May 1, 2008 Storms

May 1st started like any other storm day -- asking myself, "what's it going to do, where's the target area?" At first thought, it looked like Osage County would be the place to be, but I talked myself out of that and headed to SE Kansas. Little did I know that later in the evening I'd end up back in Oklahoma, watching the Osage County storms.

After reviewing the weather data for a couple of hours, I finally left Tulsa at 4:00 p.m. My decision was to head north to SE Kansas. Storms were beginning to develop and thunderstorm warnings were being issued just north and west of Caney, Kansas. North of Bartlesville, there were signs that storms were developing in the area and I was feeling pretty confident that I'd chosen the right direction. The storms were going to be in this area. But where?

I took a break in Dewey, Oklahoma to work on the GPS and replace an antenna that was blown off the truck by a combination of gusty winds and a fast moving semi. After re-booting the computer, I took a glance at the Spotter Network map. The map could have been tracking a line of ants on their way to a picnic, but those little markers weren't ants, they were weather fanatics waiting for the feast to come to them. Storm chasers and mobile units from the television stations were converging on the area.

I was sure that the white puffy clouds to the west were going to develop into severe super cells. A tornado watch was issued for most of SE Kansas. Severe thunderstorm warnings were being issued. Tornado warnings were being issued. Things were beginning to develop fast.

Moving north on 75, I passed the Channel 6 satellite truck. I want one of those.

I crossed the Kansas border (no passport required) and turned west on highway 166. Before long I was face-to-face with an awesome super cell. It was too far away for me to catch, but I did take a couple photographs before I headed to Coffeyville for dinner.

In Coffeyville, I had a chance to check the forecast data and plan my next attack. A tornado watch was issued for NE Oklahoma and the storm cells I'd left behind were beginning to produce.

While driving back down highway 75, the NWS issued tornado warnings for, yes, Osage County. Gut instinct might be better than all the radar images and forecast models I use. And, if what I was hearing on the scanner was correct, I was driving into the path of the storm. I stopped in Copan to take a good look at the radar, confirming my fear -- or delight, depending on how you look at it. I was in the path of the storm.

I'm usually not one to chase storms when it's dark, it's difficult to see what's going on and it's, quite frankly, dangerous. But, I gave way to the chase in me.

I drove down a county road west of Copan and parked in some guy's driveway. A couple of the area residents stopped to ask me what the weather was looking like. One man said I could stay in the driveway for as long as I wanted. Unfortunately, trees were blocking my view of the storm heading my way. I did get a pretty good photo of some lightening. That photo is at the top of this page.

I decided that IF the tornado was coming, I wouldn't be able to get out of there quick enough so I moved closer to Copan and found a graveled truck parking spot at the side of the road. I sat there and waited and waited, and watch the storm dissipate before it got to me. The tornado had already touched down in Osage County, causing some property damage before it fell apart.

Once I was confident that the storm had died out, I drove into Dewey to the Sonic. I pushed the button on the order board and asked for a very large Diet Coke. The voice from the the speaker asked, "Are you the one out chasing storms?"

"Well, I'm one of them who's out chasing storms."

Earlier, a man had stopped at my truck and I asked him where I could get something to drink close by. He told me where the Sonic Drive-in was. Evidently he called the Sonic and told them to give me whatever I wanted.

I've not been on a chase yet that someone hasn't thanked me for the job storm chasers do. For many of us, protecting lives is the ultimate goal. It's just a perk if we happen to get a few good photographs or video footage in the process.

At the Sonic, I spoke with a couple of men from Florida. They were in the area to chase storms! It's amazing that so many people from all over the U.S. end up in tornado alley -- and Oklahoma -- during the first couple weeks of May. We exchanged our chase stories and I ordered another Diet Coke for the road.

Was it over? No way.

Another round of storms was developing to the west, so I headed back north to 166 and then west. I punched through the squall line in Arkansas City, turned back south and followed the massive storm system back to Tulsa.

It was 3:30 a.m. when I finally arrived back home. The last radar image I captured (to the right) shows the squall line I chased as it moved to the east, and out of Oklahoma. It was still producing heaving rain, hail, strong straight-line winds, and deadly tornadoes. I couldn't chase any more. I was done for the day.

Not bad for the first chase of 2008. Hopefully there'll be a couple more over the next few weeks.

I learned something last night -- well this morning -- after I arrived safely in Tulsa. I think I can sum up my feelings easily with a quote from one of the famous tornado movies of the past. There's no place like home.

Stay safe and take care of each other.

Related