severe thunderstorm warning is SE of Abilene and E of San Angelo. Should we head towards Mineral Wells where the L.I. is –12, supercell index is around 11, and the CAPE is 4,000 J/kg? The storm motion is ESE.
3:40 R on Frontage after Rachel makes a huge power move, allowing us all to turn with ease. GOODBYE GAINESVILLE!
3:41 continuing on 35 S
3:42 MD reported to us by base support. We missed initialization to the west, but new cells are popping N of Wichita Falls. They appear to be intensifying.
3:45 Cell N of Wichita Falls is at 62 dBZ.
3:48 96/65. From 35 S, we have a visual of the anvil and tower to the SW. Abilene is 100/45 with an LCL at 2,500 m. Brownwood is 97/70 with winds SE at 15.
3:48 96/65
3:50 Holding traffic
3:53 Tornado watch from Gainesville to San Antonio from 4:00-10:00 pm. Four-inch hail is expected. We are in the northern part of the watch.
3:56 New cell on I-20 is popping.
4:04 Exit 469 to 380
4:06 R on 380 W/University Drive
4:13 Observed that the storm is back building.
4:14 97/63
4:17 Multiple Cu towers going up to the north.
4:19 Wise County and decide to go for the north storm because it is more isolated.
4:24 “The first cloud looks like a dog.” – Nick
This ensued others to decipher what the other clouds appeared to look like. We are definitely a creative bunch.
4:33 Considering conditions and wondering what we should do. Should we head back to Bridgeport?
4:36 80 mph gate-to-gate shear on southern storm.
4:39 South of I-40 more towers are going up.
4:40 U-turn. Continuing on 380 E.
4:41 Continuing on Business 380/16th Street. Stopping for gas at Phillips 66.
4:45 ETL goes on a mission back on Business 380/16th Street to investigate the situation to the north.
4:47 ETL is back and reports that north tower looks like it is continuing to have troubles going up, but still remains a viable option.
4:51 R on Business 380/16th Street. We decide to chase the southern storm.
4:52 R on Halsell
4:53 We discuss chasing the north storm, but we decide to ride out the southern storm.
4:54 920 S (thinking that north is all elevated convection)
4:56 Stopped to further ponder north or south.
4:58 Decide we want north. U-turn to continue on 920 N.
4:59 Continuing on 380 W
5:03 Some of the caravan is detached from the rest of the group, so Bart informs us all that the Pilot is “passing some trees.” (Note: there are trees in almost every direction we are passing.) 80 mph shear is reported on north storm.
5:07 Continuing on 101 N
5:17 Southern storm: 58 dBZ
5:18 93/63
5:19 Continuing on 287 N
5:21 Southern storm: 63 dBZ
5:23 Three counties under severe t-storm warning.
5:25 Continuing on 81 N
5:33 126 mph shear on northern storm. A tornado watch is placed on areas where the southern storm will be passing through.
5:36 R on 1806 Farm Road
5:38 L onto an unnamed road which we shall call Bob’s Road
5:39 Turning around
5:41 Pulled into a private drive.
5:46 R on 1806 FR N
5:47 Radar indicates that storm has golf ball size hail potential.
5:48 U-turn. Continuing on 1806 FR S.
5:51 67 dBZ on the storm we are chasing. L on 81 N and R back on 1806 FR S.
5:52 Stopped to observe the storm.
5:59 After snapping a few pictures and deciding what to do, we continue on 81 S. Radar indicates baseball size hail possible. We are heading south.
6:08 Turning L but continuing on 81 S
6:11 South of Wichita Falls is reporting baseball sized hail. The southern storm is starting to shear out.
6:12 Taking 101 S after missing the turn and turning around.
6:17 R on Wagonseller Road
6:18 Pulling over
6:28 Turning around on Wagonseller Road
6:29 R on 101 S
6:30 Observing a beautiful rain free base. Even though the base is probably too high to drop a tornado, it is still a fantastic sight to see.
6:33 CAPE is reported to be around 6,000 J/kg…wow.
6:35 L on 101 S. We are currently moving in a SW direction. A wall cloud is starting to form.
6:44 115 mph gate to gate shear, 68 dBZ, and 2 inch hail is indicated by the radar.
6:46 Bridgeport is indicating baseball sized hail.
6:48 We decide to head to Bridgeport.
6:53 We decide to head east instead.
6:56 Turning around in the supermarket parking lot.
6:58 R on 380 E
7:08 R on Rose to further observe the storm
7:09 R on Workman Road to observe and take more pictures. We are currently in the Decatur, TX area. We stop by a Spanish church in order to view the wall cloud and rain free base.
7:25 We decide to hit up our hotel in Decatur, TX for the night. L Rose.
7:26 R on 380 and L on 81/287 S
7:29 U-turn. 81/287 N
7:30 R into Comfort Inn for the evening.
After checking into the hotel, we decided to grab some dinner. Some of us were adventurous enough to try the Chinese buffet, and others opted for the IHOP scene. After dinner, we observed breathtaking mammatus. The sky in front of us had a gold and orange tints full of mammatus, and the sky behind us had an amazing lightning show with some spectacular anvil crawlers.
Day 2: 1,115 miles
State count: 5 (IN, IL, MO, OK, TX)
Day 3 (June 2, 2004)
8:01 Ben H., Dan, Chris, and Bart lead the troop meeting. It appears the action is going to result from things popping in the panhandle of Texas. It looks like we should head more west and north in the panhandle. There is a slight risk where we are headed today. Upslope flow, a front to the south of the Midland, TX area, and an active dryline are expected to contribute to the severe weather factors today.
8:34 Meeting adjourned with the group deciding to head to Plainview, TX.
8:47 Leaving the Comfort Inn. R on 81/287 N. 77/71.
8:55 A suggestion is placed to find a Holiday Inn in Plainview, TX.
8:56 Holding traffic
9:00 Holiday Inn is secured.
9:02 Montague County
9:05 989 feet
9:15 1015 feet
9:16 Clay County
9:29 904 feet
9:30 880 feet
9:34 Jarrod shows some initiative and declares that we are going to play a game. We sang Billy Joel songs, named cars, and shared other topics that showed our ingeniousness.
9:42 Wichita County
9:46 287 N
10:00 Camels have been spotted chilling on the side of the road. Elevation is 1019 feet. ETL correctly guesses (1010 feet)!
10:05 First bad animal smell of the trip reported. Velocity Couplet correctly guesses elevation (1116 feet).
10:10 Wilbarger County. What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 1201 ft. Irresistible- 1210 ft. Ramrod- 1202 ft. ETL- 1211 ft. Final elevation: 1206 (winner in bold)
10:13 HARROLD, TX…by far the coolest town ever.
10:15 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 1289 ft. Irresistible- 1254 ft. Ramrod- 1270 ft. ETL- 1287 ft. Final elevation: 1217
10:19 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 1239 ft. Irresistible- 1221 ft. Ramrod- 1220 ft. ETL- 1238 ft. Final elevation: 1239
10:24 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 1266 ft. Irresistible- 1267 ft. Ramrod- 1300 ft. ETL- 1268 ft. Final elevation: 1209
10:26 Exit to Bentley Road
10:27 R into Exxon for gas
10:47 R on US 287 N
10:48 Merge on 70/287
10:49 L on 70W/287S
10:50 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 1241 ft. Irresistible- 1208 ft. Ramrod- 1156 ft. ETL- 1209 ft. Final elevation: 1217
10:55 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 1247 ft. Irresistible- 1226 ft. Ramrod- 1250 ft. ETL- 1225 ft. Final elevation: 1275
10:59 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 1281 ft. Irresistible- 1300 ft. Ramrod- 1285 ft. ETL- 1270 ft. Final elevation: 1300
11:05 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 1315 ft. Irresistible- 1326 ft. Ramrod- 1305 ft. ETL- 1327 ft. Final elevation: 1317
11:09 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 1314 ft. Irresistible- 1300 ft. Ramrod- 1335 ft. ETL- 1301 ft. Final elevation: 1379
11:15 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 1411 ft. Irresistible- 1410 ft. Ramrod- 1375 ft. ETL- 1430 ft. Final elevation: 1471
11:19 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 1290 ft. Irresistible- 1309 ft. Ramrod- 1308 ft. ETL- 1275 ft. Final elevation: 1534
11:21 85/70 with ACCAS present
11:24 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 1730 ft. Irresistible- 1608 ft. Ramrod- 1609 ft. ETL- 1712 ft. Final elevation: 1647
11:30 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 1751 ft. Irresistible- 1784 ft. Ramrod- 1750 ft. ETL- 1812 ft. Final elevation: 1704
11:31 Ramrod escapes unscathed after a very close bird encounter.
