This section is for storm chases done in the central / Midwestern United States during the year of 2025. This includes all storm chasing activities (including any major chase "expeditions") during the year of 2025 in the central USA (aka "Tornado Alley"). For 2025, all chases in the central USA will be logged in this section, with many of the chases being possible "spot" chases / major severe weather "setups" chased. Here you should find many pictures of lightning, tornadoes, hail, strong winds, along with many severe thunderstorm elements. Keep in mind that this chase log is scientific evidence and portrays my on-going storm chasing research. It has been placed on this page for easy reference and meteorological interests. Please do not plagiarize or copy this document to other sites for distribution.

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STORM CHASING - CENTRAL UNITED STATES - 2025 CHASE LOG

This page is new for 2025 - Please check back often.

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ABOUT THIS CHASE LOG FOR THE MIDWEST

This is a chase log for any chases during 2025 in the Midwest and Central United States that were conducted as "spot" chases as well as any dedicated chase trip. Each chase section within this area will have its own details and such for that particular chase. This area was set up in the spring of 2025 and is for any chase that was conducted in the US Plains and Midwest. Equipment use in such chases range from cell phone to HAM radio communications, digital / still cameras, video (SD) and high-definition (HD) camcorders, and data logging / GPS via laptop computer. Storm chasing involved driving in harsh conditions and / or for long periods of time.

All chases and observations are in chronological order and a chase number is assigned to each entry. Please bear in mind that all observations adhere to modern storm analysis standards and do not include all storms that occurred in a given area for a particular chase period.

Any kind of storm such as a thunderstorm, tornado, waterspout, tropical cyclone, and extratropical storm can be chased or observed. I have tried to keep this log of any storms that I have observed as accurate as possible, while using terms and expressions to abide by those used by most meteorologists and storm spotters today.

Storm chasing and observation can be extremely dangerous and may result in serious injury or death. I have received intermediate and advanced training for storm spotting in 1996. I strongly urge anyone who is to try their hand at storm spotting to get training before doing so. You must also have a good understanding of meteorology and storm dynamics. "If you don't know what you're doing, Don't do it!" Contact your local National Weather Service office for information on storm spotting and about training to become a Skywarn storm Spotter.

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High Risk Chase In Mississippi - March 15, 2025

CHASE MAP FOR MARCH 14-16, 2025

This is a chase map for the chase from March 14 through March 16, 2025. The chase track is in blue (which includes the long "ferry" trip from Florida and to the target areas). The target areas appear as yellow outlines for the main chase days, with storm intercepts denoted by the red "X's". The main chase day was March 15 from Alabama to Mississippi.

CHASE TRIP CHRONOLOGY FOR MARCH 14-16, 2025

This chase trip was a short late-winter setup in the "Dixie" area of the United States / deep south. The main chase day was March 15 in Central to east-central Mississippi, with the days before and after being travel days. I left my place in Deerfield Beach, Florida during the early afternoon of March 14 via I-95 and the FL Turnpike northward. Traffic in the Orlando area was horrible as a closure of all lanes on the FL Turnpike forced a re-route via Highway 60 west to Highway 27 via Lake Wales, through horrible traffic and red lights, picking up the FL Turnpike north of Clairmont. I headed west, after incurring a delay of over an hour and a half, reaching I-75 by late afternoon. I continued north on I-75 to I-10 west, and took that all the way to Mobile, Alabama just before midnight, spending the night there. The expected routes the following chase day to be either in from central Mississippi to west-central Alabama.

March 15 was the main chase day of this trip, following the first segment of the this storm outbreak sequence the day prior (not chased) much father north. The SPC issued a high-risk outlook for the target areas, which stretched from central Mississippi to west-central Alabama. The tornado probabilities in this area were 30%, with hail also 30&, and wind from 30% to 45%. All these were hatched for significant - With a major severe weather outbreak expected to the east of an intense upper trough. I forecasted and left Mobile off I-65 via Highway 45 northwestward, arriving in Meridian, Mississippi by late morning. From there, the more intense supercells were noted developing along a confluence line to the south of Jackson and north of Franklinton. I headed west on I-20 to SR 35 south towards Raleigh. The Storm Prediction Center also had PDS (particularly dangerous situation) tornado watch box issued for the area, valid until 6 PM CDT.

The first small supercell, with intense rotation, was encountered between Mize and Raleigh in Smith County, Mississippi. A possible brief, weak tornado was encountered in Raleigh. From there, I headed south and east on SR 28 towards Taylorsville, then south on SR 37 to Highway 84 east of Collins. A major supercell and large tornado was encountered west of Collins and tracked northeast back up Highway 84 and SR 37 to the south of Taylorsville, where trees blocked the road. This supercell was long tracked, and responsible for high-end tornado destruction earlier in Tylertown, and the backside of this tornado (wedge at times, but mostly rain wrapped) was observed before it hit Taylorsville, where more damage was caused. The chase went back south and west towards Collins, where another supercell and weakening tornado was observed, also mostly rain-wrapped. I headed back and forth along Highway 84 east of Collins. Another rapidly wrapping tornado was observed from another supercell in Calhoun County. After that, I headed east to near Laurel, then north and northeast on I-59.

These supercells seemed to be in a broken line, with the storms "training" from the SW to NE at 50 MPH. The latest supercell was tracked north and east to the west of Pachuta, where it was highly rain wrapped. From there I headed back east on SR 18 / 145 to Highway 45. From there I headed back southeast and reached Mobile, AL by evening. I continued east on I-10, spending the night in Tallahasee, Florida.

On March 16, I left the hotel and attended Sunday mass in Tallahassee. From there I headed east on I-10 to I-75. Once again, traffic was very heavy at times on I-75 south until reaching Ocala. From south of there, I got on the Florida Turnpike, and headed southeast through Orlando and eventually into Fort Pierce by late afternoon. From there, I headed south on I-95 off the Fl Turnpike / Highway 70 interchange, reaching Deerfield Beach by early Evening. The total mileage for this chase was 1,905 miles.

MARCH 14-16 CHASE MAIN PARTICIPANTS

CHASER NAMEHOME / BASE CITYCALLSIGNCHASE DATESOCCUPATION
CHRIS COLLURADEERFIELD BEACH, FLKG4PJN3-14 TO 3-16IT CONSULTANT

SPC STORM REPORTS FOR MARCH 14 AND 15, 2025

These are two images from the storm Prediction Center (SPC) storm reports for March 14 (left) and 15 (right), 2025. A red dot denotes a tornado report, a blue dot a damaging severe wind report (58 MPH and up), and a green dot a severe hail report (1" and larger). Significant wind (65 knots and up) and significant hail (2" and larger) is denoted by a black square and triangle, respectively. Note the main track of the storms over Mississippi and Alabama on March 15, with a prominent tornado track across south / central MS.

SATELLITE AND RADAR IMAGES ON 15, 2025

The images above shows the infrared (IR) satellite for around 18z on March 15, with radar imagery (base reflectivity and Doppler velocity in the lower-right inset) to the right at roughly 2 PM CDT out of Jackson, Mississippi. An intense low pressure system is departing the central USA / northern states and into Canada a day after causing severe storms and tornadoes on March 14 during the evening and night. The target area for March 15 is focused on the MS / AL areas, owing to an intense upper low pressure trough racing eastward from the southern USA and into the deep south. Bulk shear with this feature approached 140 knots, with a modified dry-line / Pacific cold front providing the low-level forcing. In the radar image, a powerful supercell is approaching Bassfield (after devastating Tylertown), Mississippi with a strong velocity couplet in the lower-right inset.

DETAILED CHASE LOG FOR MARCH 14-16, 2025

1. March 15, 2:00 PM - Interception and observation of a severe and tornadic thunderstorm near Raleigh, Mississippi in Smith County, and near SR 18 and SR 35. The storm was a small HP supercell on the northeastern side of a cluster of severe and tornadic storms. The storm core was not directly penetrated, and a large wall cloud / strong rotation was noted on the SW side of the storm as it passed Raleigh. Rapidly rotating scud and a possible weak and brief tornado was noted with the passage of this storm before it moved northeast and weakened. Heavy rain, 40 MPH winds, and occasional lightning was also noted with this storm. Conditions causing the storms were modest surface heating, a strong low pressure trough / confluence, and a powerful upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used in this chase. A PDS (particularly dangerous situation) tornado watch was in effect for the area until 6 PM CDT.

2. March 15, 3:00 PM - Interception and observation of an extremely severe and tornadic thunderstorm from Covington to Smith counties from near Collins and northeastwards towards Taylorsville, Mississippi via Highway 84 and SR 37 through Hot Coffee (yes, there is a tiny Mississippi town with that name)! The storm was a powerful HP storm, which is the same storm that caused a tornado to devastate Tylertown and later cause damage in Taylorsville. The storm was first observed near Collins, with a brief view of a wedge tornado looking SW from near the Highway 84 and 49 intersection. The large, fast moving tornado was highly rain-wrapped. And was noted passing Highway 49. Heading back east on Highway 84, a view of a wedge tornado was visible at times, with an intense RFD clear slot, and striated storm updraft with a very low cloud base. The tornado was encountered again, albeit low contrast, south of (and before it hit) Taylorsville looking north on SR 37, which was blocked from downed trees. The storm core was not penetrated. Heavy rain, 60 MPH winds, and frequent lightning was also noted with this storm. Conditions causing the storms were modest surface heating, a strong low pressure trough / confluence, and a powerful upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD / 4k video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used in this chase. A PDS (particularly dangerous situation) tornado watch was in effect for the area until 6 PM CDT.

