Chase Log: April 20th, 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: 480 miles
Target Area: Childress to Quanah, TX, to Altus, OK
Chase Area: BUST
Maximum SPC Risk category: Moderate
Watches: Tornado Watch 132, Severe Watch 133
Mesoscale Discussions (MCDs): 458, 461, 463, and 465

There was the potential for a significant tornadic supercell event across southern OK and northern TX. However, through the morning, low clouds were very slow to dissipate across most of Oklahoma. By afternoon, however, a front was evident near the I44 corrid southwest of OKC, helping to support a risk of a strong tornado with any supercell that could anchor along that front. However, the clouds prevented significant heating, which let the cap win. After meandering around the southwestern OK / western northern TX border area, we had one glimmer of hope as the sun came out about an hour or two before sunset. This, however, was not enough, and we got cap-busted.