Storm Chase 2007 Log
The storm chase trip of 2007 did not go exactly as well as planned. In fact, failure seemed to be the key on this very long and expensive trip. A violent storm system attacked the plains on the 4th and 5th of May including the infamous Greensburg, KS F-5 tornado that leveled the town. Hundreds of tornadoes occurred during this time frame in a very concentrated area of supper cells that exploded along the dry line. We were set to arrive in tornado alley on the 6th.
The stage was once again set for Sunday to be a big severe weather day. However a weak cap, strong clouds and early initiation would prove to be one major forecasting problem. However, even before the forecast could become an obstacle other spouts of bad luck would hit. As we left Lafayette, IN to begin the storm chase our storm chase vehicle overheated and we discovered an hour down the interstate that the thermostat went bad. There were no locations open and no way to fix the problem without waiting at least a day or more and sacrificing the entire trip. Therefore, a last minute decision was made that had us limping up to Wisconsin in Jordan’s truck and then take our other vehicle (Isuzu Rodeo) to tornado alley. This decision already put us a solid 2 to 3 hours behind schedule. However, as the day unfolded the target area became clearer and we made up for lost time very nicely. We entered the Kansas turnpike toward the target area when a major semi accident blocked off the road for an hour. This hour would prove to be the dagger for the day. The forecast was an accurate one, as a minimal of only 4 tornadoes occurred but it was with our targeted supercell. However, we got to the storm just as it began to bow out and the only remarkable observation was a decent shelf cloud with a weak outflow of 15 to 20 mph winds. After a tough day we turned into a hotel in Wichita, KS.
Day 2 or Monday provided some warning signs that the entire chase trip may be more of a challenge then expected. An abundant amount of moisture remained trapped in the boundary layer with low level clouds that hung around most of the plains and blocked out critical diabetic heating. So we headed to Texas. We arrived in Abilene, TX and prepared for the chase on Tuesday.
Tuesday did provide a chase. We drove even further south to line up against the dryline/stationary front. These triggers also divided dew points in the 70s and an upper level low along the New Mexico/West Texas border provided even more lift along some higher elevations in western Texas. The main concern was that too much rain would develop too early and flooding would be the main problem. Even though this was a big problem a tornado or two did form. We traveled south to San Angelo and after eating some good Mexican food we headed out to our more successful chase. A bow echo was heading to San Angelo so we headed north as the Doppler scans were suggesting weak rotation in a small coma head on the north side of the bow echo. The storm provided a lot of wind a nice shelf cloud and weak rotation but it failed to produce anything else.
After this failed attempt and a pessimistic forecast for the following day we decided to make the journey across the country back home. This is when bad went to worse! Just a mile from the Wisconsin border the engine blew in the Rodeo. We had to get it towed, get a rental car, and pray for money to get the vehicle fixed over the following few months. All in all, the chase was one I would like to forget. We were so close yet so far away. Compared to our chase in 2005 this one doesn’t even compare despite 3 times the amount of money, time, equipment, and effort put forth. Perhaps in 2009 we can return to the plains once again with a different result.
Sunday May 6th
Tuesday May 8th