2004 OCTOBER 23: EASTERN ILLINOIS STORMS
 


This was a nice surprise after a storm-less chase in eastern Kansas the day before.  On my way back to Indiana, I noticed I'd driven underneath a fairly potent cu field around Effingham on Interstate 70.  A glance at the radar showed some showers developing ahead of the advancing pacific front, and within a few scans, these became isolated, low-topped single cell storms, with the tail-end Charlie growing to a 53dbz return at one point.  I dropped south from Effingham and intercepted the southern storm near Louisville, and then again further south at Flora.

I continued east of State Road 50 as the slow-moving cells drifted along and maintained fair organization in an a modestly unstable environment (SPC estimated 1000 j/kg in an MCD issued for the area) and some fair 0-1k shear.  These conditions were similar to what we faced the day before in Kansas, with the difference being that the area had seen more insolation than our target, and that the midlevels were cooler and thus lapse rates more conducive. 

This was my first legitimate chase using the XM / Wx-Worx system and it was amazing to have that sort of data available nonstop.  I wish I'd have bought it in February.

 

CDfrontBMP2_thumb.jpg (6614 bytes)
"SEVEN YEARS ON CYCLONE ROAD" DVD  (click DVD for info)

Return To Cyclone Road