11:33 Thunderstorm generation in NM…from E of Albuquerque into W Oklahoma moving northward.
11:34 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 1411 ft. Irresistible- 1745 ft. Ramrod- 1743 ft. ETL- 1744 ft. Final elevation: 1784
11:35 86/71 with winds SE 10 mph
11:39 Angie reports gusts of 25 mph with her lungs.
11:40 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 1901 ft. Irresistible- 1820 ft. Ramrod- 1836 ft. ETL- 1835 ft. Final elevation: 1741
11:43 Holding traffic
11:45 Continuing on 70W/62W
11:54 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 1821 ft. Irresistible- 1964 ft. Ramrod- 1770 ft. ETL- 1750 ft. Final elevation: 1999
11:58 After much dispute, elevation game takes a break.
12:00 Motley County
12:07 86/64
12:11 Stopped briefly for a decent cell phone signal in Matador.
12:16 R onto 62W/70W…
After getting the new Day 1, we are still headed to Plainview, TX. Base support informed us that the area we are headed has a 5% tornado, 35% wind, and 25% hatched hail while convection to the north is mostly elevated. There are scattered clouds south of the boundary.
12:25 3,034 ft.
12:27 Floyd County
12:41 Continuing on 70 W
12:43 90/62
12:46 Reported that the new Day 2 has no new changes.
12:48 A near death experience in ETL with a massive bug. After striking several passengers and leaving a few splatter marks, the bug was deftly expelled from the car. They were not joking when they said everything is bigger in Texas…
1:03 Holding traffic
1:11 R on Mesa Drive
1:12 R into Holiday Inn Express
1:21 We stopped in the parking lot to have a discussion about our plan of attack. We decide to stay here at the Holiday Inn for the night, gas up quickly, and continue heading north.
1:33 Hold traffic and back on the road.
1:38 Stopped for gas and food—quickly!
1:40 “I need to fart.” – our profound navigator, Dan.
1:51 Some leave the gas station to scarf down some food at McDonalds and Sonic.
1:58 Collecting the troops at Sonic and L on 87 N.
2:00 L on 27N/87N
2:08 Cu spotted to west.
2:11 Cu spotted due north.
2:16 95/59
2:32 Exit 90 to 107 S
2:33 L on W 107 S
2:34 L on N Pash
2:35 Stopping
2:47 R on N Pash (we are now heading NW)
2:49 L on 27 N
3:02 Exit 106
3:03 L on TX 217 W
3:08 R on 60W/217W then L on 60 W
3:10 80 mph gate-to-gate shear reported on storm
3:12 R on 1062
3:16 L on Bushland
3:18 Stopped
3:23 Decide to move SE to get better position
3:25 Tornado watch in panhandle and other parts of TX.
3:26 85/58
3:27 Veering right and then a L on 60 E
3:29 The storm is moving ESE at 17 mph, has gate-to-gate shear on the radar from 58-69 mph, and is at 61 dBZ.
3:31 Exit to 15th Street and holding traffic
3:33 L on 4th Avenue
3:35 R on 23rd Street
3:37 Tornado watch (we are in the W corner of it). A PDS watch box is also in effect, and the discussion for it mentions long-track tornadoes. It is moving NNW from SE CO into Clinton, OK.
3:42 L on W. Hungate
3:43 Stopped briefly by a high school on a side road to observe the storm.
3:54 Continuing by turning L on Hwy. 87
4:00 L on TX 285 E
4:02 Stopping
4:03 Moving up further/stopping to get a better view
4:17 Continuing on 87 N, and we decided to get gas in Happy, TX.
4:22 Stopping to get gas at Texaco in Happy, TX (pop. 647), the town without a frown.
The people at the gas station were extremely kind, although the bathroom was an experience due to the lack of doors and lights…a true and new experience.
4:27 Pulling out. Reports of golf ball size hail in Umbarger.
4:30 R on FR TX 1881
4:32 R on Road C and pulled over
4:51 Sustained winds of 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph where we pulled over. L on FR TX 1881.
4:52 R on 87 S and that turned into 27S/87S.
4:59 Hold traffic
5:00 Castro County Warning
5:04 Exit 74 to 86 W
5:08 L on FR 3161
5:09 Stopped. The storm is currently at 68 dBZ.
5:25 138 mph gate-to-gate shear
5:26 Nick has a special request to be in the log, so Nick here you go.
5:29 While observing the storm, a lightning bolt struck close to our stopping grounds. It was quite bright and loud…we decided we might want to roll out to the cars.
5:34 On the road again
5:35 R on TX 86E/87N
5:40 Hold traffic and R on 86 E
5:42 Swisher County and a tornado warning.
5:52 3,317 ft.
5:52 83/58
5:59 Storm we are on is at 68 dBZ and R on FR 378S/145W
6:01 Golf ball size hail in Happy, TX
6:07 Continuing on 378 S and a severe thunderstorm warning in Castro County
6:10 Pronounced hook on radar in the western portion of the storm.
6:11 L on a country road
6:12 U-turn. After turning around, we turn R on 378 N.
6:22 86 W
6:24 Back in Swisher County
6:27 There is a tornado warning in Swisher County; however, it is probably rain wrapped without very little visual.
6:29 70 dBZ on storm behind the main storm
6:31 The main storm is dying and losing structure. The storm behind it is taking all of its energy.
6:41 L on 87S/89W
6:42 86W/27S
6:43 Continuing on 86 W after we almost lost Ramrod to a median…the troops all get back together after a small confusion in the Texas highway system.
6:46 L on FR 3141
6:47 Stopped to observe storm
6:52 69 dBZ on storm
6:59 Back on the road. R on 86 E
7:03 R on 27S/87S
7:06 Hold traffic
7:08 Storm to the west is massive on radar.
7:16 Hale County
7:23 Exit 49 to 70
7:24 R on 70 W and R into Holiday Inn.
Day 3: 1,651.3 miles
State count: still at 5
Day 4 (June 3, 2004)
7:23 After looking at the models, we decide that we are going to head to NE CO around the Limon, CO area. It is possible that today’s weather could be a result of a Denver Cyclone and upslope flow around the Palmer Divide. There is a 5% tornado for that area. Models for later next week are suggesting a classic setup…excellent. Zach also informs us that it is 80% hatched that he will be napping today.
8:10 “Where are you from?”- Chris to Melissa
8:12 “John Elway probably dreamed of throwing snowballs at little children.”- Mark
8:14 Leaving the Holiday Inn. L on Mesa Drive. The new Day 1 update: Moisture is not pushing as far northward as first thought. There is still a 5% tornado in the same areas.
8:15 L on Olton Road
8:17 L on 27 N
8:24 “I am aroused by convection.”- Jason
8:26 Swisher County
8:27 61/54
8:50 Randall County
9:17 Exit to Buchanan Street
9:21 287N/87N to Dumas
9:29 67/55
9:38 2,200 feet
9:59 R into Diamond Shamrock for a gas/potty/food stop.
