Chasing at night is REALLY difficult — especially compared to daytime chases. When that night chase happens in November in a low CAPE, high shear environment? Buckle up!
The November 16, 2015 Tornado Outbreak across the Texas Panhandle into SW Kansas is one of the most prolific tornado outbreaks of the last decade on the Southern Plains — but it is not spoken of as often as other prolific days because it occurred in the off-season and mostly at night.
When the enhanced risk went out from the Storm Prediction Center along with a 10% hatched tornado risk, it was merely confirmation of what was already obvious. Strong SW flow aloft was mixing with a strong SSE low level jet to create an environment primed for tornadoes if we could realize enough instability to get robust updrafts.
And we got just that.
The storms themselves were difficult to chase, as they had forward motions of 45 mph+, which makes for a tough chase in the Texas Panhandle with more limited road networks. We did our best though, and captured several tornadoes from the waning moments of daylight into the night.
Check out the video to learn some of the things we did to adjust to this very difficult chase day!
Excellent images. Feel bad that you keep callling those poor little tornadoes creepy, though ;)
Excellent video.
Another educational and entertaining upload, great job putting this video together. This video makes me look forward to Spring! Is there any way to fast forward through winter? LOL!
hi friend
I do not like chasing at night. Scary stuff.
8:37 When your car breaks down and your radar goes out on a day like this
Awesome video and tips!
To watch them form is crazy where I drive a truck I have seen them the storm I don’t like is a Hurricane you can’t out run it
That's why i don''t like night chases, when you can't fully see what's going and and don't see fully storm structures.
In Poland this is often the case when the wind shear is high
Great video! The captions, arrows, and highlighted portions are very helpful. I have a basic understanding of meteorology and tornadoes, but some of the terminology still goes over my head. This video was very helpful at describing and explaining the situations.
6:30 Pecos Hank was chasing this storm and he said that it was a gas explosion
Why isn’t she famous? Sassy, funny and intelligent what more can you ask for in a tornado video :)