STORM TRACK: May 31, 1987 (Volume 10 Issue 4)

Storms evaded the plains this year setting a record low in terms of the number of reported tornadoes. In April, no tornadoes were reported in Oklahoma. Not since 1948 has that occurred. What an incredible drought. I'm sure you feel frustrated at the near non- existent severe weather season. I too, have asked the question "All right mother nature, can we talk?"

So what did you do in your spare time? Some chasers decided not to head to the plains this year, end stayed home, saved their money, and possibly planned on taking that Caribbean vacation after all. Others braved the plains, and drove around for a few weeks improving their suntan. As for me, I decided not to chase this year unless the polar jet returns south from the Canadian/U.S. border.

What action there was swept the northern states in squall-line fashion. A few brief tornadoes were reported near Minneapolis on May 13th, and near Indianapolis the next day. The accompanying swift moving cold fronts did not allow isolated supercell development. So, it was probably better to go fishing on some of those pristine upland lakes than to play catch up with a squall-line.

Part of the reason for the quiet severe weather season was a large, persistent ridge over the central U.S. which kept the polar jet in Canada. Without a split flow in the jet stream, storms could not rely on the exhaust vent of strong winds which would take warm updraft parcels downstream. For weeks on end, upper winds over Oklahoma and Texas were light and variable. Although there was plenty of tropical surface moisture around, the unstable air heated by the sun, created "popcorn-type" thunderstorms during the mid-afternoon. Without the aid of upper air support, the storms collapsed within an hour.

Large amplitude troughs were around but in the wrong places. For several weeks, one trough was stationary in the eastern Pacific, about a thousand miles off the coast of California. Another trough was located in the western Pacific near China. Satellite loops of the Pacific showed monstrous cloud circulations over the ocean, and storms exploded defining the classic comma shape. If only I had a row boat!

The season finally got underway on May 18 when a tornado struck west of Emporia, KS in CHASE county. That's right. Fourteen homes were destroyed. Fortunately, people inside sought shelter escaping injury. Why have the storms left the plains till now? Have the best storms been hunted? Since tornadoes occur in Australia, Japan, and India, maybe it's time you convince your loved one to take an exciting trip overseas. Remember, to bring the camera.