Stormchase 2012 - Day 8
Thursdays Chase day began in the town of Limon Colorado, situated at 5377 ft ASL and made famous as being the site of the most gruesome lynching in American history back in 1900. Fortunately nothing quite as gruesome during our stay!
The most recent and significant Tornadic event of note was back in 1990 when a EF3 touched down west of Limon.
We woke to a pleasant change in the forecast from the Storm Prediction Centre (SPC). Even early on, distinct tops could be seen over the Rockies and a build-up to the east was already underway by lunchtime.
We left and headed East where dew points were favorable and significant CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) was present.[list]
[*]For CAPE definition see : [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convective_available_potential_energy"]http://en.wikipedia....otential_energy[/url]
[/list]
As we neared the Kansas State line a number of Storms cropped up. Some severe for a while.
[attachment=134302:P1010264.JPG] [attachment=134303:P1010265.JPG] [attachment=134305:P1010281.JPG]
We took a central path between two significant systems. Gusty winds and heavy rain were present. At one point, the outflow could be seen to lift up surrounding dust into clouds as previously seen down in New Mexico.
[attachment=134317:P1010270.JPG]
Although looking promising at first, none of these storms became Super-cellular. They all however generated some good CG Lightning.
[attachment=134304:P1010273.JPG]
Finally we drove East through Kansas to our overnight stay in the town of Hays.
Looking at the SPC predictions, Friday seems to be a similar convective day however Saturday has a higher risk of some more
organised systems within the Southern Kansas, Oklahoma and the Northern Texas areas potentially providing a good show before the trip back.
The most recent and significant Tornadic event of note was back in 1990 when a EF3 touched down west of Limon.
We woke to a pleasant change in the forecast from the Storm Prediction Centre (SPC). Even early on, distinct tops could be seen over the Rockies and a build-up to the east was already underway by lunchtime.
We left and headed East where dew points were favorable and significant CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) was present.[list]
[*]For CAPE definition see : [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convective_available_potential_energy"]http://en.wikipedia....otential_energy[/url]
[/list]
As we neared the Kansas State line a number of Storms cropped up. Some severe for a while.
[attachment=134302:P1010264.JPG] [attachment=134303:P1010265.JPG] [attachment=134305:P1010281.JPG]
We took a central path between two significant systems. Gusty winds and heavy rain were present. At one point, the outflow could be seen to lift up surrounding dust into clouds as previously seen down in New Mexico.
[attachment=134317:P1010270.JPG]
Although looking promising at first, none of these storms became Super-cellular. They all however generated some good CG Lightning.
[attachment=134304:P1010273.JPG]
Finally we drove East through Kansas to our overnight stay in the town of Hays.
Looking at the SPC predictions, Friday seems to be a similar convective day however Saturday has a higher risk of some more
organised systems within the Southern Kansas, Oklahoma and the Northern Texas areas potentially providing a good show before the trip back.
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