This section is for storm chases done in the central / Midwestern United States during the year of 2021. This includes all storm chasing activities (including any major chase "expeditions") during the year of 2021 in the central USA (aka "Tornado Alley"). For 2021, all chases in the central USA will be logged in this section, with many of the chases being possible "spot" chases / major severe weather "setups" chased. Here you should find many pictures of lightning, tornadoes, hail, strong winds, along with many severe thunderstorm elements. Keep in mind that this chase log is scientific evidence and portrays my on-going storm chasing research. It has been placed on this page for easy reference and meteorological interests. Please do not plagiarize or copy this document to other sites for distribution.

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STORM CHASING - CENTRAL UNITED STATES - 2021 CHASE LOG

This section is for storm chasing in the year of 2021. I can describe storm chasing as an involved job (or hobby), and definitely not an "extreme sport", characterized by "two days of boredom - then two minutes of terror" (if you are lucky)! In the image above, a large and damaging tornado touches down on the prairie lands to the west of Seldon, Kansas and churns up a cloud of dust and debris during the afternoon of May 24, 2021. This was just before the town of Selden, Kansas took a direct hit from the tornado, suffering major damage. I was standing in between the RFD (rear-flank downdraft) and the inflow jets of the tornado, experiencing winds gusting near 100 MPH at times when taking this picture.

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ABOUT THIS CHASE LOG FOR THE MIDWEST

This is a chase log for any chases during 2021 in the Midwest and Central United States that were conducted as "spot" chases as well as any dedicated chase trip. Each chase section within this area will have its own details and such for that particular chase. This area was set up in the spring of 2021 and is for any chase that was conducted in the US Plains and Midwest. Equipment use in such chases range from cell phone to HAM radio communications, digital / still cameras, high-definition video (HD) camcorders, and data logging / GPS via laptop computer. Storm chasing involved driving in harsh conditions and / or for long periods of time.

All chases and observations are in chronological order and a chase number is assigned to each entry. Please bear in mind that all observations adhere to modern storm analysis standards and do not include all storms that occurred in a given area for a particular chase period.

Any kind of storm such as a thunderstorm, tornado, waterspout, tropical cyclone, and extratropical storm can be chased or observed. I have tried to keep this log of any storms that I have observed as accurate as possible, while using terms and expressions to abide by those used by most meteorologists and storm spotters today.

Storm chasing and observation can be extremely dangerous and may result in serious injury or death. I have received intermediate and advanced training for storm spotting in 1996. I strongly urge anyone who is to try their hand at storm spotting to get training before doing so. You must also have a good understanding of meteorology and storm dynamics. "If you don't know what you're doing, Don't do it!" Contact your local National Weather Service office for information on storm spotting and about training to become a Skywarn storm Spotter.

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Storm Chasing 2021 Spring / Summer Highlights Video
Dust Devil In Lake Elsinore CA In July 2021

CHASE MAP FOR CHASE EXPEDITION 2021

The chase map above shows the chase areas and tracks for this chase expedition, from April 24, 2021 to June 28, 2022. The blue path is the driving / chase tracks. Keep in mind that this constitutes 19,170 miles of travel, and the same areas on the map may have been crossed multiple times. The red "X"'s indicate major storm interceptions. The green paths are any flights taken before, during, or after the trip. The yellow circle was my current location (updated daily during the trip), but is set to south Florida after the completion of the chase trip.

CHASE TRIP CHRONOLOGY FOR CHASE EXPEDITION 2021

The start of the main storm chasing trip began on April 24, 2021. Anticipating and up-tick in activity starting around 4/27, I decided to start the trip to the USA's mid-section on the morning of April 24. I left Garden Grove, CA, during the morning of April 24, doing a quick stop at Newport Beach to check unusually high waves due to an early season southern-hemisphere south-swell. I then headed up Highway 55 to 91 east, then I-15 to I-40 east. I continued east out of California and across Arizona and into New Mexico. I spend the night of April 24 in Alburquerque, NM. On April 25, I continued east on I-40 to Amarillo, Texas, spending a couple of days there.

April 27 was the first chase day of this trip, with a tornadic supercell intercepted from King County and eastward across the Texas area to north of Seymour. This was the first chase day after about 2 days of down time in Amarillo. I left Amarillo during the late morning via I-40, then Highway 287, targeting the area from Childress and points southward. The area was also under a slight-risk as per their 13z outlook, with a 5% tornado, 15% wind, and 15% hail probabilities (hail was hatched for significant). I stopped by early afternoon in Childress, setting up / troubleshooting some equipment, as storms began initiating west and southwest of Paducah to the south. Meanwhile the Storm Prediction Center issues MCD (mesoscale discussion) 436, and subsequent severe thunderstorm watch box #113, valid until 9 PM CDT. I headed south on Highway 62 /83 towards Paducah and near Guthrie. The developing storm was encountered north of Guthrie with hail golfball to baseball sized observed. I continued east out of Guthrie along Highway 82 in Seymour, then 183 north through Mabelle towards Electra. A large, rapidly rotating "bowl shaped" lowering (tornado) was observed north of 82 from a distance. I headed back down 183 to 82, then east and northeast on SR 277, and spent the night in Wichita Falls, Texas.

April 28 was the second chase day, with a chase in central Texas, ending up in the western areas of the Dallas / Fort Worth "Metroplex". I forecasted and found a complicated scenario for severe weather on order, with storms (and multiple target areas) stretching SW to NE from the Mexican border and into SE Oklahoma. The SPC had this area in an enhanced-risk outlook as of their 13z and 1630z outlooks, with a tornado probability of 5%, wind of 15%, and hail of 30% (hail was hatched for significant). I decided on a target area near Abilene, Texas, as an outflow boundary was put down by overnight convection. A prepared the vehicle, fixing an issue with the power inverter, and had the pleasure of talking to Pecos Hank who also stayed at the same motel. I left Wichita Falls, heading down 277, and back into Abilene near I-20 by early afternoon. The SPC issued MCD 452, and subsequent tornado watch box 116, valid until 9 PM CDT for the target area. A supercell storm was encountered first south of Abilene near Goldsboro along Highway 84 in Coleman County. This storm was followed via SR 206 and SR 36 from near Cross Plains and Rising Star. The storm was abandoned as it weakened, and I headed back west to Cross Plains and north to I-20 east via SR 206. I headed east on I-20, reaching the same supercell near Weatherford and into Tarrant County, as it became tornado warned northwest of Fort Worth at dusk. The SPC extended eastward a new tornado watch box 121 valid until 2 AM CDT the following day. The "other" distant possible target area in south Texas also produced tornadoes, and SPC added a 10% tornado probability there (in addition to significant winds of 30%) on their 20z enhanced outlook. I continued around the I-820 loop, and along SR 121 to I-35W. Finished with chasing, I continued east to near Garland, Texas on I-635, spending the night and the next couple of off-dates there.

The period from April 29 to May 2 was spent as off-time and I was not actively chasing, working remotely on projects at my main IT job. On May 1, via I-45 out of Dallas, I traveled from Dallas to Houston, spending off time there in the city. I headed back up I-45 through Dallas and into Norman, Oklahoma for the night, anticipating a chase day farther east on May 3. May 2 had some storms in Colorado and out-of-reach in Mississippi, with some tornadoes reported there, and a slight-risk was in place. I did not chase on May 2 due to the long travel times, and storms, if any, would develop in terrible, heavily wooded terrain for chasing.

May 3 was the first chase day after some off-time, but was plagued by an extremely complex forecast setup, and a surging cold-front / outflow. I started the day in Norman Oklahoma, targeting the best area for tornadoes and hail to be near Ardmore, and points eastward into southeastern Oklahoma. The complex setup had a large enhanced risk as per SPC, with multiple areas of storms across the risk area, with the main one being the south-central Oklahoma target. The SPC 1630z enhanced outlook had a 10% tornado, 30% wind, and 30% hail probability, all hatched for significant. The enhanced area stretched from the southern tip of Illinois to the SW into north-central Texas. I left Norman and headed south to near Ardmore, and storms initiated there during the late afternoon. The SPC also issued mesoscale-discussion 498, and subsequent tornado watch box 133, valid until 11 PM CDT. Storms fired near Ardmore and moved northeast, with a supercell observed evolving to a bow segment during the evening as storms quickly grew upscale into a forward-propagating MCS. The chase track was from near I-35 and Ardmore, and east on Highways 70 and 199, and finally northeastward to near Wapanuka and Coalgate along SR 7 and Highways 377 and 75. Ironically, any tornadoes this day occurred in central IL and central TX, on the edged of the setup, and with low (2% or so) probabilities! No tornadoes in the 10% outlook. I finished chasing near Coalgate, OK via Highway 75 and SR 3 northwest to Ada for fuel stop, then north on Highway 377 to I-40. I took I-40 west to I-35 north out of Oklahoma City, and got on Highway 81 north near Braman, Kansas, and continued to Wichita via I-135 / Highway 400, spending the night there. The next several days will be down time (with storms, if any, confined to the distant SE USA).

The period from May 4 through May 7 was off time with no major storms expected, and spent in Wichita doing remote work for my IT job, as well as some car maintenance, including 2 new tires. The activity picked back up on May 8, with storms chased in north-central Kansas, from near Lacrosse and Russsel, and eastward to Salina. On May 8, I looked at data, targeting an area of storms from southeast of Hays and points across northern Kansas - Owing to a triple point / warm front near that area. The Storm Prediction Center would have this area out-looked in an enhanced risk, with a 5% tornado, 30% wind, and 30% significant hail in their probabilities. The first mesoscale discussion, 561, was issued, followed by severe thunderstorm watch box 153, valid until 9 PM CDT, and later tornado watch 154, valid until 1 AM CDT farther east. I left Wichita via I-135 north to Salina, then west on I-70 to Russell, waiting for storms to begin southwest of there. Storms developed west and near Lacross, moving eastward, and ultimately past Salina after dusk. The chase tracks were down Highway 281, to SR 4, then west to 183 near Lacross, then back towards Russell via Highway 281 / SR 4. From there I went east on I-70 to Salina, abandoning the storms there. I continued south on I-135 out of Salina, making the long drive past Wichita, and into the north side of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, arriving there just past midnight.

May 9 was a long-range chase day, with a trip into eastern Texas to get ahead of the cold front that was pushing southward. I looked at data, and decided an area southeast of Dallas, Texas, in an area from near Canton and Tyler. As of 13z, the Storm Prediction Center had a large enhanced-risk area, stretching from eastern Texas, northeastward as far as SW Tennessee. The tornado probability was 5%, with a 30% wind and significant hail in this outlook. I left Edmund (north side of Oklahoma City), Oklahoma and headed south into Dallas via I-35, crossing the cold front, and east on I-20 to Canton by afternoon. I headed south on SR 19 to Palestine, Texas, then northeast on Highway 79 to near Jacksonville. The SPC also issued mesoscale discussion 568 for the area, and subsequent severe thunderstorm watch box 157, valid until 9 PM CDT. Storms were intercepted near Jacksonville, Texas. After chasing, I headed south on Highway 69 to Highway 84, heading west on that until I reached Waco, Texas. I spent the night in Waco.

May 10 was another long-range chase day, and rather frustrating at times, with a supercell storm intercepted in Real County, Texas during the late afternoon. I looked at data contemplating whether or not to chase to the south in Texas, analyzing a stalling cold front and good heating / storms possible about 50 to 100 miles west of Austin and San Antonio. The Storm Prediction Center would eventually have this area in an enhanced-risk on their 1630z outlook, with a 5% tornado, 15% wind, and 30% significant hail in the probabilities. I left Waco around noon, finishing up a half-day of work at my remote IT job, and headed south on I-35 towards San Antonio. Traffic was very bad on nearly this entire stretch of I-35, especially between Austin and San Antonio. I used I-410 to go around San Antonio, taking Highway 90 westward out of the city. Meanwhile, mesoscale discussion 581 was issued by the SPC, with subsequent severe thunderstorm watch box 162, valid until 10 PM CDT. Convective initiation began a bit early, around 3 PM, as I was making my way west past Hondo on Highway 90. I took SR 127 out of Sabinal, targeting a developing supercell storm near Real County, and managed to get myself pulled over for a school zone on the north side of Sabinal (just a warning since I was only 5 MPH over). After losing precious time, I continued northwest on 127 to Highway 83 north, now stuck behind a slow RV. I reached Leakey, and Observed the storm from there, and points eastward to near Vanderpool and north of Utopia on Ranch 187. I wrapped up chasing, heading back Highway 85 via Ranch 1050, taking Highway 83 north all the way to Abilene, Texas, where I spend the night.

May 11-13 was down time spent in Plano (north of Dallas), Texas where I was able to work on my normal IT job as well as take care of some medical needs, including my second Covid-19 vaccine. Chasing resumed on May 14, with a long trip to a target area of NW Kansas. On May 14, I looked at data and determined a target area in NW Kansas, not far from Hays, as well as another un-reachable target in eastern Colorado. Deciding on the Kansas target area, I left Plano early via Highway 75 / I-635 to I-35E north, then I-35 north into Oklahoma, through Kansas, and headed west on I-70 out of Salina. The Storm Prediction Center had a slight-risk for E Colorado and NW Kansas, with a 2% tornado, and 15% significant for hail and wind in the probabilities. By later afternoon I passed the target area of Hays, Kansas. The SPC also issued mesoscale discussion 610 and subsequent severe thunderstorm watch box 170, valid until 11 PM CDT. A powerful supercell was intercepted from north of Hoxie, Kansas on Highway 24 to Hill City, then south to Wakeeney on Highway 283. Hail damage occurred to the chase vehicle, including a cracked windshield before I was able to put the front hail guards on. I wrapped up the chase on the south side of Wakeeney. The storms in Colorado, where most of the storm chasers were on, weakened as the supercell I was on became the main storm of the day. No other storm chasers (except me) were on the Kansas supercell. I headed back west on I-70 to Colby, and spent the night there.

May 15 was a chase day, targeting a region from southwest Kansas and into southeast Colorado, targeting anywhere from Liberal to Springfield. This area was to be within a large slight-risk area as per the 13z and 1630z SPC outlooks, with a 2% tornado, and 15% for both wind and hail near the target area, owing to a stalled frontal boundary in that vicinity. I left Colby via SR 25 south to Highway 40, then west to SR 27 south to Syracuse, Kansas. After waiting there and refining the target area to near Springfield, Colorado, I headed south on SR 27 to Highway 160 west and into Colorado. At Springfield I waited until storms began initiating, especially where an MCS to the southwest was building towards the stalled front that extended eastward into SW Kansas. I headed south on Highway 385 to near Campo, then back north and east along Highway 385 to near Manter and Johnson City, intercepting storms there. The SPC initially issued mesoscale discussion 622 and severe thunderstorm watch 174, and later an additional mesoscale discussion 625 and small tornado watch box #175. Both watches were valid until 10 PM MDT. After chasing the storms from near the KS / CO border, I wrapped up north of Manter, Kansas and north of Highway 160. I stopped to help an single uninjured motorist who totaled his sports car after he collided violently with a pregnant deer that ran out in front of him. The deer was killed instantly and mangled in the impact. The driver was shook up but otherwise fine as myself and some other chasers helped him out of the totaled new Ford Mustang. I provided video of the crash site to the driver. I continued north of Manter and east on Highway 160 to SR 25, south to Hugoton, then east on SR 51 to Highway 83. I headed south to Liberal, and spent the night there.

May 16 was a chase day, with a final target area to the west of Amarillo, Texas. A pretty good supercell storm was intercepted near Vega, Texas but unfortunately managed to miss a small tornado on another supercell farther south near Sudan and Earth, Texas. I forecasted and decided that the Texas Panhandle area would be a good choice. I attended Sunday mass and left Liberal via Highway 54 to the southwest. I took 412 / 64 west out of Guymon and past Boise City to just east of Clayton, New Mexico. I decided to drop south to Highway 87, taking that southeast into Texas and eventually Highway 385 south to Vega, Texas. The Storm Prediction Center had a slight risk area in place, with a 2% tornado, 15% wind, and 15% hail probability. The hail probability was hatched for significant, from the west Texas Panhandle southward. By late afternoon the SPC issued mesoscale discussion 638, and then severe thunderstorm watch box 177, valid until 11 PM CDT. I chased a supercell storm from west of Highway 385 to the southwest of Vega, Texas, and eastward on Ranch 1062 to FM 809 south, then took Highway 160 back north and east into Canyon, Texas. I highly regretting going after another supercell to the south near Sudan, which produced a small tornado, but there would have been little chance of me catching it in time. I continued north out of Canyon on I-27 and into Amarillo, spending the night there off I-40.