10:08 R onto 287N/87N
10:28 3,621 feet
10:44 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 3675 ft. Irresistible- 3750 ft. Ramrod- 3785 ft. ETL- 3780 ft. Final elevation: 3701
10:50 70/55
10:55 OKLAHOMA!
10:59 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 3775 ft. Irresistible- 3840 ft. Ramrod- 3784 ft. ETL- 1 ft. Final elevation: 3965
11:11 L on 56/64/287N/412
11:12 70/55
11:13 44 mph gust in Irresistible’s car courtesy of Andy’s lungs.
11:14 R on 287 N. We are currently in Boise City, OK.
11:15 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 4150 ft. Irresistible- 4008 ft. Ramrod- 4009 ft. ETL- 4100 ft. Final elevation: 4177
11:17 Nick has an encounter with an anemometer and his face.
11:29 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 3811 ft. Irresistible- 4249 ft. Ramrod- 4210 ft. ETL- 4250 ft. Final elevation: 4041
11:37 Andy, Nick, and Cathy blow 46, 44, and 11 mph gusts, respectively in Car Irresistible…always full of hot air. Welcome to COLORADO! Entering Mountain Time.
11:39 385N/287N
11:46 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 4367 ft. Irresistible- 4374 ft. Ramrod- 4370 ft. ETL- 1 ft. Final elevation: 4357
12:02 Report from base support tells us that dew points dropped in Colorado. A hint of a Denver Cyclone is forming. Day 1 brought 5% tornado a county south, but we need moisture.
12:05 What time is it? It’s time for our favorite game…Guess the Elevation. VC- 4371 ft. Irresistible- 4372 ft. Ramrod- 4345 ft. ETL- 4365 ft. Final elevation: 4346
12:18 Prowers County
12:21 Windmills!
12:26 81/44
12:43 Lamar, CO
12:48 L on Washington Street
12:49 R into Love’s Gas Station
12:55 The whole crew hits up the Pizza Hut buffet.
1:43 R on Main Street/287N
1:45 85/45
1:46 Continuing on 50W/287N
1:50 Exit 287N to 70…TRAFFIC
1:53 While sitting on the exit ramp in traffic, we soon realize the wonderful cow scent that will be gracing our presence.
1:58 Hold traffic
2:03 Moving on one way road with a pilot car.
2:15 Td= 51
2:20 Back to two lanes.
2:22 Kiowa County
2:38 Continuing on 287 N, veering to the right towards Eads, CO.
2:39 Hold traffic
2:50 Storms popping to our west by cap rock.
2:55 86/47
2:58 Continuing on 40W/287N…entering Kit Carson (4,285 ft.)
3:17 TONE…Tornado watch in Lincoln, Kit Carson, Lamar, Limon, and other counties in MY and CO until 9:00 pm.
3:25 88/44
3:39 5,003 ft.
3:42 Hugo, CO (5,046 ft.)
3:48 Call from the weather center indicated that there is development NW of Fort Morgan with a secondary max around the Colorado Springs area. We decided to find a place in western KS to stay for tonight in order to prepare for tomorrow.
3:54 Holding traffic to find a hotel.
3:56 Limon, CO
3:57 R on Hwy. 71/CO 71N
4:03 Hotel secured.
4:08 Palmer Divide (5,670 ft.)
79/45
4:15 New cell popping up ENE of Fort Collins heading toward Fort Morgan.
4:17 5,440 ft.
4:18 Washington County
4:27 Last Chance, CO
R on 36
To our bladders’ great dismay the Dairy King is closed.
4:29 R on 71 N
4:51 Holding traffic
4:58 89/46
5:00 R on 34E…We decide that a gas/potty stop is in the near future.
5:01 U-turn onto 34 W.
5:04 Brush, CO (4,231 ft.)
R into Cenex Gas.
5:16 R onto 34 W.
5:19 U-turn onto 34 E.
5:20 L on Ray Street.
5:22 U-turn and L on 34 W.
Another U-turn onto 34 E.
5:24 L on Colorado Avenue.
5:25 R into McDonalds…this turned out to be our worst McDonalds ever, as some people went hungry due to the slow service.
5:42 76 E.
5:50 Washington County.
5:52 Storm we are on is at 61 dBZ, 69 mph gate-to-gate shear, and capable of 1.5 inch hail.
5:57 63 dBZ and 80 mph gate-to-gate shear.
6:00 Storm is moving 25 mph and Logan County is under a severe thunderstorm warning.
6:02 65 dBZ and moving SE at 20 mph.
6:04 84/44
6:09 Exit 125.
6:10 R on 6.
R on 61 S.
6:16 63 dBZ
6:18 All counties west of the storm cancelled the watches that pertained to them.
6:22 62 dBZ and 69 mph gate-to-gate shear.
6:24 R on CR 12.
6:25 Stopped to observe the storm.
6:47 Continuing on CR 12.
6:48 R on 61 S.
Warning cancelled.
6:54 Washington County
7:03 L on 54.
7:14 A touching rendition of “I will always love you” is sung.
7:18 R on 59 S.
7:30 “Squall of death.” – Bart on chasing the southern flank.
7:32 Yuma, CO.
7:33 61/54…a special thank you to Kathy who risked her dryness in the pouring rain to take that reading.
7:35 61 dBZ
7:42 Storm weakening.
7:44 59 dBZ
7:46 59 dBZ and starting to show better structure…on Bart’s scale, it is a 4.9.
7:49 63 dBZ and we collectively decide to get pounded.
7:58 We are not going to get rolled, but instead we are going to watch the lightning.
8:01 Lightning inducted fire in a nearby field.
8:04 L on 36 E.
8:11 R on Road M.
8:15 Kirk, CO.
8:26 TONE… Goodland, KS under a severe thunderstorm warning.
8:31 A new cell is reported to be at 66 dBZ and 80 mph gate-to-gate shear. It is moving ESE.
8:32 Stopping to observe storm. We observe a rotating wall cloud.
8:54 Classic supercell on radar. 69 dBZ and 103 mph gate-to-gate shear.
9:01 Stopping to further observe the storm. 70 dBZ.
9:06 Continuing south and turning a hard right.
9:07 72 dBZ
9:11 R on Road W and stopping to watch storm.
9:21 72 dBZ and 80 mph gate-to-gate shear.
9:23 Bart decided to let us get pelted ahead.
9:26 R onto a country road in Stratton, CO.
9:27 L on Colorado Street.
9:32 L on Colorado Street.
Merging onto 70 E.
The storm to our back (the one we were previously chasing) is at 65 dBZ, and the one to our left/ahead is at 59 dBZ.
9:37 Through the spectacular lightning, the storm’s silhouette is amazing. A lowering might be visible, but it is hard to detect at night time. However, when the lightning lights up the sky a lowering is slightly visible.
10:00 KANSAS! Five Kansas virgins. The awesome lightning show is still going on in the skies surrounding us.
10:32 Thompson County.
10:47 Exit 53.
L onto 25.
10:48 R into our hotel in Colby, KS.
Day 4: 2,387.0 miles
State count: 7 (IN, IL, MO, OK, TX, CO, KS)
Day 5 (June 4, 2004)
8:30 At our daily morning meeting, we entertained thoughts of CO or Carhenge, but we ultimately decided to head to McCook, NE. Dew points also appeared to be jumping from McCook westward.
10:41 R on Willow.
10:42 R on Range Drive/25/Business 70.
10:45 R on 24 E.
10:50 Continuing on 76/62.
11:03 L on TH 36.
11:09 R on US 83 N.
11:11 Sheridan County
11:18 Sheldon, KS
11:21 L on 83 N.
11:22 76/64…currently in Decatur, CO.