3. March 15, 3:30 PM - Interception and observation of another very severe and tornadic thunderstorm east of Collins, Mississippi in Covington County along Highway 84 and near SR 37. The storm was a powerful HP storm. A possible rain-wrapped tornado was observed with this storm, before it weakened as it headed towards Smith County. The storm core was not penetrated. Heavy rain, 50 MPH winds, and frequent lightning was also noted with this storm. Conditions causing the storms were modest surface heating, a strong low pressure trough / confluence, and a powerful upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD / 4k video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used in this chase. A PDS (particularly dangerous situation) tornado watch was in effect for the area until 6 PM CDT.

4. March 15, 4:00 PM - Interception, indirect penetration, and observation of a very severe and tornadic thunderstorm from Calhoun to Clarke County, Mississippi, from near Calhoun along Highway 84, and towards Pachuta near I-59 and SR 18. A large tornado was first observed when this storm was encountered, once again rapidly rain-wrapping as the storm was a powerful and dangerous HP supercell. The tornado continued northeast and the area to its SE near Pachuta was encountered along I-59 in torrential rains. The storm core was not directly penetrated. Heavy rain, winds over 60 MPH, and frequent lightning were encountered with this storm. Conditions causing the storms were modest surface heating, a strong low pressure trough / confluence, and a powerful upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD / 4k video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used in this chase. A PDS (particularly dangerous situation) tornado watch was in effect for the area until 6 PM CDT.

This concludes the chase log for the SE and Deep South USA (including chases in Mississippi) chase trip for March 14-16, 2025. The summary includes a total of 4 observations, out of which there were 4 severe thunderstorms. A total of 4 tornadoes were observed from these severe storms, at least one of them significant. The main chase vehicle conducting this chase a 2022 Jeep Renegade. This information was prepared exclusively for the National Weather service and the team of Skywarn storm spotters.

GALLERY FOR MARCH 14, 2025

Crazy traffic during the afternoon of March 14, 2025. This was trying to get around the Orlando area, with the entire FL Turnpike closed due to multiple accidents. This is Highway 27 through Haines City.
Sun-dog observed while heading northwest through northwestern Florida before sunset. The high clouds are the fringes of the massive upper level disturbance over the central USA.

GALLERY FOR MARCH 15, 2025

March 15 was a very busy chase day, targeting the second day of a major severe weather outbreak sequence, mainly from central Mississippi through west-central Alabama, with the target area pointed out. In the images above, a rare (level 5 out of 1) high-risk outlook is issued by the SPC to the left. The tornado probabilities, a staggering 30%, is in the middle image. Hail and wind probabilities were also at 30% and 45%, respectively. All these outlooks were hatched for significant. Particularly dangerous situation (PDS) tornado watch box 45 is in the right image, valid until 6 PM CDT.

Weak / brief tornado (lower right) forms near Raleigh, Mississippi during the early afternoon of March 15. This was brief and caused little or no damage. The view is to the southeast.
A powerful supercell, with large tornado (barely visible near the lower-center of the picture), approaches Collins, Mississippi around 3 PM. This is the same storm that caused major damage and fatalities in Tylertown. The view is to the southwest.
Frequent lightning with a large CG strike, with the large tornado (left edge over roadway near picture center) to the southwest near Collins.
Limited view of wedge tornado partially hidden by the trees east of Collins, Mississippi and north of Highway 84. Note the powerful RFD to the left. The view is to the north.
Another view of the large tornado between Collins and Taylorsville from the intersection of Highway 84 and SR 35. The view is to the northwest.
Tornado, slightly right of center of picture, moves NNE into Smith County and will soon cause damage in Taylorsville. The view is to the NNW along SR 35 north of Hot Coffee.
Downed trees in Smith County near SR 35. This tree damage also blocked the roadway.
Another supercell with weakening tornado near Collins. This was another HP supercell that "trained" after the one that went from Tylertown to Taylorsville. The view is to the north and northwest.
Large CG lightning strike east of Calhoun and west of Laurel, Mississippi near Highway 84. The view is to the ENE.
Developing tornado with yet another intense HP supercell near Calhoun. The view is to the southwest, with the multi-vortex tornado developing to the far right. RFD and rain-wrap is to the left.
Calhoun tornado rapidly becoming rain-wrapped. The view is to the west.
Zoomed in shot of the Calhoun tornado, now very poorly contrasted with rapidly moving sheets of rain (from left to right). The view is to the west.
Penetrating extremely heavy rains and strong winds in Clarke County, Mississippi near Pachuta along I-59. There was still a tornado at this point, but it was rain-wrapped and I am in the wet RFD.
Passing downtown Mobile, Alabama late in the day, and near I-10. Beautiful new sky scrapers grace the Mobile skyline under a dreary steel-gray sky.
Minor coastal flooding off I-10 east of Mobile on the bay, due to strong southerly winds late in the day on March 15.

GALLERY FOR MARCH 16, 2025

March 16 involved a trip back home from Tallahassee, Florida. Some storms over NW Florida caused major accidents and traffic delays, once again, along I-75 near Gainesville. Here an RV suffered a major wreck.
A marginally severe MCS looms west of Stuart, Florida north of the FL Turnpike. These storms were caused by the southern edge of a cold front / outflow that pushed off the eastern US coast.
View leaving the mess of storms and clouds looking south while nearing Martin and Palm Beach County, Florida. High pressure aloft, usually south of Florida and over the Caribbean, often prevents extremely severe weather from the central USA from nearing south Florida - Instead moving north and east.

CHASE MAP FOR CHASE EXPEDITION 2025

This is a chase map for the chase from April 25 through TBD, 2025. The chase track is in blue (which includes the long "ferry" trip from Florida and to the target areas). The target areas appear as yellow outlines for the main chase days, with storm intercepts denoted by the red "X's". Please check back often.

CHASE TRIP CHRONOLOGY FOR CHASE EXPEDITION 2025

The official start of my main chase trip began during the late morning of April 25, with activity picking up in the central USA during that week and more activity expected the following week. I packed up my vehicle and left south Florida via I-95 and the FL Turnpike northward. I also was monitoring work for my IT client, which is remote and I plan to do that throughout my entire storm chasing trip. Traffic was heavy through Orlando, and eventually I made it north on I-75, reaching Atlanta, Georgia after dark. I spend the night just west of Atlanta off I-20. The following day was a long drive out of Atlanta, via I-20 west, through Birmingham, Alabama, and to Memphis, Tennessee via I-22 and I-40 across the Mississippi River by mid afternoon. I continued west into Oklahoma by late afternoon, then north to Tulsa via Highway 251 (Turnpike) and eventually Highway 75 north into Kansas. I headed west on Highway 160 to 77 north out of Arkansas City, and picked up Highway 400 into Wichita. I arrived on the west side of Wichita by around 9 PM, and spent the night there.

April 27 was a complicated and frustrating first start to the chase trip - Especially after missing multiple photogenic tornadoes before heading out a few days prior in TX / NM. I started the day in Wichita, Kansas, attended church there, and looked at forecasting details. It was clear that there were 2, or even 3 target areas, valid for today. One was in western to NW Kansas, another in far west / NW Nebraska, and another in the Texas Panhandle area. After much deliberation, I decided on the latter - Which would wind up being as "bust", experienced by many chasers this day. The decision was also based on the following chase prospects after today, with a fast moving storms in a moderate risk towards Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin on April 28 - With a long drive there and back (while juggling my normal remote IT job), or stay SW, near the OK / Texas areas, which also had potential.

The SPC had a large slight-risk area, with tornado probabilities at 5%, and 15% for both wind and hail, with the latter hatched for significant. There was basically 2 main targets, one to the north, stretching from NW Nebraska (ahead of a surface low) southward into NW Kansas, and another along the dryline and into the Texas panhandles. The tough decision was made to head south, with the majority of the storm chasers stretching from NW Kansas to the Texas panhandles, and I decided on a target area near Pampa, Texas. I left Wichita via Highway 54 / 400 west to 183 south out of Greensburg (don't forget to stop there for Dillon's chicken tenders)! I headed south on 183, eventually to Highways 64 and 283 south to 412 west in Oklahoma. I took Highway 83 into Texas, then Highway 70 south to near Pampa, and eventually near I-40 and Groom.

The SPC issued mesoscale discussion 577 for the target area, but no subsequent watch (a tornado watch was issued for W Nebraska, but not applicable to my target area today). Storms began developing, with a brief LP supercell observed near Groom and SW of Pampa. This storm, despite the elation of many chasers, quickly weakened as the dryline retreated and cap (mid level temperature inversion) became too strong. Sadly, most chasers at the northern target in NW Kansas, also experienced the effects of "no storms" from the cap, and "busted" as well. The only good storm - Over 400 miles away from me - Developed over west-central to NW Nebraska, basically in the "third" target, and less than 5% of people storm chasing today went after it. This became a prolific "Chapman Kansas" type storm, with a slow moving large tornado over north-central Nebraska. Declaring a "cap bust", I headed east on I-40 (watching the lucky chasers online in Nebraska), reaching Clinton, Oklahoma during the late evening, where I spent the night.

