[Cindy]

Stu is in position for today's chase

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I tired my luck with the surface low in NW Kansas (on the Dry Line / Cold front triple point) but busted - ) still I wanted to be in Salina tonight (ready to position for tomorrow's setup- I am not liking Texas right now... My target is actually KS/MO

so I figured that a run out to there would fill my day if nothing else.:

[Cindy]

Stu is to return home early

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With the demise of the weather pattern all through next week I am trying now to fly home early (hopefully on Monday when the current tour finishes). I still need to complete my contract with CH4 so this will mean another week away in late may / June but only if the weather pattern improves.

All the best

Stu

[Cindy]

Such an awesome picture!!

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Taken north of the interstate , East of Big Spring – this was number #2 tornado, I did not see the third 5 mins later – but many guests did – more pictures after our Steak dinner – yum tum

 

[Cindy]

Stu is to stay with his original chase plan :)

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Due to the mouth water prospect of an Omega Block parking a H500 South Westerly flow over the plains for a number of days I have reverted back to my original plans – I am now remaining in the USA until May 29^th in an attempt to capture more severe weather.

2008 have been a great chases season for me as I have seen now 7 tornadoes (3 significant) – it would have been 8 but I missed the brief pencel tornado on May 14^th – but I did get ti on video – however because I did not see it I wont count this towards my totals which now number 35 tornadoes seen over the years.

[Cindy]

Stu is preparing to meet up with the documentary crew who will be filming his solo chase.

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I am currently in Oklahoma City, but this afternoon I am flying to Denver where I meet up with a documentary crew from the UK (CH4) for an active few days chasing. Note that I am chasing on my own (solo) for my final week and I do expect to see more tornadoes.

*currently* the game plan is as follows (subject to refinement)

Wednesday – Wyoming, Wheatland on I20 but I am also watching the Texas panhandle for this day – if the cap brakes then watch it!

Thursday – SE NB / NW/KS – no brainer – head for the triple point for meaty wedges moving north at 20 mph

Friday - Sam as above but a tad further south – (meaty wedges moving north at 20 mph)

Saturday – Texas panhandle – again – (meaty wedges moving north at 20 mph)

Sunday – TBA

 

[Cindy]

Stu had a successful day!

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Another active day in North West Kansas along the I70 corridor. Today I was able to film 4 tornadoes,  and reach another miles stone in that I now have 40 tornadoes in my chase portfolio.

Started the day from Colby and picked Quinter as my target. I was worried about the cloud shield over Quinter so headed south towards clear and toasty warm temps. At Scott City I saw the first cell fire to the East and targeted it – however a duff move in taking a gravel road (which turned to mud) meant that I lost the cell – however on reaching I70 to my north I was able to move west and Capture the same cell producing a wedge then as a cone #1 Tornado as it crossed I70 just west of Quinter, I followed the meso (quite close) to the north of Quinter where it morphed into a stove pipe  #2 Tornado.

I was able to then move south and target the biggest wedge #3 Tornado that I have ever seen – an easy mile wide, 10 miles south of Quinter in grove county (dirt rods again) by some fluke I was then able to get back on to the interstate to see the same tornado now reduced in width but about ½ mile wide south if the interstate – it crossed I70 just West of Quinter. (many chasers saw that tornado at this stage)

Next after dark …. I was south and able to see the large ¼ mile wide cone #4 Tornado as it passed to the east of Ellis, (my 40^th Tornado)

Finally finished in Hayes were was able grab the last room at the sleep Inn at Hayes – all of a sudden PaulK and Helen walks in – we then had stake and beers to celebrate our tornadoes today.