Day 11 - Discussion

[Nick F]

Hi all, bit gutted we couldn't go all the way to Kansas to chase the big supercell we were watching over central Kansas in the evening, as we had to be near Dallas today to drop the team 1 group at the airport for their afternoon/evening flights back home. However, we had an enjoyable tour of the NWC at Olahoma University, Norman, OK yesterday afternoon. Our guide, a postgrade student, was very enthusiastic and gave us some great insight to what goes on behind the scenes.

Michael posing outside the National Weather Center, Norman:

Our guide talking to us in the viewing area with views across Norman City and its University Campus:

A view into one of the NWC's operations offices, also a OU experimenatal project in conjunction with NWC:

Big rotating globe in the NWC Atrium - with various NWS/SPC images projected onto it:

We were taken out into the secure loading/parking bay where they had a DOW (Doppler On Wheels) and an Array Radar Vehicle - which was bought from the US Navy and adapted, which one of the staff kindly jacked up the array radar reciever:

[Stu]

I was also on that Supercell out in Edwards County, Kansas. I started the day in Oklahoma city and saw the large EHI values setting across Kansas and down to the TX Panhandle – my target was actually the OK Panhandle as I did not think that I could reach the triple point North of Dodge City in time (I left OKC at 15:10pm in the afternoon) By the time I reached Woodward, OK I saw that the cap was going to be too strong with models no longer braking out prceip there – meanwhile a supercell (which had produced land spouts) was ongoing North West of Dodge – what the heck I thought can I catch it?

Astonishingly I did – Just north West of Kinsley, KS – the storm had maintained an inflow couplet for a long time – but was high based – by the time I got there wet RFD was surging around the hook as the storm turned HP. But the inflow, man I have NEVER seen nothing like it!

The inflow was pulling down power lines as well as the odd pole, I crossed an inflow jet tat was passing over Lewis and saw roof slates/wood being pulled off houses like paper. Winds I estimate to be 70 – 90mph sustained – the van was almost blown off the road.

I stayed ahead of the supercell until well after dark then broke off before return back to OKC at 02:15am– a 588 mile round trip.

[MAF]

...........supercell until well after dark then broke off before return back to OKC at 02:15am– a 588 mile round trip.

good job petrol is cheap out there

[char_waugh]

Doh, I just missed you guys yesterday at NWC. I saw you going into the room by reception on your tour but you looked busy... I hope you've enjoyed your chasing and time in Oklahoma and around.

[Dan G]

Great pics Nick. If there's any more (or any juicy info about the SPC) I'd love to see/hear them!

Stu, that was a heroic effort to get on that cell. I was tracking you racing north in gr3 and didn't think you were going to make it -- how wrong I was! Nice cam stream too.

[Cookie]

great images from the NWC guys. wish Id been their

[Blackie]

Nice pics from yesterday, Nick.

Here are just a few of the ones that I took at the NWC and also on the road to Decatur, plus the final group photo at the Cow Camp. Thought I would post them while I wait for my delayed flight, which is the one I got put on after my original flight got cancelled...

[Cookie]

great images their mate, I really like number 6 mate