April 28 was a pretty good chase day, targeting an area anywhere from Childress to Vernon, Texas, and in the vicinity of the Red River. I reviewed data during most of the morning, choosing late checkout as I also worked for my IT client. The SPC had a large area of outlooks, stretching from a moderate risk near northern Iowa / southerm Minnesota, all the way to SW Texas, with an enhanced risk in the target area. The moderate risk area had 15% tornado, 30% wind, and 30% hail probabilities - All significant. This area was of no interest to me chasing, as I chose to remain to the SW near OK / Texas, and for a good reason because much of the storms in the moderate risk were fast moving line segments. In my target area, in the enhanced risk area, a 10% tornado (significant) was in place initially, later reduced to 5%. Wind and hail probabilities were 15 and 30 percent, respectively, withn the wind later changed to 30 percent. The hail was also hatched for significant.

I left Clinton, Oklahoma via Highway 183 south to Hobart, then west on Sr 9 to 44, through the Wichita Mountains and to Highway 283 through Altus. I continued south on Highway 283 and into Texas, reaching Vernon by afternoon. The SPC also issued MCD 588, and subsequently issued a large tornado watch box 182, valid until 11 PM CDT. Storms fired by about 6 PM west of Vernon, and a splitting LP supercell was observed there off Highway 287, and it's right split was followed back into Oklahoma near SR 5 and highway 183 near Tipton, where it became elevated and weakened. Another cluster of storms was noted south of Vernon, Texas, and approaching the Red River. This area was reached by 8 PM, and a suspected evolution to supercell mode was noted on the SW side of the storm complex. By 9 PM, an LP storm was observed from Odell to White City along Highway 283, which became tornado-warned at dusk. This storm had an impressive storm structure. After dark, I backed south on Highway 283 to 287, taking that east into Wichita Falls, Texas for the night.

April 29 was a pretty good chase day targeting an area in central to NW Texas, from near Seymour and westward towards the caprock area. Most of the day, I was juggling storm chasing and light (remote) IT work using both laptops. I looked at data in Wichita Falls during the morning, and saw the SPC with an enhanced risk over the target areas (within a large area of risks stretching 2/3 the way across the country). In the target area, the tornado probability was 5%, with wind 15%, and hail 30%. The latter 2 were hatched for significant. I left Wichita Falls during the early afternoon via Highway 380 to Vernon, then Highway 183 south, reaching the Seymour area by mid afternoon. The SPC issued mesoscale discussion 604 and subsequent severe thunderstorm watch box 190, valid until 9 PM CDT.

An isolated storm was initiating to the west near Stonewall County, ahead of storms to the west, so I continued west on Highway 277 towards that area. The supercell was encountered which rapidly developed and passed Highway 83 north of Aspermont. A second supercell, from the storms west of the fist one, accelerated eastwards and formed a line at the end of the day. A possible brief tornado was noted with the first storm during its classic to HP evolution. Very large hail was noted with this storm. This storm later produced destructive winds near Seymour at dusk, possibly with a rain wrapped large (but weak) tornado. The second supercell was penetrated, and a tornado was observed with that storm inside the "bear's cage" at around 5:30 CDT. I continued back east and northeast the same way I came, along Highway 277, reaching Seymour by around 7:30 PM, where the first storm was encountered producing destructive winds. Tornado watch 194 was also issued for the eastern parts of the target area, valid until 1 PM CDT April 30. I wrapped up near dusk, and spent the night back where I started in Wichita Falls, Texas.

April 30 was a long and slightly disappointing chase day given high chase prospects south of the Dallas area in central Texas. The SPC had an enhanced risk in place in an area stretching eastward from the just west of DFW Metroplex. There was a 10% tornado, 30% wind, and 30% hail in the probabilities (with tornadoes and hail hatched for significant). Unfortunately, and a dread for many storm chasers, a persistent MCS grew upscale overnight and created a massive cool pool, stabilizing the atmosphere from the morning through afternoon. The only viable target area would be well south of the Dallas area. After forecasting, and going on line to be available for my IT client, I hastily left Wichita Falls and headed east on Highway 287 to Highway 82 east. I eventually went south on I-35 going around a closure near Gainesville and through Dallas by around 2:30 PM via I-35E south. Severe flash flooding was also noted off I-35. Traffic was not too bad, with the usual bottleneck in the city while changing over to I-45. The SPC also issued mesoscale discussion 619, and subsequent severe thunderstorm watch box 198 in the area being targeted, pretty much near I-45 in Leon County near Buffalo. Upon reaching this area, which had the best chance of good supercells, storms were noted south of the advancing outflow to the north from the MCS. A supercell and rotating wall cloud was observed near Buffalo, but became undercut and weakened, with a multi-cell storm cluster coming in behind it at dusk. I wrapped up chasing near Crockett in Houston County and SR 7. I backed north on Highway 287, wrapped up the chase, and headed back west to I-45 via SR 294 / Highway 84. I headed north on I-45 to Highway 75 in Dallas, and into Plano, Texas for the night.

The period from April 31 to May 3 was taken as down time and / or working full time for my IT client, mainly out of a hotel in Plano, Texas. There were "un-forecasted" storms and tornadoes well south of the area south of Waco on April 31, with marginal to low chase prospects from May 1st to the 3rd. On May 3rd, I went skydiving at the drop-zone near Whitewright, Texas before re-positioning was back west to Lubbock, Texas late in the day. I headed to Whitewright via Highway 75 north out of Plano, then SR 121, and afterwards Highway 69 north from there to SR 56 and Highway 82 westward. I continued to Highway 287 through Wichita Falls, then Highway 277 southwest through Seymour, and again the western parts of Highway 82 until Lubbock, Texas where I spent the night. Storms are expected to return west and into this region as early as May 4, and increasing on May 5.

May 4 was a chase day after some brief down time and the start of another multi-day setup for severe storms. In Lubbock I attended Sunday church then looked at data before checking out. The SPC had a slight-risk in place west of the area, stretching across southeastern New Mexico and into part of far west Texas. In their probabilities, the tornado probability was 2%, wind 5%, and hail 15% (hatched for significant, especially over SE NM). Moisture was limited so the objective of the day would be storm structure from high-based storms. I decided on a target area near Carlsbad, New Mexico, and pretty much made a direct path via Highway 62 west and southwest out of Lubbock and into New Mexico. The SPC issued mesoscale discussion (MCD) 678 and severe thunderstorm watch box 222, valid until 9 PM MDT (10 PM CDT). The first storm was encountered northeast of Carlsbad, rather early in the period off Highway 62 near the potash mines. I continued to the east side of Carlsbad, using Highway 285, then taking SR 31 / 128 southeast towards Jal, then into Texas to observe an LP storm south of Kermit. From there, I backed to west of Kermit via SR 302, observing a spectacular supercell nearby. I wrapped up chasing after dark, heading to I-20 via SR 18 through Monahans. I took I-20 into Midland, and spent the night there.

May 5 was a long chase day targeting western Texas anywhere from Midland into SE New Mexico, and should have been one of the best days in this string of severe storms to chase, on "paper" that is. Supercells did develop, but not the feared tornadic ones. I worked (IT job) and left Midland during the early afternoon, targeting the area in a line from Midland to SE New Mexico and vicinity. The SPC had an enhanced risk in place for the area, with a 5% tornado, 15% wind, and 30% hail in the probabilities. The latter two were hatched for significant. Mesoscale discussion 696 was also issued, with tornado watch box 227 after that, valid until 9 PM CDT. I left Midland via I-20 west, and noted convective initiation west of the area, with a hail-producing supercell just north of Odessa off Highway 385. This storm became undercut by an outflow boundary and would eventually weaken. I left the Odessa area, and headed west towards Monahans, Texas. From there I went north on SR 18 through Kermit and into Jal, New Mexico by evening – Anticipating storms to form near the dryline is. The outflow boundary also undercut these storms too. I wrapped up and headed east on SR 302 out of Kermit since a stalled freight train in Monahans rendered all rain crossings blocked there going south. I got back to SR 302 and Highway 385 south through Odessa reaching McCamey. From there I headed east on Highway 67, and into San Angelo for the night.

May 6 was another long chase day, and rather frustrating / disappointing. The target area would be way east from near Austin and points into east-central Texas. The SPC had an enhanced risk in place for the area, with a 10% tornado, 30% wind, and 15% hail in the probabilities. The tornado and hail probabilities were hatched for significant. Unfortunately, this setup was plagued by another surging MCS with much of the convection developing in the early morning. For these area, mesoscale discussion 712 was also in place, and tornado watch box 231, valid until 4 PM CDT. I left San Angelo very early in the morning, forecasting mainly from the road, as well as handling IT work, via Highway 87 east - All the way to Temple, Texas via Highway 190 by late morning. Storms (including a weakening HP supercell) were encountered north and east of College Station and followed eastwards to near I-35 and north of Highway 190 by early afternoon. Surging outflow and failure for discrete storms to develop ahead of the MCS, as well as activity starting so early in the morning, it was apparent that the high tornado probabilities would not verify. I wrapped up the chase, heading south on I-35 to Houston, and west on I-610 through rush hour traffic to the SW side of the city, where I spent the night.

May 7 through the 13 was down time and no chasing was done during that period. I left Houston around May 9 and headed to Plano, Texas north of Dallas to spend the remaining off-time there, mainly working full-time for my IT contract. On May 13 I left Plano - Anticipating storms will return farther north around the 14th - And spent the night in Wichita, Kansas via I-35 / I-135 north. May 14 will be a chase day targeting an area in SW Nebraska.

