Chase Stats
SPC Outlook: HIGH
States Driven: MO, AR, MS, TN
Departure City: Pevely, MO
Target City: Stuttgart, AR
Ending City: Blytheville, AR
Outcome: Lowering/Wall Cloud
Chase Pics: Gallery
*Please note the stats above are only for 5/1/10*

Tonight was quite the treat for those who got out to chase a lone supercell just west of Amarillo, TX, in Bushland, TX. SPC had the area highlighted as general thunderstorms, with a "see text" just north of the Texas panhandle. The tornado probabilities were labeled less than 2% across the CONUS. You can view the outlooks for 4/20/10 here. The following is a synopsis of the event, including pictures of the tornado by CTV/DM storm chaser Brandon Green.

We'll begin by taking a look at the surface. As you can see, there is a low over New Mexico, about 100 miles W of Amarillo, TX. The surface obs. in Amarillo were 58/54, which were a little cooler than the surrounding area, but the same dewpoint.

Also below is a visible satellite loop with some added commentary. A boundary is clearly visible on satellite imagery, running primarily in a north-south direction. This boundary can bee seen throughout the entire loop with the exception of the last few frames. While it may not be easily visible at those times, it is clear where it is by looking at storm initiation off this boundary. I have also circled the tornadic supercell in the animation, as well as labeled the time that the tornado was on the ground.

Chase Stats
SPC Outlook: SLGT
States Driven: MO, IA, IL
Departure City: St. Joseph, MO
Target City: Osceola, IA
Ending City: Geneseo, IL
Outcome: Hail, Severe Wind, Lowering
Chase Pics: Gallery

This was the second and last chase of Spring Break for me. Unfortunately, I did not see any tornadoes, but it was a little more eventful than the day before. We started out the day in St. Joseph, MO at a Days Inn. Scott Bennett, Ben Holcomb, Adam Lucio, and I headed out around 11, and stopped for lunch at a Rib Crib. After lunch, we headed north towards IA. After looking over some data, and models, I decided the area around Osceola, IA looked decent. We stopped in Osceola, and met up with some other chasers including Skip Talbot, and Randy Cooper. Some of the chasers left after a short while to go intercept storms firing on the warm front. These storms quickly died out after crossing the front.