May 17 was a rather long chase day, and with a very complicated forecast, and ultimately two small tornadoes observed with a supercell moving off Hockley County and southwest of Lubbock, Texas. There were multiple target areas, with storm chasers spread out in two main areas, one southwest of Lubbock, and another near and east of Midland, Texas. I chose the former target area southwest of Lubbock. The Storm Prediction Center had these areas in a moderate risk, with a tornado probability of 10%. Wind and hail were 15% and 45%, respectively, with hail probabilities hatched for significant. I left Amarillo via I-27 south until Lubbock, Texas. I then headed south and west on Highways 62 / 82, stopping at Seminole by mid afternoon. The SPC also issued mesoscale discussion 651, and subsequent tornado watch box 182 over a large area. Two storm areas developed that produced tornadoes, one near Midland, and in my area forecasted in Hockley county and through the area SE of Levelland. The storm was chased via FM 1780 to FM 1585, and eastward all the way to the south side of Lubbock via Highway 62 / FM 1585. I wrapped up chasing on the SE side of Lubbock, and headed back west via Highway 84 to I-27, and spent the night there.

May 18 was a chase day pretty much in the areas west and southwest of Lubbock, Texas. A tornadic supercell was intercepted from a distance late in the day near LaMesa after venturing too far west and northwest out of Lubbock. I looked at data and determined a target area anywhere from the TX / NM border and points southeastward to south of Lubbock. I worked a bit in the morning for my main IT job, then left Lubbock around noon, headed northwest out of town via Highway 84 and into Clovis, New Mexico by early afternoon. Storms began firing up there but were linear and not well organized. A lone supercell began organizing west of LaMesa and attention turned towards that cell, and I headed out of Clovis via Highway 70 to SR 206 south to Highway 380 east and back into Texas. I continued east on 380, then south on Ranch 1780 to Highway 180 east out of Seagraves on SR 83. The supercell was encountered near LaMesa via SR 137 and Highways 87 / 180 eastward. The Storm Prediction Center had a marginal risk outlook in place for the area, with a 2% tornado, 5% wind, and 5% hail probabilities. The SPC area with higher probabilities to the southeast in Texas was associated with an MCS and of no major interest. Mesoscale discussions 672 and 678 were issued for the area, but a watch was not needed. I wrapped up chasing west of Snyder, and near Gail, Texas along Highway 180, then made my way back north and west via Ranch 669 to Highway 84 west of Post. I continued northwest into Lubbock, had dinner with other storm chasers Dan Shaw and Jeff Piotrowski, and spent the night in Lubbock. I accidentally backed into a vehicle while parking at the hotel, but no damage was done outside of a scratch on my rear bumper. The other party was outside and upset, but did not need any information since no damage was done.

May 19 and 20 were a travel and marginal chase day, respectively. May 19 was strictly a travel day, requiring a long reposition northward to anticipate the next setups for severe weather. I left Lubbock via I-27 through Amarillo, Texas and north on Highways 287 / 385 across the western Oklahoma Panhandle and into E Colorado towards Lamar. By afternoon, I took Highway 287 / 40 northwestward and finally west on I-70 out of Lamar, reaching the Denver area by evening. I spent the night on the east side of Denver near Aurora. The following day, May 20 was a marginal and highly conditional chase day, targeting an area from near Highway 36 and SR 71, and points north and east from there. The SPC had a slight risk in place, with negligible tornado probabilities, and 15% for both wind and hail. The target area was on the south side of this setup, anticipating up-slope and a more isolated storm mode. I left Denver via I-70 east, got an oil change on my vehicle, and continued to Byers and east on Highway 36. I took SR 71 north and encountered a small supercell between Last Chance and Brush. The Storm Prediction Center also issued mesoscale discussion 692 for the target area northward, but no watch was necessary. I wrapped up chasing near and north of Brush, Colorado, and looped back to Fort Morgan, and spent the night there. May 21 was a chase day that looked fantastic "on paper" but turned out to be a terrible day for storms with hundreds of storm chasers in the target area experiencing marginal storms by the end of the day. The forecasted target area was not far from my stay in Fort Morgan, Colorado - In an area a bit north and east from near Sterling and northward into Nebraska, pretty much along Highway 385. The Storm Prediction Center had this area in a small slight-risk, with a 5% tornado, 15% wind, and 15% significant hail in the probabilities. I waited until mid afternoon in Fort Morgan, then in Sterling for a couple of hours, watching a small supercell storm south of there rapidly move north and weaken. The SPC also issued mesoscale discussion 696 and severe thunderstorm watch box 192, valid until 10 PM MDT. By late afternoon / early evening storms struggled and failed to organize into anything significant. The chase track was pretty much north on SR 71 / 14 to Sterling, then north out of there via SR 113 / Highway 138 to Sydney, Nebraska, then north on Highway 385 to SR 92, where the storms encountered a cold front. I wrapped up chasing backing down Highway 385 to I-80, then east on there to Ogallala, Nebraska, where I spent the night.

May 22 was a very good chase day, with three tornadoes intercepted in northeastern Colorado, one a very photogenic "elephant trunk" type. I forecasted and found a good area that stretched from SE Wyoming and into east-central Colorado. The southern portions of this area, south of a wedge of cooler air with a cold front stalling, and up-slope wind flow, seemed to be the better area. From Sterling, Colorado, and southward to Highway 36 was the best area for storms. The Storm Prediction Center had this area in a slight-risk, with a 5% tornado, 15% wind, and 15% significant hail probabilities as per their 1630z outlook. I headed out of Ogallala, Nebraska via I-80 west, then I-76 southwest into Colorado. I took SR 59 out of Sedgwick and worked my way towards Yuma. It became apparent that initiation was going to be early, and SPC issued mesoscale discussion 699 and subsequent tornado watch box 193, valid until 8 PM MDT. I waited in Yuma and saw some towering (and highly sheared) cumulus building up to my southwest, and headed west on Highway 34, and south on SR 61 out of Otis. I continued west on dirt roads until southwest of Akron and south of Brush. One of the developing storms quickly became severe, and the cell to the northwest produced 3 tornadoes. The storms merged into a severe cluster and moved northeastwards thereafter. I continued north to Highway 34, then east to SR 63 out of Akron back to I-76. I continued north and east following the storm cluster, and dropped south on SR 55 to Fleming, east on SR 6, then back to I-76 on SR 59. I wrapped up the chase, and headed east on I-76 to I-80. I spent the night in North Platte, Nebraska.

May 23 was an extremely busy chase day, with three severe storms encountered in Colorado, and one tornadic supercell that produced at least two tornadoes. After much deliberation, and a refinement on my forecasting, I forgone the initial target in SW South Dakota, and opted to head southwest instead, and into east-central Colorado, originally targeting an area in a line between Limon and Holyoke. The Storm Prediction Center would have an enhanced-risk in place, mainly for a 30% significant wind probability across western SD, and 10% tornado probability in east-central to NE Colorado. Hail was 15%, also hatched for significant, as per the SPC 1630z outlook. I left North Platte via Highway 83 south to SR 23 and westward past Holyoke, Colorado. I worked my west via Highway 6 to SR 59 south, taking that to Highway 36 and westward near Cope and Anton. The SPC also issued mesoscale discussion 708 and subsequent tornado watch box 196, valid until 8 PM MDT. This refined target area worked out well, and a powerful supercell was followed from near Anton, and north to Akron, mainly along dirt roads in Washington county, and to the SE of Sterling. At least two tornadoes were observed with this storm. The chase then turned back south, pretty much back down SR 59 to Yuma, where another storm was encountered. The path then continued east on Highway 34 to Wray, and north on Highway 385 for a bit to check a weakening supercell there (originally near Yuma). I backed down 385 to 34, taking that east into extreme SW Nebraska, passing another severe storm there, and east to SR 161 south to Bird City, then east on Highway 36 to SR 25 south into Colby, Kansas, where I spent the night.

May 24 was one of the more memorable chase days in a long time, albeit a long day, with a significant tornado intercepted at the end of the day near Selden, Kansas. The setup for the day was relatively local, with a "triple-point" set-up around northwest Kansas with a stationary boundary oriented east to west, and dryline / pacific cool front extending southward out of that. I looked at data, and decided a good area will be anywhere from around Leoti, Kansas, northward to near my starting point near Colby. The Storm Prediction Center would have this area in a slight risk, with a 5% tornado probability centered over NW Kansas. Wind and hail probabilities were both 15% (hail hatched for significant) as per the 1630z outlook. I headed out of Colby via SR 25 south and southwest into Leoti by noon. Storms began initiating near and west of Leoti early (around 1 PM) and one became a supercell. The SPC also issued mesoscale discussion 721, and subsequent tornado watch box 200, valid until 9 PM CDT for the area. The storm near Leoti intensified and was super-cellular, but other cells forming around it, making a broken line of storms. Meanwhile, storms were noted developing southwest of Colby father north, and were producing brief tornadoes, obviously near the triple-point / boundary. The SPC even issued a special mesoscale discussion (723) for this area. I decided to abandon the poor road network and muddy roads and return back north along SR 25 to near Russell Springs. From afar, some tornadoes were observed looking north and northwest at the two supercells. I continued back along SR 25 through Colby, and east out of there on Highway 24 (nearly getting stuck in deep mud going around Colby). A more dominant tornadic supercell storm was moving slowly northeast and observed near Highway 83 and near Rexford. This storm became a powerful tornadic storm as it continued moving east and northeast, with the city of Sheldon, Kansas taking a direct hit from a large tornado - Which was observed at close range. After the storm weakened to the east, I backed down SR 23 through Hoxie, Highway 24 east to Highway 283, then south to Wakeeney and to I-70. I headed east on I-70, spending the night in Hays, Kansas.

May 25 was a marginal and highly conditional chase day, with a long shot of storms anywhere from extreme SW Kansas, Oklahoma panhandle, and northern Texas panhandle. This area was on the northern edge of an area of storm probabilities as per the Storm Prediction Center - Which had a slight risk from these areas southward as per their 13z and 630z outlooks. Tornado probabilities were 2%, with wind and hail at 15%. The latter two were significant (hatched) but from Lubbock southward in Texas. I decided to target an area near Liberal and southeast of there into Texas. A strong cap was also in place, behind a morning MCS, but a boundary / dryline interaction and weak low set a possibility of a "late show" if the cap was breached. I left Hays and headed south via Highway 183, and west on SR 96 to Highway 283 south past Dodge City. I managed to handle some meetings while on the road, after working at my IT job in the morning. I reached the area near Rosston, Oklahoma by late afternoon, and headed west on Highway 64 from there. The cap was still holding strong, but some towering cumulus was noted to the south and southwest. The SPC issued mesoscale discussions 736 and 739, as well as severe thunderstorm watch 204, valid until 11 PM CDT. I went west on Highway 64 to SR 23 south, reaching Booker, Texas, and west from there past Perryton to near Spearman, along SR 15. Some supercell storms were encountered in this area near sunset, with beautiful structure, hail, and even a funnel cloud observed. After wrapping up chasing, I headed back to Highway 83 north of Perryton, and across the Oklahoma Panhandle, and into Liberal, Kasnas for the night.

May 26 was a moderate-risk (potentially high-end) chase day from NW Kansas and eastward, albeit quite frustrating at times, but ended up with a tornado caught after dark near Hill City, Kansas. The Storm Prediction Center had a moderate risk in place, centered over NW Kansas and adjacent areas, with a significant (hatched) 15% tornado probability, with wind and hail at 45%, also significant. Three possible target areas were valid, one over the SW NE / NE CO "tri-state" area, another with a persistent supercell moving east near Russell County, Kansas during the early afternoon, and the dryline in west-central to NW Kansas. I chose the latter target area, which unfortunately did not verify much due to strong CIN ("capping") across that area. I left Liberal and took care of IT work and meetings while on the road, heading up Highway 83 to Scott City. Many storm chasers were in Scott City, especially at the Love's truck stop. A storm initiated northwest of Scott City, Kansas near Leoti by afternoon, but remained LP (low precipitation) and eventually down-scaled near Russel Springs. I went west via dirt road (W Road 270) to SR 25, then north to near Highway 40, and east to Highway 83 and I-70 near Oakley. The SPC also issued multiple mesoscale discussions, including 749, and subsequent PDS (particularly dangerous situation) tornado watch 210, valid until 2 AM CDT the next day. I managed to make my way north to Hoxie, via SR 23, and got myself pulled over for a stop sign (and getting a $185 citation in the process!) before making my way east on Highway 24. Some small supercells went up in this area, with once cell producing a tornado south of Hill City, viewed from along Highway 283. I wrapped up chasing and made my way back to I-70 in Wakeeney, then east to I-135 south out of Salina, reaching Wichita, Kansas, after midnight, and spent the night there.

May 27 was a long chase day, with a chase / re-position track through Oklahoma and into Texas, with a supercell storm observed in central Oklahoma, and another supercell in the SE Texas Panhandle late in the day. I looked at data, and got my usual morning IT work done (at my main job), and left Wichita in the late morning. I headed down I-135 to I35 south into Oklahoma. A weakening mid-day supercell storm was encountered north of Mulhall after horrible construction traffic near Orlando on I-35. Continuing south and southwest, I used I-44 to I-40 west around Oklahoma City and headed west to the main target area, which extended from SW Oklahoma and into the SE Texas Panhandle. The Storm Prediction center had a large enhanced-risk area, extending from west-central Texas, northeastward as far as south-central Missouri. Tornado probability as 5%, with wind and hail both 15%, and hatched (significant). Also issued in the afternoon were mesoscale discussions 764 and 770, followed by subsequent tornado watch box 215 and severe thunderstorm watch 216, valid until 9 PM and 11 PM, CDT, respectively. I continued west on I-40 past Clinton, meeting up and caravanning with Dan Shaw, heading into Shamrock, Texas by late afternoon. From Shamrock, I took Highway 83 south to SR 203 west, targeting convective initiation west of Memphis via FM-1547. Heading west on SR 256 and south on SR 70, a hail-producing LP supercell storm was intercepted near Turkey, Texas. I wrapped up chasing near Matador, and headed west on Highway 62 to Floydada, then south on Highway 62 to Highway 82, and west there to Lubbock, staying there for the night at a hotel off I-27.

May 28 was a chase day from the extreme SE Corner of New Mexico and into SW Texas, with an intense supercell intercepted near Pecos by the end of the day. Since I made it as far as Lubbock the day before, today's chase setup was within reach. The Storm Prediction Center had this area in an enhanced risk, from near and south of Midland, with a slight risk extending westward on their 13z and 1630z outlooks. Tornado probability was 5%, with a 15% wind, and 30% significant hail forecast. Two possible targets were on tap. One was west and northwest towards Roswell, and the other from near Midland and westward towards Pecos. I originally favored the first target, but realized the latter one to the south would be better. I did some work and left my hotel, which I booked two days with Memorial Day coming, and left via Highway 62 out of Lubbock to the west and southwest. I made it to Lovington, New Mexico on Highway 82, and decided to abandon the New Mexico target and head south instead towards SW Texas. The SPC issued mesoscale discussion 786 and then severe thunderstorm watch box 220, valid until 11 PM CDT. I took SR 18, stopping in Hobbs, where I spoke to Sarah Austin who was also chasing. Storms began developing in various placed by later afternoon, including one by Kermit and another near Mentone. I continued south on SR 18 towards I-20 near Monahans, Texas. The Kermit supercell gusted out and weakened, and I switched my attention to another supercell north of Pecos near Pyote. This supercell was tracked in Ward County near I-20 and Ranch-2355 with hail up to baseball sized observed. After chasing, and now along I-20 near Pyote, I continued northeast to Odessa, then north on Highway 385 to Andrews. From there, I took SR 115 and SR 349 through La Mesa, dodging a powerful MCS from the other target area in New Mexico well after dark. Out of La Mesa, I continued north on Highway 87, which turns into I-27, and back to my hotel I still had in Lubbock for the night.

May 29 was a great chase day, with several tornadoes observed, one a large wedge tornado after dark from SE Colorado into the extreme NW Oklahoma Panhandle. I forecasted before leaving Lubbock mid morning, targeting an area in SE Colorado, near Campo and Springfield. Another possible target was farther north near the Palmer Divide as well, but with limited moisture. The SE Colorado target would be strong up-slope flow on the nose of a moisture axis, beneath modest mid-level flow (from the west) and upper level support for storms provided by difluent flow in between a split / exit region in the jet stream aloft. I left Lubbock and headed north on I-27 to Highway 287 in Amarillo, taking that all the way up across the Oklahoma Panhandle and into southeast Colorado, stopping in Springfield by early to mid afternoon. Storms began firing east of the Raton Mesa and slowly organized into supercells. A good chase track was taking Highway 160 west towards Kim and Pritchett. The Storm Prediction Center had a slight-risk for this area, with a 5% tornado, 5% wind, and 15% significant hail probability as per their 1630z outlook. Storms remained messy and disorganized, with an MCS / transient supercells over Las Animas County. The SPC also issued mesoscale discussion 801, and subsequent tornado watch box 223, valid until 9 PM MDT. By late afternoon, the MCS consolidated into a nearly stationary supercell storm, then began moving SE, and rapidly intensified as it entered Baca County. The chase track went back east on Highway 160, then south via dirt roads, CR 13 and 21, and into the Oklahoma Panhandle near the Black Mesa Canyon. A large caravan of storm chasers and tour groups were along this road. A large cone tornado was observed with rain wrap. After getting into Oklahoma, I went along N01110 Road to SR 325, then west into New Mexico to SR 406, then south to SR 18 east and back into Oklahoma, then east to Boise City on SR 325. A large wedge tornado was noted at this time, after dark, looking NW of Boise City. The supercell fortunately weakened north of town. I continued east on Highway 412, and stayed in Guymon for the night.