May 14 was a long range but very successful chase day, targeting an area from McCook to North Platte in SW Nebraska based on forecast data. This would be the leading impulse for a fast-moving system that would later affect the upper Midwest and Great Lakes on May 15. I left Wichita during the mid-morning, mainly focusing on IT support via mobile internet (working from on the road). I headed up north on I-135 to I-70 west all the way to Oakley, then north on Highway 83 into Nebraska by afternoon. The SPC had an upgraded tornado probability of 5% in a small area, in a slight-risk. Hail and wind probabilities were both 15%, with the hail hatched for significant. By afternoon, agitated cumulus was noted over SW Nebraska denoting the target area was verifying and initiation was taking place. The SPC issued MCD 778 and subsequent severe thunderstorm watch box 247, valid until 11 PM CDT. I passed McCook, Nebraska along Highway 83 north towards North Platte. Supercell storms were encountered in this area, one of which produced a long-lasting land-spout tornado, fully condensed from a high cloud base to the ground SW of North Platte! I wrapped up chasing at dusk, heading east on I-80, and spent the night in Grand Island, Nebraska.

May 15 was an off / travel day, forgoing the enhanced-risk setup was east and northeast in Minnesota / Wisconsin. The current trend would be another extreme setup, on Friday (May 16) near the SE Missouri / S IL "boot-heel" area which was already issued a moderate-risk on SPC's day 2 outlook. After that, I will rush back west for more classic severe weather during the weekend stretching from central Texas northward through Kansas (multiple days). May 15 was strictly a travel day, as remote work with my IT client was not that busy. I left Grand Island east on I-80 to York, then south on Highway 81 to Highway 36 east in Kansas. I took that east to Saint Joseph, Missouri, then south on I-29 to I-435 around Kansas City, then I-70 east, all the way to the I-270 loop northwest of Saint Louis. The actual dryline, or a portion of it, which arced from Canada / MN all the way south to Arkansas - And quite rare this far east (only with powerful storm systems), was viewed north of town with a line of strong and severe storms developing along it (north of I-270 and east of the Mississippi River in IL). I spent the night at a hotel off I-70 near Maryland Heights (a Saint Louis suburb).

May 16 was a very good chase day, given the target area being south towards a line anywhere from Peducah, Kentucky to Cape Girardeu, Illinois. This area, especially the southern tip of Illinois, is poor chase terrain, and where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers meet. I looked at data, and handled some IT work in the morning, then headed out of Saint Louis by about noon, taking I-270 to I-64 east, and into Illinois. Little did I know that a destructive rain-wrapped tornado would cause damage and fatalities in the northern portions of Saint Louis from the northern portions of this large severe weather setup. The SPC had an area over at least 4 states, centered on western Kentucky, in a moderate risk outlook. The probabilities in this for tornadoes was 15%, hail 30% and wind 45% - All significant (hatched). Mesoscale discussion 778 was issued by early afternoon, as well as tornado watch 262, valid until 7 PM CDT (one of several watches issued today). Under blue skies, and about 15 miles east of Saint Louis, I decided to head back south and southwest, mainly along SR 159 and SR 3 to Chester - As storms had formed over the Ozarks in SE Missouri and will work their way towards the I-55 corridor and mature.

I continued west back across the Mississippi river to Missouri, then south on I-55 to near Jackson and Cape Girardeu. Two powerful supercells were moving in from the west, and the southern one was targeted from Bell City to near Sikeston, where at least two damaging tornadoes were observed. This storm was followed as far as Peducah, Kentucky, from along I-57, then SR 51 and 286 through Cairo, Illinois, and crossing both the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. I back-tracked back west after letting the first supercell go, since it was moving at 55 MPH. Another tornadic supercell was encountered near Mounds, Illinois towards dusk near I-57. I wrapped up chasing via I-57 southwest to Poplar Bluff, Missouri, then south on Highways 62 / 67 (crossing the break in I-57 there), and finally I-57 southwest into Little Rock, Arkansas. I spent the night there off I-40 north of town, anticipating relocating westward tomorrow.

May 17 was to be a highly conditional chase day, with a long trip back out west, targeting an ares to the west and northwest of Oklahoma City. This area was in a lower probability outlook area (slight-risk extending NW from an enhanced-risk) favoring discrete supercell storms opposed to a messy MCS to the south. The SPC had 30% significant hail and wind probabilities, mainly south, with a 5% tornado outlook arching back NW over Oklahoma. The latter was the target area. I left Little Rock, Arkansas via I-40 west, and reached the eastern side of Oklahoma City by lunch time, having lunch in Midwest City. I continued through OKC and then west on I-40 towards Clinton - Targeting the intersection of the warm front and dryline west of there. SPC issued tornado watch box 279, valid for that area and eastward, until 10 PM CDT. Unfortunately, the mistake of going too far west was realized by late afternoon - With the only isolated supercell storm forming south of OKC and producing a tornado near Pauls Valley. The area west of there and over my target area remained capped (convective inhibition due to stout EML overhead). A highly sheared LP storm struggled to form, but was quickly toppled over and cut-off by the mid level dry air. A view of the supercell south of OKC could be seen 80+ miles to my SE. I headed west towards Elk City on I-40, then back north and east along SR 33 to Highway 183, then across to Highway 81, and took that north to Enid, Oklahoma where I spent the night.

May 18 was a highly successful chase day in west-central Oklahoma, playing the southwest side of a moderate-risk zone as per the SPC. The tornado probabilities were 15%, with hail 45%, and wind 15% - With significant (hatched) tornado and hail probabilities. There were three possible targets for this day: One up in NW Kansas / SW Nebraska, one in NW to west-central Oklahoma, and another down in NW Texas. The Oklahoma target was preferred. I left Enid around lunch time and after attending church there, via Highway 412 west, choosing a refined target area near and to the southwest of Woodward, Oklahoma. It became apparent that convective initiation was imminent while in Woodward during mid afternoon, with a warm front to the NE and dryline approaching from the west out of Texas. The SPC issued MCD 860, and subsequent tornado watch box 287, valid until 10 PM CDT for my target area.

A convective shower was noted to the southwest near Canadian, Texas, and began moving towards Higgins just after 4 PM. I headed west and southwest out of Woodward, via SR 15, reaching the now developing supercell storm southwest of Shattuck, Oklahoma and west of Highway 283. The storm split with the right side consolidating and moving slightly east of the mean motion vector. This storm rapidly strengthened over Ellis County, then became tornadic, and passed near Arnett and eventually near Sharon. Up to 5 tornadoes were observed with this storm, especially near Arnett, with giant - And destructive hail - Causing damage to the vehicle windshield on Highway 60. I continued east on Highway 60 to near Vici, then north towards Sharon along SR 34. The chase was wrapped up before disk near Mooreland along Highway 412. I headed east from there to I-35, then south to Highway 64 east, then Highway 177 to Stillwater, where I spent the night.

May 19 was a chase day targeting south-central Oklahoma, on the southern portion of a moderate risk area as per the SPC. This moderate risk had tornado probabilities of 15%, hail 45%, and wind 45%, and all significant (hatched) over a wide area extending from north-central Texas to south-central Kansas. Messy storm modes were expected, with rather early storm initiation, which is detrimental on a chase setup. I worked in the morning with my IT job, taking the afternoon off, and left Stillwater via Highway 177 south by early afternoon. I continued south on Highway 177 to near Sulphur, then west in SR 7 to I-35 south, targeting more viable storms near the Red River. The SPC issued MCD 875, then tornado watch box 292, valid until 7 PM CDT. I continued chasing the cluster of storms until late afternoon, then wrapped up - Via I-35 northward. I reached Moore, Oklahoma during the evening. I will spend the next few days here (since they are off days) and try to get the windshield replaced during my stay.

The period of May 20 to 21 was down time, and spent in Moore, Oklahoma south of Oklahoma City. During this time, I also replaced the windshield at the Safelite shop in town, and spent the rest of the time working on my main IT job (remote). Chasing will resume with the next setup(s) expected to start around May 22.

May 22 was a pretty good chase day targeting an area from near the Red River in north-central Texas and extreme south-central Oklahoma, mainly near Wichita Falls, Texas. The SPC would have a "bulls-eyed" enhanced-risk in this area, with a tornado probability of 2%, hail of 30%, and 15% wind. The latter 2 were hatched for significant. This was a northwest flow event. I headed out of Moore via I-35 south, and took Highway 70 west out of Ardmore - Avoiding traffic on I-35 due to the passage of an intense late-morning hail storm south of there. I headed southwest on SR 79 towards Wichita Falls by mid afternoon. The SPC issued mesoscale discussion 931, then severe thunderstorm watch box 312, valid until 10 PM CDT. Out of Wichita Falls, a storm cluster was encountered, which consolidated into an HP supercell storm west of Highway 281 south. I was also juggling storm chasing and IT work (mobile internet in vehicle) today. I continued south on Highway 281, and SR 16 through Graham and eventually towards Palo Pinto county. The supercell evolved to classic / LP mode during its long journey south and southeast to north of I-20 near Santo and Farm Road 4. I wrapped up via heading east on I-20 to Weatherford, then SR 51 northeast into Gainesville for the night.

May 23 was taken as an off day, focusing mainly on getting IT work done for my remote company, and not wanting to make a 600+ mile each way trip from Texas to Colorado / Wyoming (with having to return back to Oklahoma on May 24). I re-positioned north during the day, leaving Gainesville, Texas via I-35 north into Oklahoma, then north through Oklahoma City to SR 51, and spent the afternoon and night in Stillwater - Anticipating a target / chase area extending from that area westward across north-central to western Oklahoma on May 24 (the next day). As you can figure, a photogenic tornado DID form in the distant "virtual" target area over far NE Colorado.

