Author Topic: US trip 2006 - April 15 2006 Beatrice tornadic supercell  (Read 13594 times)

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Offline Jimmy Deguara

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US trip 2006 - April 15 2006 Beatrice tornadic supercell
« on: 18 April 2006, 04:08:43 AM »
Hi guys,

After a long a tiring trip, I arrived in Texas during the mid-afternoon period - left the 14th April and arrived evening 14th April US central time.  20 something hours of no sleep.

I checked the models and agreed that there was an exciting scenario for southeast Nebraska. Fairly powerful wind shear dynamics were to be in place with rapid destabilsation as a short wave ejected across from western Nebraska. Only one issue: we had to get from Dallas to Nebraska - 9.5 hour trip and I anticipated mid afternoon action. One solution -  4:00am start.

We made it across the border by 2:30pm and had a long awaited lunch. Simultaneously, towers finally erupted with anvils streaming east. We left Aurburn and headed west. Storms were observed to the southwest and west. We took interest of the southern storm - the storms typically moving at 50 to 60 miles per hour!

After observing the storm which was noted as severe for about 15 minutes we decided to head back to town to fuel. No fuel in town so we found a vantage point. To our astonishment, a wall cloud was visible in the distance. Given the windshear, every effort was taken to head to the storm as quickly as possible knowing it could drop a tornado quickly. Whilst in transit, we observed major funnel (more than to thirds of the way to the ground from our perspective) and this was reported on the NOAA radio as a confirmed tornado with a dust plume rising. Yes a tornado on the first day! Ray enjoyed the dust plume rising to the tornado as described in the NOAA report. I was concentrated on driving hence only saw the tornado (video unclear and shaky thence no footage of tornado).

The supercell structure (I filmed timelapse this from after the tornado dissipated or rainwrapped) was incredible despite its transition into an HP - a constant thunder rumble audible. And what about the inflow - this was quite strong in the beginning but intensified as the storm was situated NW of our location. Raindrops finally spoiled the party.

Heading east, another storm developed in amongst several others with a consolidated base. Thinking that the outflow from a storm directly to its south would interrupt the inflow to this storm, it was dismissed. We could have intercepted the tornado it produced east of Auburn but were intent on chasing a larger tornadic storm further south. Storms were moving too rapidly so the best position we got to was of a tornado that was rainwrapped in northeastern Kansas.

After this, we enjoyed a lightning show just west of St Joseph.

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara
« Last Edit: 20 April 2006, 05:32:54 PM by Jimmy Deguara »
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Offline Brad Hannon

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Re: US trip 2006
« Reply #1 on: 18 April 2006, 06:19:03 AM »
Fantastic news!!!!  what an amazing return for effort and on the first day too.  I had a good feeling for Ray on this trip.  I had kept an eye on the situation on stormtrack and the spc but never imagined you guys would have made it so far north to get there in time - good work.  Shame there isnt any video of the tornado.  Any digital pics to paint the picture?
hmmm June 2nd......

Offline Dave Nelson

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Re: US trip 2006
« Reply #2 on: 18 April 2006, 09:22:58 AM »
well done Jimmy and Dave

   lots of reports of the beatrice region tornado on the US 'storm track' forum and some good pics from a few ppl
  damn  couldnt ask for more than a funnel on the first day   

as brad said   show us some pix  ;)  :)


cant wait to get over there in early may  will be in the 'alley' ~ 5th may to 26th may

cheers
Dave N

Offline Jimmy Deguara

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Re: US trip 2006
« Reply #3 on: 19 April 2006, 07:52:48 AM »
Hi,

Ray is happy that he saw the tornado including the dust plume. And without the Baron! Very few vehicles were on this storm.

No video stills are likely from the shaky footage Ray took. Being very much zoomed in, at the time the tornado was in view, he had pointed slightly down - tornado out of view. If it was the Texas panhandle. the flat treeless horizon would have provided far more opportunity to capture the tornado.

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara
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Offline Jimmy Deguara

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Re: US trip 2006 - April 15 2006 Beatrice tornadic supercell
« Reply #4 on: 19 April 2006, 09:53:03 AM »
Tornadic supercell

« Last Edit: 20 April 2006, 05:33:20 PM by Jimmy Deguara »
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Offline Jimmy Deguara

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Re: US trip 2006 - April 18 2006 tornadic supercell
« Reply #5 on: 20 April 2006, 06:09:17 PM »
Hi guys,

Intercepted the tornado warned supercell that passed near Chillcothe. But did not see the tornado. A few base ball hail size reports but we avoided those.

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara
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Offline Brad Hannon

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Re: US trip 2006 - April 15 2006 Beatrice tornadic supercell
« Reply #6 on: 20 April 2006, 07:31:40 PM »
Good work again guys.  I thought you may have been tailing that Chilicothe storm.  From the reports on stormtrack and your photo jimmy it sounded like a beauty.  ;)
hmmm June 2nd......

Offline Jimmy Deguara

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Re: US trip 2006 - April 15 2006 Beatrice tornadic supercell
« Reply #7 on: 22 April 2006, 05:58:33 PM »
Hi Brad,

Please note there were two storm days - 15th April and 18th April 2006. The photograph above is of the Beatrice supercell on the 15th April 2006.

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara
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Offline Jimmy Deguara

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Re: US trip 2006 - April 15 2006 Beatrice tornadic supercell
« Reply #8 on: 18 May 2006, 06:04:44 PM »
Hi,

More pictures are accessible from the following links:

http://www.australiasevereweather.com/photography/photos/new/jd20060419.html

take note of the rainbows observed in the aerial shots - interesting to see a rainbow from a near vertical position.

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara
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