May 30 was another chase day from eastern New Mexico and right back up towards the NW Oklahoma Panhandle, but unfortunately had some frustrating moments and bad decisions. At the end of the day, three tornadoes were observed with a supercell near Felt, Oklahoma - Pretty much near the same area as yesterday. I looked at data, and an area near Clayton, New Mexico seemed to be a good starting area. I washed the vehicle, and went to Church, and left Guymon during the early afternoon via Highway 412 west. Two areas were at play for the day, one close by near the NM / OK border with a stalled frontal boundary, and another in up-slope wind flow in east-central New Mexico near Tucamcari. I passed Boise City, then headed southwest on Highway 56 into New Mexico, and past Clayton. The Storm Prediction Center had a slight-risk area outlooked, stretching across the eastern portions of New Mexico and extreme NW Texas Panhandle. The tornado probability was 5% in most of this area, and 15% for both wind and hail as per the 13z and 1630z forecast. The SPC also issued mesoscale discussion 810 for eastern New Mexico, and MD 814 for the TX and OK Panhandles. These areas also were issued a severe thunderstorm and tornado watches 225 and 226, valid until 6 PM MDT and 12 AM CDT the following day, respectively. My mistake of the day was being "suckered" by disorganized up-slope convection near Tucumcari, New Mexico, via SR 18 / 402 and near I-40 / Highway 54. I met chaser an Shaw, and noticed two big supercells, one another 120 miles to the south, and another slowly forming way back north past Clayton, NM. Dan Shaw and I pretty much back-tracked back up the same route into Clayton and east towards Felt, Oklahoma on Highway 54. Although late to these supercell storms, some tornadoes were observed, but in low contrast / rain wrapped - One being a large cone, possible wedge. I headed back through Boise City on Highway 54 as the original storm weakened, and headed to another storm down Highway 287 near Stratford, Texas. The storm looked good, then weakened a lot, and I turned around, heading back to Boise City, Oklahoma. After this costly mistake, the storm rapidly intensified and started producing rain-wrapped tornadoes east of Stratford. I turned around again, but when I reached the Stratford storm it already was evolving to an MCS and not even worth logging. I headed back up Highway 287, again, and through Boise City and into Colorado via Highway 385. I spent the night in Two Buttes near Springfield.

May 31 was both a distant marginal chase day, Memorial Day, and the 14th anniversary of the tragic 2013 El Reno Oklahoma Tornado. I decided not to chase this day, since any possible target area worthwhile would be confined to extreme southwest Texas south of Fort Stockton, nearly a day's drive away. With a quiet period (finally approaching) over the upcoming week, I decided to focus on my main IT job and make the long drive to the Chicago area instead. The storm prediction center had the area in SW Texas in a slight-risk, with a 5% tornado probability (with 5% wind and 15% significant hail). A tornado producing storm did develop, but way south of Fort Stockton, and even crossing into Mexico by the late afternoon (some storm chasers did catch some brief tornadoes there, but they were low contrast, brief, and / or in very difficult chase terrain. I left Two Buttes very early via Highway 160 east and into Kansas near Johnson. I then took SR 27 north to Highway 40 east out of Sharon Springs, and met I-70 near Oakley. I continued on I-70 to Kansas City, Missouri, then north via I-635 to I-35, north to Des Moines, Iowa to catch I-235 to I-80 east. I continued on I-80 east across Iowa and into Illinois, crossing the Mississippi River for the first time this season, and took I-88 to near Dixon. I then avoided the toll road, using Highway 30 east, which became an obvious caveat. I was pulled over by police - Again. This time it was a very polite officer who reminded my a light was out on my car, and after putting a spare bulb in, I was good to go. I continued on Highway 30, and slowly made my way into Du Page County, IL just before midnight. I will spend the upcoming down-time there, and work at my IT job, until the next setup makes its way into the central USA.

The period after May 31, and all the way until Jun 16 was down time and was spent in the Chicago area / suburbs, with full time remote work at my IT job during this period. There was a decent setup on June 10 in MT / western ND, but in between almost no good chase setups and was not worth heading all the way out there and back to down time after. On June 16, I left the Chicago area and stayed in Iowa City, Iowa, anticipating storm activity in the north and northeastern part of the state on June 17. The June 17 chase day turned out to be a painful "bust day", with no storms developing in the forecasted target areas of NE Iowa near the IA / MN border. The SPC had an enhanced-risk area out, mainly across northern and across northeastern Iowa and into western Wisconsin. The tornado probability was 5%, with wind and hail both 30%, and hatched for significant. I left Iowa city via I-380 north towards Waterloo, and Highway 63 north from there. Heading west on SR 346 to Highway 218 near Floyd and Charles City. Weak storms were encountered there, but were elevated and associated with the lead upper impulse. The area cleared out and the SPC also issued mesoscale discussion 989 and severe thunderstorm watch box 276, valid until 10 MP CDT. Late in the day, I made my way north to just north of the IA / MN border via SR 9 / 156. No storms developed in any forecasted target area, except a cluster of supercells southeast of Minneapolis, 80+ miles to the north, and outside of any main forecasted area(s). Accepting a "bust" and late in the day, I headed back down south along Highway 63 to I-380 out of Waterloo, then back to Iowa City for the night.

June 18 was a travel day, with any good storms developing way east in a distant area along the east-central Indiana / SW Ohio border - Those producing significant tornadoes late in the day. This target area was un-reachable, so I spent most of today traveling back east towards the Chicago area, leaving Iowa City around noon via I-80 east to I-39 in north-central Illinois, then north to Highway 30 east. I took Highway 30 to I-88 and back into the Chicago suburbs. Severe weather was anticipated well south of the area but never materialized on June 18. The next day, Sunday, was an off day with any storm possibilities way south over S IL or a marginal setup in NE Colorado / SW Nebraska (not chased). Severe weather would be expected in the Midwest and Great Lakes area on Sunday, June 20, with some more possibilities later in the week, and expecting to work at my IT job during such down-time.

June 20 was a chase day, with severe weather expected anywhere from southern Michigan and well into southern and SW Iowa. The best bet of seeing any daytime storms and possible tornadoes was to be anywhere from eastern to central Iowa, with a morning MCV (mesoscale convective system and its stable wake) ruining the possibility of storms (until well after dark) over northern Illinois. I decided to head west into Iowa (via Highway 30 and I-88 to I-80 west), and brought Randy Villaro, a good friend of mine, along with me since he wanted to go on a chase. An extremely complicated and nebulous forecast was the plan of today, without a clear target area until storms actually developed by late afternoon. Behind the morning convection, an area of clearing (and surface heating), stretched across east / central Iowa. The Storm Prediction Center had an enhanced-risk outlook in place, with a large 5% tornado probability, 30% wind, and 15% hail in the possibilities. The hail outlook was significant, mainly across western parts of the setup in Iowa and western Illinois. We headed west on I-80 to I-380 north, past Waterloo, and Highway 63 north catching a severe storm up there before backing south along Highway 218. The SPC issued mesoscale discussions 1033 and 1035 for northeastern and south-central Iowa, respectively. Severe thunderstorm watch boxes 293 and 294 were also issued for these two areas, one valid until 9 PM, and the southern one until 11 PM CDT. Storms began developing to the south, so we headed rapidly south on Highway 218, west of Waterloo, and down Highway 63 past I-80. A tornadic supercell storm developed near Pella, Iowa, and that storm was observed from east of there along SR 92 and towards SR 1 by Washington. After wrapping up chasing, we headed north on SR 1 to I-380 / I-80 in Iowa City. From there, we headed back east on I-80 to I-88, and back into the Chicago Suburbs for the night. Upon returning, a large tornado devastated an area mere miles from where I was staying (near Naperville and Woodridge), but just before midnight and was not intercepted.

The period from June 21 through the 23rd was down time spent working in the Chicago area, with a trip back out west for the last storm chases of the season by late June 23, with a trip back into Iowa via I-88 / I-80 west from Illinois. The night of June 23 was spent in Iowa City, Iowa. Storm chasing returned on June 24, with a long trip warranted towards a target area from northeastern Kansas and into southeast Nebraska. Eventually the Storm Prediction Center would have a large enhanced-risk outlook, stretching from west-central Kansas eastward to the IL / IA border. A 5% tornado risk, along with 30% for both wind and hail (hatched for significant) accompanied this outlook as per 1630z. I headed west on I-80, then south on I-35 through Des Moines to Highway 34, taking that west to Highway 59 south, then SR 2 west into Nebraska. I went south on Highway 75 to 136, and west on there to east of Beatrice. The SPC also issued mesoscale discussion 1076 and tornado watch box 309, valid until 10 PM CDT right over the target area. Initiation began in the target area near Marysville, and I headed south across farm roads to near Highways 77 and 36, chasing a tornado warned supercell there and eastward along Highway 36 and SR 99. The chase continued near Seneca and south along SR 99. When finished chasing, I headed down SR 99 to Highway 24, and west on there into Manhattan, Kansas, where I spent the night.

June 25 was the last real chase day of this long expedition of storm chasing. This day began with an extremely frustrating morning, with stress of having wifi issues at the hotel in Manhattan, to leaving and realizing an important piece of luggage was left in the bathroom (while heading west east of Junction City on I-70), and having to go all the way back to retrieve it. A complicated forecast scenario was the order of the day, with multiple target area, mainly along a stalled outflow-augmented effective boundary stretching from east central to southwestern Kansas under modest upper flow. I decided on a target area about midway between Salina and Wichita along I-135, finally heading out of Manhattan via SR 177 and west on I-70 to Highway 77 south near Lost Springs. The storm prediction center had a large slight risk area in effect, with a small 5% tornado probability from central to east-central Kansas. The hail and wind probability was both 15%, and the hail was hatched (significant) from extreme SW Kansas and southward into the TX Panhandle areas. Convective trends during the afternoon revealed a very messy pattern, with the only chance of good LP supercells on the southwest portions of the boundary west of Hutchinson, Kansas. The SPC also had mesoscale discussion 1090 and subsequent severe thunderstorm watch box 314 (among others), valid until at least 9 PM CDT. I headed west on 330th street / country roads to I-135 near Bridgeport and south to SR 61 southwest out of McPherson to Highway 50 west through Hutchinson. Storms were encountered west of there over Reno County, with an LP split observed. The north split was followed north as far as Ellsworth County, along Highway 14 and near Highway 40. I headed west from there and picked up I-70 west near Dorrance, and west on I-70, passing by some severe storms north of Quinter, and west all the way to Goodland, Kansas for the night.

The chase trip was wrapped up by June 26, with the start of the long trip back to southern California. June 26 was spent making my way west on I-70 to near Limon, then west on SR 86 north of Limon through Kiowa then north and northwest towards Denver near SR 83. I spent the night near Wheat Ridge on the northwest side of Denver that night. On June 27, I continued west via I-70 west, through the Colorado mountains, into Utah, and eventually to the I-15 (I-70 west terminus) junction by late afternoon. Heading south on I-15 out of Utah, I spent the night in Las Vegas, Nevada, enjoying good dinner and marveling at the crowded "strip" since post-COVID openings were finally on-going. On June 28, I worked a bit in the morning (remote IT job), and left Las Vegas via I-15 during the late morning. I reached California by early afternoon, but encountered major traffic delays from near Barstow, through Victorville in oppressive temperatures (approaching 120 degrees F in the Mojave Desert)! I decided to take a long re-route west through the scenic San Bernandino mountains via SR 2 to near La Canada and I-210 by early evening. I backed east on I-210 to I-605 south to I-405 / SR 22, and back into Garden Grove by the evening. This concluded the chase trip (from April 24 through June 28) and a total of 19,170 miles.

CHASE EXPEDITION 2021 MAIN PARTICIPANTS

CHASER NAMEHOME / BASE CITYCALLSIGNCHASE DATESOCCUPATION
CHRIS COLLURAGARDEN GROVE, CAKG4PJN4/24 TO 6/28IT CONSULTANT

DETAILED CHASE LOG FOR CHASE EXPEDITION 2021

1). Apr 27, 4:00 PM - Interception, observation, and penetration of an extremely severe and tornadic thunderstorm from King County, Texas near Guthrie, and eastward into Knox County and north of Seymour on Highways 83, 82, and 183. The storm was a powerful classic / HP supercell storm. This storm produced a partially rain wrapped tornado as well, and was observed from a distance in low-contrast looking north from along Highway 82. This tornado appeared as a "bowl shaped" lowering with barely visible condensation areas under it. Contrast was poor from my vantage point but this tornado was confirmed. The storm also had a striking visual (striated) appearance at times and rock-hard "cauliflower" updraft column. Very large hail was also encountered with this storm on Highway 83 north of Guthrie, with isolated pieces as large as baseballs, and copious amounts of golfball-sized hail covering the ground. The storm also had frequent lightning, heavy rains, and 60 MPH winds. The hail caused some damage to vehicles. Conditions causing these storms were a dryline, surface heating, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storms. A severe thunderstorm watch was also valid in the area until 9 PM CDT.

2). Apr 28, 6:00 PM - Interception, observation, and penetration of a very severe and possibly tornadic thunderstorm from near Goldsboro (south of Abilene) in Colemen County and near Highway 84, and northwestward through Cross Plains via SR 206, and eastward to near Rising Star along SR 36. The same storm was also abandoned and later intercepted from near Weatherford in Parker County along I-20 and into the NW side of Fort Worth near I-820 in Tarrant County. The storm was an HP supercell storm which intensified near Coleman County, weakened near Rising Star, and re-intensified, becoming tornado-warned, as it passed Weatherford and into Tarrant County near dark. An area of powerful RFD was observed after the storm was first intercepted near Goldsboro. A possible funnel was noted with the storm looking SR from SR 206 south of Cross Plains. Very large hail, up to baseball sized, was also encountered along I-820 as the storm entered Tarrant County northwest of Fort Worth. Frequent lightning, with some close hits, torrential rains, and winds over 70 MPH were also encountered. Flooding and hail damage was observed from this storm as well, with extensive hail damage done northwest of Fort Worth, with costs amounting in the billions of dollars! Conditions causing these storms were a surface heating, boundary interactions, a low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills, audio, and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storms. A tornado watch was also valid in the area until 2 AM CDT the following day.

3). May 3, 6:00 PM - Observation and penetration of a very severe thunderstorm from near Ardmore in Carter County, Oklahoma near I-35 and Highway 70, and points northeastward to near Wapanucka near Highway 377 and SR 7 in Johnston County. The storm began as a classic supercell storm, evolving to HP, and eventually a bow-segment as it became involved in a cluster / MCS of strong and severe storms. The storm also had a wall cloud and brief funnel during its early life-cycle near Ardmore, and eventually evolved to a bow-segment near Wapanucka. The storm produced extremely heavy rains, frequent lightning (with some close hits), and winds over 60 MPH. Hail to golfball sized was observed north of Tishomingo as the core of the storm was penetrated, with a rain-free area of rotation briefly ocurring before the storm became outflow dominant. Conditions causing the storms were a slow-moving cold front / dryline intersection, low pressure area, surface heating, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storms. A tornado watch was also valid in the area until 11 PM CDT.

4). May 8, 7:00 PM - Observation and penetration of severe thunderstorms from near Lacross in Rush County, Kansas, near Highways 183 and 281, and points eastward along I-70 into Salina in Saline County. The thunderstorms began as a cluster of small supercells, mostly in LP mode, and organized into a cluster of storms, with once cell evolving to HP mode, and ultimately a powerful bow segment near Salina. During this chase, frequent lightning (with some close hits), torrential rains, hail to 1", and winds gusting over 70 MPH. Some flooding was also observed. The storms were caused by surface heating, a low pressure area / frontal zone, dryline, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills, HD video, and audio. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storms. A severe thunderstorm, and tornado watch was also valid in the area until 9 PM CDT, and 1 AM CDT the next day, respectively.

5). May 9, 4:30 PM - Observation and penetration of a severe thunderstorm near Jacksonville, Texas in Cherokee County, and near Highways 69 and 79. The storm was a small classic to HP supercell that developed within a large area of showers and thunderstorms. Conditions observed were frequent lightning, hail up to 1", 60 MPH winds, and torrential rains. A rotating wall cloud was observed with this storm, before it was under-cut by the RFD / outflow. Flooding and some tree damage was also observed. Conditions causing the storm were pre-frontal convergence, surface heating, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and audio. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storms. A severe thunderstorm watch was also valid in the area until 9 PM CDT.

