Reports & Pictures Chase Day 45 - WY/NE

[Paul Sherman]

Well what a day this turned out to be, with pretty much everything thrown in for good measure for the last day of Tour 5.

We started in Scottsbluff and my chase target was always going to be just east of the front range in Wyoming in the areas North of Cheyenne, between Chugwater and Wheatland. A tornado watch was issued early at 11am and we ventured into Wyoming and quickly picked up huge towering Cb's to our west. I was always hopeful today that any Supercell that could get east of the Rockies would get the job done is decent 76f temps and mid to upper 50's dewpoints, with elevations of 5,500ft that would be plenty enough juice on tap.

 

We initially got onto a storm north of Wheatland but it quickly became apparant from the look of the base of the storm to the south that this would become the major player, so we went south to Wheatland and had in front of us an amazing Classic Supercell sitting on top of the Rockies, we went west to sit under the base of this Supercell and watched it tighten up with incredible rotation above our heads, the first tornado dropped straight away in a field to our South West at a range of 1/4 Mile.

 

- Classic Supercell 5 Miles SW Of Wheatland (Wyoming)

 

- Tornado at the same location 5 minutes later.

 

We then dropped this storm for another forming further south near Chugwater and again got just east of it, once it left the Rockies it quickly went Supercellular and put on some fantastic structure, we witnessed a very brief touchdown near Veteran (Wyoming) and then got further out ahead of it to see an incredible barrell Mesocyclone spinning away at incredible speeds to our North West.

 

- Mesocyclone and Rotating Wall Cloud near La Grange (Wyoming)

 

We started to take some sporadic golf ball and tennis ball sized hail so bailed south to the tail end charlie near Cheyenne, this storm was tracking due east and we stopped sporadically along Interstate 80 to get some Lightning pictures which were pinging out every few seconds

 

- Cg Barrage ( 2 second exposure at F22 ISO 200)

 

We the followed this Supercell eastwards for the next hour and at 654pm a beautiful Landspout Tornado dropped just to our east along the Interstate, this was on the ground for 4 Minutes.

 

- Landspout Tornado near Dix (Nebraska)

 

 

So the final throws of the 2013 Season came good and I got another 2 firsts today, my first Wyoming Tornadoes and my highest ever tornado at 5,500ft asl.

 

This has been a season of mixed emotions with destructive tornadoes but also beautiful storms out in the High Plains.

 

Paul S

[Snowangel-MK]

Paul, I'm pleased to see you've had such a great end to the last tour, it's been quite a journey this year with some fantastic highs and unfortunately a very sad and tragic event as well but I've enjoyed watching the live stream and looking at the fantastic photos you guys have captured - I'm hoping to join you on the road one year instead of all this virtual chasing at silly o'clock in the morning here !

 

Take care and safe journey home - Ali 

[Cookie]

cracking photos cant wait for next year!

[Tom Lynch]

Well done Paul, Dave and Ian. A fitting end to what has been a somewhat eventful session of tours.

 

I guess Paul is looking to get home and sleep for a week.

 

Tom

[IanM]

Perfect end to the season!  Started and ended with a bang and every tour delivered, along with some very sobering and tragic circumstances too.  A real rollercoaster ride this year.

[craig1uk]

What a great way to sign off  Well done to all involved on a great season, the photography from the tours this year has def gone up a level as well, it's been fun following the action

 

 

Craig

[nsrobins]

So the 2013 touring season has finally ended. A big thank you to all involved for reporting and sharing the excitement, the thrills, the drama and at times the tradegy.This year will of course be remembered for the Moore and El Reno, OK events and maybe the goalposts have shifted a bit now the community has lost chasers in the field. My personal opinion is that the chase will go on, and if some sort of regulation or guidance is proposed to govern the actions of storm chasers, it will take several years if at all to introduce.Continued diligence, respect for the potential power of these storms and an ongoing desire to learn more about them is the way forward in my opinion.

 

I'll look forward to joining you all again - either virtually or in person - on the Plains next year.

[Nick F]

Thoroughly enjoyed following this year's tours when ever I could, even if it meant staying up until gone midnight to wait until it got interesting then getting up as 5.30am for work - especially on those big risk days. 

 

Cracking photo of the landspout too!

[D-J-V]

 

Quick vid of the nado! 

[Roger J Smith]

Thanks for all your reports.

 

Will there be an Arizona storm chase this August? We are hoping to visit Utah again.