Storm Chase Details
Miles Logged: 835
States Chased: MO, AR
Tornadoes Witnessed: 1
Milestones:
First Missouri Tornado
Severe Risks: SPC Outlooks
Severe Reports: Storm Reports
Chase Recap:
A synoptically evident setup from a week and a half out. This day would live up to expectations, providing some violent tornadoes across the Northeast Arkansas region.
Forecast
00Z NAM Thursday March 13th
00Z NAM Friday March 14th
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Departing Oklahoma City
We were on the road by 8 am for the trip east to Arkansas. Timing on the models seemed like it would be after dark, but I did not want to be late. We ever came across a line of convection on our way through eastern Oklahoma. It was moving pretty fast, and I was worried it may fire convection early in Arkansas. I also had a hard time keeping up with data on the road without my laptop.
Heading into Arkansas
We ended up in Little Rock before stopping for gas and to look at data. After looking over data, it appeared there was a moisture tongue in eastern Arkansas, with 64F dewpoint at the Delta Regional Airport in Colt, Arkansas.
We decided to head up I-57 to Jonesboro where we ended up spending the next 6 hours.
21Z Observed Soundings
Hanging out in Jonesboro
We grabbed dinner in Jonesboro and hung out at the Kum & Go waiting on the storms to get to us. Bill met up with us and we wasted the evening away. We realized most of the hotels had sold out in Tupelo where we wanted to stay, so we booked in Olive Branch MS.
It was readily apparent the nocturnal event would definitely be nocturnal with the just in time moisture. As storms continued to intensify over the Ozarks, we headed towards Pocahontas to intercept the first storm.
Poplar Bluff Missouri Tornado
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