May 24 was supposed to be a pretty good chase day, with extreme instability across an area from north-central to west-central Oklahoma, albeit a late storm chow expected. The primary target area chosen was Watonga and west of there. The SPC ultimately had an enhanced-risk in place for this area, with tornado probabilities of 10%, wind 15%, and hail 30% (hatched for significant). I left Stillwater via SR 51 to Highway 81 south out of Hennessey, Oklahoma. I headed west from Kingfisher to SR 3 / 33 west, and waited several hours in Watonga. Many chasers were at the Phillips 66 gas station there, the same location seen in the new Twisters movie! I spoke with Chad Lawson and his group there. The stationary / warm front was just south of there, draped NW to SE. It became apparent that a strong cap was in place - Thanks to a morning MCS - With initiation of storms not expected until dusk. By early evening, I headed west out of Watonga on SR 33 to Highway 183 near Putnam, then re-positioned way west on SR 47 to near Roll on Highway 283. A supercell storm exploded near there after sunset, but could not sustain itself. At this time, the SPC finally issued mesoscale discussion 956, and tornado watch box 319, valid until 4 AM CDT (May 25). I wrapped up chasing near Strong City on SR 33, then south on SR 34 to Elk City, where I spent the night.

May 25 was a pretty good chase day, with two tornadoes observed with two separate supercells (both relatively weak / low contrast). The target area for the day would be along a stationary boundary extending from near Clovis, New Mexico as far southeast past Tulia, Texas and into the Caprock. The SPC had an enhanced-risk in place, with a 5% tornado probability. Wind and hail were both significant (hatched) and 30%. I left Elk City early, and reached Amarillo, Texas via I-40 west, and attended Sunday mass at church there during the late morning. Around noon I got lunch at the Big Texan, and headed out of Amarillo during the early afternoon, via I-27 south towards Tulia. Convective initiation began around 2:30 PM, with the SPC issuing mesoscale discussion 966, and eventually tornado watch box 325, valid until 11 PM CDT.

I headed east on SR 86 out of Tulia, then south on SR 207 from Silverton to Floydada, targeting a rapidly intensifying supercell near Matador on Highway 62 eastwards. The storm was followed from near there, eventually as far as Guthrie, mainly from near Highway 83, along Highway 380. A low contrast tornado was briefly noted north of Highway 82 looking north between Dickens and Guthrie. Another powerful HP supercell was encountered south and east near Stamford, and close to SR 6. A brief tornado was also encountered with this storm, in an area of extreme winds. The chase continued east a bit out of Stamford on country road 142 to northeast of Avoca, where it evolved from a powerful HP storm to an outflow dominated MCS. I wrapped up near Avoca, and headed south on W Lake Road, which runs southward into Abilene. I spent the night in Abilene, Texas ... With extreme rain during the late evening affecting the area associated with an MCS (power went out for a bit).

May 26 was a chase day targeting central Texas (hill country area), with a primary target around San Angelo. The SPC had an enhanced risk in place, driven by 30% wind and hail probabilities (both significant). The tornado probability was 5%. I left Abilene after breakfast on I-20 west to Highway 277 south. I waited in San Angelo, where a stationary boundary was in place, and storms began developing just south of that area. The storm quickly became severe and began moving east and southeast, and was followed mainly along Highways 277, 190 out of Dickens, and 87 near Menard. A possible brief tornado was observed looking north on Highway 190 west of Menard. The storm became a powerful HP storm after a cell merger near Menard, and continued SE towards Mason. The storm chase was wrapped up south of Fredericksburg on Highway 87. The SPC also issued mesoscale discussion 991, and tornado watch 331, valid until 10 PM for the target area and areas chased. I headed down Highway 87 to I-10, and took I-10 into San Antonio for the night.

May 27 was a long-range chase day, involving a long drive from San Antonio to Fort Stockton, Texas. I looked at data early, and handled any IT issues for my remote client, and left after breakfast via I-10 west. The SPC had the target area in a slight risk, with a 2% tornado and a 15% hail and wind probability. The hail was hatched for significant. I arrived in Fort Stockton by mid afternoon, and was greeted by a massive "storm chaser convergence" at a truck stop - Including the ICECHIP hail research team. Storms began initiating in the up-slope wind flow (orographic terrain) southwest of Fort Stockton between there and Alpine, Texas. The SPC also had mesoscale discussion 1009 in place, then severe thunderstorm watch box 338 for the area. Storms were encountered northwest of Marathon along Highways 90 and 67 producing large hail. Chasing was wrapped up early evening off 385 south of Marathon. While returning back north, I passed through a US Border Patrol check-point (officers there marveled at my chase vehicle), and back to Fort Stockton, where I spent the night.

May 28 was supposed to be either a down day or very marginal chase day in west Texas. Instead it was a very long range, and a bit disappointing chase, targeting way up in eastern Colorado / SW Kansas. I happened to wake up at 2 AM, looked at data, and realized a possible great target was worth chasing. I left Fort Stockton (with less than 3 hours of sleep), and headed north on SR 18 to I-20, then east on there until Midland, where I headed north on SR 389 to LaMesa, then Highway 87 northward. This was all before sunrise, and all work with my remote IT client would be carried out using mobile internet from my vehicle. I reached Lubbock, Texas and picked up I-27 after sunrise, and continued north towards Amarillo. From there, I headed north on Highway 287 to Boise City, Oklahoma around noon. From there, I continued north on Highway 385 into SE Colorado, stopping for lunch in Springfield.

By early afternoon, convective initiation was noted west and southwest of Springfield, with another storm in far NE Colorado moving southeast. The SPC had a 5% tornado in a slight-risk area, and wind and hail both 15% (the latter significant / hatched). Mesoscale discussion 1023 was also issued, with severe thunderstorm watch box 341 and tornado watch box 342, both in effect until 9 PM MDT (10 CDT for the tornado watch). I headed north on 385 and east on Highway 50 out of Lamar. I headed south on SR 89 out of Holly, observing a storm near Johnson City, Kansas (from Lycan, CO). I headed back north, then took Highway 385 west of Holly back north, targeting the aforementioned northern storm near Cheyenne Wells / Sheridan Lake. This storm could not get ahead of the warm front, and outflow / cool air ruined the thermodynamics for it due to the storms to the south. I wrapped up heading back down Highway 385 to Highway 50, then west to Lamar, where I spent the night.

Exhausted, I decided not to chase the 5% tornado probabilities way south near Lubbock Texas on May 29 (I am sure that would produce beautiful tornadoes – Since I am NOT there)? I focused mainly on my IT job, and will be heading to Denver for several days of down-time before activity picks up again in early June.

CHASE EXPEDITION 2025 MAIN PARTICIPANTS

CHASER NAMEHOME / BASE CITYCALLSIGNCHASE DATESOCCUPATION
CHRIS COLLURADEERFIELD BEACH, FLKG4PJN4/25 TO TBDIT CONSULTANT

DETAILED CHASE LOG FOR CHASE EXPEDITION 2025

1). Apr 28, 6:00 PM - Observation of a severe thunderstorm from west of Vernon, Texas, near Highway 287 in Wilbarger County, and northeastward to near Tipton, Oklahoma just west of Highway 183 and SR 5 in Tillman County. The storm was an LP supercell storm, which initiated and split west of Vernon, and accelerated across the Red River with both splits becoming elevated and weakening. The storm contained golfball sized hail but the core was not penetrated. Frequent lightning and 30 MPH winds were experienced east of the storm, which had a supercell appearance during its early stages. Conditions causing the storms were surface heating, a dryline, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was also valid for the area until 11 PM CDT.

2). Apr 28, 8:30 PM - Observation of a severe thunderstorm from near Odelle and White City in Wilbarger County, Texas and just south of the Red River near Highway 283. The storm was an LP supercell storm on the south end of a cluster of strong and severe storms. This storm was highly sheared, and had a striking visual appearance at dusk. The core (containing nickel to golfball sized hail) was not penetrated. Occasional lightning and shifting winds were also noted under the storm, with a rotating wall cloud / brief funnels observed. Conditions causing the storms were surface heating, a dryline, outflow boundary, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was also valid for the area until 11 PM CDT.

3). Apr 29, 5:00 PM - Observation and penetration of an extremely severe and tornadic thunderstorm in Stonewall County, Texas near Highway 83 north of Aspermont / Highway 380, and later on followed through Seymour, Texas by dusk. This storm was a powerful classic to HP supercell storm and was part of a cluster of severe storms and supercells. The storm was first observed with an impressive updraft, with a large bowl shaped lowering (some brief spin ups were barely visible underneath) that quickly became occluded. The storm was allowed to cross the road. Strong rotation was observed north of an RFD clear slot, with hail up to baseball sized along the roadside. Heavy rains, frequent lightning, and 50 MPH winds were encountered, despite the storm core (with hail sizes reported up to a staggering 5") not being penetrated at the time. Later on, after intercepting a tornado from the next storm (see entry below), I followed this storm back along Highway 277 to near Seymour. The storm had a large, rain-wrapped tornado (on radar) at the time. Extremely torrential rains, large hail, frequent lightning, and winds gusting probably over 100 MPH (probably wet RFD / embedded tornado) were observed in this area. Some structural damage to some buildings was noted, powerlines blown down, and some semi trailers were blown over along Highway 277. Conditions causing the storms were surface heating, a near stationary frontal boundary, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was audio, digital stills, and HD video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A severe thunderstorm watch was initially valid for the area until 9 PM CDT, followed by a tornado watch valid until 1 AM CDT the next day.

