The cell initially had a nice stacked look with a healthy wall cloud. This photo taken near Watonga, OK on August 17, 2009.
Celebrating August 17, 2009
The afternoon of August 17, 2009 was like many other Summer afternoon’s in the Sooner state. It was hot, muggy and just a wee bit unbearable and storms were beginning to form around the state. Casually, I checked mesoanalysis and was shocked to find a potent supercell environment located over literally a three county area just an hour to my north and west. I called Brandon Goforth around 4pm and notified him of my intentions to head to Watonga to chase in less than an hour and if he was smart, he would be joining me.
I distinctly remember Brandon not even looking at data and just going out there. Shortly after six, a supercell formed on an outflow boundary and churned until dark over no more than a 10 mile path. It was one of the finest and most beautifully structured storms I’ve ever saw. A gallery of pics after the jump.
As the cell matured, it grew bigger and the base stayed quite low. I’m quite shocked it never became tornado warned during it’s entire lifecycle.
As the cell matured, it grew bigger and the base stayed quite low. I’m quite shocked it never became tornado warned during it’s entire lifecycle. Taken August 17, 2009 near Watonga, OK.
As the cell matured, it grew bigger and the base stayed quite low. I’m quite shocked it never became tornado warned during it’s entire lifecycle.
The storms structure at Sunset was among the finest I’ve ever seen. A spiraling bowl shape. It was pretty high based here compared to earlier, but man did it ever look amazing. August 17, 2009 near Watonga, OK.
At dusk the lightning show just became insane. Bolt after bolt of lightning continued to rain down out of the updraft in the vault region. It was one of the most spectacular shows I’ve ever witnessed. Near Geary, OK on August 17, 2009.
The lightning was coming from both the supercell in the foreground and a line of storms catching the supercell in the background. Taken on the evening of August 17, 2009 near Geary, OK.
Owner/Producer/Director of Tornado Titans. I chase tornadoes and am the General Editor of this website. I hail from the small town of Velma, Oklahoma but I currently live in Norman, OK. I love Jesus first and foremost, but I also love my friends and family. My passion for the sky is definitely God-given, and I love sharing it with the world.
May 24, 2008 Oklahoma Tornadofest 
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