Chase Log: May 23rd, 2008
Click on any of the SPC products below (Convective Outlooks, Watches, or MCDs) to see the SPC's "Severe Thunderstorm Events" page pertaining to this event.
Total Distance: 365 miles
Target Area: Near Ness City
Chase Area: Wakeeney to Ness City to Hays
Maximum SPC Risk category: Moderate
Watches:
Mesoscale Discussions (MCDs):
We probably have 3-5 tornadoes in our data, despite not seeing a single one. Road options were abysmal, as all of the non-paved roads were mud disasters. As such, it was extraordinarily difficult to get in position. At any rate, here's what we did:
1) Deployed ~9 S of Wakeeney, KS as a supercell developed to the SW. We scanned for ~50 minutes, and we may (should?) have gotten genesis of a large wedge tornado that occurred very near Quinter, KS, along I70.
2) Deployed on S side of Ness City as a supercell moved from our SW through NW and N. Total deployment time was ~40 mins. Very strong sub-cloud / low-level convergence and significant rotation to our W. We got nailed by the RFD, with extremely cold temperatures experienced. We packed up to reposition to the E and NE, during which time we missed a cone tornado that occurred N of Ness City.
3) Deployed ~10 N of Hays. Very large, possibly violent tornado crossed I70 to our W (hit Ellis, KS) and continued towards W of Plainview (N of Hays). Another supercell with hook came up to the southwest of the Ellis storm, and possibly produced a tornado that his Ellis (again!). A county Sheriff that stopped by said that I70 was closed due to traffic-blocking damage. Probable large wall-cloud to our NW. Dryline-forced squall line also scanned as the Ellis/Hays supercell(s) moved to our N. Deployment time was ~60-70 mins. We experienced extremely strong easterly inflow winds (50-60+ mph) during this time.