4). Apr 29, 5:30 PM - Observation and penetration of an extremely severe and tornadic thunderstorm in Stonewall County, Texas near Highway 83 north of Aspermont / Highway 380. This storm was a powerful HP supercell storm and was developing southwest of the former tornadic storm mentioned in the entry above. I waited for the storm to approach and cross Highway 83, positioning myself so that the rain hook goes south of me and core passes north, placing me into the tight notch area of the storm (so called "bear's cage"). In this area, relatively rain free, a brief tornado, fully condensed was noted to my southeast, before 60+ MPH northerly winds and horizontal rain closed in. Large hail to 1" and frequent lightning was also noted with this storm. Fortunately, this ocurred over open rural country, so no damage was observed. I left this storm heading back south and east to catch the original storm re-intensifying and approaching Seymour (see entry above). Conditions causing the storms were surface heating, a near stationary frontal boundary, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was audio, digital stills, and HD video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A severe thunderstorm watch was valid for the area until 9 PM CDT.

5). Apr 30, 6:30 PM - Observation of a strong to severe storm from Leon to Stonewall Counties, Texas, from near I-45 and buffalo and east to north of Crockett near Highway 287. The storm was a small classic / HP supercell storm that formed south of a massive cool pool of an MCS to the north. The storm produced some hail (core not penetrated), frequent lightning, 40 MPH winds, and heavy rain. A rotating wall cloud was noted with this storm north of Buffalo before the cool air from the outflow to the north undercut the storm. Conditions causing the storms were surface heating, a dryline to the west, outflow boundary, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A severe thunderstorm watch was valid for the area until 8 PM CDT.

6). May 4, 2:30 PM - Observation and penetration of a severe thunderstorm northeast of Carlsbad, New Mexico near Eddy and Lea Counties on Potash Mines Road north of Highway 62. The storm was a high-based classic supercell storm, developing and moving northeastward across these remote areas. Occasional lightning, heavy rains, 40 MPH winds, and hail penny to quarter sized was observed near the core of this storm. Conditions causing the storms were surface heating, a dryline to the west, up-slope wind flow, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A severe thunderstorm watch was also valid for the area until 9 PM MDT.

7). May 4, 6:00 PM - Observation of a severe thunderstorm in Winkler County, Texas along SR 18 south of Kermit. The storm was a high-based LP supercell. Occasional lightning, light rain, 35 MPH winds, and small hail was observed with this storm. The main core was not penetrated. Conditions causing the storms were surface heating, up-slope wind flow, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD / 4k video (time-lapse). A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A severe thunderstorm watch was also valid for the area until 10 PM CDT.

8). May 4, 8:00 PM - Interception and observation of a very severe thunderstorm in Loving County, Texas from near Mentone along SR 302 and to the west of Kermit in Winkler County. The storm was a powerful classic supercell. The core of this storm was not penetrated (hail probably to baseball sized). The storm was also producing frequent lightning. Inflow winds southeast of the storm were gusting over 50 MPH. The storm also had a very striking visual appearance, with inflow banding, striations, and a "stacked plates" effect visually. Conditions causing the storms were surface heating, a dryline retreating to the west, up-slope wind flow, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD / 4k video (including time-lapse). A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A severe thunderstorm watch was also valid for the area until 10 PM CDT.

9). May 5, 5:00 PM - Observation and penetration of a severe thunderstorm north of Odessa, Texas in Ector County and near Highway 385 and SR 338. This storm was a classic supercell storm. The storm produced mainly hail, with penny sized hail (probably larger farther north) noted in the core north of Odessa. The storm also produced occasional lightning, heavy rains, and 50 MPH winds. The storm also had a pronounced rain-free base, and small wall cloud, before being under cut by outflow moving NE to SW. Conditions causing the storms were surface heating, boundary interactions, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was also valid for the area until 9 PM CDT.

10). May 6, 11:00 AM - Observation and penetration of a severe thunderstorm from near Rosebud, Texas in Falls County and near SR 53 and southeastwards towards Calvert along SR 6 in Robinson County. This storm (HP supercell) was formerly tornado warned, very early in the day, and got absorbed in an MCS storm cluster / line moving in from the west. Conditions encountered were 60 MPH winds, heavy rains, occasional lightning, and small hail. A rain-wrapped QLCS tornado near Cameron took aim on Calvert, but dissipated before reaching that location near SR 6. Conditions causing the storms were surface heating, boundary interactions, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was also valid for the area until 9 PM CDT.

11). May 14, 7:00 PM - Observation and penetration of a very severe and tornadic thunderstorm from south of North Platte (near Wellfleet), Nebraska and Highway 83 in Lincoln County and westward near I-80 to the south of Hershey. The storm was a merger of two supercell storms, with the western storm becoming tornadic. A persistent land-spout was observed south of Hershey, which lasted at least a half hour. Large hail to golfball sized was also encountered with the storm core(s). Another large funnel was also noted north of the land-spout in the notch of the supercell west of North Platte, with the land-spout tornado descending from the flanking line. The storm also had a striking visual appearance (stacked plates effect). Frequent lightning and heavy rain was also encountered. No damage was observed since the tornado remained over rural areas. Conditions causing the storms were surface heating, boundary interactions, a dryline, low pressure system, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills, audio, and HD / 4k video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A severe thunderstorm watch was also valid for the area until 11 PM CDT.

12). May 16, 4:30 PM - Interception and indirect penetration of an extremely severe and tornadic thunderstorm from near Bell City in Stoddard County and west of Sikeston, Missouri in Scott County, from west of Highway 61 and west of I-55. The storm was a classic cyclic supercell, and was first encountered near and south of Bell City. The storm was eventually followed through Cairo, Illinois via I-57 and SR 286 and as far as Peducah, Kentucky (terrain is challenging there with trees and the tributaries of the Ohio / Mississippi river confluences. The storm produced at least two tornadoes while it was being observed in Scott County. One tornado was a dusty multi-vortex tornado southeast of Bell City, then another large cone to the north of Sikeston. These tornadoes caused downed trees, and structural damage to a home and farm structures. The storm also produced hail to 1” (core was not penetrated directly), heavy rains, winds well over 70 MPH (especially RFD), and frequent lightning with close hits. The storm also had a striking visual appearance, with striated updraft and impressive RFD clear slot with the tornado visible below it. Conditions causing the storms were surface heating, boundary interactions, a pacific cold front, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills, audio, and HD / 4k video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was also valid for the area until 7 PM CDT.

13). May 16, 6:30 PM - Interception and observation of a severe and tornadic thunderstorm from west of Mounds in Pulaski County, Illinois and west of I-57 and near Old US 51. This storm was another supercell storm, which was initially classic mode, then evolved to HP. Visibility was poor given the wooded terrain, but a brief view of a weak tornado becoming rain-wrapped was noted. No damage was observed. The storm also produced an eerie “tornado fog” west of Mounds. The storm also produced some small hail, as the core was not directly penetrated. Heavy rains, 60 MPH winds, and extremely frequent lightning with numerous close hits was also encountered. Conditions causing the storms were surface heating, boundary interactions, a pacific cold front, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD / 4k video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was also valid for the area until 7 PM CDT.

14). May 17, 7:00 PM - Observation of a strong thunderstorm between Clinton and Elk City, Oklahoma and south of I-40 in Washita County. The storm was a short-lived, highly sheared LP supercell storm, which quickly weakened. The storm produced some hail but the core was not penetrated. The storm had an anticyclonic updraft - Confirmed with time-lapse - Before weakening via down-scaling and becoming elevated. Conditions causing the storms were surface heating, a warm front, dryline to the west, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and 4k video (time-lapse). A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was also valid for the area until 7 PM CDT.

15). May 18, 6:00 PM - Interception and direct penetration of an extremely severe and tornadic thunderstorm from just southeast of Higgins, Texas, and northeastward past Arnett, Oklahoma, mainly along and near Highway 60 from Libscomb (TX) to Ellis County (OK). The storm was a powerful cyclic (LP / classic) supercell storm. The storm produced at least 5 tornadoes, all of which were observed, including a significant one at close-range barely missing Arnett. Tree damage was noted with this storm, as well as some ground scouring. Giant hail was encountered with this storm, with stones up to 3 inches, damaging the vehicle windshield with the tornado in progress west of Arnett. 60+ MPH RFD winds were also encountered, along with moderate rain and frequent lightning. The storm eventually evolved to LP mode from near Arnett to west of Sharon, and subsequently weakened via down-scaling near dusk. Conditions causing the storms were surface heating, a dryline, a warm front, low pressure trough, and strong upper trough. Documentation was digital stills, audio, and HD / 4k video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was also valid for the area until 10 PM CDT.

16). May 19, 5:00 PM - Observation and penetration of strong to severe thunderstorms from near Love County, Oklahoma and southward to near Gainseville in Cooke County, Texas near and west of I-35 and south of Highway 70 near the Red river. This storm was an MCS storm cluster with some supercell storms embedded in / ahead of it. These storms were outflow dominated Conditions encountered were 60 MPH winds, heavy rains, frequent lightning, and hail to 1". Conditions causing the storms were surface heating, a dryline, front / boundary interactions, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD / 4k video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was also valid for the area until 7 PM CDT.

