April 23rd, 2003

SPC Risk: MODERATE - VERIFICATION
Chasers: Dean, Brian, Hamish, Ailie, Jose
Area Covered: I44 to Witchita Falls, TX / 82W to Seymour/Vera, TX
Miles Logged: 492.0
Largest Hail: none
Tornadoes: Lowering/Funnel 1NNW Vera, TX


Synopsis/Chase:
Sharp dryline extended southward from surface low in SE Colorado through Amarillo, Childress and Lubbock Texas late morning into early afternoon as storms initiated. Extensive low clouds tempered what could have been strong instability, thus CAPE values remained in the 1000-2000 J/KG range with minimal cap and strong forcing from nearby upper system / jet streak(s). Dewpoints in warm sector south of warm front ranged from near 70F over South Central Texas to low 60s just south of Witchita Falls including a large area to the SW of Witchita Falls.

Storms initiated near dryline by late morning with several discrete cells forming by early afternoon ahead of the dryline into areas around Knox County Texas. Decent cell just NW of Vera, TX had strong rotation signature on radar with distinct inflow notch and partially rain wrapped wall cloud and nice RFD as well. Other cells had tornado warnings near Throckmorton and areas well South and West, but my team called it a day after storm mode tended toward linear by mid afternoon. More storms formed into South Central Oklahoma after dark with large hail and winds to near 90 mph associated with bow echo.

**all pics taken from HWY 82W about 2 miles west of Vera, TX (except the last of course)**

WNW of Vera, TX RFD of storm

panned slight more NW same position

due north shot of low contrast wall cloud

another shot slightly more NE view

looking back to the NW Hamish, Ailie, Jose, Brian

here comes the RFD!

inflow notch region looking N from HWY 82

photo master Hamish at work!

inflow notch about 5 minutes later

Throckmorton Public Library

closer look at wall cloud region of the storm

back to 2003 chase page