June 11 Storm Chase

12:45 AM Update: A very long day today, chased storms throughout southeast Nebraska. The entire line of storms were tornado warned, from southwest Minnesota to north-central Kansas. Ends up to be a very sad day today with a scout camp north of Little Sioux, IA that is all over the news. Also it sounds like several other areas, including metro areas, that took hits tonight. I missed all of the action in northwest Iowa today, but from the sounds of it, nobody could see anything with such heavy rain wrapping around these storms. Also with such a massive line moving northeast, it was nearly like watching the storm go by and awaiting the next... A full update tomorrow is possible, however, at this time I do know what the plan is for the day.

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2:30 PM Update: Drove south for a ways along I29, have now found ourselves near Missouri Valley, IA. Have ate a nice dinner, but are still awaiting on something to become clear on which target (northwest Iowa or southeast Nebraska) will be better. At this point, it is still a wait to see which one will take shape, however, the the target of southern Nebraska and Iowa does look favorable at the moment.

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11:00 AM Update: Just as an FYI, blog updates will be fairly sporadic beings I'll be with Tony. Don't want to have too many computers (3), GPS's (3), among everything else going on. So feel free to browse Tony's Blog as well for updates on my status. I will update when possible/needed.

10:30 AM Update: The group got together this morning at 9 AM to discuss target areas for the day. Fairly large, but disorganized, complex of storms is working through areas of western Iowa, southwestern Minnesota, and even as far south as northwestern Missouri. This complex looks to be well off of the boundary that is currently situated in central Nebraska. Behind this complex of storms and ahead of this boundary, moisture has already surged northward with fairly clear skies as well. As the storms continue eastward, similar things should happen to much of the Missouri River Valley; allowing for substantial moisture and instability to setup for the afternoon hours.

Current plan looks to have us heading south along I29 to get out of the cloud deck that just won't leave this morning. The forecast definitely does not look 'great', but given if things can fall together it could certainly be a productive day. No real target as of this moment, we'll likely head south within the next hour and reevaluate throughout the afternoon (early) before things start to take form.

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12:00 AM Update: After treating today as a position day, certainly have to get something nice tomorrow although the forecast looks 'interesting' to say the least. Overnight convection, MCS's, may form both through eastern South Dakota into Minnesota and in extreme northern Kansas, eastern Nebraska into western Iowa. Currently, it looks as though both are having a hard time sustaining themselves into any type of severe mode. Cells that initially fired in northern Kansas are weakening, and the small development in vicinity of York, NE also cannot sustain itself at the moment. Although low level jet increasing would aid in their development, even if they do I feel that they would be well east of the Missouri River area by morning. This to me indicates that the latest model run by the NAM/WRF (00z) is not worth looking at too closely. They keep a large complex of storms around the Missouri valley through into the early afternoon tomorrow, much unlike anything that currently seems to be logical. With this complex hanging around the is supposed warm sector, it destroys any parameters that you would like to look at as far as surface goes...

The GFS thus is the favored at this point, although it still develops the MCS in eastern Nebraska, it moves it through central Iowa by early afternoon. This is a logical solution given storms speeds, etc. and thus is at least believable. This would leave a viable target area anywhere in the eastern third of Nebraska, moving into the western third of Iowa during the later afternoon, and evening hours. A lot of questions to still be answered come morning, but right now it looks like the day may be filled with excitement.

I will be the TWISTEX vehicle, with Tony Laubach, so beings both him and I are bloggers, be sure to check out his blog when I'm not available for updates while driving. Anything that he sees or reports, I will be right there to see the same things... Good night from Sioux City!