17). May 22, 6:00 PM - Interception and observation of a very severe thunderstorm from near Wichita County, Texas and Highway 281, and south and southeast towards Palo Pinto County north of I-20 west of SR 337. The storm was a long-track classic to LP supercell storm. Rotating all clouds and funnels were noted with this storm, but no tornadoes touched down. The storm core, not penetrated, had hail exceeding 2". Other conditions encountered were light rain, 50 MPH winds, and hail to nickel sized. Frequent lightning was also observed. This supercell also had a striking visual appearance, especially late in its evolution. With a "stacked plates" presentation. Time-lapse video also revealed anticyclonic (clockwise) rotation on the south couplet of the storm low-level mersocyclone, with a well developed RFD north of that. The mid level rotation was cyclonic. Conditions causing the storms were surface heating, outflow boundary, stationary front, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD / 4k video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A severe thunderstorm watch was also valid for the area until 10 PM CDT.

18). May 24, 9:30 PM - Interception and observation of a severe thunderstorm northwest of Strong City in Roger Mills County, Oklahoma and south of Roll along Highway 283. The storm was a classic supercell storm, developing at dusk, and briefly intensifying after dark. The storm eventually weakened via down-scaling. The storm core was not penetrated. Frequent lightning was also observed with this storm, as well as an RFD slot and briefly rotating wall cloud / notch area. Conditions causing the storm was surface heating, a dryline, stationary / warm front, low pressure trough, and an upper trough to the west. Documentation was digital stills and HD / 4k video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was also valid for the area until 4 AM CDT the next day.

19). May 25, 5:00 PM - Interception and indirect penetration of an extremely severe and tornadic thunderstorm from near SR 70 and Highway 62 in Matador in Motley County, Texas and points south and east along Highway 83 to Dickens and Guthrie in King County. The storm was a powerful classic to HP supercell storm. The storm had an area of rotation noted west of Roaring Springs, with a near touch-down there (no tornado). A poor contrast and brief view of a possible cone tornado, with wet RFD slot, was noted between Dickens and Guthrie looking northward on Highway 82. Conditions encountered were heavy rain, frequent lightning, 60 MPH winds, and hail to 1". The main core was not penetrated - Which contained hail exceeding 5" (and a storm top of 63,000 feet)! Conditions causing the storm was surface heating, a stationary front / outflow boundary, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD / 4k video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was also valid for the area until 11 PM CDT.

20). May 25, 7:30 PM - Interception and direct penetration of a very severe and tornadic thunderstorm from near Aspermont along Highway 380 in Stonewall County, Texas and southeast to near SR 6 and Highway 277 in Haskell County near Stamford. The storm was a powerful HP storm developing on the south end of a cluster of severe storms and supercells, and initially was outflow dominant. The core was penetrated northwest of Sagerton, with completely horizontal / violent rain, frequent lightning, hail to 1.5", and winds gusting over 70 MPH. The storm approached Jones and Haskell counties near Stamford, and a leading-edge mesocyclone was noted there. Another core-punch was executed just west of Stamford, with a brief tornado observed concurrent with a gustnado and well-defined RFD / notch. Winds in this area gusted near 100 MPH, with blowing dust, torrential rains (from the RFD hook), hail to 1", and frequent lightning with close hits. The tornadic area became embedded in the line of storms as evolution to an MCS occurred as the storm was between Avoca and Stamford. Conditions causing the storm was surface heating, a stationary front / outflow boundary, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD / 4k video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was also valid for the area until 11 PM CDT.

21). May 26, 5:00 PM - Observation and indirect penetration of an extremely severe and possible tornadic thunderstorm from its point of initiation just southeast of San Angelo, Texas in Tom Green / Schleicher counties and Highways 277, 190, and 83. The storm was followed southeast past Menard and to Mason via Highway 87, and as far as Fredericksburg in Gillespie County. The storm was a classic supercell that evolved to HP mode. The core was not directly penetrated, except for strong RFD / former embedded tornadic winds near Cherry Springs. A possible tornado was observed when the storm was northwest of Menard. The storm evolved to HP after that, with hail almost 6" confirmed after passage of the storm core (the ICECHIP research team). Other conditions encountered were torrential rains, 1" hail, 70+ MPH winds, and very frequent lightning with numerous close hits (researcher Reed Timmer reported that his vehicle was hit by lightning). The storm mainly stayed over rural areas. Conditions causing the storm was surface heating, a quasi-stationary outflow boundary, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD / 4k video. A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was also valid for the area until 10 PM CDT.

22). May 27, 5:00 PM - Interception and penetration of severe thunderstorms southwest of Fort Stockton, Texas in Brewster County and northwest of Marathon along Highways 90 and 67. The storms were a cluster of supercell storms. Conditions encountered were heavy rain, occasional lightning, 60 MPH winds, and hail to 1". Conditions causing the storms were surface heating, up-slope wind flow, a low pressure trough, and a departing upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD / 4k video (including time-lapse). A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A severe thunderstorm watch was also valid for the area until 11 PM CDT.

23). May 28, 4:30 PM - Interception and observation of a severe thunderstorm near Lycan Colorado in Baca County and west of Johnson City in Kansas (Stanton County) along SR 89. The storm was a supercell storm on the northeast side of a large cluster of strong and severe storms. Looking southeast an area of rotation and brief funnel cloud was observed. The core was not penetrated and the storm complex was abandoned for another storm farther north. Winds of 30 MPH, occasional lightning, and light rain was also encountered. Conditions causing the storm was surface heating, up-slope wind flow, a warm front, low pressure trough, and an approaching upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD / 4k video (including time-lapse). A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was also valid for the area until 9 PM MDT / 10 PM CDT.

24). May 28, 5:30 PM - Interception and indirect penetration of a severe thunderstorm between Sheridan Lake and Cheyenne Wells, Colorado near Highway 385 and SR 96 in Kiowa County. The storm was a supercell storm moving southeastward, but was just north of a warm frontal boundary. The storm had strong rotation, and a funnel with dust was observed near Cheyenne Wells. The storm was outflow dominant, and on the cool side of the warm front. It was HP in nature and in poor visibility (fog and low base). Conditions encountered were occasional lightning, 60 MPH winds, hail to 1”, and very heavy rains. Conditions causing the storm were surface heating, a warm front, low pressure trough, and an upper trough. Documentation was digital stills and HD / 4k video (including time-lapse). A 2022 Jeep Renegade was used to chase the storm. A tornado watch was also valid for the area until 9 PM MDT / 10 PM CDT.

This concludes the chase log for the central US Plains for the main chase "expedition" of 2025 starting April 25 and ending on TBD. The summary includes a total of 24 observations, out of which there were 23 severe thunderstorms and 1 strong thunderstorm. Out of these thunderstorms, at least 15 possible tornadoes were observed, with 1 being significant. The main chase vehicle conducting this chase was a 2022 Jeep Renegade. All entries for the logs above are for the local time zone unless otherwise noted. This information was prepared exclusively for the National Weather service and the team of Skywarn storm spotters.

GALLERY FOR APRIL 25-26, 2025

Packing up my vehicle prior to departure from South Florida on April 25.
View heading west through Alabama on I-22 during the morning of April 26 (after spending the night of April 25 in Atlanta, Georgia).
View of gust front of a non severe storm while entering Oklahoma on I-40 during the afternoon of April 26.

GALLERY FOR APRIL 27, 2025

April 27 was an attempted chase day with multiple target areas possible. The SPC had a massive slight-risk area across the central USA / Plains, including a large 5% tornado probability. Wind and hail probabilities were both 15%, with hail significant (hatched). The target area was in the Texas Panhandle area, favoring the dryline portion of this setup, opposed to the surface low in Nebraska. This wound up being a full "bust", with hundreds of chasers seeing nothing - Except for a scant few who went to Nebraska. MCD 577 was issued as well, and is in the right image. No watch was issued for my target area.

This is an annotated visible satellite just after 23z on April 27. A complicated and large severe weather setup stretches north to south on the left side of the image, with the only tornado-producing (cyclic supercell) storm of the day in the far north over north-central Nebraska.
Base refelectivity image out of Amarillo around 6 PM CDT showing storms attempting to initiate southeast of Amarillo. This was in an extremely unstable atmosphere but a "capping" inversion prevented storms from being established (and eventually producing tornadoes given the strong shear in place).
View of small LP supercell attempting to develop near Groom, Texas before being supressed by the strong cap, ending the chase day as a "bust".

GALLERY FOR APRIL 28, 2025

April 28 was a chase day with the main target area in SW Oklahoma to the southeastern Texas Panhandle. The SPC had a large outlook area (shown in the left image), including a moderate risk over Iowa / Minnesota (not of interest for this day). In the target area, an enhanced risk was in place, with a 10% tornado probability, and wind and hail probabilities both 30%. MCD 588 was issued as well, and is in the middle image. Tornado watch 188, valid until 11 PM CDT, is in the right image.

This is an annotated visible satellite just around 1z on April 29 showing the synoptic environment over the target area. Note the overshooting top lit by the dusk sunlight!
Base refelectivity image out of Frederick, Oklahoma around 9 PM CDT showing storms, including a tornado-warned supercell, near the Red River.
View of a tornado-warned LP supercell between Altus, Oklahoma and Vernon, Texas at dusk with incredible storm structure.

GALLERY FOR APRIL 29, 2025

April 29 was a chase day targeting the caprock and hill country area of Texas, with tornadic supercells intercepted in that area. The SPC had an enhanced risk in place for the area, with a 5% tornado, 15% wind, and 30% hail in the probabilities (with hail and wind hatched for significant). Mesoscale discussion 604 is shown in the middle image, and severe thunderstorm watch box 190 to the right, valid until 9 PM CDT.