11:24 Hold traffic…it’s Teresa!
11:26 Teresa informs us that VU photoshopped a tornado picture into a picture of VU students observing a storm from the Pilot. We bet it looks real good…
“It’s gay; I agree.” – Bart
“I hope you mean gay in a happy sense…” – Jason
“It’s kinda gay in a gay sense.” – Bart
11:32 Hold traffic
11:33 Oberlin, KS
11:39 Bart informs us our hotel rooms might not be ready, but we can get out keys.
11:43 Smelly cows…
11:45 Convection initiation is expected north of Fort Collins.
11:50 NEBRASKA…The Good Life.
12:00 McCook, NE
12:03 Increased moisture in the NE 3/4 of the panhandle. East of North Platte down to the panhandle is in a 5% tornado. L on R Street.
12:07 L into Best Western Chief Hotel. With a name like that how could we not see some severe weather today.
12:15 Meeting to discuss plan of action.
12:36 Lunch
1:00 Meeting to look at the models and decide where we are headed. It looks like the panhandle of TX and OK are going to get mauled, but there is a secondary system that looks like it will hit the triple point around CO, NE, and KS.
2:09 We decide that Yuma, CO is the best place to sit and wait from the storms to produce a nice, fat F5 for us.
2:10 L on 34W/6W.
2:14 88/63
2:18 Hitchcock County
2:22 Colbertson (population 594)
2:23 108 in Jason’s car…what hotties.
2:24 Continuing on 34 W.
2:41 Bart informs us that later next week the models are showing a large trough next Wednesday. It looks promising for a classic set-up.
2:43 Stratton, NE.
2:54 Update: There is a storm cluster in the NE panhandle area, one in the central CO area (by Limon), and one in NE NM. There is an MD for the area, and SPC looks to issue watches later in the day. It mentions high bases. We are still heading to Yuma, CO, and there is towering to our west.
2:58 Benkelman (population 1,004)
3:00 Continuing on 34 W.
3:02 A decision is made to hit up the northern storms instead of the storms to the south. Our excellent navigator and team leaders have planned routes we can take in order to execute maximum storm potential (in case it moves hard right.)
3:04 Hold traffic
3:07 A call from the weather center informed us that there are high LCL’s, isolated tornadoes, scattered to widespread severe thunderstorms, and a tornado was already reported to be on thee ground in NE.
3:10 TCu blowing up to the WNW.
3:12 “I had my head up in the clouds.”
3:13 Current three areas of action: Limon, CO, Cheyenne, WY, and Scottsbluff
3:14 Line is starting to form.
92/59
3:16 South storms are moving in a SE direction.
3:18 TONE…severe thunderstorm watch for northern counties in CO until 8:00 pm. They mentioned a possibility for 2.5 inch hail.
3:32 Wray, CO on 34W/E 3rd Street.
3:35 Hold traffic
3:40 Base support reporting severe thunderstorm watch south of Amarillo, TX in Cherry County.
3:44 92/55
3:52 LOTS OF COWAGE!
3:58 Yuma, CO (4,132 feet)
R into Cenex for gas ($2.09.9…ouch)
4:16 R on 34 W.
4:18 L on CR E.
4:19 92/56
Pulled over to wait for the impending doom.
4:20 TONE…Kit Carson is under a severe thunderstorm warning.
5:27 Storm we are on is at 50 dBZ.
5:28 55 dBZ and we are on the move…turning around.
5:29 L on 8th Avenue. A nice rain-free base is apparent.
5:31 TONE…there is a warning on the cell to the NW of us.
5:32 Washington County
56 dBZ.
5:33 90/53
5:38 TONE…Tornado warning for our county.
5:40 Otis, CO (4,335 ft.)
61 dBZ.
L on Washiongton
5:41 U-turn…L on First Avenue/34 W.
5:42 L on CR RR. The rain-free base is starting to fill in with rain.
5:49 Microbursts are present.
5:50 60 dBZ.
5:51 Pulling over…We think there is a landspout on the ground to our right! Later, after looking at some video we took, we confirmed that it was a landspout on the ground!!!!
5:57 South end of the storm is at 80 mph gate-to-gate-shear. We have packed up, gotten in the car, and our on the move again.
5:59 62 dBZ and down to 69 mph gate-to-gate shear
6:01 Stopping to take pictures of a picturesque microburst.
6:04 Continuing on CR RR.
6:17 58 dBZ and 69 mph gate-to-gate shear.
6:18 Stopping to get better position.
6:22 Continuing on CR RR. The storm is turning multicellular.
“What if everything we know about storms is wrong, and it’s just a giant UFO?” – Jarrod
A new meso to the NW is popping up, and it has 92 mph gate-to-gate shear.
6:25 L on 36 E.
6:45 TONE…Tornado warning for Logan and Washington Counties until 7:30 pm.
6:55 TONE…Tornado warning for Yuma County and Goodland, KS area.
7:02 Veering L on 385 N. “Veering means warm car advection.” - Bart
New storm is at 60 dBZ with 92 mph gate-to-gate shear and maximum rotation over Yuma, CO.
7:07 3,866 feet
7:12 Tumbleweed spottings (outflow)! We decide to go east of Yuma and sit to wait for the impending doom.
7:18 South cell by Holyoke is at 65 dBZ.
7:24 North cell is at 69 dBZ.
7:26 Wray, CO.
7:27 R on 34 E/East 3rd Road.
7:32 TONE…Greeley, Co is under a severe thunderstorm warning.
Awesome dust and tumbleweed going on outside! It’s not a storm chase without deftly dodging the tumbleweeds…or smacking right into them.
7:37 NEBRASKA!…again .
TONE…Chase County in a severe thunderstorm warning. On the radar it has 115 mph gate-to-gate-shear.
7:43 Chase County storm has 126 mph gate-to-gate shear.
7:56 83/56 and 126 mph gate-to-gate shear.
8:01 L on 34E/61N.
8:03 Benkelman, NE.
8:14 Massive car discussion/argument about the placement of Zach and Michelle for tomorrow. Tides turn and Mr. Bigs threatens them, and told them they had to be in his car tomorrow after their lovely stay in ETL. They are deeply concerned.
8:19 L on Memorial Hwy.
8:20 Stopping to take pictures of an awesome shelf cloud. We got to see the storm’s approach toward us. It produced high winds, lightning, a massive amount of dust, and some rain. During this time we taped ETL’s mascot, the Tumbleweed, to Ben D.’s car. Overall, the approaching storm was extremely fascinating and a visual beauty.
8:48 Andy Dixon accurately measures a sustained wind of 62 mph one mile north of Stratton, NE. It is officially severe, and Bart is going to call it in to get it reported.
8:54 L on 34 E.
9:05 Hold traffic
9:08 Pulled over to report our 62 mph wind.
9:21 Redwillow County
9:26 McCook, NE
9:28 R into hotel.
Day 5: 2,806.1 miles
State count: 8 (IN, IL, MO, OK, TX, CO, KS, NE)
Day 6 (June 5, 2004)
8:00 In our daily meeting, we decided to have today be a driving day. We are going to hit up the picturesque Carhenge and Chimney Rock. Our travel day will include tours of NE, WY, and possibly the Dakotas in anticipation of tomorrow which appears to be favorable to the north. The south looks too capped due to the ridge, so we will focus more northerly.
8:54 Pulling out of the hotel. L on 6/34.
8:56 R on 83 N.
9:06 Frontier County…we learn that Chris enjoys techno when he does his homework.
9:14 Hold traffic… “Look, there’s a Dairy Crème!” – Jarrod
9:56 L on 80 W
10:18 Welcome to Mountain Time (for the logs sake, we will remain on Central Time.)
10:34 Exit to Ogallala
10:35 R on 26W/61N
10:37 L into Phillips 66 for some gas.