6). May 10, 4:30 PM - Interception and observation of a severe thunderstorm in Real County, Texas to the north of Leakey and near Highway 83. The storm was a classic supercell storm. A large, rotating wall cloud was noted on the SW side of the storm. The storm core was not directly penetrated. Conditions observed were 40 MPH winds (mainly RFD), frequent lightning, light rain, and hail up to nickel sized (while near the edge of the storm core). The storm underwent downscaling after passing northeast of Leakey and near Bandera, where it completely dissipated. Conditions causing the storm were surface heating, low pressure trough, frontal boundary, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storms. A severe thunderstorm watch was also valid in the area until 10 PM CDT.

7). May 14, 8:00 PM - Observation and penetration of an extremely severe thunderstorm from near Highway 24 between Hoxie and Hill City, Kansas in Graham County and southward along Highway 281 into Trego County near Wakeeney. The storm was a classic supercell that was observed from its point of initiation, and evolved to HP as it passed over Wakeeney after dark. The storm had a very striking visual appearance, with the "mothership" look at times. A rotating wall cloud, with some funnels, and even a possible weak tornado, was also observed. The core of the storm was penetrated, and copious amounts of hail, at least 2", was seen covering the ground. I took a crack on my windshield before I was able to scurry and get the front hail shields on. The storm also contained 60 MPH winds, frequent lightning, and very heavy rains. The hail reported in Wakeeney was up to grapefruit sized (4 inches)! Conditions causing these storms were a stationary / warm frontal boundary, surface heating, a low pressure trough, and an upper trough (in cold, NW flow aloft). Documentation was digital stills, audio, and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storms. A severe thunderstorm watch was also valid in the area until 11 PM CDT.

8). May 15, 7:00 PM - Interception of severe thunderstorms from near Campo, Colorado and Highway 385 in Baca County, and points northeastward to near Manter, Kansas in Stanton County near Highway 160. The storms were on a northern portion of a line segment that was interacting with a stalled frontal boundary, with a supercell storm observed near Saunders. Conditions encountered were 1" hail, frequent lightning with some close hits, and heavy rains. A funnel was observed from a distance with the weakening supercell from a distance, looking west from north of Manter, Kansas. Although un-related to the storms, myself and some other storm chasers stopped to assist a single motorist in a totaled sports car north of Manter. The person was shaken but OK, and he apparently hit a pregnant female deer that darted out into the road in front of him. Conditions causing the storm were surface heating, up-slope wind flow, a low pressure trough and stalled frontal boundary well ahead of an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storms. A tornado watch was also valid in the area until 10 PM CDT.

9). May 16, 6:30 PM - Observation and indirect penetration of a very severe thunderstorm to the southwest of Vega, Texas and west of Highway 385 in Deaf Smith County. The storm started as an LP supercell storm, that evolved to classic mode, while remaining nearly stationary west of Highway 385. The storm produced golfball sized hail, heavy rains, 60 MPH winds. A rotating area was noted before the storm down-scaled, with some small funnels observed. Conditions causing these storms were a stationary frontal boundary, surface heating, a low pressure trough, and a dryline. Documentation was digital stills, audio, and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storms. A severe thunderstorm watch was also valid in the area until 11 PM CDT.

10). May 17, 7:30 PM - Observation and indirect penetration of a very severe and tornadic thunderstorm from near Sundown, Texas in Hockley County and eastward to its demise near Lubbock, Texas and I-27 / FM-1585. The storm was an LP to classic supercell storm. Two weak tornadoes were observed with this storm between Levelland and Wolforth, pretty much near and along FM-1585. The storm down-scaled when it reached the south side of Lubbock. The tornadoes were over open fields, and did no damage, but one was observed at very close range - With a rapidly rotating dust swirl beneath the funnel, with large hail flying around it. The storm core was not directly penetrated, but hail to golfball sized was observed. The storm had a striking visual appearance, and dust / low visibility was noted in the RFD areas and storm inflow. Lightning, moderate rains, and winds near 70 MPH (mainly RFD) were also encountered. The supercell storm also had a striking visual appearance, with a "stacked plates" presentation. Large amounts of dust were kicked up by the storm inflow (and RFD winds). Conditions causing these storms were surface heating, outflow boundary / dryline interactions, a low pressure trough, and an upper low / trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storms. A tornado watch was also valid in the area until 11 PM CDT.

11). May 18, 7:30 PM - Interception, observation, and indirect penetration of a very severe and tornadic thunderstorm in Dawson County, Texas near LaMesa and eastward along and near Highways 87 and 180. The storm was a classic supercell storm that eventually evolved to a bow segment near dark. Two small and brief tornadoes were observed with this storm, with a well developed RFD and blowing dust in many areas. The weak tornadoes were not fully condensed, with a dust swirl under a funnel at cloud base. The storm also contained hail to tennis ball sized, and the core was indirectly penetrated (and during weakening phases of the storm). Copious amounts of marble sized hail were noted covering the ground. One stone exceeding 2" was seen falling near the updraft-downdraft interface of the storm. The storm also contained very heavy rains, lightning, and winds over 60 MPH. Conditions causing these storms were surface heating, outflow boundary / dryline interactions, a low pressure trough, and an upper low / trough. Documentation was digital stills, audio, and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storms.

12). May 20, 5:00 PM - Observation and indirect penetration of a strong to severe thunderstorm in Washington County, Colorado from near Highway 36, and north on SR 71 to near Brush, and near Highway 34 / I-76. The storm began as an LP supercell storm, eventually down-scaling to almost nothing, then re-generating north of I-76 and into Weld and Logan Counties, where baseball sized hail was reported near dusk. This storm had a striking visual appearance during its early stages, and a high base later on when it regenerated to the north (as a powerful hail storm). The core was not penetrated. Conditions encountered were small hail, some lightning, moderate rain, and winds gusting near 60 MPH. Conditions causing these storms were surface heating, up-slope wind flow, a low pressure trough, and an approaching upper low / trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video (time-lapse). A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storms.

13). May 21, 7:00 PM - Observation of strong and severe thunderstorms from west of SR 113 and Highway 385 to the north of Sterling (in Logan County, Colorado) and west of Bridgeport, Nebraska (in Scottsbluff County, Nebraska). The storms were a struggling cluster of strong and severe storms, with once cell observed as a low-precipitation supercell storm before storms weakened and remained "messy". The cores were not penetrated, in an environment of strong southerly winds and light rain at times. Lightning was also observed. The storms weakened due to meridonal flow aloft (S winds at high altitude and same direction near the ground / low levels). Conditions causing these storms were surface heating, up-slope wind flow, a low pressure area, dryline / cold front interactions, and an approaching upper low / trough. Documentation was digital stills. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storms. A severe thunderstorm watch was in effect for the area until 10 PM MDT.

14). May 22, 2:00 PM - Interception, indirect penetration, and observation of a very severe thunderstorm in Morgan County, Colorado from south and southwest of Brush and Akron, and northeastward to near Fleming via Highway 34 and SR 63. The storm began as a classic supercell storm, that developed in an unusual location on the northwest side of a cluster of strong and severe storms. This powerful supercell eventually merged with the cluster of storms, and this MCS continued northeastward and eventually weakened. This supercell produced 3 tornadoes when it was south of Brush, viewed from a couple miles away. One tornado was an impressive elephant trunk tornado, and the other two were funnels with a ground swirl observed under them. The supercell had an impressive visual appearance, with numerous funnels and a wall cloud, and defined RFD clear slot. The core of this storm was not penetrated during maximum intensity. No damage was observed as the tornadoes were over rural country. Winds near 60 MPH, very heavy rains, lightning, and hail to 1" was encountered, mainly during the MCS stage of the storm. Conditions causing this storms was surface heating, up-slope wind flow, a low pressure area, stalled cold front boundary, and an upper low / trough. Documentation was digital stills, audio, and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storms. A tornado watch was in effect for the area until 8 PM MDT.

15). May 23, 3:00 PM - Interception, observation, and indirect penetration of a very severe and tornadic thunderstorm, mainly in Washington County, Colorado from near Anton and past Akron and to the southeast of Sterling, from Highway 36 and northward, west of SR 59, and to near Highway 6. The storm was a powerful HP supercell storm, and a cone tornado was observed from dirt roads while caravanning with other storm chasers in Washington County (between Anton and Akron). The storm continued rapidly to the NNE, with striking HP appearance at times, with well-defined RFD and wall clouds with funnels. A brief glimpse of a large, rain wrapped tornado, was also observed to the SE of Sterling near Fleming. Other conditions encountered were 60 MPH winds, frequent lightning, and hail to 1" as the core was grazed near Anton. The dangerous parts of this thunderstorm remained over open fields and in rural areas. No damage was observed. The storm was caused by surface heating, up-slope wind flow, a dryline, low pressure area, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills, audio, and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was in effect for the area until 8 PM MDT.

16). May 23, 6:00 PM - Penetration of a severe thunderstorm near Yuma, Colorado along Highway 34, and eastward to near Wray, and north on Highway 385 in Yuma County. The storm was a small supercell storm, embedded in a line segment of strong and severe storms. Rotation, with a wall cloud and funnels, was noted as the storm passed rapidly northeastwards. Conditions encountered were small hail, lightning, and winds gusting briefly over 70 MPH. The storm was caused by surface heating, up-slope wind flow, a dryline / outflow interactions, low pressure area, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills, audio, and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was in effect for the area until 8 PM MDT.

17). May 23, 8:00 PM - Indirect penetration of a severe thunderstorm to the east of Wray, Colorado (Yuma County), along Highway 34, and into Dundy County, Nebraska near Benkelman. The storm was a northern storm associated with a bowing MCS, with some high-precipitation supercell characteristics. When the north side of this storm was encountered, 60 MPH winds, lightning, and hail penny to nickel sized was encountered. The storm had a striking visual appearance when viewed from the east, back-lit by the setting sun, and "green" hail core. The storm was caused by surface heating, an outflow boundary, low pressure area, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills, audio, and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was in effect for the area, and expiring at 8 PM MDT.

18). May 24, 3:00 PM - Observation and indirect penetration of a very severe thunderstorm north and northwest of Leoti, Kansas in Wichita County and near SR 25. The storm was a classic to HP supercell storm, that eventually evolved to a line segment. The storm had a wall cloud and produced some small brief funnels. I abandoned the storm due to better storms to the north and poor road networks near Leoti. Conditions observed were 60 MPH winds, heavy rains, lightning, and hail to about 1". The storm was caused by surface heating, a dryline / Pacific cold front, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was in effect for the area until 9 PM CDT.

19). May 24, 5:30 PM - Interception, observation, and penetration of an extremely severe and potentially violent tornadic thunderstorm from northeast of Colby in Thomas County and eastward to near Seldon, Kansas in Sheridan County, pretty much along Highway 83. The storm was a classic cyclic supercell storm (HP at times). Tornadoes were first observed with this storm from afar, looking north out of Russell Springs while approaching what was two supercells early in the life-cycle (storm split). The eastern supercell would be the most violent of the two, especially when it began interacting with the east-to-west oriented frontal boundary east of the surface low, just as the low level jet was intensifying in the evening. After producing small tornadoes and funnels, the storm evolved to HP near Rexford, then rapidly intensified east of there, producing a large and destructive tornado. Seldon took a direct hit from this storm, with significant damage to homes / businesses, powerlines down, and semi-trucks overturned. The supercell itself had a striking visual appearance, and the large tornado was observed at very close range. The storm got east of Sheldon after turning right and eventually down-scaled to a small classic / LP storm (still wit small funnels) and dissipated near northeastern Sheridan County. The storm also contained frequent lightning with some close hits, torrential rain, baseball sized hail (the core was not directly penetrated, so I saw hail briefly to 2"). Winds, mainly RFD, gusted over 100 MPH on the backside of the storm near Sheldon. The storm was caused by surface heating, a dryline / Pacific cold front and outflow boundary interactions, low pressure area, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills, audio, and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was in effect for the area until 9 PM CDT.

20). May 25, 8:30 PM - Observation and penetration of very severe thunderstorms between Booker, Perryton, and Spearman, Texas in Ochiltree County, pretty much along SR 15. The storms were a cluster of thunderstorm which evolved to a cluster of supercells (mainly classic to HP in nature). Conditions observed were 60 MPH winds, hail to 1", frequent lightning, and heavy rains. Once of these supercells produced baseball sized hail, but the core was not directly penetrated. Hail was noted covering the ground near Perryton, Texas. A funnel cloud was also observed on one of the supercells over Perryton, with a well-defined RFD slot. The storms were caused by surface heating, a dryline / outflow boundary interaction, and weak low pressure area. Winds aloft were from the northwest. Documentation was digital stills, audio, and HD video (including time-lapse). A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storm. A severe thunderstorm watch was in effect for the area until 11 PM CDT.

21). May 26, 9:00 PM - Interception, observation, and indirect penetration of a severe and tornadic thunderstorm south of Hill City, Kansas in Graham County and near and along Highway 283. The storm was an HP to classic supercell storm developing on the southern end of a cluster of strong and severe storms. This storm had a striking visual appearance, with a "mother-ship" appearance, and well defined RFD clear area, with rapid cloud motions. A brief tornado, fully condensed, was observed in an open field with this storm. No damage was done. The storm also contained 1" hail, moderate rains, frequent lightning, and 60 MPH winds. The storm was caused by surface heating, frontal boundary, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storm. A PDS (particularly danerous situation) tornado watch was in effect for the area until 2 AM CDT the following day.

22). May 27, 1:30 PM - Interception and observation of a severe thunderstorm just north of Mulhall and east of I-35 in Payne County, Oklahoma. The storm was a small supercell storm, classic to HP in nature, on the leading edge of a cluster of strong and severe storms. A rotating wall cloud and brief funnel was observed with this storm. The core was not penetrated, with moderate rain, small hail, lightning, and 40 MPH winds encountered. Arrival to the storm was hindered south on I-35 near Orlando due to construction traffic. The storms were caused by surface heating, outflow boundary, low pressure trough, and upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was in effect for the area until 7 PM CDT.

23). May 27, 7:00 PM - Interception, observation, and penetration of a severe thunderstorm in Hall County, Texas near Turkey and along SR 70. The storm was an LP supercell with a high base, producing a lot of hail, with a storm split observed (the southern split turned right and moved southeast, as the left split moved northeast). Conditions encountered were hail ping-pong to isolated golf ball sized hail, covering the ground near Turkey. The storm also had 45 MPH winds and moderate rain. Lightning was also observed with this storm. The storm was caused by surface heating, a dryline, low pressure trough, and upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video (including time-lapse). A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storm. A severe thunderstorm watch was in effect for the area until 11 PM CDT.

24). May 28, 8:00 PM - Interception, observation, and penetration of an extremely severe thunderstorm in Ward County, Texas near Pecos and Pyote and near I-20 and Ranch 2355. The storm was an LP to classic supercell, producing very large hail, moving southeasterly across Ward County. Conditions encountered were hail falling up golf ball sized hail, covering the ground, with some isolated pieces near baseball sized along I-20 east of Pecos. The storm also had a striking visual appearance (striations). A rotating wall cloud was also observed under the storm base, with well developed RFD. Winds around 60 MPH, frequent lightning, and heavy rain was also observed. The storm was part of a cluster of supercells, being the more intense one, and was caused by surface heating, up-slope wind flow, and stalled frontal boundary, low pressure trough, and upper trough. Documentation was digital stills, audio, and HD video (including time-lapse). A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storm. A severe thunderstorm watch was in effect for the area until 11 PM CDT.

25). May 29, 6:30 PM - Observation of an extremely severe and tornadic thunderstorm from Las Animas and Baca Counties in southeastern Colorado near Pritchett and along Highway 160, and southeastward into NW Oklahoma near SR 325 in the Black Mesa Park and to the northwest of Boise City in Cimarron County, Oklahoma. The storm was a powerful, and potentially violent, cyclic supercell moving slowly southeast from its point of initiation in SE Colorado and into the extreme NW Oklahoma Panhandle. This storm began as a transient supercell in a small MCS of storms during the early afternoon. A small land-spout was noted after storm initiation (when bases were high) and brief tornado as the storm began intensifying as it moved southeast past Pritchett. As the storm intensified farther by early evening, a large cone tornado, albeit rain wrapped, was noted looking west from CR 13 / country roads. This tornado remained over rural areas and no damage was noted, and was viewed from a range of about 5 miles. This storm had a striking visual appearance as well, with multi-layered "tiers" and striations, impressive inflow tails, and a powerful RFD. The core was not penetrated, and had heavy rain and hail nearly 3" in diameter, especially as it entered the NW Oklahoma Panhandle near Black Mesa Park. Frequent lightning and at least 50 MPH inflow winds were noted with this storm as well. After dark, the storm remained in HP mode, and at least one large tornado was observed, illuminated by lightning, looking north from SR 325 west of Boise City, Oklahoma. This final tornado was a large wedge tornado, and at one point another large cone tornado (probably a satellite) was noted orbiting around this wedge tornado! Again - and very fortunately - this tornado missed any populated areas. The storm weakened via down-scaling by roughly 10:30 PM, CDT north of Boise City. The storm was caused by surface heating, up-slope wind flow, low pressure area, and upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video (including time-lapse). A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was in effect for the area until 9 PM CDT.

