May 22-26, 2003

Sorry about the lack of email updates lately; we've had some late nights 
and not a WHOLE lot of action.  Sometimes there just isn't the motivation 
to write something at 2am!  But we're alive and well and chasing in 
Colorado, of all places.   

In a venture that is more reminescent of Road Trip than Twister, we are at 
last slowly being drawn back into chase mode.  Going into Thursday, 
conditions wouldn't have had to do much to improve... actually at that 
point, a cloud would be a "Kodak moment" for us. However, many of the 
indices on Friday were favorable for supercell development to our NE in 
Gardiner, KS.  At 11am, dewpoint was rising and and wind veering seems 
sufficient for the development of supercell storms.  Maybe.  Possibly.   

Chris Rozoff, our chief remote data assistant (and new Full member 
effective 5/22/03) gave us the following to ponder: "RUC progs some
interesting features.  Strong surface low setting up in CO bringing 
helicities to very favorable values.  CAPE is not great, but not bad;
progs and initial data suggest a reasonable range of 1000 to 1500 
J/kg.  These values are typical of NWrly flow events, but adequate for 
supercells with tornadoes, if other parameters work out.
Boundaries are essential today.  I will look out for them.  Right now on 
animated vis., cloud/clear boundary.  On radar there is a NE/SW
boundary NW of Goodland, extending into CO  Storms to the NE also have 
potential for a boundary.  I think other possibilities include
terrain features in CO.  The trick today is not to end up too far east.  
I'm wondering if SPC didn't put enough slgt risk into CO." 

Ordinarily, traveling such a distance for a slight risk wouldn't be 
something we'd jump at, but due to the lack of activity... you bet we went
for it.  We caught some interesting cu-nims for a bit, but the real storms 
didn't hit until after sundown... nearer to Garden City.  As MESO
is composed of both chasers and spotters, and most are both... a few did 
go out to watch the show.  A tornado (small, brief) was reported in one of 
the cells that passed over Montezuma, Kansas but our spotters were able 
to stay out of its way by relying on remote data phoned in to them from 
those of us that don't go for night outings.   

The next morning, it seemed as though a jaunt to Amarillo, TX was in 
order.  Again, no overwhelming indices... high CAPE and low helicity, 
which usually means nice cu's that look pretty but do nothing, but we 
were in no mood to be choosy.  Actually one of the cells we were pursuing 
did drop two small short lived tornadoes and 3" hail, but the road 
network prevented us from reaching it.   

After some "red roading" in the plains near Amarillo (actually just east 
of Stinnett), where we had to push Josh's car out of a "sand trap"
we ended the night at the Big Texan for a very late dinner.  Yes, the very 
home of the 72oz steak.  Our food pursuits are going much better than our 
storm persuits at this point... but the Big Texan was a notable 
exception.  WARNING:   If you go to the Big Texan, save time and dump your 
wallet at the desk and walk out.  The food was sub-standard (about 5 oz 
of Allan's 12 oz steak was fat) and we had to send the waitress back about 
3 times to correct over charges on our final bill.  Nancy and Brian 
finally scored some rattle snake meat... paying $7 for about 2 mouthfuls, 
and completely grossing out their team mates, so it was more or less 
worthwhile. 

The next day in Amarillo was definately a down day, so we did a road trip 
to Palo Duro Canyon for hiking and such.  That is a beautiful
state park about 25 miles SE of Amarillo, with great opportunities for 
hiking, biking, picnicing, photography, etc.  We got some wildlife
education in as we found dung beetles at work, and a newborn ringneck 
snake. 

We are now in Limon, CO, and did some chasing on Tuesday afternoon/evening 
on the Colorado Plains.  We caught the first cell to move
off the mountains and onto the plains, so that was an accomplishment.  
Hail, wind, and rain... great to be back in the game. 

Today (Wednesday) looks like we'll be heading up to the western NE 
panhandle for action along a cold front. 

Don't feel too badly for us.  We are having an insane amount of fun, 
seeing incredible things - though maybe not the things we had hoped
to see.  Thanks to all our chaser buddies who are lighting candles for us 
nation wide, and to Al Detrich's daughter who is the only kid in
her school hoping her dad runs in to a tornado. 


MESO