Chase Log: April 07th, 2002

Click on any of the SPC products below (Convective Outlooks, Watches, or MCDs) to see the SPC's "Severe Thunderstorm Events" page pertaining to this event.

MAP

Total Distance: 510 miles
Target Area: Abilene to Wichita Falls, TX
Chase Area: Olney to Denton, TX
Maximum SPC Risk category: Moderate
Watches: PDS Tornado Watch 73, Tornado Watch 72, Severe Watch 75
Mesoscale Discussions (MCDs): 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, and 328

This day was greatly anticipated in the previous several days. There were several issues that were acting to complicate the scenario, with the largest being moisture recovery and insolation. By the 06z day one outlook, it was looking more and more likely that the low clouds would stick around and really limit much surface instability. I awake Sunday morning, however, to notice that the latest satellite pictures showed clearing working into central Texas. Woo-hoo! Since I wasn't really planning on chasing yesterday, I wasn't very prepared (e.g. I needed gas, etc). So, by the time we (Kim and I) got out it was already noon. At any rate, my preliminary target was southwest of Wichita Falls, TX. When we drove through town, I made a wrong turn (well, it's more like I forgot to make a turn), and ended up continuing to drive south/southeast. Knowing that I needed to get west, I decided to take a farm road westward. I drove into Olney and gave a call to my brother. It was at that time that I called my brother and he told me that there was a PDS watch out and tornado warnings for a tornadic supercell just west of me approaching Throckmorton.

By the time I got in position, the supercell was rapidly transitioning to an MCS. We ended up driving with this MCS until I35, making for a boring, wet drive.