E-mail

Last Updated on Saturday, 09 January 2010 16:48 Written by Roger Hill

2004

User Rating: / 0
PoorBest 

March 27 took me to southwest Kansas. A triple point set up was to be the focus for initial supercell development this day. Models showed a couple waves of convective development with the advancing trough and cold front with the dryline and triple point to be the focal point for potential tornadic supercells by late afternoon. However, the first wave of convection of the day, which developed late morning and early afternoon, was the only wave to happen. Fortunately I left early for my target of Dodge City, Kansas. After driving through blizzard conditions in Colorado, I got in front of the advancing cold front just west of Ogalla, Kansas on I-70. I dropped south to get to my target, and at the same time a supercell developed just east of Dodge City.  This storm rapidly intensified and produced several tornadoes. I had to core punch the FF core to get to the updraft and managed to break my first windshield of the year with 2.5" diameter hailstones. By the time I got to the updraft, the first LARGE tornado (F3) was dissipating. I managed to see it as it dissipated, but missed the biggest action by 10 minutes. Two other tornadoes and several funnels formed. Also included in the photos, was an LP supercell from the night before that my wife Caryn and I intercepted near Boise City, OK. Check out the photos below.

Several storms form on the dryline.	Nice mothership LP storm!!
Storm dissipates.	Copious nickel sized hail.
New toy for 2004, the Wx Works system!! This software and hardware RULES as it allows LIVE data while MOVING!!!	Looking southwest towards the supercell, complete with beaver tail and striated bell shaped updraft.
2.5" diameter hail broke my first windshield of the year!	To my dismay, all that is left of the F3 wedge is dirt in the air and a "v" shaped nub funnel under the updraft. 10 minutes too late......
But alas, tornado #2 starts to form.	Truncated cone extends most of the way to the ground and has debris cloud.
Closer shot as dirt is seen in the air.	Nice funnel with lots of dirt being kicked up by the tornado.
Tornado #3 forms 3 miles east of dissipated tornado #2. Typical with cyclic supercells.	Nice small elephant trunk type funnel extends most of the way to the ground with dirt kicked up.
Shot of funnel and ground with dirt swirl.	Tornado ropes out after 4 minutes skipping across the ground.