26). May 30, 5:30 PM - Interception, observation, and penetration of an extremely severe and tornadic thunderstorm near Felt and Boise City, Oklahoma, and near Highways 54 and 287, in Cimarron County. The storm was a cyclic HP supercell, and arrived on late from a long diversion into New Mexico earlier. The storm produced several tornadoes, ranging from small cones to almost a wedge. Three of these were seen in very low contrast conditions as rain wrap was common. The core of the storm, containing baseball sized hail, or larger, was not directly penetrated. Hail was noted covering the ground and roadway between Felt and Boise City. The largest hail encountered was just over 1", with 60 to 70 MPH winds, torrential rains, and lightning. The storm also had a well developed RFD, with rapid cloud motion, funnels, and even hail fog being pulled off the ground and back into the storm. Severe flooding also occurred with this storm. After weakening, another potentially tornadic supercell formed farther southeast into Texas near Stratford, but bad decisions caused me to miss most of that one. Conditions causing these storms were surface heating, up-slope wind flow, a stalled frontal boundary, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was in effect for the area until 12 AM CDT the following day.

27). June 20, 5:00 PM - Interception and penetration of a strong to severe thunderstorm in Bremer County, Iowa along SR 188 and Highway 218 and through Plainfield. The storm was an outflow dominant severe storm developing ahead of a cold front. Conditions encountered were 60 MPH winds, very heavy rains, small hail, and occasional lightning. The storm weakened as it became outflow dominant and more storms developed farther south. Conditions causing this storm was surface heating, cold front, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storm. A severe thunderstorm watch was in effect for the area until 9 PM CDT.

28). June 20, 7:00 PM - Interception, observation, and penetration of an extremely severe and tornadic thunderstorm from Makasha County, Iowa (east of Pella) near Highway 63 and SR 92, and eastward as far as Washington and SR 1 in Washington County. The storm was a tornadic supercell, mainly HP, with the late / dissipating stages of the tornado observed as the storm became outflow / RFD dominant and cycled down west of Sigourney. The storm was tracked east where it re-cycled and became tornado warned once again over Washington County. Numerous funnels were also observed, along with well developed RFD and a striking visual presentation of the supercell near dusk. The core of this storm was also penetrated, especially in Washington County. Hail to 2" in diameter was observed, along with torrential rains, frequent lightning, and winds gusting over 75 MPH. Flooding and tree damage was also observed. Conditions causing this storm was surface heating, cold front, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storm. A severe thunderstorm watch was in effect for the area until 11 PM CDT.

29). June 24, 6:00 PM - Interception and observation of a very severe, and possibly tornadic thunderstorm near Marysville, Kansas in Marshall County, from near Highways 77 and 36, and eastward to near Seneca and SR 99. The storm was a classic to HP supercell storm, separated from "messier" severe storms farther north. The storm quickly intensified, and a large, rotating wall cloud, with RFD cut and inflow bands was observed north of Beatti. The storm came very close to producing a large tornado, with tagging rain curtains, before becoming outflow dominant. The core of this supercell, containing at least golfball sized hail, was not penetrated. Other conditions encountered were occasional lightning, heavy rains, and 60 to 70 MPH winds, mainly RFD. Conditions causing this storm was surface heating, stationary front, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was in effect for the area until 10 PM CDT.

30). June 25, 5:30 PM - Interception, observation, and penetration of very strong thunderstorms from near Abbyville west of Hutchinson, Kansas in Reno County and northward to Ellsworth County near Geneseo from Highway 50 and SR 14. The storm began as a small LP supercell storm, which split into two completely separate storms. The southern split weakened and the left (north) split continued northward rapidly, eventually reaching Rice and Ellsworth Counties. The core of the northern storm was penetrated, and 50 MPH winds, heavy rains, and hail to dime sized was encountered. Some lightning was also observed. Conditions causing these storms were surface heating, stationary boundary, weak low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video, mainly time-lapse of the storm split. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was used to chase the storm. A severe thunderstorm watch was in effect for the area until 9 PM CDT.

This concludes the chase log for the central US Plains for the main chase "expedition" of 2021 starting on April 24 and ending on June 28, 2021. The summary includes a total of 30 observation(s), out of which there were 29 severe thunderstorms and 1 strong thunderstorm. Out of these thunderstorms, as many as 25 possible tornadoes were observed, some significant. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicle was used in all of the chases / observations above, logging a total of 19,170 miles. All entries for the logs above are for the local time zone unless otherwise noted. This information was prepared exclusively for the National Weather service and the team of Skywarn storm spotters.

GALLERY FOR APRIL 24-26, 2021

Just before heading out of southern California on April 24, 2021, I had a chance to see some big waves hitting Newport Beach (aka "the Wedge" break). This will be the last time I see the ocean in some time.
Just a few hours inland, I enter the Mojave Desert during the late morning of April 24. A far cry from the beachfront surfing towns in southern California.
Passing the Ivanpah solar electric generating station off I-15 near the CA / NV border in the Mojave Desert. The inset shows one of the three towers under load.
Mountains with snow / ski areas passing through Flagstaff, Arizona during the afternoon.
Myself preparing my vehicle (2016 Jeep Wrangler) for the up-coming chase during the afternoon of April 26.

GALLERY FOR APRIL 27, 2021

April 27 was a chase day, mainly in the SE Texas panhandle. In the images above, to the left is the tornado probabilities (5%) as per SPC, within a slight-risk outlook. The middle image is mesoscale discussion 439, and severe thunderstorm watch box 113, valid until 9 PM CDT, is to the right.

This is the annotated visible satellite image, showing the synoptic environment, from around 23z. Supercells, including a tornadic supercell storm in the target area, can be seen erupting in the SE Texas Panhandle, where a dryline and weak front intersect. The upper wave is approaching from the northwest, providing the necessary lift for robust convection.
This is the radar image (base refletivity) of a tornadic supercell between Guthrie and northwest of Benjamin at roughly 4 PM CDT. The supercell has an impressive presentation on the radar reflectivity. The velocity, inset, shows the developing gate-to-gate shear developing with the storm.
Heading south towards the first tornado-warned supercell of the main chase trip. This is north and northwest of Guthrie, Texas on April 27.
Hail fog and copious amounts of large hail cover the ground north of Guthrie, Texas.
View of explosive updraft and supercell thunderstorm east and northeast of Guthrie, Texas.
View of possible tornado from a distance looking north off Highway 82 east of Guthrie. The tornado is large, rain-wrapped / low contrast, and multi-vortex and under the "bowl shaped" lowering to the left side of the center of the picture.
View of tornado-warned supercell storm north of Seymour, Texas.

GALLERY FOR APRIL 28, 2021

April 28 was another chase day in north-central Texas. The SPC had an enhanced-risk area over much of Texas, shown in the left image, with the higher tornado probabilities in two areas (one north and the other south) at 5%. The middle image is mesoscale discussion 463, and to the right is tornado watch box 119, valid until 9 PM CDT.

This is the annotated visible satellite at around 0z (late in the day on 4/28). Synoptic and convective features are noted, with two supercells (massive anvil blowoff) erupting over the north and south areas of central Texas. These are developing along a stalled frontal boundary (Pacific cold front and dryline), with upper level support for maintaining storms provided by an upper trough moving north of the area.
Base reflectivity radar image of a tornado-warned supercell storm over the northwest part of Fort Worth, Texas during the evening of April 28. This was part of a system of major hail storms that caused in excess of 3 billion dollars in damage.
Obviosly another group of storm chasers (who lost their window on their chase vehicle) had a sense of humor while driving in Texas on April 28.
Heading south towards a severe storm / supercell nearing Goldsboro, Texas as a storm chasing tour group van also races south to catch it.
View of a developing supercell storm nearing Goldsboro, Texas as it is approached from the north. The view is to the south.
Powerful RFD winds in excess og 70 MPH, associated with an HP supercell and possible dust (weak spinup?) near Goldsboro, Texas. The view is NE.
Possible funnel cloud near the wall cloud with a supercell storm near Cross Plains, Texas. The view is WSW.
The same supercell storm later approaches the western areas of the Metroplex and passes near Weatherford, Texas late in the day. Here the wet RFD can be seen moving from right to left and its associated gust front. The view is looking south, directly under the low level mesocyclone in the "bear's cage".
Large hail on the ground as the core of the supercell storm passes to the northwest side of Fort Worth, near I-820. This tornado-warned storm produced hail between 2.5 and 3 inches (baseball sized), and was a costly disaster that caused more than $3 billion in damages northwest of Fort Worth!.

GALLERY FOR APRIL 29 TO MAY 2, 2021

April 29 was a distant target area in Mississippi, and I did not bother chasing there. A large tornado developed in heavily wooded terrain there. The SPC had a slight-risk area over the deep south, with a 5% tornado probability, as shown in the left image. A frontal zone, in the middle image, is depicted in mesoscale discussion 477. To the right, is tornado watch box 125, valid until 10 PM CDT. The remaining days in this period, from April 20 through May 2, were off days without chasing.

This is a visible image showing the synoptic environment around 0z, late on April 29. A large upper level low an be seen entered over Arkansas. To the east, a line of thunderstorms, supported by the exit region of the upper low / jet, is noted across Mississippi. One supercell in this line of storms produced a large tornado.
This is a wide base-reflectivity image of severe storms over Mississippi and the central deep south at around noon on April 29. One cell in this line would eventually produce a tornado over south-central Mississippi.
Time from April 29 to May 2 was off time and I was not chasing (some storms developed in the south / SE USA on May 2 but were too distant). In this picture, I am in Chinatown in Houston for dinner on April 30.

GALLERY FOR MAY 3, 2021

May 3 was a chase day, mainly in south-central Oklahoma. A large area of enhanced-risk, stretching from northern Texas to western Kentucky, and included a significant (hatched) 10% tornado risk across north-central Texas to southeastern Oklahoma, as shown in the left image above. Note the two tornado symbols, one in Illinois, and another way south in central Texas, and far away from the target area in Oklahoma - Where no tornadoes ocurred. The middle image is mesoscale discussion 498 issued by the SPC, and tornado watch box 133, valid until 11 PM CDT, in the right image.

This is an annotated satellite picture of the synoptic environment at around 0z during the late afternoon of May 3. Elevated / high-based storms can be seen over the western parts of Texas, with a complex of severe storms and supercells stretching from central Texas and northeastward into Oklahoma.
This is a radar image (base reflectivity) from just before 6 PM CDT near Ardmore, Oklahoma, showing a supercell storm moving across the area.
Awaiting convective initiation at a truck stop off I-35 and north of Ardmore, Oklahoma on May 3.
View of a developing supercell to the west and northwest of Ardmore, Oklahoma. The view is to the northwest.
Brief funnel cloud off rotating wall cloud near Ardmore, Oklahoma. The view is to the west.
View of rotating wall cloud northeast of Ardmore, Oklahoma. The view is to the northeast.
Chase tour group vans stopped along Highway 377 north of Tishomingo, Oklahoma. The smart DOW (Doppler on Wheels) radar truck can also be seen to the right.

GALLERY FOR MAY 4-7, 2021

May 4-7 were off days and spent monstly in Wichita, Kansas. I was able to get some car maintenance finished and worked remotely those days at my IT job. In this picture, the Jeep is shown with the hail guards in place as curious people nearby look at it on May 6.
An elevated, non-severe storm appears west of Wichita during off time around May 6.

GALLERY FOR MAY 8, 2021

May 8 was a chase day focusing on north-central Kansas, from about near Hays eastward. The area was in an enhanced-risk (including a 5% tornado probability). The left image above shows the SPC risk outlook, with mesoscale discussion 561 in the middle image. To the right, is severe thunderstorm watch box 153, valid until 9 PM CDT. A tornado watch box (154) was also issued later and to the east (not shown), valid 1 AM CDT the following day.

Annotated visible satellite of the synoptic environment at about 0z during the afternoon of May 8. A warm front extends east across northern Kansas from a weak surface low in west-central Kansas. Some supercells are developing along the warm front and convergence area east of the surface low - Especially with the low-level jet increasing in the evening. The dryline / Pacific cold front to the southwest remained capped with little convection breaking out.
This is a radar image of a severe storm / HP supercell near Salina, Kansas at around 8:45 PM CDT. The main image is the base reflectivity image, with the velocity image in the inset. The storm was evolving from an HP supercell to an MCS.
Convective initiation west of Lacross, Kansas, during the afternoon of May 8 as upper level support for storms arrives with an upper trough axis.
A view of two low precipitation supercells developing near and west of Lacross, Kansas. This is probably a storm split resulting in two separate LP supercells.
View of high based LP storm becoming outflow dominant between La Crosse and Russell, Kansas. The view is to the west and northwest.
Lightning overhead on the backside of n HP supercell looking east over I-70 east of Russell, Kansas.
A powerful HP supercell evolves to a line segment north of Salina, Kansas late in the day after sunset.
Interesting laminar cloud formations, possibly associated with the low level jet intensifying at dusk. The view is to the south while headed south on I-35 north of Manhattan, Kansas.

GALLERY FOR MAY 9, 2021

May 9 required a long re-position to east-central Texas for storms. The area targeted was on the very southwestern tip of an enhanced-risk outlook that extended from eastern Texas through western Tennessee. The target area is shown in the image to the left, with mesoscale discussion 568 in the middle image, and also with the target area in the SW portion of it. The image to the right shows severe thunderstorm watch box 159, valid for the area until 10 PM CDT.

This is the annotated visible satellite image, during the afternoon of May 9 at around 23z. There is an area of severe storms / supercells developing along a pre-frontal convergence line to the south of a cold front across northeastern Texas. Ouflow from storms farther north kept storms at bay well northeast of my target area.
Base reflectivity image of a small supercell storm southwest of Jacksonville, Texas at around 4 PM CDT. The inset shows the velocity associated with this storm.
May 9 was a long chase with a long re-position south and ahead of a cold front. In this view, the line of towering cumulus can be seen looking south while near Dallas, Texas on I-35.
Wall cloud on the southeastern side of a small supercell storm near Jacksonville, Texas during the afternoon. The view is to the northeast.
Brief funnel (center of picture) as the supercell storm pushes to the southwest of Jacksonville, Texas. The view is to the southwest.
Crepescular rays of sunlight peeking through clouds on the backside of a storm complex during the late afternoon near Mexia, Texas.

GALLERY FOR MAY 10, 2021

May 10 was another long trip to south-central Texas for storm prospects there and well south of a pesky cold front pushing south. In the images above, the Storm Prediction Center had an enhanced-risk area in place near Del Rio and west of San Angelo, Texas, and appears to the left. The mesoscale discussion 581 is shown in the middle image, and severe thunderstorm watch box 162 to the right, valid until 10 PM CDT.

The annotated visible satellite image here shows the synoptic environment around 0z for the afternoon of May 10. A surface based supercell is to the southwest near the stalled surface front, with elevated (post frontal) storms over central and northeastern Texas.
This is the radar image for the storm approaching Leakey, Texas just after 4 PM CDT. The main image is the base reflectivity, showing the impressive presentation of the supercell storm. The inset is the velocity associated with the supercell.
View of explosively developing supercell storm near Leakey, Texas on May 10 from near Sabinal. The view is to the northwest.
Always be super careful going through these small towns! I missed a school zone and was doing just 5 MPH over near Sabinal, Texas. Luckily I just got a written warning from a very friendly cop.
View of base of the Leakey, Texas supercell storm and wall cloud from an elevated vantage point. The view s to the south and southwest in Real County.
Rotating wall cloud on the southern side of a supercell storm over Real County, Texas, near Leakey during the afternoon. The view is to the north.

GALLERY FOR MAY 11-13, 2021

May 11 through 13 was down time, spent working at my regular IT job in Plano, Texas. Here I am headed through downtown Dallas on a dreary day.
While on down-time I was also able to get my needed vaccination. Here I got my second Covid-19 vaccine on May 12.
Myself working remotely for my regular IT job during any down time.

GALLERY FOR MAY 14, 2021

May 14 was a chase day in northwest flow, focusing mainly in northern to northwestern Kansas, and required a long re-position to get there. In the images above, the SPC slight-risk is shown, with the target area pointed out. The middle image is mesoscale discussion 610, with severe thunderstorm watch box 170 to the right, valid until 11 PM CDT.

