CHASERS: John Haynes, Brian McNoldy,
Sean Miner, Chris Rozoff
You can see more photos of this storm at http://www.johnhaynes.us/chase/chase3.html.
You can also read a Satellite Interpretation Discussion page which
includes satellite and radar loops of the storm at http://www.cira.colostate.edu/ramm/picoday/030506/030506.html.
We left Atmos at 11:30am with a somewhat pessimistic outlook, but
decided to stop in Fort Morgan for a data check (and Arby's) before
continuing the drive east to our target zone of northwest Kansas. There
is a public library in Fort Morgan with free internet access (will be
listed on the CSU Chasers webpage). We had enough reasons to continue
heading east, with CAPE building, clouds clearing, and an itch to chase
SOMETHING.
2.5 hours from Fort Collins, we got to Yuma where we made and received a
few data calls to see what was popping and where. Two options presented
themselves at the time: a stronger storm up in SE WY and a weaker one
near Limon. We opted out of the WY area because of the capped air up
there which would kill anything that did get going, and the Limon storm
was heading into better air and heading our general direction.
From Yuma, we headed south on 59 to Joes, Cope, then Seibert. Stopped
in Seibert for gas and a view which has been unrivaled in recent
memory. The Limon storm was struggling as we were driving south on 59,
but once in Seibert and in a great spot for photography, it developed
into a classic LP supercell... complete with a streaky anvil, knuckles
near the top of the updraft core, corkscrew-like updraft, arcus wrapping
around the mesocyclone, and a HUGE bell-shaped base that was, as John
put it, nothing less than textbook. As always, "interesting" people
came up to talk to us about the storm while at the truck stop. There
were personal accounts of 3" hail in that storm further west near Limon,
although the largest offical report I see from SPC is 2.25".
Regardless, it would have hurt.
Once the storm got to within about 5 miles of us, we drove east to keep
ahead of it... passing through Vona (where we stopped for another photo
shoot), then Stratton. By the time we were in Stratton, the storm had
rapidly deteriorated and was no longer worth the time or effort to
watch. As a note for those who appreciate the beauty of the untouched
prairie, we highly recommend CR 31 north from Stratton (not like the
rest of the CO Plains are highly populated, but something made this
segment especially pretty). Between Stratton and Hwy 36, CR31 --which
is actually PAVED, but not striped-- was a fun and scenic drive,
supercell or no supercell. Just a "note to self" should you find
yourself in that area.
Only remark about the trip home: there is a great restaurant in Brush
which several of us visited last summer and so we had to make a return
visit last night. As you head west on 34, turn right onto Colorado Ave,
then just a 1/2 block on the left will be a place called Smoke House.
You haven't experienced Brush until you've experienced the Smoke House.
Hmm, I wonder if they're looking for a Marketing Director...
Many thanks to Dan Lindsey, Ian Wittmeyer, and John Weaver back at
"base" for their support throughout the afternoon.
