January 22, 2018
Statistics
Initial Target
Start
End
Storm Intercepts
Tornadoes
Hail
Wind
Features
Miles
Springfield, IL
Springfield, IL 1:00 PM 1/22/2018
Springfield, IL 4:30 PM 1/22/2018
Springfield, IL
0
0.5"
0 mph
Wall Cloud, RFD Clear Slot
157
Summary
Cold front/cold air play in central IL. Intercepted line of low topped, severe warned cells just west of Springfield noting RFD clear slots and wall clouds. Tracked cells north of Lincoln until they became rain wrapped and gusted out.
Crew and Equipment
Solo chase. Equipment: Sony AX100, Canon 60D with EF-S 10-22.
Video
Details
Other cells were erupting from the south so I let this one go and waited for Tail End Charlie to arrive. I stopped a mile east of my house and watched a nice wall cloud develop right in front of me (and over the house). The structure and chase reminded me of the first chase you usually get in late March, not late January.
It started to fill in with rain and gust out near Lincoln, but I kept it for awhile longer, taking 155 north and punching the north end of the forward flank.
Conclusion
For a January day that started as a 2% and was later downgraded to a less than 2%, this chase greatly exceeded my expectations. With some classic minisupercell structure, including wall clouds with RFD clear slots, a smattering of half inch hail, and a little lightning, all in practically my backyard, this chase was made.
Lessons Learned
- Some cold air aloft and 0-3km CAPE often goes a lot longer than a lot of speed shear and a lot of SBCAPE in terms of photogenic chases.