Chaser Convergence Zone

[nsrobins]

With storm chasing continuing to expand in popularity, the number of vehicles on the roads can get ridiculous at times, especially when the risk area is quite small. Although last night's activity was spread over a large area, a significant number of chasers - including the DOW with Sean Casey, the TIV and many other well-known chasers and spotters decided to focus on NE KS around Salina and they were rewarded with a very long lived large tornado that more or less remained stationary for nearly an hour.

To illustrate the congestion as chasers converge on a slow-moving storm (otherwise known as a chaser CVZ), I took this screen grab from Team Denmark's position at 23.40Z last night from just of the I83 8 miles North of Salina. As you can see they weren't the only ones enjoying the stunning show:

Sorry about the small size.

[chionomaniac]

What was funny ( and they got richly rewarded) was the number of chasers that stayed at Salina even though cells were erupting to the SW and  to the NE - the NE KS cell must have had a very large tornado at one point, but was left in the hope that a cell would develop at Salina which it duly did. I guess they could all see the ground conditions which influenced their decision but at one point I did wonder whether the decision to stay around Salina would backfire.

[nsrobins]

What was funny ( and they got richly rewarded) was the number of chasers that stayed at Salina even though cells were erupting to the SW and  to the NE - the NE KS cell must have had a very large tornado at one point, but was left in the hope that a cell would develop at Salina which it duly did. I guess they could all see the ground conditions which influenced their decision but at one point I did wonder whether the decision to stay around Salina would backfire.

They were obviously well-advised  

The tornado behaved in a way I've rarely seen - practically stationary for over half an hour then a deviant westward shuffle at one point. Upper vectors dictated storm motions of E at 10mph so I can only surmise the cell was snagged on a boundary, possibly a persistant OFB from the earlier system. Whatever it did it was impressive.

[Snowangel-MK]

They were obviously well-advised  

The tornado behaved in a way I've rarely seen - practically stationary for over half an hour then a deviant westward shuffle at one point. Upper vectors dictated storm motions of E at 10mph so I can only surmise the cell was snagged on a boundary, possibly a persistant OFB from the earlier system. Whatever it did it was impressive.

 

 

I really enjoyed watching that tornado last night .... thankfully no loss of life or apparent damage to property - if only they were all like that !

[chionomaniac]

I really enjoyed watching that tornado last night .... thankfully no loss of life or apparent damage to property - if only they were all like that !

There have been some cracking chases this year, Ali (even taking into account the dodgy NW stream). The best and worst was seen around the time of the Moore. The day before Moore was excellent and well streamed on online TV, and the day of Moore was really well covered but unfortunately with terrible results. Half the fun is being in position (virtually for us) prior to initiation. Last night I think I was as close as I have ever been virtually, but was still beaten by Neil, who didn't have to move.

[Dorsetbred]

With this term being coined in the USA, it won't be long before it is renamed to C²Z or Cee squared Zee