Annotated visible satellite image for the area at around 1z (evening of May 14). A warm front extends across northern and central Kansas, with a dryline farther west into SE Colorado. NW flow aloft is providing the upper level support for storms, as an upper trough glances the area to the north of a ridge. The supercells formed in two areas, my target area in Kansas, and another to the west in eastern Colorado.
This is a radar composite of the supercell storm as it was near Hoxie, Kansas just before 8 PM CDT. The base reflectivity image shows an intense hail core, also denoted by the impressive VIL (vertically integrated liquid) in the upper-right inset. Velocity is shown in the lower right inset - Subtle but definitely showing a rotating storm. This storm produced hail approaching softball sized, and smaller pieces cracked the windshield on my chase vehicle.
May 14 involved a long trip from northern Texas, through Oklahoma, and eventually into northwestern to north-central Kansas. While heading north on I-35, multiple HCRs (horizontal convective rolls) prevade the stable boundary layer looking west across central Kansas, indicative of strong wind shear.
A supercell storm initiates near Hoxie, Kansas in a northwest flow environment. Note the wall cloud and impressive back-sheared anvil above it. The view is to the northeast.
Same supercell evolving from classic to HP mode near Hoxie, Kansas, and turning right, eventually making its way to northwest of Wakeeney. This supercell eventually produced grapefruit sized hail. Here it is producing 2" hail (falling to the right). The view here is west and northwest.
View into "notch" of HP supercell storm from Highway 281 north of Wakeeney, Kansas, late in the day. A funnel / possible weak tornado can be seen in the center of the picture.
Copious amounts of hail, some pieces exceeding 2", covering the ground on the south side of Wakeeney, Kansas.

GALLERY FOR MAY 15, 2021

May 15 was a chase day, targeting southeastern Colorado with a stalled frontal boundary and up-slope wind flow. A slight-risk was in place as per the SPC, and is shown in the left image above, with the target area. The middle image is mesoscale discussion 625 issued for that region, and subsequent tornado watch box 175, valid until 10 PM MDT.

This is an annotated visible satellite image for the afternoon of May 15, at around 0z. A small supercell storm had developed near Springfield, Colorado ahead of an MCS and in up-slope wind flow along the stalled frontal zone.
This is a radar image of the small supercell storm east of Springfield, Colorado at around 6:30 MDT. The main image shows the base reflectivity, with subtle velocity in the inset.
Developing towering cumulus as convective initiation takes place looking east out of Springfield, Colorado on May 15.
Impressive hail core (whiter color is large hail shaft) associated with a developing supercell storm between Springfield and Campo, Colorado later after initiation. The view is to the south and southeast.
Brief funnel cloud observed from a distance looking west from north of Manter, Kansas late in the day as storms moved from SE Colorado int SW Kansas and weakened.
Stopping to assist a victim of a deer strike north of Manter, Kansas. The single occupant walked away without a scratch after striking a pregnant do (female deer) and careening out of control into the right ditch. The vehicle, a brand new Ford Mustang, as well as the deer, was totaled.
View of de-coupling boundary layer (with associated laminar cloud formations) east of a developing MCS after dusk in SW Kansas. This is associated with a stable layer forming near the ground and intensifying low level jet just above the surface with isentropic lift above.

GALLERY FOR MAY 16, 2021

May 16 was a chase day targeting an area in the central Texas Panhandle. A large slight-risk area was in place, shown in the left image above, with a 2% tornado outlook. The middle image is mesoscale discussion 638 and severe thunderstorm watch box 177, valid until 11 PM CDT, to the right.

This is an annotated visible satellite image of the synoptic environment during the late afternoon of May 16 at around 0z. A stationary frontal boundary stretches from east to west across the Texas Panhandle. Storms are firing along this boundary, with some supercells in the area where the boundary and dryline meet. The dryline extends south across west Texas, but convection along it is limited due to capping. Weaker up-slope storms area also ocurring in SE Colorado.
This is a base reflectivity image of an LP to classic supercell storm southwest of Vega, Texas at around 6 PM CDT. The storm had rotation and a well-developed hail core at the time.
View of initial storms, stretching from the OK Panhandle and into NW Texas, with an abandoned farmstead in the foreground, while passing by Guymon, Oklahoma on May 16.
One of a few LP supercell storms, develping near Amarillo, Texas along a sharpening dryline. The view is to the east and northeast.
An LP supercell develops in the late afternoon southwest of Vega, Texas.
Hard rotation on an LP to classic supercell storm to the southwest of Vega, Texas.
View looking straight up of falling large hail with the Vega, Texas LP supercell!
Another LP to classic supercell (note the split taking place) near Earth / Sedan looking southeast from near Vega, Texas. This distant storm produced a small tornado at the time.

GALLERY FOR MAY 17, 2021

May 17 was a moderate-risk chase day in west-central Texas, with multiple target areas. Mine was near and southwest of Lubbock. In the images above, a moderate-risk is outlooked by SPC, with a 10% tornado probability in the image to the left. Hail probability was also 45% (hatched for significant) with a 30% wind threat offset east of there. The middle image is mesoscale discussion 651 for the target area and west of there, with tornado watch box 182, valid until 11 PM CDT, in the right image.

The annotated satellite image for roughly 0z (afternoon of May 17), showing important features of the late day. A group of supercells, some tornadic, is developing near the intersection of a sharp dryline and stationary frontal boundary, as well as slightly southeast of there in the free warm sector.
This a radar image of a tornado producing supercell southwest of Snyder, Texas at around 7:30 PM CDT. The main image shows the intense base reflectivity, and velocity in the inset to the upper-right.
Convective initiation over west-central texas during the afternoon of May 17, as a dryline sharpens west of the area.
A tornadic supercell forms to the southeast in a separate target area east of Midland, Texas. This storm produced a large (wedge) tornado, but was mostly HP in nature.
An LP supercell initiates near La Mesa, Texas and quickly moves northward.
The LP supercell rapidly stengthens near Sundowd, Texas and aquires a beautiful structure as it evolves to classic mode.
Close range view of a weak tornado developing with an LP / classic supercell to the north of FM 1585 to the southeast of Levelland, Texas late in the day.
Ground circulation of the tornado southeast of Levelland, Texas.
Looking straight-up overhead at the funnel of the tornado southeast of Levelland, Texas!
Absolutely incredible colors with the powerful RFD kiking up dust in the low sun angle late in the day southeast of Levelland, Texas. One storm chaser (Hank S, aka "Pecos Hank") compared his view of this scene to the "atmosphere on Jupiter".
Supercell weakens and undergoes a split between Levelland and Wolforth, Texas. A developing final weak tornado is developing from the left split on the left side of this picture. The view is to the east and northeast.
Another brief tornado develops between Levelland and Wolforth, Texas ... Note the contact "swirl" to the far lower left in the picture (confirming ground contact).
View looking east of the supercell right split (left side of this picure) as it was west of Lubbock, Texas, with incredible mammatus overhead.
Supercell weakens and undergoes down-scaling in a highly sheared environment at dust just east of Lubbock, Texas. Basically the formerly violent storm "shrivels" and evaporates into nothing!

GALLERY FOR MAY 18, 2021

May 18 was a marginal chase day, separated from a main slight-risk area (mostly just an MCS pushing towards SE Texas), and targeting an area starting in eastern New Mexico from just south of Clovis. Tornado probabilities were 2% in the target area. In the images above, the SPC risk-areas are shown to the left, with the original target area. Mesoscale discussion 672 is in the middle image no watches (outside of the MCS in SE Texas) were issued for this setup. To the right, is the tornado outlook as per SPC for the day, and an indicator of where the best "storm of the day" ultimately formed.

This is a visible satellite image for around 0z during the afternoon of May 18. The area of importance (target area) is near the intersection of a dryline and weak frontal / outflow boundary. The MCS in southeastern Texas is of no interest in today chase prospects. A powerful supercell has also developed in my target area, near La Mesa south of Lubbock. Some brief tornadoes ocurred with this storm.
This is a radar image of a supercell storm near La Mesa, Texas at around 7:30 PM CDT. The main image is the base reflectivity, and velocity is in the inset to the upper-left.
Blasting east to a supercell storm that has rapidly formed near La Mesa, Texas after abandoning an original target south of Clovis, New Mexico. The storm of interest is in the distance, to the right of the center of this picture. The view is to the southeast on May 18.
Storm chasing tour vans also racing east to catch the developing supercell storm northwest of La Mesa, Texas during the afternoon.
View of supercell storm and updraft base north of La Mesa, Texas. The view is to the east.
Rotating updraft of the now classic supercell north of of La Mesa, Texas. The view is to the east and northeast.
View of weak tornado to the northwest of LaMesa, Texas during the afternoon. A brief ground circulation was visible under the funnel to the right side of the updraft base. The view is to the northeast.
View of weak tornado ground circulaton from the La Mesa storm. The view is to the west and northwest.
View of the La Mesa supercell moving east and evolving to HP mode over a wind turbine farm. The view is to the northeast.
Incredible colors near sunset as the HP supercell evolves to a line segment and becomes outflow dominant with near perfect lighting of the "whales mouth" from the setting sun. The view is to the south.
View looking east at the intensifying MCS with hail covering the roadway in the foreground, and wrapping up another great chase day.

GALLERY FOR MAY 19, 2021

May 19 was an off / travel day heading from Lubbock, Texas to the Denver, Colorado area. In this picture we see a view of the Twin Buttes with a non-severe storm in the background north of Springfield, Colorado looking east from Highway 385.

GALLERY FOR MAY 20, 2021

May 20 was a marginal chase day in eastern to northeastern Colorado, playing near the Palmer Divide and points northeastward, in up-slope flow and to the southern tip of a slight-risk outlook by SPC. The outlook and target area are shown in the images above to the left. Mesoscale discussion 692 is in the middle image, mainly north of the target area(s). No watch was issued. In the right image, the hail outlook of 15% is shown, with the area chased annotated as well.

This is an annotated visible satellite image for the synoptic environment over Colorado as of 22z on May 20. Some small supercells are developing in up-slope wind flow north of the Palmer Divide and into SE Wyoming, with an inactive dryline extending into southeastern Colorado. An MCS also has formed in eastern and northeastern Wyoming.
This is a radar (base reflectivity) image of an LP supercell storm north of Last Chance, Colorado at about 3:30 PM MDT. The storm had a pretty decent organization on the base reflectivity image, before moving north and weakening near Brush, Colorado.
Convective initiation began along and to the northeast of the Palmer Divide on May 20. In this view, towering cumulus is developing in up-slope wind flow. The radar (radome) in the foreground is for the terminal Doppler WSR-95D radar used by Denver International Airport. The view is to the southeast.
Interesting shadow of a developing supercell's anvil casted eastward while driving east on Highway 36 west of Last Chance, Colorado.
A small LP (low-precipitation) supercell develops northeast of the Palmer Divide between Last Chance, Colorado and Brush. The view is to the west from SR 71.
A group of storm chasers enjoys the view of the LP supercll west of SR 71.
View of LP supercell moving north from west of Last Chance, Colorado and eventually weakening southwest of Brush. The view is to the west, basically in the middle of no where (Weld County).

GALLERY FOR MAY 21, 2021

May 21 was a chase day from northeastern Colorado and into SW Nebraska. In the image above, the SPC slight-risk outlook is shown to the left. The middle image is mesoscale discussion 696 issued for the target area. Severe thunderstorm watch box 192, valid until 10 PM MDT, is shown in the right image.

This is an annotated visible satellite image of the area of interest, at roughly 0z during the afternoon of May 21. A rather "messy" convective evolution is taking place, with a cold front pushing southward through SW Nebraska, and a weak surface low over NE Colorado with a diffuse dryline extending southward out of there. Lack of robust upper level support precluded a more intense convective event.
This is a base reflectivity radar image of some storms over SW Nebraska at about 6 PM MDT. There are two supercell storms in this storm complex, but quickly became undercut by the cold front and weakened.
My chase vehicle getting ready to chase another day in northeastern Colorado on May 21.
Myself in Sterling, Colorado waiting for the capping inversion to erode and storms to fire, while in winds gusting out of the south in excess of 45 MPH.
Interesting lenticular clouds as the capping inversion gets eroded near Sterling, Colorado.
Intensifying supercell storm moving from west of Sterling, Colorado and northward into Wyoming. The view is to the southwest.
A weakening severe storm with a wall cloud (getting undercut by a sharp cold front) looms behind Castle Rock looking towards the west in Scottsbluff County, Nebraska late in the day.

GALLERY FOR MAY 22, 2021

May 22 was a chase day targeting northeastern Colorado, where the SPC had a large slight-risk outlook in place, stretching from SW Nebraska into SW Texas. Within this slight risk outlook, at least two areas were favorable for tornadoes (with two 5% areas forecasted), one in eastern New Mexico, and the other in east-central to northeastern Colorado. The latter was my target area, which was in Colorado. The middle image shows mesoscale discussion 699 issued for the target area, with tornado watch box 193, valid until 8 PM MDT, in the right image.

This is an annotated visible satellite image of the synoptic environment over Colorado at roughly 20z in the early afternoon of May 22. Storms have developed over NE Colorado, with tornadoes reported. This was ahead of a lee cyclone / surface low departing eastward, and south of a stalled cold front to the north.
This a base reflectivity image of a tornado-producing supercell west of Akron, Colorado at about 1:30 PM MDT. The velocity of the storm is shown in the upper-right inset.
Convective initiation on May 22 to the southwest of Akron, Colorado during the early afternoon.
One of the supercells to the northwest of a cluster of supercells, removed from the more-favored southern most storms (southwest of Akron, Colorado), acquires hard rotation and a prominent funnel forms. The view is to the west and southwest.
Finally, and quite rapidly, a beautiful elephant trunk tornado looms to the southwest of Akron, Colorado during the early afternoon. The view is to the southwest.
This is a close up of the tornado southwest of Akron, Colorado just before rope-out.
Another tornado, albeit not fully condensed, develops to the southeast of Brush, Colorado. The view is to the southeast.
A final third tornado, also weak and not condensed, develops near Brush, Colorado as the parent storm weakens and moves into a cooler air mass to the north. The view here is to the west.

GALLERY FOR MAY 23, 2021

May 23 was another chase day in east-central to northeastern Colorado. The SPC had an enhanced-risk in place, mainly from western South Dakota, southward to eastern Colorado. Within the southern edge of this enhanced-risk area, was a 10% probability for tornadoes. The target area was within this 10% area, as shown in the left image above. Mesoscale discussion 708 appears in the middle image, with tornado watch box 196, valid until 8 PM MDT, to the right.

This is an annotated visible satellite image of the synoptic environment for the day, during the afternoon of May 23 around 20z. A powerful supercell can be seen lumbering across northeastern Colorado, ahead of a departing surface low, dryline, and within up-slope wind flow.
This is a radar image (base reflectivity) of a powerful tornadic supercell between Anton and Akron, Colorado just after 3 PM MDT. The velocity image is in the upper-right inset.
Heading south into east-central Colorado near Anton on May 23. The ominous view of anvil blowoff streams overhead from a developing storm east of the Palmer Divide and moving northeastward towards me. The view is to the south.
We are all following the same thing: Storms! Here a small caravan of researchers is heading towards the developing storm in east-central Colorado near Anton.
Reaching the supercell storm near Anton, Colorado, it clearly has an HP structure. The view is to the southwest.
Closer view looking southwestwards and straight into the HP supercell "notch". Not sure if there is a weak tornado under this rapidly rotating wall cloud.
One of many dirt roads north of Anton, Colorado with a caravan of chasers heading east, kicking up dust, to get a view of a tornado warned storm to the northwest.
Wide view of the same supercell, passing north of Anton, and south of Akron, with intersecting boundaries and a cone tornado forming! The view is to the north and northwest.
Closer view of the cone tornado that appeared with this supercell over the Colorado prarie between Anton and Akron, Colorado during the early afternoon, as many chasers caravanned east on a dusty dirt road. The view is to the north and northwest.
Myself filling up (I always carry spare fuel) on a remote road southeast of Sterling, Colorado as some local farming residents stop and ask if I need assistance. People out here are the nicest and most honest people I ever came across.
Another possible tornado, shrouded in a pall of rain and hail, appears in an HP supercell storm southeast of Sterling, Colorado. The view is to the northwest.
The storm becomes outflow dominant and produces a powerful gust front to the east of Sterling, Colorado. This is the "whales mouth", an intriguing cloud formation on the backside of the shelf cloud. The view is to the south.
Absolutely incredible colors at dusk as a severe MCS pushes its way east out of eastern Colorado and into southwestern Nebraska. The blue is the clear sky to the east (left), red the setting yellow sunlight reflecting on the "whales mouth" of the gust front, and green (right) caused by light scattering through large hail. The view is to the south and southwest.

GALLERY FOR MAY 24, 2021

May 24 was a chase day in northwestern Kansas and nearby areas, owing to a prominent surface frontal / outflow boundary and dryline / Pacific front pushing out from the west. Conditions were favorable along such a "triple-point" and the stalled boundary. The image above to the left shows the target area, where a 5% probability of tornadoes was forecasted by the SPC, within a large slight-risk outlook area (that stretched from NE Nebraska to SW Texas). The middle image is mesoscale discussion 721, showing the triple-point over west-central to NW Kansas, ahead of a surface low. Tornado watch box 200 is shown to the right, valid until 9 PM CDT (8 PM MDT).

