May 9th, 2003

SPC Risk: MODERATE - VERIFICATION
Chasers: Dean, Ken, Stuart
Area Covered: North OKC, Binger OK back to OKC
Miles Logged: 275.4
Largest Hail: none
Tornadoes: 1


Synopsis/Chase:
Dryline extended NE to SW across Central OK by mid afternoon with TCU through late morning. TCU gave way to supercellular storms by mid afternoon near and north of OKC to just west of OKC. One cell NNE of OKC had a tornado warning with it for a time, but moved NE too quickly to intercept, so we headed west of OKC through Tuttle and towards Binger in pursuit of one lone supercell that had formed north of Altus earlier in the afternoon. This supercell would go on to produce the nocturnal OKC twister.

We caught first sight of the massive updraft with our Altus storm near in Binger, but visibility was terrible along with a dense low overcast. Nonetheless, as night fell we positioned ourselves just SE of Binger as the massive storm moved slowly eastward into a more favorable environment for tornadoes. We spotted what appeared to be a wall cloud illuminated by the metropolitan lights of Binger (haha!). Soon after we observed several luminous power flashes in and near Binger which may be the only visible verification of the first tornadic circulation at the surface. We followed this storm eastward towards OKC along I40 as we heard several spotter reports of a large tornado on the ground and extensive power flashes SW of OKC. Normally automated NOAA Weather Radio was replaced by a live and nervous voice warning of a Particularily Dangerous Situation developing for the OKC metro area. We approached from the west on I40 and witnessed several huge power flashes in and near the OKC metro area. It seemed this storm had several vorticies dancing around in the dark which made tracking extremely difficult.

We ended up on I235 northbound as the southern mesocyclone passed perilously overhead and northeastward towards Frontier City. We shot back southbound out of danger and ended the night discussing events at the Norman IHOP while getting further updates on the storm as it went on to survive up the I44 corridor all the way to Tulsa before weakening. The storm had two distinct hooks and two distinct strong circulations at one point. Incredible night!

A few Digital Camera Pics from Binger to show just how bad the visibility really was!

**Video Clips of Binger, OK and Oklahoma City, OK Power Flashes will be added eventually**



back to 2003 chase page