We started the day in Greenville, TX and since there was no severe weather forecast, we decided to visit the Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, TX. At the base, we interviewed a senior NCO and the emergency management officer about their preparedness for severe weather, their training and education practices, and their communication with local weather centers. We learned that the base issues its own tornado warnings and watches, independent of the surrounding weather centers. In addition, they have a community outreach program for the base population. They also have agreements to lend local law enforcement, fire, and EMS their assets in the case of an emergency.
Cadets discuss severe weather preparedness with the weather flight NCOIC.
Cadets hear from the base emergency management officer about how Sheppard AFB handles emergency situations both on the base and also within the local community. Can you spot Al Roker?
We started off our day in Salina, KS and were faced with the decision to either start visiting Army/Air Force base and drive less...or travel all the way down to storms that were forecast to fire in northeast Texas. The storms ultimately looked promising, so we got back on the road. We were targeting an area northeast of Dallas and took a more eastern route to try and stay ahead of massive amounts of rain. Unfortunately, it started raining near Oklahoma City, and it rained...and rained...and rained. In Bogata, TX, we finally emerged from the downpours and were treated to a well-organized mesocyclone. Much to our surprise, this storm had beautiful structure and a distinct, rotating wall cloud yet no warnings had been issued. We followed this storm east for a little while before it began weakening. Throughout the day, we saw three additional storms, each with picturesque, low-hanging mesocyclones. Still, we seemed to be a step behind most of the day, as each of these storms was generally weakening by the time we arrived. We eventually decided to call it a day and stay in Greenville, TX. On our way (four miles west of Winnsboro, TX), we saw impressive tornado damage that had occurred earlier in the day. Numerous, large trees had been snapped in half, and sheds and other structures not securely grounded were largely destroyed. Fortunately, the homes themselves seemed relatively unscathed, but seeing such large trees entirely destroyed was a stark reminder of how powerful these storms can be.
Dr. Kalkstein gives a quick lesson on stability on the way to our target in northeast Texas.
Surprisingly well-organized supercell near Bogata, TX. This storm was not severe-warned despite a clear, rotating wall cloud and some beautiful structure.
One of the four mesocyclones we observed for the day.
Our position just south of a tornado-warned, but weakening supercell near Pittsburg, TX.
We started off the day in Goodland, KS, and the Storm Prediction Center had highlighted an area of "moderate risk" (the fourth highest of five categories for severe weather) stretching from far eastern Kansas into northern Missouri. Ultimately, we decided that area was too far for us and also had less desirable terrain so we decided to target north, central Kansas instead, where an approaching warm front would hopefully trigger some late afternoon storms. We headed east to Salina, KS where we stopped to reevaluate our position while eating some fantastic BBQ at Hickory Hut. We then drove north to Concordia, where we waited patiently for storms to develop while talking to other weather enthusiasts. Storms finally fired late in the afternoon, and we drove west where two supercells were rapidly strengthening. West of Concordia, we stopped on a hill and waited as the first of the two storms approached. The wind was howling, and the skies grew increasingly ominous. Although a confirmed tornado was reported several miles from our location, it was obscured by rain. We then pushed back east to get into better position as the second storm approached. By the time it reached us, this supercell had weakened somewhat, but it still produced some spectacular skies. We eventually called it a day, and as we drove back toward Salina, we were able to see massive supercells to our east.
Passing one of NOAA’s mobile radar units on the way to our target area in Concordia, KS.
Radar image highlighting our position (blue circle) west of Concordia. The tornado-warned storm passed several miles to our west with a confirmed tornado, although it was obscured by rain so we couldn’t see it.
Great BBQ lunch stop in Salina, KS.
Hickory Hut is a popular spot among weather enthusiasts!
Severe thunderstorm near Jamestown, KS.
Incredible line of supercells to our east as we drove south from Concordia to Salina. The lighting was spectacular.
Cadets admire the supercells.
A beautiful sunset marked the end of an exciting day.
We started out the second day of the trip in Wichita, KS. Early in the morning, models indicated an enhanced risk of severe weather across southeast Wyoming, but that was far away from us, so we debated whether to head out or stay in Wichita to wait for storms the following day. We decided to travel northwest, cutting through Nebraska and ending up in noutheastern Colorado, about a 6 1/2 hr drive.
We stopped in a small town called Holyoke, Colorado to figure out which storm we should follow. The main storm in the area was a large supercell about an hour to our northwest. Several tornadoes were confirmed with that storm, but it was pulling away from us to the north.
Cadets throwing a football under a tornado siren in Holyoke, Colorado, waiting for storms to develop.
There was a second cell that developed about 30 miles southwest of Holyoke. Although it wasn't as impressive as the main supercell, this storm did show signs of rotation at around 11,000 ft. We decided to get a closer look at this storm, traveling down country roads south of Paoli, Colorado. Once we drove past the precipitation shield, we were able to sit and watch the rotation become more clearly defined over about 20 minutes time. As the storm intensified, we clearly saw the rotation of the storm and scud clouds being sucked up into the developing wall cloud.
Watching a developing supercell south of Paoli, CO. At the time, we were the only ones on this storm thanks to Maj Nixon's prophetic forecasting.
Throughout our observation, the structure of the storm was very clear, as we could see the wall cloud and the mesocyclone. Right before the first tornado, the team noticed an increase in
temperature of the wind blowing into the storm. After the temperature
change, the storm gained intensity rapidly and even shifted directions. We saw at least 4 small, brief tornadoes emerge. Each tornado lasted only a couple minutes at most.
Cadets in front of a possible tornado south of Paoli, CO. Notice the dust under the rotating wall cloud.
Brief tornado touchdown. Swirling dust and dirt on the ground under the rotating wall cloud.
In front of a supercell shortly after we observed a multi-vortex tornado that was on the ground 1-2 minutes.
Viewing the supercell as it travels away from our location and towards Holyoke, CO.
Clear view of the rotating mesocyclone in a supercell near Holyoke, CO.
After observing the initial storm, there was another developing supercell outside of Wray, CO. Our view was largely blocked by precipitation during this storm, but there was a very clear Beaver's tail, which is a type of inflow band into the storm. We also saw a distinct mesocyclone form.
Watching a supercell pulling north of Wray, CO.
Beaver tail cloud formation indicating the inflow to the mesocyclone near Wray, CO.
Beautiful structure of a supercell between Wray, CO and Paoli, CO.
On Day 1, the team traveled from West Point, NY to Oklahoma City, OK. Although we identified a potential severe weather outbreak in northeastern New Mexico and eastern Colorado, we ultimately decided it was too far away. Instead, we stocked up on provisions and drove north into Kansas to better position ourselves for possible severe weather in western Nebraska on Day 2...
The team picks up their van in Oklahoma City.
CDT Pengelly excitedly looks out the window at oxbow lakes over eastern Oklahoma.
The purpose of this AIAD is to learn about and observe severe weather and also study severe weather preparedness. More specifically, we are traversing the Midwest by first predicting outbreaks of severe weather, and then identifying specific atmospheric phenomena. An equally important goal of the AIAD is to visit Army posts and Air Force bases to learn about and record each location's plan for severe weather preparedness. Through interviews with safety and weather officers, along with enlisted weather technicians, our ultimate goal is to report back to DoD with a list of best practices for severe weather preparedness.
Our team is composed of four cadets and two faculty members from the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering at the United States Military Academy.
