Tour 3 - Day 1 (30th May 2023) - Western KS/Eastern CO - ENHANCED Risk

[MikeUpjohn]

Started in North Platte, NE amongst sunny skies, but feeling cool and fresh. Today was an ENHANCED wind-driven Risk on the CO/KS border, with minimal to no tornado risk, a 30% hatch sig severe wind risk and 15% hail risk. Headed from North Platte, NE down to Colby, KS and Twister's bar for lunch after meeting Paul and the last two guests who had overnighted in Limon, CO.

 

After lunch, and gas for the cars, headed West to Goodland and South, and watched storms for a good couple of hours develop, and almost not move at all off to the West. Areas round Burlington, CO really got their quota of rain and hail today! In contrast to the models and HRRR which shows a linear mess with huge wind risk, storms initially stayed semi-discrete, which was promising, and barely moved for the first couple of hours.

Played about with the storms for a few hours before it ultimately did line out, some good lightning, marginal hail and a very good chase. After a trip to a second Wallace, but this time in Kansas, headed to Cheyenne Wells, CO and up to Burlington, CO for dinner at the Dish Room, with a decent storm rolling over us while we ate. Finished in Burlington, CO for an early-ish night, before another significant chase tomorrow!

Pics below, enjoy!

 

Mike.