10:52 R on West 1st Street/61N.
10:56 R 26W/61N.
10:58 R on NE 61 N.
11:05 Dam sighting and thus starts an unfathomable amount of dam(n) jokes…and who said scientists had no sense of humor…
11:06 Stopping at Lake McConaughy to take pictures of Kingsley Dam.
11:16 L on 61 N.
11:22 L on 92 W.
11:44 R on 92W/26W.
11:57 Massive freight train.
12:00 Moving!
12:22 3,592 feet
12:24 L on 92 W.
12:26 Crossing the North Platte River.
12:41 R into Subway.
1:22 R onto Main Street out of the Subway.
L on 26W to Chimney Rock.
1:39 Continuing on 92 W.
L on Chimney Rock Road.
1:36 L into the Chimney Rock Observatory where we stopped to take some pictures of the weathered, but beautiful Chimney Rock. The lovely gift center allowed us the opportunity to try on an array of stylish bonnets…
1:51 L on Chimney Rock Road
1:53 R on 26E/92E.
1:54 L on 26 W.
2:07 Day 2 has initiation north of the Black Hills and in Montana. It is in a 5% tornado with mention of supercells and downbursts.
2:10 L on 385 N.
2:30 81/48
2:33 L on NE 2 W.
2:37 L on NE 87 N.
2:42 Carhenge! What an architectural wonder.
2:58 Leaving Carhenge. The plan is to go north of Rapid City for the night. Our short term game plan is to hit up Crazy Horse.
2:59 R on 87 N.
3:09 L on 7E West.
3:17 R on 385 N.
3:39 Passing Nebraska Forest, the largest hand planted forest.
3:51 R into Shell for gas and a bathroom break.
4:36 Hotel reservations for Sundance, WY were arranged since no hotel in SD wanted us.
4:39 R on 20W/385N.
4:46 Six severe thunderstorm warnings currently, but they are all south of us.
4:55 SOUTH DAKOTA
5:07 Doppler indicated tornado warning in Redville County , ND.
5:09 Continuing on 385N/18W.
5:22 L on 385W/18W.
5:26 Hot Springs, WY (population 4,285)
5:28 L on 385 N and a R continuing on 385 N.
5:30 R on 385 N.
5:31 L on 385 N.
5:36 4,077 feet
5:38 Buffalo ARE dangerous! Bison spottings on the side of the road.
5:45 4,325 feet and entering the Black Hills Forest.
5:50 4,825 feet
5:51 89N/385N
5:55 5,159 feet
6:00 5,505 feet
6:03 R on 385N/89N/16E.
6:04 L on 5th Street/Hwy. 16/385N
6:10 R on Avenue of the Chiefs; however, due to the fact that Mount Rushmore wants $20 a car, we were denied and turned around.
6:12 L on US Hwy. 16/385N
6:13 Stopping to take a picture of Mount Rushmore from afar.
6:17 On the road again.
6:21 R on 16 W.
6:33 Supercells are exploding in NW and Central MT (63 dBZ).
6:35 Driving through burnt forests…according to our flash flood experts, this will cause a greater potential for flash flooding.
6:36 84/64 at Great Falls
6:39 5,600 feet
6:45 Leaving the Black Hills.
6:50 WYOMING! After all the build up and practicing, the song was horribly sung, but still remains an integral part of the fun.
6:58 R on 85 N.
7:04 5,115 feet
7:15 L on WY 585 N.
7:27 Crook County
7:30 Squall line forming in central MT.
7:32 Bathroom stop for Melissa…
7:39 Sundance, WY (population 1,161)
U-turn onto I-90 E.
7:40 Exit 189 to Sundance.
7:41 L or R? How about a left from a right turn lane? We can blame this one on the poorly marked hotel sign…at least that is what Emily told the cop who pulled the Pilot over. Luckily, he was a nice guy, and we escaped with just a warning. Hey, it would not be a complete trip without a brush with the law, but if you see a tan Pilot on COPS if might just be Emily behind the wheel.
7:46 After a short intermission, we filled up our tanks at an Amoco.
7:56 R on Cleveland.
R into Best Western Inn at Sundance.
Tonight we all went out for a nice, delicious dinner at Aro. Nothing like a little rest, relaxation, and food to make everyone a little happier.
Day 6: 3,323.9 miles
State count: 10 (IN, IL, MO, OK, TX, CO, KS, NE, SD, WY)
Day 7 (June 6, 2004) HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN H.!!!
And on the seventh day God created tornadoes…
8:32 At our daily meeting we decided tot head up to North Dakota where the upper level forcing looks good. EHI values look good, and it appears the LLJ will be a driving force, yet again. We decide that by the end of the day, we would like to be in the Jameston, ND area. The meeting was also the start of many, many RUC jokes and butte jokes…we should all just go RUC ourselves.
9:32 “That thing takes more dumps than me.” – Dan, in reference to the GPS.
“I just take exits, I don’t build them.” – Emily, in reference to some crazy exit ramps that we’ve encountered thus far.
9:38 Pulling out. L on Frontage Road.
9:40 R on 90 E.
9:45 Hold traffic…calling the Jameston Holiday Inn.
9:46 Decide to take next exit (199 to Aladdin) for a better cell phone signal.
9:49 L on WY 111.
Bart has successfully secured our hotel rooms tonight for $54 bucks a room. Good work Bart.
9:50 R on Frontage
U-turn onto Frontage.
9:52 L on WY 111.
9:53 SOUTH DAKOTA
Continuing in 90E/14E.
9:54 Hold traffic…ease your fears, our lovely stat in the Jameston Holiday Inn will have a free continental breakfast.
10:06 L on the 85 N Belle Fourche exit.
10:15 Belle Fourche
10:26 44o N and 44.44 minutes
10:39 75/56
10:56 Harding County
11:13 81/56
11:15 Buffalo, SD (population 488)
Hwy. 85 N.
11:37 The much anticipated…BIG NASTY CREEK.
11:44 NORTH DAKOTA
11:48 82/55
11:53 Holding traffic
11:58 Bowman, ND
R on 85N/12E
11:59 L into a Kum N’ Go on 1st Avenue SW…cancel that.
12:00 Bart is off the phone, and base support informed them that things have shifted east.
12:01 Leaving the Kum and Go and turning L into a Cenex for some gas and a potty.
12:10 L on 85 N.
12:16 Dickinson, ND
30 mph winds and gusts up to 38 mph.
12:18 81/61
12:47 83/58
12:49 Due north of Bismarck is some storm activity.
12:56 More cells are starting to pop up to the north.
12:57 94 E.
Day 2 moved SE.
1:11 Hold traffic
1:13 U-turn and back on 94 E.
1:16 Exit 61 to Dickinson. There is a bull’s eye for activity northward and moving east.
R on 22.
1:17 R into Conoco and McDonalds for gas and food.
1:52 Leaving McDonalds.
R on Museum Drive West.
R on 94 E.
1:55 86/58
2:01 Exit 72 to Gladstone/Lector and L on 101.5 Avenue.
2:03 Stopping in our own personal turnaround to look at some data and observe the Cu that are popping up.
2:12 L on 101.5 Avenue.
2:13 Ramp to 94 W.
2:21 Exit 61 to Dickinson/Kildeer.
2:22 R on 3rd Avenue West.
2:25 L on 34th Street and pulling over to observe.
3:16 Turning around and going back down 34th Street.
3:17 R on 3rd Avenue West.
3:19 L on 94 E.
3:25 89/58
3:40 89/61
3:47 Welcome back to Central Time Zone.
3:55 TONE…Severe Thunderstorm Watch75 miles from Dickinson and 15 miles from Minot.
3:59 Exit 110 and L on ND 49 N.
4:00 89/61
4:01 L onto a pretend road, followed by a U-turn and then continuing straight on the pretend road.