This is the annotated visible satellite image between 23z and 0z (late afternoon of May 24). The tornado-producing storms are ahead of a low pressure area / Pacific cold front near western Kansas, and along the outflow boundary stalled across NW Kansas.
This is a base reflectivity radar image of the tornadic supercell that developed near Selden, Kansas at around 6 PM CDT. The velocity image for this supercell is in the upper-right inset. Note the "debris ball" to the lower left in the image!
A sign of things to come. A stationary frontal boundary stretches from the east-northeast to west along north-central to northwestern Kansas suring the morning of May 24. This is near Sharon Springs, looking northwest. The distinct line of the surface boundary can be seen, with fog and stratus to the north, and warm, clearer skies to its south.
A classic supercell storm fires up northwest of Leoti, Kansas as the dryline pushes eastward into the area during the early afternoon.
The Doppler On Wheels (DOW) research truck scanning the Leoti, Kansas supercell as Howard Bluestein watches to the right with his colleague. It became clear that the Leoti storm was not going to be a prolific tornado producer, so many chasers headed north.
While headed north (and back) towards Sharon Springs, Kansas, it became clear where the low level shear was the best, with multiple small tornadoes visible along a cluster of supercells. A tornado looms over the distant horizon looking west towards one of these small supercell storms.
Closer view of an on-going tornado, looming over the distant horizon, looking west from near Sharon Springs, Kansas during the afternoon. The view is to the west.
As the storms moved north and northeast, they interacted with the stalled boundary draped across the area. Persistant and multiple small funnels like this were observed as one powerful supercell storm "rode the boundary" and passed near Colby, Kansas.
View of supercell storm northeast of Colby, Kansas, and evolving to HP mode, with storm chasers and the DOW truck in the foreground.
The supercell storm evolved to HP, became outflow dominant, and back to classic mode with this funnal / tornado as it passed near Rexford, Kansas. The intensifying low level jet allowed the storm to wrap back up again by late afternoon / evening.
Classic supercell moves east of Rexford and approaches Selden, Kansas, and rapid tornado-genesis ensues. The view is to the northeast.
Close up of developing, and rapidly intensifying, tornado west of Selden, Kansas. The view is to the northeast.
A significant tornado matures to the west of Selden, Kansas. The view is to the northeast.
Close-up of debris cloud / contact "swirl" of the tornado west of Selden, Kansas. This was the most intense phase of this tornado, which weakened considerably before reaching Selden, fortunately.
Another view of the Seldon, Kansas tornado, amidst storm chaser traffic, before the tornado hit the town.
Multi-vortex and rapid motion just west of Selden, Kansas. The view is to the east.
The tornado hits Selden, Kansas directly, fortunately at high-end EF-1 intensity. In this picture, looking east, dust and debris can be seen airborne over the town.
Damaged farm supply complex in Seldon, Kansas after the tornado passed through the town.
Powerful RFD (rear flank downdraft) winds and rain "hook" slamming by eastern Selden with winds near 100 MPH. This felt like being in a hurricane, with whipping winds and rain, but with large hail.
Overturned semi-trucks east of Selden, Kansas. These two folks actually passed us and drove INTO the tornado earlier, despite myself and other chasers screaming at them not to do so.
Tornado pushes well east of Selden, and back over open country, weakens to a large funnel cloud, then rotating wall cloud. The view is to the northeast.
The once violent Selden supercell undergoes down-scaling and shrivels up into nothing. In this picture, the storm is merely a rotating (and highly tilted / sheared) towering cumulus, and has a final small funnel at its base by dusk.
Beautiful moon peeking through the post storm environment after clouds cleared out during the late evening. What a day!

GALLERY FOR MAY 25, 2021

May 25 was a marginal chase day in the Texas / Oklahoma Panhandles region. This was a target area playing the northern fringes of a slight-risk outlook as per the SPC. This target area is shown in the left iamge above. Areas north of there remained capped by convective inhibition. In the middle image, mesoscale discussion 736 is shown. To the right, is severe thunderstorm watch box 204, valid until 11 PM CDT, for the target area southward.

This is an annotated visible satellite image of the synoptic and convective environment as of 1z (during the evening of May 26) over the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. Two areas of supercells have fired, one over the SE Texas Pannhandle, and another from near Amarillo northward to the TX / OK border. These storms produced very large hail and were in an area of cap erosion ahead of the northern portion of a dryline segment near a weak surface low
This a base reflectivity radar image of one of the intense supercell storms over the Texas Panhandle near Perryton, Texas after 9 PM CDT. Subtle velocity is also shown in the upper-right inset.
Heading southward from SW Kansas, through the OK Panhandle, and into the extreme northern Texas panahandle on May 25. The atmosphere remained "capped" to the north, with a window of convective opportunities over the TX / Oklahoma panhandle border. Here some cumulus can be seen developing along a stationary boundary looking south.
Storms finally firing and breaking the strong cap just south of the OK / TX border in the northern Texas panhandle.
A small supercell storm, with a prominent hail shaft, appears near Perryton, Texas near dusk from the previous convection breaking the cap. The view is to the south.
Marble sized hail splashing in the road near Perryton, Texas.
Closer view of the hail core, with hail shaft illuminated by the setting sun, near Perryton, Texas. The view is to the east.
Lightning illuminates the supercell storm after dark near near Perryton, Texas. Note the weak funnel in the RFD clear clot (center of piture). The view is to the northeast.
Closer view of weak funnel with a supercell storm after dark near near Perryton, Texas.

GALLERY FOR MAY 26, 2021

May 26 was a moderate-risk chase day with up to three separate target areas, anywhere from southwest to west-central Kansas, northward into SW Nebraska, an as far east as north-central Kansas. The initial target area chosen was east of a dryline buldge in northwestern and west-central Kansas, and is shown in the left-most image above. The SPC moderate-risk outlook included a 15% tornado, 45% wind, and 45% hail in their probabilities, all hatched for significant. In the middle image is mesoscale discussion 747, with PDS (particularly dangerous situation) tornado watch box 210, valid until 2 AM CDT the following day, in the right image.

This is an annotated satellite image showing the convective and synoptic environment during the afternoon of May 26 at around 0z. Tornadic supercells are on-going in north-central Kansas and into SW Nebraska. Note my initial target area, and southward across western Kansas (along with many other storm chasers), is remaining capped.
This is a base reflectivity radar image of a tornadi supercell storm south of Hill City, Kansas at roughly 9 PM CDT. The velocity of the storm is in the upper-right inset.
Ready for the day ... Three storm chase tour vans wait at a truck stop near Scott City, Kansas during the afternoon of May 26.
Storms begin firing along the western Kansas dryline. Here an LP supercell is rapidly forming to the west and northwest of Scott City, Kansas. Strong difluence aloft causes the anvil to appear that way, fanning out above us. The view is to the west.
Closeup of one of the LP supercell storms developing northwest of Scott City, Kansas. Note the mid-level funnel just right of the center of the picture. The view is to the northwest.
Luck turns sour as the LP storms fell apart in the main target area, forcing many chasers to race towards other targets. Passing through Hoxie, Kansas, I get a ticket for slowly rolling through a stop sign. Not so lucky this go-around.
A complex of storms forms to the east of Hoxie and west of Hill City, Kansas by late afternoon / early evening. I am headed south of this storm complex to the "tail end" supercell. The view here is to the northwest.
Tail-end supercell on the southern end of the storm complex near Hill City, Kansas. Rapid motion was noted with this storm. The view here is to the west and southwest.
A tornado quickly develops and touches down in an open field south of Hill City, Kansas near dusk off the tail end storm of a complex of severe storms. The view is to the northeast.
Close up of ground circulation associated with the brief tornado pictured above in an open field south of Hill City, Kansas.
View looking up at the parent funnel with the brief tornado south of Hill City, Kansas.
Impressive wall cloud with the same Hill City supercell as it moves off to the northeast. The view is to the north.
Incredible lightning looking north at the supercell storms after dusk in the twilight just north of I-70 in north-central Kansas.

GALLERY FOR MAY 27, 2021

May 27 was a chase day with a long drive southward into Oklahoma and ultimitely the SE Texas panhandle, owing to an enhanced-risk outlook as per the SPC. A 5% tornado outlook was across this area, stretching from west-central Texas into central Illinois. Two target areas are shown in the left image above, one a mid-day conditional storm threat in central Oklahoma, and one later and farther SW in the SE Texas panhandle. The middle image is mesoscale discussion 764 issued by the SPC. To the right is tornado watch box 215, valid until 7 PM CDT.

In this annotated visible satellite image, storms are developing near surface features. One cluster ahead of a cold front in Oklahoma evolving to an MCS, and LP (low precipitation) storms ahead of the dryline in the SE Texas panhandle. This image was from about 23z, during the afternoon of May 27.
This is a base reflectivity radar image of an LP supercell storm near Turkey, Texas in Hall County just before 7 PM CDT.
Rotating wall cloud west of I-35 and north of Mulhall, Oklahoma, during the early afternoon of May 27. The view is to the southwest.
Low precipitation supercell left split over Hall County, Texas late in the day. The view is northwest.
Large hail falling from the LP supercell in Hall County, Texas.
Low precipitation supercell right split with updraft, RFD, and hail shaft moving east over Hall County, Texas. The view is to the east.
Beautiful sunset amidst wind turbines wraps up the day to the northeast of Lubbock, Texas.

GALLERY FOR MAY 28, 2021

May 28 was another chase day, farther south into southern to SW Texas. The SPC had an enhanced-risk in place for southern Texas, with the target area playing the west side of that region, as shown by the target area above in the left image. The tornado probability was 5% with a significant 30% hail outlook. Wind was 15%. The middle image is mesoscale discussion 786 issued for the area. To the right, is severe thunderstorm watch box 220, valid until 11 PM CDT.

This is an annotated visible satellite image of the convective environment across western Texas and New Mexico during the afternoon of May 28, at around 23z. Two powerful supercells are lumbering across the target area in SW Texas, with an MCS in south-central Texas. Another supercell complex is in eastern New Mexico, evolving to a forward-propagating MCS. A dryline and stalled frontal boundary are providing a focus for the strongest storms.
This is a base reflectivity radar image of a powerful supercell storm northwest of Pyote, Texas at around 7:30 PM CDT. The velocity of this storm is also shown in the inset to the upper-right.
Convective initiation looking southward over south-central to southwestern Texas late in the afternoon of May 28.
Intersecting outflow boundaries east of Ward County, Texas with an outflow dominant supercell to the east. The view is to the southeast.
View looking northwest towards Ward County and a developing supercell storm. Note the impressive anvil blowoff streaming overhead. The view is to the west and northwest.
Low precipitation to classic supercell north of Pecos, Texas in Ward County late in the day. The view is to the west.
One of the smaller pieces of hail picked off the ground (about 2" and melting) near Pyote, Texas on I-20.
View of hail core and rainbow over I-20. The view is to the northeast and east.
Looking west at a high based LP supercell west of Pyote, Texas and I-20.
Lightning illuminated picture of the leading edge of a powerful MCS / bow segment west of Andrews, Texas after dark. Note the "haboob" (dust kicked up) under the gust front! The view is to the northwest.

GALLERY FOR MAY 29, 2021

May 29 was a very busy chase day, with a powerful tornadic supercell tracked from its initiation over SE Colorado and into the western Oklahoma Panhandle, where it weakened well after dark. The target area is shown in the left image above, with a sligh-risk outlook issued by the SPC. A 5% tornado probability was drawn from east-central Colorado southward to the Texas panhandle. Wind outlook was 5% and hail was 15% (significant). The middle image shows mesoscale discussion 801 for the target area. To the right is tornado watch box 223, valid until 9 PM MDT.

This is an annotated visible satellite image of the synoptic / convective environment at around 0z during the early evening of May 29. A surface low (lee cyclogenesis) has developed over SE Colorado and is slowly departing eastward. A cyclic tornadic supercell is also shown in the SE corner of Colorado and about to move SE into the western Oklahoma panhandle near Black Mesa country.
This is a base reflectivity radar image of a tornadic supercell moving southeastward over the extreme NW corner of the Oklahoma panhandle at around 8:30 PM. Note the intense hail core, at least 74 dBz (white on base reflectivity). The intense velocity is also shown in the upper-right inset.
Convective initiation west of Springfield, Colorado near Baca County during the afternoon of May 29. The view is to the west.
It is not a good idea to follow a storm chaser. This humerous message saying not to do so it written in the dust on the back of this storm chaser's vehicle.
Intesifying storm going from multicell to supercell evolution (still with a high base) near Baca County, Colorado by mid to late afternoon. The view is west and northwest.
Storms chasers with camera gear in a field near Baca County, Colorado filming lightning and storm structure.
A small landspout tornado picks up dust in a field beneath the RFD region as the Baca County storm begins moving southeastwards.
The Baca County storm continues moving southeast and right of the mean vector, rapidly intensifying, as it draws upslope air along the moisture axis by late afternoon. The view is to the southwest.
View of a large cone tornado (just left of center of picture) becoming rain-wrapped to the west of Campo / SW of Pritchett, Colorado late in the day. The view is to the west.
Large caravan of storm chasers, including tour group vans, headed south to stay ahead of the Baca county supercell and nearing the Black Canyon country.
View of large tornado looking west as precipitation temporarily clears out with incredible supercell structure, as the storm moves from Baca County, Colorado into the Black Canyon country in extreme NW Oklahoma.
Tornadic storm re-emerges from the rugged terrain and into the Black Canyon by evening in the extreme NW Oklahoma panhandle. The view here is to the north, with a possible tornado on-going (just below center of picture).
Incredible storm-relative inflow as the low level jet intensifies in the evening. Note the inflow bands extending from the tornadic supercell to the far left and to the right. The view here is to the northeast.
Supercell storm continues southeastwards and into the night over the western OK panhandle. Large tornado is on-going under the storm in the lower right side of the photo. This wide-angle view is to the north.
View of intense (now cyclic) supercell storm, with tornado (just below center of the picture and possibly splitting into two tornadoes) on-going under it, as an intense bolt of lightning strikes to the far right. The view is to the north and northwest.
Closer view of the SW side of the powerful cyclic supercell to the northwest of Boise City, Oklahoma, with two tornadoes on the ground simultaneously (probably a satellite tornado rotating about a developing wedge tornado). The view is to the north, illuminated by lightning.
Large wedge tornado to the northwest of Boise City, Oklahoma The view is to the northwest, illuminated by lightning.
Last (wide-angle) view of the large, on-going wedge tornado, fortunately weakeing and evolving to multi-vortex while remaining safely away from Boise City, Oklahoma. The storm weakened thereafter during the night, before it could hit any towns.

GALLERY FOR MAY 30, 2021

May 30 was a frustrating chase day, with some bad decisions made, with tornadic storms intercepted in the Oklahoma panhandle between Clayton, New Mexico and Boise City, Oklahoma. In the left image above, the primary target area (which I should have stuck to at first) is shown, with a slight-risk area in place as per the SPC, where a 5% tornado outlook was also issued. The middle image shows mesoscale discussion 814 with important surface features in place, such as a stationary outflow boundary. To the right is tornado watch box 226, valid until 12 AM CDT for the target area eastward.

This is an annotated visible satellite image for around 0z during the late afternoon of May 30. The outflow / frontal boundary across the Oklahoma panhandle is providing a focus for tornadic supercells. Another supercell in up-slope wind flow is farther southwest in New Mexico as well.
This is a base reflectivity radar image of a tornadic supercell near Felt, Oklahoma (between Clayton, New Mexico and Boise City, Oklahoma) at around 5:30 PM CDT (4:30 MDT). The velocity is in the upper-right inset.
View of the Capulin volcano near Clayton, New Mexico while headed south and southwest on May 30, targeting east-central New Mexico (a mistake).
Realizing storms in east-central New Mexico were not very organized, I turn back north towards Clayton and target storms moving into Oklahoma. In this picture, a messy and outflow-dominated storm looms north of Nara Visa looking westward.
While re-positioning north and northeast past Clayton and looking towards Felt, Oklahoma, a tornadic supercell looms over the horizon. From distant range, a possible tornado is barely visible under the storm below and just left of the center of the picture. The view is to the northeast.
Closer in to the storm, this is an enhanced low-contrast view of a large tornado (center and left side of picture) near Felt, Oklahoma during the afternoon. The view is to the northeast.
Strong RFD region with the storm as it moves past Felt, Oklahoma and to the southwest of Boise City. The feature handing down in the foreground in the center of the picture is a "scud bomb" and not the tornado. The tornado, if it's still there, would be behind the bright area (RFD slot) between the left-center and lower-left part of the picture. The view is to the northeast.
Hail covers the ground and roadway to the southwest of Boise City, Oklahoma as the hail core of a tornadic supercell passes nearby town of Felt.
Weakening of the supercell storm and evolution to a cluster of severe storms to the south of Boise City, Oklahoma by the late afternoon. The remnants of the storm mesocyclone can be seen in the center of the picture. The view is to the northwest.
Wrapping up the May 30 chase, passing through the desolate town of Two Buttes, Colorado. This is the real "Little House Of The Prarie"!

