Storm Chase Details


Chase Date: May 27, 2020
Miles Logged: 967
States Chased: TX
Severe Risks: SPC Outlooks

Chase Recap:

Forecast

Cut-off low type system meandering the southern plains at the end of May. I have to chase it right? Not really, that didn’t go so well back in 2014.

But I was desperate. I had hopes and dreams of great moisture return as the NAM painted a few days out. Not to be had. Instead of having supercells with low LCL’s we ended up with a high based linear structures.

Chasing

I had a doctors appointment on Wednesday morning, and I didn’t want to cancel, so I reluctantly took the day off from work. This would be the first full day PTO I’ve used for chasing this season.

I was on the road south from Norman by 11am and made decent time. The express lanes on I-35W are an extremely welcome sight. I was able to speed right by the normal traffic pain points.

Loss of Data

After heading to Stephenville, I immediately lost data south of town. My last radar update was at 2:14 and I didn’t get data back until well after 5 pm. I had to use the weather radio and my GPS maps app to figure out where the storms were. Let me tell you, it’s a lot harder than I thought, especially in unfamiliar territory. Props to the old timers out there.

Finally Calling

At some point I called over to Bill Oosterbaan and he gave me a little radar update. I had voice service but no data service. Seriously considering finding new cell data service. I was north of Mason and decided to head east towards Llano. It had already become pretty obvious it was going to bust. A Central Texas Bust.

BBQ in Austin with JR and Randy

Decided to call it and met up with JR and Randy for BBQ at the Bone Daddy’s in Cedar Park.