4:02 Phone call from the weather center. After hearing what they had to say, we decided to turn around and park where we were before. The supercell composite is quite high (20).
4:23 R on 49 N.
4:30 Mercer County
4:36 Our first “blip” on the radar is by Watford, ND.
4:43 Beulah, ND where we turned L into Tesoro Gas Station for a little fill up and potty break.
5:00 Our little blip is at 55 dBZ.
5:02 R on 49 N.
5:04 Hold traffic…phone call.
5:07 From the phone call we learned that the supercell index is at 18, a new all-time high, with the bull’s eye by Bismarck, ND. We also found out that the sunset for this area is around 9:37 pm.
5:10 Storm is at 56 dBZ and moving ENE at 30 mph.
5:18 ND 1806 E and decide to go east.
5:20 TONE…severe thunderstorm warning for Mackenzie County. It is the northern of the two cells present, and it is at 58 dBZ.
5:27 L on ND 200 E.
5:28 88/64
Southern cell is at 60 dBZ. Bismarck is 63 dBZ, Dickinson is 52 dBZ, Garrison is 63 dBZ.
5:32 We have been in a dilemma since realizing that the only significant body of water within in a million mile radius is in the way of our chase. We need to pick a city because crossing the lake back and forth is impossible due to a lack of a bridge. We decide to go north and cross Garrison Dam and Lake Sakakawea. For a good time, ask Emily how to pronounce it…
5:34 Crossing the dam.
5:36 Northern cell over Mandary is at 54 dBZ.
5:40 Northern cell is crossing the lake as we guessed, and the southern cell is a right turner and intensifying.
5:44 Continuing on 83/200E.
5:47 L on 83 N, and we decided that the southern storm is better.
5:49 59 dBZ (Southern cell)
62 dBZ (Northern cell)
5:50 TONE…Severe thunderstorm warning on the Northern cell until 6:45 pm.
5:52 Dew point is 64.
5:56 62 dBZ (Southern cell)
66 dBZ (Northern cell)
TONE…Severe thunderstorm warning for NW McLain County until 7:00 pm.
5:58 L on 37 W.
5:59 Shear indicated on radar in southern storm.
6:01 64 dBZ (Southern cell)
69 dBZ (Northern cell)
6:04 Northern cell is splitting. Inflow banks and a flanking line are becoming visually obvious. A wall cloud is also spotted.
L on McLean County 13 and decide to pull over and view the beautiful storm.
83/64 and at 68 dBZ.
6:16 68 dBZ and moving ENE at 33 mph.
6:35 TONE…Severe thunderstorm warning for Raub.
6:37 62 dBZ
6:42 TONE… Severe thunderstorm warning for south central Redford and Montrail. The storm is moving ENE at 36 mph, is at 66 dBZ, and has potential to produce 3 inch hail.
7:00 The southern storm is at 61 dBZ, but it is turning into a V-shape.
7:10 We are on the move again after turning around.
R on Hwy 37 E and headed to Max, ND.
7:16 TORNADO!!! After getting in the car to reposition, Bart looked back and noticed the tornado. We got an unobscured view on the tornado and stopped around Benedict, ND. Unfortunately, due to the time of day, the sun was setting, so the contrast of the tornado was difficult to pick up. The funnel as more than halfway down and a debris cloud was present on the ground!
7:20 Moving further down the road to get a better angle on the tornado.
7:21 Stopping to take pictures, etc.
7:30 Turning around and moving to once again get a better angle.
81 mph gate-to-gate shear on the tornadic cell.
7:32 L on 37 E.
7:34 80/64
7:38 L on 83 N.
7:39 Wall cloud/tornado?? It is losing some visual structure. On the radar it is at 63 dBZ. There is also a lot of lightning in the updraft.
R on a country road.
7:46 Stopping and turning around…I’m getting dizzy.
64 dBZ on the radar.
7:51 McHenry County is under a severe thunderstorm warning.
7:53 On the road again.
It appears that the cell is undergoing cyclicmesogenesis, and in the radar it is at 64 dBZ.
7:57 L on 83 S.
7:58 TONE…Tornado warning for McHenry. It is 62 dBZ on the radar, and the warning indicated a tornado was on the ground. It appears that is might be rain-wrapped.
TONE…Tornado warning McHenry moving eastward.
8:01 63 dBZ on the west flank of the cell.
8:02 L on CR 8.
There might be a possible tornado touching down, but the visuals are poor.
8:08 115 mph gate-to-gate shear marker.
8:13 R on CR 8.
8:14 L on CR 8.
58-61 dBZ on current storm.
8:21 L on 41 N.
80 mph gate-to-gate shear.
8:26 SW meso is at 57 dBZ.
8:27 The meso is north of the highway.
8:32 DEER!…and then some more deer. At this point in the log, I would like to say what a fantastic job the drivers are doing on this trip. Not only are they deftly avoiding deer, they are just A+ drivers…
8:33 41N/53E.
8:35 115 mph gate-to-gate shear right over the highway.
8:36 R on 53 E.
8:37 The storm is becoming a right turner.
8:45 Stopping. The meso is crossing the highway. At this point, we need to turnaround due to lack of accessible roads. We decide to chase the SW storm instead. Throughout the last hour or so, we have been trying to find several paths that will allow us to get close to the storm but still allowing us to have an in and an out. Unfortunately, no such roads are available out in this part of ND, so in efforts to play it smart and safe, we decide to chase another storm. However, chasing this particular storm has been quite beautiful. Ominous skies in several directions, but the sun poking through in others, have led this particular chase to be very memorable. It’s not everyday that we come within a half mile of a meso…
Some fun quotes from the past hour…
“We’re in a high danger zone, but that’s the fun of it.” – Bart
“We get right up to the edge, but we never cross the edge.” – Bart
“It’s an Illegitimate meso.”
“Just as long as she delivers.”
“The deed was done…”
TONE…Tornado warning for the county we are in currently.
Turning around and continuing on 53 W.
8:49 TONE…Severe thunderstorm watch for MN and E. ND until 3 am.
8:53 L on 41 S.
8:55 Tornado warning on the SW cell (the one we are currently chasing). It is at 58 dBZ.
8:56 TONE…Tornado (the wx radio momentarily died) watch/warning? 10 miles S of Velva. (The one we backed off of earlier.)
9:01 Stopping to watch the SW cell.
9:14 It is shearing out, but the inflow band NW of the highway is impressive. We decide to head north toward 53. We progress on 41 and abandon the cell because it does not look impressive on the radar.
9:20 The storm to our east has three mesos.
9:22 Continuing on 53E/41N.
9:26 TONE…Severe thunderstorm warning for W. central ND.
9:27 L on 32 Street N. U-turn.
9:34 TONE…Tornado warning 37 miles N of Linot.
9:41 60 dBZ and 115 mph gate-to-gate shear on the east, abandoned cell.
R on S 41.
9:44 TONE…Severe thunderstorm warning for McHenry.
L on 53 E.
9:59 TONE…Tornado warning 11 miles south of Max and a funnel north of Linot.
10:12 R on 52/14E.
10:25 Severe thunderstorm warning for north central ND.
10:44 TONE…Severe thunderstorm warning for northern ND.
10:55 A much, much, much needed gas and potty stop. Even though the gas station was closed, we gassed up and found some creative restrooms…
11:10 On the road again.
11:21 L on 52 E.
11:27 McHenry County tornado warning. The radar is showing 73 dBZ.
11:43 A detour! L on 2nd Avenue N.
11:44 R on 2nd Street N.
11:45 L on 4th Street/52E/281S.
12:04 “We gotta get around this piece of…” – Dan, our fearless navigator, in reference to a slow semi.
12:25 L on 52E/281S.
12:27 R on 52E/281S.
12:30 R on Frontage.
L into the hotel. WE MADE IT!!!!
