23rd May 2010 |
23/05 Day
7 Nebraska Megamamma! Today was another big day storm-wise, with large and potentially tornadic supercells predicted. We had to drop south from our location in Valentine, firstly stopping for lunch in North Platte where we also booked our hotel, then on to Mc Cook where we parked up to take stock. Coincidentally, we bumped into UK chasers Steve and Pete once again! By mid afternoon, a warm front moving northwards was beginning to develop large cumulus, and one single thunderstorm erupted 80 miles south over Kansas. We decided to drop south to get onto this cell, and as we were travelling south at 60mph and the storm was travelling north at 40mph, the closing speed was good. We arrived under the storm's northern anvil by early evening and it was producing some good lightning. However, the storm was becoming outflow dominant and we were quickly chased back northwards by a raging gust front. Strangely, a huge group of pelicans were riding on the northern side of the gust front, getting a boost northwards. Eventually, despite trying to outrun the gust front, we lost and sheltered under a garage canopy in Mc Cook. Winds hit 60mph as the gust front pounded through, sending debris flying around and making the canopy above us shake rather worryingly. Hail was pea size and the torrential rain overpowered drains. As the storm moved away, it put on quite the most spectacular mammatus display which had us transfixed for a good 30 minutes. From here, we headed west to attempt to intercept a violent supercell to our south-west. This was tornado warned and chasers were reporting a large and extremely dangerous tornado about 40 miles to our south-west. We eventually got into the cell after sunset and probably within seven miles of the main circulation. By this time, the tornado had ceased (we think) but the lightning display was vivid and impressive. After a very late Subway dinner (around midnight) in Mc Cook, and after being accosted by a group of young females wearing very little, we headed back north to spend the night at the Comfort Inn in North Platte. Total mileage: 472 miles |
We parked
up in North Platte by early afternoon to book our hotel. Whilst there,
the TIV passed us heading southwards, roaring at its characteristic
speed.
. |
Our next
pit stop was further south in Mc Cook, southern Nebraska. Skies were
blue and the sun was beating down once again! It was still windy though.
. |
Turning
the camera to other things whilst we waited for things to happen in
the skies.
. |
Once
again, we had our own mini UK chaser convergence as Pete and Steve turned
up, randomly!
. |
One of the dangers of chasing - fly splats! Pete and Steve's Chevvy had even more dead buggage than we did! |
Dropping southwards from Nebraska into North Kansas, this huge thunderstorm was developing on the warm front and we were going to intercept. |
Within
an hour, we were parked up under the northern side of the anvil with
thunder growling overhead.
. |
Looking
south towards the base of the storm, moving quickly towards us. This
dark, flat base was another developing cell.
. |
The storm
became very outflow dominant with a huge and potentially dangerous gust
front surging out towards us. We tried to keep ahead of it but it was
chasing us down!
. |
Parked up and ready to floor it! |
This
was a slightly eerie sight, as a huge flock of pelicans rode the gust
front at high altitude, racing northwards at about 50-60mph!
. |
Another
brief stop after we outrun the gust front. In this shot, the feature
is moving left to right... fast!
. |
We ran
out of road and time as the gust front hit. Sheltered under a garage
canopy (which was threatening to fall over), winds hit 60mph with hail
and torrential rain. The white object on the ground in front is a bin
which had whipped its way across the forecourt to greet us.
. |
As
the storm began to move away, it put on quite the most spectacular display
of mammatus cloud. . |
Cowboy
Jones appreciates mamma. |
This
was one of the most spectacular mamma displays most of us have seen. |
A
close up of some of the thousands of mamma pouches. |
One
more for the road! |
Finally, a last shot before sunset of the looming anvil of a dangerous, tornadic storm to our south. |
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