STORM TRACK: May 31, 1985 (Volume 8 Issue 4)

Bob Welch relates his experience with a cool weather waterspout. "It was April 9th, and Virginia Beach was under the influence of a Canadian high pressure system, with afternoon temperatures in the 50's. However, Atlantic moisture, brought in by strong northeast winds, was also forming well developed cumulus -although no storm clouds. I was driving south, along the ocean front, and looked in my rear view mirror -- and there it was. A small, white funnel cloud to the north -over the Chesapeake Bay, where it meets the ocean north of Virginia Beach. By the time I could stop for a picture, it, was gone. Such activity this far north is quite uncommon. To have one in the midst of a cool wave was, I am sure, a rare occurrence." --- Bob also had an idea for a new section in Storm Track on Regional Weather, including summary reports for the preceding two months. "Well informed readers would contribute reports for their 'home regions.' I would do so for southeastern Virginia and, possibly, for northeastern Carolina, as well, since I visit that area frequently and have access to weather information down there. Are there other readers, who would be willing to report regularly on their regions? --- As for southeast Virginia, things have been a little interesting stormwise. On June 5, a line of strong to severe thunderstorms hit the area, resulting in strong wind gusts (40-45 MPH), considerable rain (over two inches in some parts) and in Surrey County two tornadoes and golf ball hail. Another group of thunderstorms hit the afternoon of June 12, during which I managed to get an excellent photo of a wall cloud out over the ocean (no funnels, though). All in all, I feel that this summer could be a much-above-normal season here in terms of storm activity. Hurricane? What's a hurricane? - is what they say around here. This city has been most fortunate through the years, as severe weather, and especially hurricanes, goes."

(Editor's note: If you're interested in contributing regularly to a new section such as this, please let me know. This need not be comprehensive of every part, of the country, just a few brief reports an local weather event that characterized your area over the last few months. Bob has given us a good example of this.)

Bruce Boe writes that "with the number of ST readers/contributors you are in contact with, there may be some photographers that need graphics (35 mm) of the type I sent you last year ("Tornado Photographs by David Hoadley"). I engage in that sort, of production as a hobby (as well as a supplement to my professional abilities) and would be glad to take on such production for others. I do titling, graphics, super-imposition and -yes- can even place titles/credits on other's 35mm slides." (Editor's note: The referenced slide sent to the Editor had white lettering super-imposed on a lightning illuminated, classical night-time thunderstorm. It was a very professional job, and I use it regularly now in my slide shows. Consider your title/name on a copy of your favorite slide. Write; Bruce Boe, P.O. Box 2148, Montrose, Colorado 81402.)

SE of Watonga, May 13, 5:50 PM CDT

Although received too late for inclusion in the last newsletter, Bill Bunting writes: "As a lifelong Virginian/turned Oklahoman, I'd like to tell you how much I enjoy ST. I read it, with interest. It is a valuable method of exchanging notes between seasoned chasers and a great source of information for neophytes. Here is some information that I believe would be of interest to you and readers of ST.

To begin with, I am the supervisor of the NOAA Weather Radio broadcast unit at the National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office in Oklahoma City (OKC). As a chaser, I am aware of the critical need for real-time information, available quickly and easily. Here in OKC, the NWS operates one of the most technologically advanced and progressive offices anywhere. Many valuable sources of severe weather information are available. They include Doppler radar from NSSL (National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman), digital radar data (Radep - II), local mesoscale objective analyses, and a well coordinated amateur radio network. Here in OKC, this data offers the opportunity to provide residents of the state with very accurate warnings and statements. Extensive use of this information is made on NOAA Weather Radio (NWR), both in recorded form and by short-term live broadcasts. Of potential value to chasers is a new product, called the "Oklahoma Thunderstorm Outlook." This product is issued daily, around 2:00 PM and is updated whenever needed. It is broadcast over all six NWR stations across the state. and is very detailed, much more so than information on regular AM or FM stations. I have included a sample copy ... which goes a long way to provide an easily accessible source of information. This thunderstorm outlook, coupled with our hourly-updated radar summaries and state weather summaries, provides a great deal of information to chasers in Oklahoma. I would appreciate your making this information available to your readers. One final note: The thunderstorm outlook is broadcast daily from March 15 until June 30 from Clinton (162.475 MHz), Enid (162.475 MHz), Lawton (162.550 MHz), McAlester (162.475 MHz), Oklahoma City (162.400 MHz) and Tulsa (162.550 MHz).