Day 7: 3,991.7 miles
State count: 11 (IN, IL, MO, OK, TX, CO, KS, NE, SD, WY, ND)
Day 8 (June 7, 2004)
8:33 Our daily meeting! There is a moderate risk in N. MN. There is one county in north central/eastern MN without trees where we are going to sit and wait for massive destruction. Camel’s map work allowed us to find this gem of a spot in the surrounding the forests. EHI values of 16, “giant” hail expected, 15% hatched, and a strong LLJ.
9:26 R on 52 E.
9:27 L on 94 E.
9:38 4,000 miles!
9:49 Houston, we have a problem…After looking at the high resolution maps, there is a state forest where we planned to wait for the massive destruction. We are forming a new plan.
9:58 78/63
10:09 Swamps have now been added to the lists of things in our hole.
10:19 Hold traffic…we are calling the weather center to see how south central MN is looking.
10:21 At 9:00 today, there was theta-e values of 350 near Alexandria, MN. Moisture convergence with a value of 15 near the St. Cloud to Alexandria area. West Grand Rapids has a tornado parameter of 7. West Grand Rapids/Little Falls has a supercell composite of 12. EHI values in similar areas are around 7. 2% tornado for MN, and the interstate northward is 5% tornado. 15% hatched in the same northward area.
10:35 10:00 parameters:
St. Cloud to West Grand Rapids has an EHI value of 7. The significant tornado parameter is 7. VGP of .3 west of Fargo northward through the whole Midwest.
10:39 Hw. 10 W exit toward Brainerd.
10:43 80/67
10:47 Calculated 7.5 MN virgins…Ben is not sure.
10:57 L on 10E/2nd Street N.
10:58 R on 10E/NP Avenue.
11:02 MINNESOTA!!!
11:31 “Are you in Pi Beta Phi?” – directed to Melissa.
“I’m the boss of those (&%$#@*^)” - Melissa.
11:46 R on Roosevelt Avenue.
11:47 R into Tesoro for gas and such.
12:18 Pulling out of the gas station. L on Roosevelt Avenue.
12:20 R on Frazee Street/Hwy. 10
12:46 Hold traffic.
87/66
12:57 South of Mille Lacs is good chase country.
Little Falls:
0-3 km EHI value of 9.
0-1 km EHI value of 7.
Maximum moisture by “The Hole.”
Day 2 has those storms moving NE to WI.
We decide to take Hwy. 10 to Little Falls.
1:10 Mark reports two wanted juvenile delinquents that were walking on the side of the road. We are making a strong push to be on COPS this trip.
1:25 87/67
1:27 East of Fargo is some development.
1:44 Hold traffic.
1:51 Little Falls has a supercell composite of 6-7.
1:53 Mississippi River
1:54 Continuing on 10 E and then MN 27 exit.
1:55 L on 27 E. We are pondering whether or not we should go SW.
1:57 L on Morrison County 43.
1:58 Pheasant Run Road.
1:59 U-turn! (going straight now)
2:00 Stopping to discuss our plan of action. After a nice stop on the side of the road in the baking sun, we are on the road again.
2:58 Gas at Conoco…on the road after a slight bumper kiss.
3:18 L on 27W/1st Avenue NE.
3:33 27W/28W and a bit separated.
3:43 Continuing 27 W.
3:44 Todd County
3:50 We have a visual on VC and ETL.
3:54 L on Lake Street/71S/27W.
4:16 91/67
4:31 Hold traffic, we have a fiancé calling.
4:36 61 dBZ in “The Hole.”
4:37 R on 71 S.
4:38 L on 71 S.
4:49 Hazardous weather outlook for our area. 4-4 EHI values in Willmar. “The Hole” is convecting rapidly.
4:54 “The Hole” is at 65 dBZ.
4:58 Tornado warning on “The Hole.”
5:01 Continuing on Business 71/MN 23. Hold traffic.
5:08 TONE…Tornado watch south of us.
5:10 L on 28th Avenue and then a U-turn.
5:11 L on 71 S.
5:12 L on 71N/23E.
5:14 L to Exit for 12 W.
5:16 L on 23rd Street SE.
5:17 R into the Comfort Inn in Willmar, MN. Some people looked at some data and others chilled outside. We decided to call it a day, and rest up for tomorrow.
Day 8: 4,347.1 miles
State count: 12 (IN, IL, MO, OK, TX, NE, CO, KS, SD, WY, ND, MN)
Day 9 (June 8, 2004)
8:35 Our daily meeting. Today the panhandle of NE, NW IA, and N central NE look good. The cap looks to be very strong in the areas of interest. Supercell indices are at a bull’s eye in these areas. There is a 2% tornado in parts of E CO and NE. There is a slight risk through Northern Plains. Currently, there is convection in central NE and parts of ND, SD, and MN. We also decided not to stay the eleventh or twelfth day.
9:47 R on 71S/23W.
9:50 68/55
10:01 Frontal storms in central NE and elevated convection in central MN.
10:25 R on US Hwy. 212.
10:29 L on 23W.
10:30 62/51
10:57 64/52
11:15 MCS west of Norfolk along the front. Lincoln to Beatrice are currently south of the frontal storms. Tropical plume?
11:28 “The Hunt for Red Ructober.”
11:30 MCS dissipating.
65/52
11:38 L on 23W/75S.
11:40 New Day 1 is basically the same as the old Day 1.
11:42 Hold traffic due to call from the weather center.
11:49 SOUTH DAKOTA!!!!
High winds 5%, marginal shear, and small talk of tornadoes where we are headed, which is south on 29.
11:54 Storms in NE are dissipating.
12:05 L on 29 S.
12:08 64/50
12:24 66/57
12:36 55 dBZ in ENE McNeill, NE.
12:37 69/55
12:40 54 dBZ on storms.
12:43 71/61
12:44 Hold traffic...getting info on Day 2.
Good shear will promote isolated to scattered storms. 15% from O’Neill to Colby and westward.
Storm in NE has 57 mph gate-to-gate shear and is at 59 dBZ on radar.
12:52 East side of NE storm is at 69 dBZ with a meso. The storm is currently SE of O’Neill down to the county line and south to Bartland.
12:55 Exit 47 and L on 46 E.
The storm is at 58 dBZ.
78/65
Stopping at a Cenex for gas and bathrooms.
1:35 R out of the gas station onto 46.
1:36 L on I-29 S.
1:41 SE of O’Neill is convection. There the CAPE is roughly 2,500 J/kg. East of Sioux City is around 4,500 J/kg.
2:02 86/72
2:30 91/72
2:46 L on NE 9 S. The Norfolk storm is intensifying.
2:58 Hold traffic.
3:00 Continuing on 9S/16.
3:02 Continuing on 9 S.
89/71
An MD may be issued for watches for Ogallala to Columbus.
There is strong surface heating, a mention of large hail, and shear is increasing south of the front.
3:08 R on 51 W.
3:16 Severe thunderstorm warning in E central CO.
3:19 Hold traffic.
3:25 5% tornado O’Neill and Grand Island. 2% tornado barely touching IA and NE. 15% wind and 25% for our chase area. Shear is also increasing, in turn, increasing likelihood for supercells. There is currently a tornado watch in central NE. SE winds in central NE.
3:30 84/71
3:35 Explosive development west of Norfolk, NE. 58 dBZ and starting to look multicellular.
3:40 Oakdale, NE is 61 dBZ and intensifying. Hold traffic.
3:43 Continuing on 275 W. MD for this area and IA. Isolated severe storms expected. We decided we are going westward. 65 dBZ on west cell near Oakdale, NE.
3:45 Stopping at the Diamond Shamrock for gas, snacks, potty, etc.
3:58 Leaving the gas station. R on Omaha Ave./275W. We decide, now, to head a little south.