GALLERY FOR MAY 31 - JUNE 16

May 31 onward was down time, mainly spent working at my regular IT job in Chicago, Illinois until June 16. In this picture is the state Capitol building in Des Moines, Iowa. Storm activity ramped down substantially in early June of 2021.
World's largest truck stop off I-80 in eastern Iowa, between Davenport and Iowa City.
Crossing back over the "mighty" Mississippi River - Looking north here, Iowa is to the left, and Illinois is to the right.
Passing off time (while not chasing) in the Chicago suburbs, including skydiving at CSC (Chicago Skydiving Center) near Rochelle, Illinois.

GALLERY FOR JUNE 17, 2021

June 17 was a frustrating "bust" chase day where little or no storms developing in most target areas in NE Iowa. In the image above, an enhanced risk, posted by SPC, is shown to the left, with the target area annotated. The "X" marks where the best storms of that day developed, mainly near dark. In the middle image is mesosale discussion 989 and severe thunderstorm watch box 276, valid until 10 PM, CDT to the right.

This is an annotated visible satellite image for after 1z during the evening of June 17. Severe storms can be seen erupting over SE Minnesota and neaded into western Wisconsin near dark, thanks to a cold front pushing across the area.
This is a base reflectivity radar image of the convective evolution after 8:30 PM CDT. Most of the severe storms are developing way north of the MN / IA border and heading across the Mississippi river and into western Wisconsin.
This is a picture of some elevated storms developing in a highly capped environment near Floyd in northern Iowa during the afternoon of June 17.
Iowa has a large community of Amish people. Here a horse-drawn wagon can be seen along the side of the highway in northern Iowa.
Distant view of anvil from severe storms and superells over southeastern Minnesota (80 miles away) over the horizon. The view is to the north. These storms developed well north of the target area(s) due to capping to the south.

GALLERY FOR JUNE 18-19, 2021

June 18 and 19 were off days spent in the Chicago area. This is a base reflectivity radar image on June 18 around 3:30 PM CDT of tornado producing supercells in east-central Indiana, and crossing into western Ohio. No chasing was done this day on June 18 as the good storms were distant and too far to chase.
Barge lumbering down the upper Mississippi River heading east on I-80 between Iowa and Illinois.
Here an ominous PSA ad reminds eveyone disaster is always possible, and foreshadows what will happen before midnight on June 20 in the Chicago suburbs with a damaging tornado happening there.

GALLERY FOR JUNE 20, 2021

June 20 was a chase day with a tornadic supercell intercepted in south-central Iowa. In the image above, 5% tornado probabilities (in an enhanced-risk posted by SPC), is shown to the left, with the target area annotated. In the middle image is mesosale discussion 1035 and severe thunderstorm watch box 294, valid until 11 PM, CDT to the right.

This is an annotated visible satellite image for around 0z during the evening of June 20. Severe storms can be seen stretching from southern Wisconsin and southwestward into northern Missouri. A powerful supercell that produced tornadoes near Pella, Iowa can be seen in central to eastern Iowa. This activity is ahead of a cold front. A damaging rain-wrapped tornado also affected the Chicago suburbs before midnight from the resultant squall line later as it pushed east towards the Great Lakes.
This is a base reflectivity radar image of a powerful "tail-end" supercell on the SW side of a cluster of severe thunderstorms near and east of Pella, Iowa at roughly 6:30 PM CDT. This was a tornado-producing storm. The velocity of the supercell is shown in the inset to the upper-left.
Approaching a developing cluster of strong and severe storms over Bremer County, Iowa during the afternoon of June 20.
The storms near Bremer County, Iowa become severe, with a brief supercell on the southern end of the storm complex, before becoming outflow dominant due to a surging front to the north of the primary target area.
Impressive "whales" mouth on the backside of the outlow-dominant storm near Plainfield, Iowa during the afternoon. The view is to the south. I am abandoning this complex of storms and favoring a storm complex developing farther south and southwest in an environment much more favorable for tornadoes.
Racing south towards a supercell storm near Pella, Iowa (after a long re-position south along Highway 63) late in the day. A tornado was reported at this time, and I am punching through the precipitation core of the storm from the north.
A weakening tornado lifts to the east of Pella, Iowa. The view is to the north along Highway 63.
The former Pella storm weakens and re-intensifies southwest of Keota, Iowa before dusk. The view os to the southwest and south, with the intensifying storm to the far right.
A funnel forms on the updraft base of the supercell storm SW of Keota, Iowa as it re-intensifies.
Ominous view of updraft base, storm structure, and RFD region (left) near Keota, Iowa. Note the rotating wall cloud as well, just left of the center of the picture. This storm, formerly the one that produced the Pella tornado, has been re-issued a tornado warning. The view is to the north.
Ominous swirl of fast moving clouds looms over the chase vehicle near Keota, Iowa along SR 92. The view is looking to the NW as this tornado-warned supercell storm pushes ESE over the area.
Hail up to 2" in diameter falls on the northeast side of the tornado-warned supercell storm between Keota and Washington, Iowa while heading eastward along SR 92.
Powerful RFD and outflow winds in excess of 70 MPH pummel the southwest side of Washington, Iowa after dusk as the supercell storm finally "gusts out" and becomes outflow dominant.

GALLERY FOR JUNE 21, 2021

A powerful tornado affected the Chicago suburbs from Naperville to Woodridge, Illinois, just before midnight on June 20. I did not chase this setup (I was farther west in Iowa due to visibility and not willing to chase storms after dark in populated areas). Here we see downed trees and major roof damage to residences in Woodridge on June 21.
Locals wandering in the street and roof damage to a home in Woodridge, Illinois.
Overturned and totaled car in Naperville, Illinois.
Destroyed home and news crew in Woodridge, Illinois.
Temporary repairs being done to a roof in Woodridge, Illinois, before a blue tarp is put on.

GALLERY FOR JUNE 24, 2021

June 24 was a chase day targeting northeastern Kansas and into extreme southern and SE Nebraska. In the images above, and to the left, the SPC enhanced-risk is shown to the left as per 1630z, with the target area annotated. The middle image is mesoscale discussion 1076 issued by the SPC over the target area. Tornado watch 309, valid until 10 PM CDT, is in the right image.

This is an annotated visible satellite image for around 22z during the afternoon of June 24. Severe storms can be seen over southern Nebraska in a complicated forecast scenario. A solitary supercell can be seen in northeastern Kansas, south of the messy severe storm (MCS) to the north.
This is a base reflectivity radar image of a tornado-warned supercell northeast of Marysville, Kansas at roughly 6:00 PM CDT. The velocity of the supercell is shown in the inset to the upper-right.
Horizontal convective rolls (HCRs) streaming across the sky in the low to mid levels during the morning of June 24 in Iowa.
Altocumulus asperatus clouds streaming overhead in southwestern Iowa during the early afternoon, as the lead impulse of an upper wave moves in from the west.
Approaching a developing supercell (note laminar updraft base) from the north near Marysville, Kansas. The view is to the south.
Rapidly intensifying supercell northwest of Marysville, Kansas. A slight hint of a developing RFD can also be seen just below the center of the picture. The view is to the northwest.
Large wall cloud forms on the supercell northeast of Marysville, Kansas as it is also issued a tornado warning.
Rotating wall cloud and tagging rain curtains as the supercell passes north of Beatti, Kansas. The view is to the northwest from SR 99.
Large, rotating wall cloud, almost to the ground just east of SR 99 and north of Beatti, Kansas. The view is to the north.
Powerful rotation (RFD in the foreground) east of SR 99 and north of Beatti, Kansas. The rapidly rotating wall cloud, just right of the center of the picture, is trying to form a large tornado here. The view is to the northeast.
Large lowering along the leading edge of a storm complex west of Corning, Kansas as the supercell(s) become undercut by outflow. The cloud base is dark and menacing, as the mesocyclone is undercut by cooler air. The view is to the northwest.
The storms weaken near Corning and Centralia, Kansas as they evolve to a messy, outflow domainant MCS of strong and severe storms by evening. The view is west and northwest at a weakening low-level mesocyclone.

GALLERY FOR JUNE 25, 2021

June 25 was the final chase day of this trip, targeting mainly central Kansas on a conditional setup. In the images above, a 5% tornado probability is shown (within a large slight risk), with the refined target area annotated. The middle image is mesoscale discussion 1090 issued by the SPC east of the target area. Severe thunderstorm watch 314, valid until 9 PM CDT and to the east, is in the right image.

This is an annotated visible satellite image for around 23z during the early evening of June 25. Multiple storms can be seen over Kansas and adjacent areas, with a prominent boundary extending from SW to NE across the state providing low-level forcing for storms.
This is a base reflectivity radar image of a small supercell over Ellsworth County, Kansas just before 6:00 PM CDT. This was the left split of a storm much earlier near Reno County farher south. The subtle velocity of the supercell is shown in the inset to the upper-left.
Convective initiation during the afternoon of June 25 over central Kansas. The view here is to the south and southeast on I-35 approaching Manhattan.
This is a view of two small LP supercells undergoing a storm split west of Hutchinson, Kansas over Reno county during the late afternoon. The view is to the west.
The left split of the two supercells above continued northeast and became the more intense storm due to weaker capping near Geneseo, Kansas. The view is to the north.
View of updraft base and left-split storm, well now well north of the original split, over Rice County, Kansas. The view is to the north.
Hail core and hail shaft of the storm near Geneseo. Hail to golfball sized was encountered before this storm weakened. The view is to the northeast.
Severe thunderstorm / MCS north of I-70 east of Colby, Kansas during the early evening.
View of hail / rain-foot of the severe storm northeast of Colby, Kansas.

GALLERY FOR JUNE 26-28, 2021

June 26th through the 28th were travel days from Colorado to southern California, concluding the chase "expedition" since April 24. Here I am traveling through Colorado and across a ranch of cows in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains near Denver.
One of many beautiful views off I-70, which carves through the Rocky Mountains and Glenwood Springs and canyon, offering majestic views of the 14,000+ peaks of the Rockies. Snow still covers the mountains even in summer.
Past Colorado and Utah, the landscape changes dramatically, giving way to dry desert and plant-less cliffs, looking more like the surface of Mars than Earth.
Passing through Nevada, with a stop for the night in Las Vegas before the final "push" into southern California the following day.
Passing through the Mojave Desert. Here, a large thermometor display sits in Baker, California with temperatures approaching 115 degrees F.
Back in southern California on June 28, and officially finishing the main chase trip.

OTHER CHASES IN 2021

This section is for any other chases and / or storm pictures taken in the central United States / Midwestern (and any other) areas during 2021 These include any chases or observations of storms that were local chases (or trips lasting a single day), but not part of a dedicated / longer chase trip. In the image above the SPC products for 20z on October 12 area shown. A quick chase-trip was done to southwest Kansas, mainly on October 12, 2021, targeting storms. This trip encompassed a flight into Denver, Colorado on October 11 (from Los Angeles), and traveling east on I-70 into Goodland, Kasnas. From there, I headed south on SR 27 to near Highway 50 near Syracuse and east to along Highway 83 and finally Garden City. The SPC had a moderate risk for this area, with 15% tornado (in the left image above), 30% wind, and 30% hail probabilities (all hatched for significant). The "X" marks in the left image also show where tornadoes were confirmed (not they are NOT within the "bullseye" of the moderate-risk outlook)! Mesoscale discussion 1839 (middle image) and subsequent tornado watch box 522 (right image), valid until 11 PM CDT, were also issued for this area. After chasing was done, with only late-evening severe storms noted in the target area (any tornadoes were way south in SW OK after dark), I headed back to Goodland for the night. I returned to Denver the next day (Oct 13), spending 2 days there at my job on-site in business meetings. I returned to California late on October 14 to Orange County. Total miles for this trip were 911 miles. Also shown below is an interesting dust devil, encountered in Lake Elsinore, CA on July 18, 2021.

DETAILED CHASE LOG FOR THIS SECTION (OTHER CHASES)

In the image above we see a developing tornadic supercell looming over the horizon looking northwest from northeast of Syracuse, Kansas at dusk on October 12, 2021. This storm, embedded in a powerful cluster of strong and severe storms, produced large hail and a weak tornado that caused damage near Sharon Springs after dark. More powerful supercells (with tornadoes) also developed in SW Oklahoma as well (distant and not related to the storms here). Storms this day were part of a powerful upper-level storm system and complex surface setup, with storms not developing (nor the feared "tornado outbreak") as expected.

1). Oct 12, 8:30 PM - Observation and penetration of a severe thunderstorm along Highway 50 and near SR 27 in Hamilton County, Kansas and near Syracuse. This storm was part of a cluster of strong and severe thunderstorms, some with weak tornadoes and large hail. The worst parts of this storm cluster, using radar, were avoided due to it being at night and using a rental vehicle. Conditions encountered were frequent to continuous lightning, small hail (to dime sized), torrential rains, and winds gusting over 60 MPH. Copious amounts of marble sized hail was also was noted covering the ground north of Leoti later on along Highway 27. Conditions causing the storms were a strong upper-level low, surface low pressure, dryline / Pacific cold front, warm front, and surface heating. Documentation was digital stills. A 2021 Nissan Versa was used to chase these storms. A tornado watch was also in effect for the area until 11 PM CDT.

This concludes the chase log for the central United States and Midwest for ANY OTHER chases in 2021 not part of a special section (especially those for single-day "spot" chase trips). The summary includes a total of 1 observation, out of which there all was 1 severe thunderstorm. No tornadoes were observed in these trips, except for penetration of a dust devil in California. The main chase vehicle conducting these chases was a 2016 Jeep Wrangler and 2021 Nissan Versa (rental). This information was prepared exclusively for the National Weather service and the team of Skywarn storm spotters.

GALLERY FOR JULY 18, 2021 (OTHER CHASES - CALIFORNIA)

Dust devils are swirling updrafts resembling a mini tornado, but develop in dry conditions where a strong temperature gradient exists just above the ground (hotter near the ground). These are common in desert or dry regions with intense surface heating. Here is a picture of one developing in Lake Elsinore, California near the skydiving center there on July 18, 2021. The parachutist in the foreground is not in danger.
Another intense dust devil forms in Lake Elsinore, California during the hot afternoon of July 18, and works its way into a small industrial area. The chase is on! I am going to run after it!
View of dust devil entering dry work lot. I am driving towards it.
Inside the dust devil! Swirling air (around 60 MPH) with lots of dust. Can you spot the "core" flow?
Dust devil lifts, picking up some trash and debris along the way. See the video links above for a short video (dash-cam) of this encounter!

GALLERY FOR OCTOBER 12, 2021 (OTHER CHASES - KANSAS)

This is an annotated colorized (infrared channel) satellite image around 2z on October 13 (around 8 PM on October 12) showing the synoptic environment and storm evolution. Two powerful supercells, developing well away from the main areas of highest probabilities as per the SPC (Storm Predictions Center), are in SW Oklahoma. The southern storm in Oklahoma produced a significant tornado after dark. In SW Kansas, the highly feared long-track tornadic storms did not develop. After dark, a cluster of severe storms extended from NW Kansas southward to east of the OK / KS CO tri-state region. A weak tornado was produced after dark near Sharon Springs in west-central to NW Kansas as well.
This is a radar image of the storms over west-central Kansas at around 8 PM CDT on October 12. The main image is the base-reflectivity showing the approaching MCS and embedded supercell south of Sharon Springs to the north (and the pink polygon is a tornado warning area). The upper=right inset shows any Doppler velocities in these storms. Radar is from Dodge City, Kansas (KDDC).
Although not applicable to this storm chasing target area, this is a radar image of the tornadic supercell over SW Oklahoma (250 miles away from me) at about the same time, between 8:30 and 9 PM CDT. A far more impressive supercell structure is presented in the base-reflectivity product (radar is KFDK - Frederick, OK), with a powerful Doppler velocity signature denoted in the upper-left inset. This storm has already produced a large tornado after dark near Snyder, Oklahoma.
View looking towards the southwest from just north of Syracuse, Kansas. The dryline boundary can be seen sharpening to the southwest by late afternoon, with clearing sky behind it, and agitated cumulus developing in the foreground.
View looking northwest between Syracuse and Leoti, Kansas. The Pacific cold front, oriented SW to NE is beginning to overtake the dryline as it stalls late in the day. A thunderstorm and anvil is visible as storms initiate. A subtle warm front is also arching eastward out of this area.
The atmosphere remained capped until after dark ahead of the slowing dryline. In this picture, a "turkey tower" updraft attempts to go up near Leoti, Kansas, and quickly gets toppled over by over 100 knots of speed / directional wind shear (very strong winds aloft). The view is to the west.
Developing squall line and MCS (cluster of strong and severe storms) over western Kansas after sunset. The view is to the west from west of Garden City.
Beautiful half moon shining through the clear and capped air mass near Garden City, Kansas after dusk.

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