Storm Chase Details
Miles Logged: 427
States Chased: OK, KS
Largest Hail Encountered: 1.15 in.
Spotter Network Reports: 1
Severe Risks: SPC Outlooks
Severe Reports: Storm Reports
Much like yesterday, expectations were in the basement for the 30th. It appeared marginal supercell shear would exist briefly in spots in South Central Kansas along the border with Oklahoma. With it being a Saturday, a trip north seemed warranted. Ashton came along for the ride.
Here’s a look at the 19Z Mesoanalysis for 0-8 shear. As you can see, some marginal shear along the KS/OK border with the other in Southwest Oklahoma. I stuck at home until late in case we needed to head southwest.
Some impressive CAPE values with shear on the very low end of supercells were along the border.
Departing Norman
After watching a relatively empty southwest Oklahoma, I decided to head north around 1:30. Stopping off in Edmond before continuing north, I had to pick up Ashton. Sometime after 3 I arrived into Blackwell and hung out at Casey’s. I took that opportunity to top my tank off and meet up with Chad. Eventually after an hour of waiting, we took off and proceeded north into Kansas.
Earlier day storms to the east of Wichita left a residual outflow boundary just south of the Wichita metro. You can see in the animation below and make out that outflow boundary throughout the duration until nearly the end.
We went to the Wellington exit and jumped off the highway. Storms were forming off the dryline to our west and moving our way. With that, I headed north on US81 as the storms approached us. They’d end up dying off before making it across the county to 81.
Proceeding North towards Wichita
We decided that at worst we could get some Spangles in Wichita and head home. The storm going up to the northwest near Kingman was intensifying. It had a much better radar presentation than visually, though, as we headed up I-35 to 235 and then onto US-400 by the Wichita airport.
The storm was pretty high based, which was not surprising considering the high surface temperatures. I was able to find some hail and winds as we drove around near Andale.
The storms were moving reasonably fast, and it was not worth trying to keep up with them through the Wichita metro area. Instead, we got some Spangles and started heading home.