4:02 L on US 81 S.
4:17 Justin has informed us that he holds the PacMan record at the Comfort Inn…nice job Justin.
4:21 Norfolk, NE storm is at 74 dBZ.
R on 91 W.
4:24 Some talk of Camel being Barney…
4:26 Dan passes out from the cows. Angie revives.
4:30 “It smells like somebody’s aska.” – Bart
4:33 Storm at 62 dBZ with warnings over Sioux City. Hold traffic.
4:36 “Tonight you are going to have an LL Cool J.” – Bart.
4:41 61 dBZ or higher on the cells. Possible hook echo/looking good on radar.
4:46 62 dBZ.
4:47 Hold traffic.
East of Sioux City has a hook.
4:49 L on 14 S.
4:54 East of Sioux City is at 64 dBZ.
4:55 Storms in IA are exploding; however, there is nothing on our direction…yet.
4:58 Cell broke by North Platte, but is still small.
R on 56 W.
5:01 87/70
5:13 Storms in Norfolk, NE area weakening.
5:14 45-50 in North Platte area.
5:18 ENE of Broken Bow – 58 dBZ
NE has bow echo by Sioux City – 61 dBZ
5:21 Rapid development and lightning by North Platte.
5:25 L on 281.
5:29 R on 22 W.
5:38 EHI of 6 east of Broken Bow with CAPES of 2,000-2,500 J/kg and CINs around 25-50 J/kg.
5:40 R on 11 N.
63 dBZ far east of Lincoln County.
5:42 L on 22 W.
5:47 65 dBZ on North Platte storm. It is 65 miles from us now.
5:51 We are 75 miles from here to the core of the storm, that is moving NE at 17 mph.
5:53 L on 70 W.
5:55 89/67
The structure is falling (56 dBZ), but there is a new cell on the SE flank.
5:58 R on 70 W.
Severe thunderstorm warning for Custer and Lincoln Counties.
6:00 55-60 dBZ on the big cluster of multicells we are now chasing. New cells are going p in NE.
6:02 The storm appears to be reforming.
6:03 64 dBZ.
6:05 60 miles from core of the storm.
6:06 61 dBZ.
6:09 Custer County
6:10 55-60 miles to core.
6:12 The storm is taking on better appearance. 65 dBZ.
6:14 Moving ENE at 17 mph, and there is no sign of a line forming.
6:17 R on NE 70W/US 183 N.
6:18 L on 70 W and 53 miles from the core.
“We should sit in our ruc-ing chair and watch it.” – Bart.
6:22 61 dBZ and two cells to SW are rapidly developing.
6:27 88/65
Sunset at 9:09 pm.
6:29 L on NE 2/NE 92 and then a R on NE 2W/NE 92W.
6:30 R into Pump and Pantry for a stop for gas, food, potty, etc.
6:46 Heading out…unfortunately, the storms look like they are dying.
6:50 R on 2W/92W.
6:53 L on 21 S.
The radar is looking quite poor (59 dBZ).
6:57 West of McCook is at 68 dBZ and has a gate-to-gate shear of 69 mph.
7:03 North Platte storm is at 40 dBZ.
7:05 Severe thunderstorm warning is cancelled.
7:12 LLJ must have gotten a DUI…it’s late.
7:15 R on a country road to stop and observe the storm from afar. We have picked a lovely country road, fresh will lovely country smells…eau de’ cow.
7:33 Decide to go to Lincoln, NE for the night. We did not see much today, and we decided to turn around and head for the hotel.
7:34 U-turn and a L on 21 N.
7:36 R on 40 E.
7:43 Dawson County
8:18 R on 10 E.
8:30 Stopping at the Diamond Shamrock for gas, food, restrooms, etc.
8:34 On the road again.
8:37 I-80 E.
9:32 “Do you know where you are going?” – Andy
“I’m going straight…” – Ben D.
Fun times on the ride back to the hotel…good music and fun people.
10:18 Exit 399.
10:21 Exit 401 A.
10:22 180 S.
L on Cornhusker Hwy.
10:24 L on N 11th Street.
10:25 R into Shell for gas.
10:34 Scooted over to the hotel where we will retire for the night.
Day 9: 5,060.8 miles
State count: 12 (IN, IL, MO, OK, TX, CO, KS, NE, SD, WY, ND, MN)
Day 10 of the Epic Adventure (June 9, 2004)
8:08 Packed up our things and headed to the car for departure.
8:09 R on Cornhusker Hwy.
There is a slight risk over the Quad Cities, and Valpo is in the NE corner of the risk. We might catch a few storms on the ride home.
8:11 I-80 East…for a long time.
After much debate and voting, we decided that the shirt would be blue.
8:44 Jason’s car gets pulled over by some toast in Omaha area. Why, we do not really know; however, it does make our bid for COPS that much better.
8:46 Exit L/275/92E.
8:49 “They pull over the junky cars.”
8:50 L on J Street.
L into parking lot to wait for Jason’s car.
8:54 75 in a 65 was the diagnosis, but Car Irresistible escapes with a warning.
8:58 On the road again…R on 108th Street.
R on L Street.
8:59 I-80 E.
9:07 After some more debating and voting, the final results are in for the t-shirt design. It will be blue with yellow and white lettering. We also decided on the symbols for the shirt will be tumbleweed, tornado, catsup bottle, toast/pineapples, Crazy Horse, camel, soda straw for the landspout, smiley face with a cowboy hat in Happy, TX, big X through Gainesville, TX, and Chimney Rock.
9:09 IOWA!
9:13 We decided that the front of the shirt will remain the same as years past with the map of travels.
9:20 Solid line of death from St, Louis to Kansas City southward from us to NW of Peoria.
10:05 The previous mentioned storm is north of STL along the MO/IA border and extends to and through Rockford, IL and SW lower MI.
10:54 Exit 121 with a R on 74th Street.
L on Vista Drive.
10:55 L into Kum N’ Go.
11:08 After the pit crew gassed up, we continue and turn R on Vista Drive.
11:09 R on 74th Street.
Continuing on I-80 East.
12:03 Severe weather in MI.
12:28 New Day 1: Very severe weather in MO, IL, IN, and MI.
1:24 83/69
1:30 Exit 284 and L on Walker Street
R into Pilot for gas.
U-turn…wrong gas area…finding the right area then stopping for gas and lunch.
2:12 R then L to 80E/US 6E.
2:40 Crossed the Mississippi River…ILLINOIS. For the next three-ish or so hours we all traveled through the wonderfully exciting state of IL on I-80, cornfields, and Chicago traffic.
5:12 Ripley Road Exit…some vehicles took different routes to get back to Valpo.
5:40 All the cars are in contact.
5:56 Left into Family Express for a final pit stop.
5:59 L in entrance by good old Scheele Hall and then made our way to Mueller Hall.
6:00 Home sweet home Mueller Hall. What a trip!
Day 10 and trip totals: 5,632.2 miles filled with learning, laughter, and great people.
State count: 13! (possibly a tie for the record)
Average speed: 62.7 mph
Highest speed: 88.6 mph
Number of reds ran by Ben D.: 9
Some fun times/quotes from 11B:
“Third time rings a bell, ding, ding, ding.”
“Oh, yes, Wyoming!”
“Oh, no, Nebraska!”
“Go RUC yourself.”
“Touché.”
“When the LLJ kicks in, game over.”
“Melissa, where are you from?”
“Somebody, tell a story.”
“The sky is pregnant with tornadoes.”
“Those cows were doing it.”
Oh yes, storm chasing…
With the clouds and the anvils and the towering Cu.
Oh yes, I’m racing…
Through the plains and the valleys and the rolling hills.
Oh no, the cap…
I don’t want you anywhere near the map.
Oh yes, storm chasing…
An F5 we will soon be facing.
Oh YES!