Twin States Weather Blog

April 29th Storm Chase

We knew as early as last weekend that there could be a chance of some severe weather around this time period. As the week progressed, models were more and more impressive with the system and everything was shaping up to be a rather 'classic' severe weather outbreak with good instability and good dynamics. When we got closer to the event, models had backed off on some of the parameters, but we still knew we could be in for some severe weather, so we decided to chase!

We left MSU's campus around 3:00 and headed for the town of Cleveland in the Mississippi Delta. There we waited around at the Walmart for the cap to break to our west and storms to move across the river so we could intercept. Convection was ongoing into parts of Arkansas, but did not look that impressive. We then decided to go north a little ways to the town of Clarksdale where we thought saw some better surface heating and where the environment might be a little more conducive to severe weather.

Upon arriving we met up with more chasers from MSU and the LDCT, or Long Distance Chase Team, including some good friends: Justyn Jackson, Greg Nordstrom, Andrew Davis, Richie Hosney, Brian Baker, and too many others to list! While in Clarksdale, we also met a chaser who drove up from Florida and 2 other chasers from the University of Alabama in Hunstville. Definitely the most chasers in one spot that I've seen in Mississippi!

After a consensus told us that the storms in Arkansas would be moving into a better environment as they crossed the river, we dropped south and viewed a beautiful storm producing lots of lightning. We also believe we saw a wall cloud on this storm as well as a nice 'tail cloud'. After that, we got on what I'll call the Greenwood storm. Worried that we could not make it south to get in a safe place (away from the large hail and possible tornado) to view the storm, we jogged east first and then south, ending up in the town of Greenwood at a mobile home park where we got a good look at what was going on. We warned residents that were driving off about the impending danger (tornado warnings were in effect and sirens were activated). The storm was producing prolific lightning, including many cloud to ground flashes, 'anvil crawlers', and intracloud flashes. While we were stopped, we saw a rotating wall cloud and several funnel clouds, often a precursor to a tornado. The storm started to pick up speed, and we gave chase again.

We caught up to the storm along US HWY 82 as the storm was moving due east at this time. We got word that it had previously produced a tornado as well as significant damage in Sunflower county. As we were driving, we saw a well defined wall cloud and then a funnel. On the ground, we saw what we believe to be the tornado kicking up dust and debris. All of this we were able to see as lightning illuminated the back of the storm.

The whole time, we were contacting the National Weather Service via telephone and Instant Messenger (we had wireless internet and radar in our car.. technology is very helpful!). Our reports were then related to local television outlets, and Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel even mentioned us on air. Because it was so late, and because the storms were beginning to become more linear in nature, we decided to go back to Starkville. Storms hit us there early this morning, as well as other parts of the state, including East Mississippi and West Alabama.

All in all, a very successful night chase. We saw good lightning, some great storm structure, and even a tornado. I caution anyone, however, not to try this alone, and not to try it if you have not ever done it before. Stormchasing is dangerous, and rookie chasers that do not 'follow the rules' do more harm that good. Study hard about severe weather and get storm spotter training. The National Weather Service and local EMAs sometimes offer classes in storm spotting. Also, its a good idea to go out with someone that has gone before. There are some great storm chasing websites out there as well. Check out

Long Distance Chase Team

This is the website to our friends chase team. There are many others as well. Storm chasers provide a vital service, being the eyes on the ground where radar and satellite cannot see. With the NWS, media, chasers, EMA, and law enforcement working together, lives can be saved!

posted by Anonymous @ 9:30 PM