'...scattered thunderstorms expected over east and south-central Oklahoma this afternoon and tonight .. a few thunderstorms may become severe...

Afternoon weather maps show some features that are conducive to the development of thunderstorms over eastern and south-eastern Oklahoma. The area most likely for thunderstorms is generally east of a line from Miami to Tulsa to near Ardmore.

Map features include .. a shallow layer of moist air over the area, along with a moderately unstable air mass. A weak front that has become nearly stationary was located from near Bartlesville southwestward to just south of Lawton. A dry line was located 20 to 30 miles ahead of the front.

The best area for initial thunderstorm development is in south-central Oklahoma in the vicinity of Ardmore and Marietta late this afternoon, with thunderstorms developing and/or spreading into southeastern portions after dark. For northeast parts of the state .. thunderstorm potential will be at its best in the middle part of the night-time hours.

Due to uncertainty at this time. .. an additional outlook will be issued around 5:00 PM this afternoon.'

Tim Marshall sent in the first storm report to ST for 1985. "Severe storm season arrived this year on February 22! Early that morning, SELS put the Dallas area in the first "Slight Risk" of the year for severe storms. By afternoon, it was the first "Moderate Risk." By evening, we were under the first tornado watch, severe thunderstorm warning, and flash flood warning. Who says things aren't big in Texas? You'll probably ask, 'How many tornadoes?' Well, I didn't even chase. Here's why.

When I first began to chase storms, I chased every time SELS put out a "Slight Risk" or better. Consequently, there have been many "busts" (A bust is defined here as chasing blue sky all day). It didn't take me long to realise that SELS was forecasting severe weather, not necessarily tornadoes. The problem was one of definition. As you know, a severe thunderstorm is defined as a storm where winds exceed 50 knots, hail exceeds 3/4 inches, and/or tornadoes. As a tornado chaser, I have been more interested in the supercell variety of severe storms, since they are more efficient tornado producers. The next problem was trying to separate SELS general category of severe storms from the tornadic storms. This has always been a difficult task.

The morning maps had many of the ingredients for severe weather. An upper, closed low had moved into Arizona and brought plenty of cold air advection. The mid-level jet diagonally bisected Texas. Surface analyses showed ample moisture over the state, with surface dewpoints in the mid-60's. Although clouds prevailed over the area, the air mass remained very unstable. Forecasted lifted indices were near -10 C. Winds were southeast at 25 kts, gusting to 40 in Dallas. By noon, the dryline had passed Lubbock. Skies cleared, and the wind backed to light southwest. A storm had developed earlier near Sweetwater, with cloud tops over 50,000 feet and radar intensity at VIP 5. SELS updated the risk area to "Moderate" at that point, citing stronger PVA (than first anticipated) moving into the area. Though severe weather appeared imminent, the tornado situation was just NOT there. Basically, the dynamics were so strong and the air so unstable, that it appeared the atmosphere would overturn early in the day, This looked more like a classic squall-line situation, which is generally a poor tornado producer. Given the time of year and the slim odds, I decided to stay home. By 4:00 PM, a squall line was indeed fully developed from Abilene to Wichita Falls. Most of the line was embedded with VIP 3's and 4's. However cells decreased in intensity after sunset.

With the approach of the upper trough, redevelopment began ahead of the dryline in late evening. That's when SELS put out the tornado watch. It didn't take long after that until severe weather began occurring near Dallas. The squall-line passed around 1:30 AM, prompting a severe thunderstorm warning for Dallas County. Incredible inflow caused widespread damage. Wind gusts of over 70 knots were reported in some places. What a way to start out the year.

For the last six years, I've kept a detailed log of EVERY chase. This log includes personal weather observations, surface and upper air maps, and occasional satellite photographs. Yes, most chase days were unsuccessful, where (a) blue sky was watched all day, (b) storms developed into squall lines, or (c) an isolated storm developed and died, leaving just a cirrus anvil. However, weather maps were still plotted for these "bust" days. Though this may seem frustrating, I would rather not be on a first name basis in all the Dairy Queens in West Texas. So, I believe that learning about your bad forecasts will eventually make a better forecaster and chaser."