May 8, 2016

Statistics

Initial Target

Start

End

Storm Intercepts

Tornadoes

Hail

Wind

Features

Miles

Coldwater, KS

Burlington, CO 11:19 AM 5/8/2016

Wichita, KS 9:52 PM 5/8/2016

Alva, OK

0 mph

RFD Clear Slot, Wall Cloud

498

Summary

Dryline play in the Southern Plains. Intercepted tornado warned supercell north of Alva, OK noting RFD clear slot and brief wall cloud before cap killed storm.

Crew and Equipment

Chase partners: Jennifer Brindley Ubl. Equipment: Canon 60D, Canon t2i, Canon EFS 10-22, Canon EF 50mm, Sony HDR-xr500v.

Video

Map

Details

Second day of a three day run to the Plains. Coming down from our incredible Wray intercept, May 8 was supposed to be the big tornado chase day of the trip with moderate instability and favorable shear.

Storm
6 miles NNE of Alva, OK
7:10 PM

We hung out in Hays, Kansas, met up with David Mayhew, and then boogied south into Oklahoma to intercept a developing storm. It had a great looking base, and then an attempt at an RFD clear slot and wall cloud. But the cap apparently proved too much and the storm soon died without producing. We bumped into Hank Schyma at about the time of this photo, which was fun.

Conclusion

May 8 wound up being the lackluster day of the three day chase event, with little in the way of memorable tornadoes. The storm was briefly pretty, but given our expectations from our forecast and the mileage, I'm calling this one a bust.

Lessons Learned

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