This is an annotated visible satellite just around 0z on April 30 showing the synoptic environment over the target area. Supercell storms are developing over the Texas Caprock and hill country.
Base reflectivity image out of Dyess AFB in Texas around 5 PM CDT showing storms, including two tornado-producing storms north of Aspermont, Texas. The Doppler velocity is to the bottom center, and is for the supercell storm to the left in the image.
View of a brief tornado associated with a powerful HP supercell storm north of Aspermont, Texas at around 5 PM CDT. The view is to the south and I am inside the "bear's cage" of the supercell.
Very large hail was produced by this supercell, exceeding baseball sized. This stone has melted considerably.

GALLERY FOR APRIL 30, 2025

April 30 was a long chase day targeting a region south of Dallas and SE of Waco, Texas, south of a surging MCS / outflow. The SPC had an enhanced risk in place for the area, with a 10% tornado, 30% wind, and 30% hail in the probabilities (with tornadoes and hail hatched for significant). Mesoscale discussion 619 is shown in the middle image, and severe thunderstorm watch box 198 to the right, valid until 8 PM CDT.

This is an annotated visible satellite just around 0z on May 1 (evening of April 30) showing the synoptic environment over the target area. Supercell storms are developing ahead of a dryline and south of a large MCS over NE Texas.
Base reflectivity image out of Fort Cavasos in Texas just before 7 PM CDT showing a supercell storm near Buffalo, Texas on the south end of a larger MCS.
Severe flash flooding south of Gainesville, Texas off I-35 during the morning of April 30.
Rotating wall cloud north of Buffalo, Texas from a supercell storm late in the day on April 30.

GALLERY FOR APRIL 31 - MAY 3, 2025

Vehicle maintenance (oil change) while in Plano, Texas on May 2, 2025.
Skydiving at Skydive Spaceland (Dallas) near Whitewright, TX on May3.
Damage from storms a few days prior near Seymour, Texas while driving from the Dallas area to Lubbock.

GALLERY FOR MAY 4, 2025

May 4 was a chase day targeting a region in SE New Mexico and into far western Texas. The SPC had a slight risk in place for the area, with a 2% tornado, 5% wind, and 15% hail in the probabilities (with hail hatched for significant). Mesoscale discussion 678 is shown in the middle image, and severe thunderstorm watch box 222 to the right, valid until 9 PM MDT.

This is an annotated visible satellite just around 0z on May 5 (evening of May 4) showing the synoptic environment over the target area. Supercell storms are developing in SE New Mexico and far western Texas in up-slope wind flow.
Base reflectivity image out of Midland, Texas at roughly 8 PM CDT showing a supercell storm west of Kermit, Texas.
Intense high-based supercell storm west of Kermit, Texas late in the day on May 4.

GALLERY FOR MAY 5, 2025

May 5 was a long chase day targeting western Texas anywhere from Midland into SE New Mexico. The SPC had an enhanced risk in place for the area, with a 5% tornado, 15% wind, and 30% hail in the probabilities (with wind and hail probabilities hatched for significant). Mesoscale discussion 696 is shown in the middle image, and severe thunderstorm watch box 227 to the right, valid until 9 PM CDT.

This is an annotated visible satellite just around 22z on May 5 showing the synoptic environment over the target area. Supercell storms are developing from SE New Mexico into far western Texas near a dryline and outflow boundary.
Base reflectivity image out of Midland, Texas at roughly 5 PM CDT showing a storm cluster near Midland, Texas.
One of several supercells that produced large hail during the afternoon of May 5. This one has a stout updraft base just north of Odessa, Texas. The view is to the west.

GALLERY FOR MAY 6, 2025

May 6 was another long chase day targeting very early storms in east-central Texas with a main target area east of Austin to the north of Houston. The SPC had an enhanced risk in place for the area, with a 10% tornado, 30% wind, and 15% hail in the probabilities (with tornado and hail probabilities hatched for significant). Mesoscale discussion 712 is shown in the middle image, and tornado watch box 231 to the right, valid until 4 PM CDT.

This is an annotated visible satellite just around 1330z on May 6 showing the synoptic environment over the target area. A complicated and messy convective scenario is evolving from central to eastern Texas.
Base reflectivity image out of central Texas at roughly 4:30 PM CDT showing a storm cluster near Midland, Texas.
View of gust front associated with the MCS passing by I-45 north of Willis, Texas on May 6. The view is to the southwest.

GALLERY FOR MAY 7 - 13, 2025

The period on an from May 7th through the 13th was down time, with little activity expected until after May 13. In this picture, firefighters are responding to a dumpster file in a Texas hotel parking lot.

GALLERY FOR MAY 14, 2025

May 14 was a long but successful chase day targeting the area in SW Nebraska with McCook and points northward as the primary target. The SPC had a slight risk in place for the area, with a 5% tornado, 15% wind, and 15% hail in the probabilities (with hail probabilities hatched for significant). Mesoscale discussion 778 is shown in the middle image, and severe thunderstorm watch box 247 to the right, valid until 11 PM CDT.

This is an annotated visible satellite just around 0z on May 15 (evening of May 14) showing the synoptic environment over the target area. Multiple boundaries and a moisture axis are providing support for storms, especially in SW Nebraska.
Base reflectivity image out of SW Nebraska at roughly 7:00 PM CDT showing at least two supercell storms to the south and west of North Platte, Nebraska. A small tornado is being produced by the leftmost storm in the image.
Close view of land-spout tornado / debris cloud on the ground to the southwest of Hershey, Nebraska during the early evening of May 14.

GALLERY FOR MAY 15, 2025

May 16 was strictly a travel day with a long trip from Grand Island, Nebraska into Saint Louis, Missouri anticipating a major storm outbreak on May 17. I did not chase the high probabilities in MN / WI but caught this view of towering cumulonimbus clouds along the dryline - Which is rare this far east. The view is SE from northwest of Saint Louis.

GALLERY FOR MAY 16, 2025

May 16 was a successful chase day targeting an area from Peducah, Kentucky and westward to near Cape Girardeu, IL. The SPC had a moderate risk in place for a large area, with tornado probabilities of 15%, wind at 45%, and hail 30%. All these probabilities were all hatched for significant. Mesoscale discussion 813 is shown in the middle image, and tornado watch box 262 to the right, valid until 7 PM CDT.

This is an annotated visible satellite at around 23z May 16 showing the synoptic environment over the target area. A potent upper level system is producing a powerful jet stream over a cold front interacting with a convergence area near extreme S IL and into KY.
Base reflectivity image out of Peducah, Kentucky at roughly 3:00 PM CDT showing two tornado-warned supercell storms approaching from the west over SE Missouri. The southern storm would produce at least three tornadoes along a long track.
View of a tornado with debris cloud on the ground to the west of Sikeston, Missouri during the late afternoon of May 16.

GALLERY FOR MAY 17, 2025

May 17 was a very conditional chase day targeting an area west and northwest of Oklahoma City. The SPC had an enhanced risk in place, surrounded by a larger slight-risk. Maximum hail and wind probabilities were 30% (both hatched for significant), but mainly for MCS type storms farther south in Texas. A 5% tornado probability, as shown in the left image above, extending northwestward into NW Oklahoma. To the right is tornado watch box 279, valid until 10 PM CDT. The middle image is MCD 843 for the watch status.

This is an annotated visible satellite at around 22z May 17 showing the synoptic environment over the target area. Another upper level system is approaching from the west, with a supercell (currently splitting in this image) south of OKC along the warm front.
Base reflectivity image out of Oklahoma City at roughly 5:00 PM CDT showing a splitting supercell storm south of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The right split (bottom in image) would produce a brief tornado near Pauls Valley.
View of highly-sheared LP storm that tried to develop west of Clinton, Oklahoma during the afternoon of May 17. The view is to the south. The upper-right inset is a distant view of a tornado warned supercell to the SE near Pauls Valley.

GALLERY FOR MAY 18, 2025

May 18 was a very successful chase day in west-central to NW Oklahoma. This was a high-end setup and target area, near a moderate-risk as per the SPC. The tornado probabilities were 15%, as shown in the left image above. The hail and wind probabilities were 45% and 15%, respectively. The tornado and hail probabilities were hatched for significant. Mesoscale discussion 860 is in the middle image, with subsequent tornado watch box 287, valid until 10 PM CDT to the right.

This is an annotated visible satellite at around 23z May 18 showing the synoptic environment over the target area. Tornadic supercells stretch from SW Nebraska through northwestern Oklahoma.
Base reflectivity image for west-central Oklahoma (Vance AFB radar) at roughly 5:30 PM CDT showing a tornadic supercell near Arnett, OK. The Doppler velocity is in the upper-right inset. This is about the time a powerful tornado was forming near Arnett.
Incredible view of a strong tornado barely missing Arnett, Oklahoma during the early evening of May 18. Note the smashed windshield - Hail was larger than baseballs with this storm! The view is to the SE.

GALLERY FOR MAY 19, 2025

May 19 was a chase day targeting south-central Oklahoma. This was another high-end setup with a moderate-risk as per the SPC. The tornado probabilities were 15%, as shown with the target area in the left image above. The hail and wind probabilities were both 45%, and all hatched for significant. Mesoscale discussion 875 is in the middle image, with subsequent tornado watch box 292, valid until 7 PM CDT to the right.

This is an annotated visible satellite at around 22z May 19 showing the synoptic environment over the central USA.
Base reflectivity image for near the Red River in Texas and south-central Oklahoma (Frederick radar) at roughly 4 PM CDT showing a tornado-warned supercell west of I-95. The Doppler velocity is in the upper-right inset.
View of "whales mouth" on the back side of a powerful gust front (tornado warned storm) passing over Love County near the Red River late in the day on May 19. The view is to the south.

GALLERY FOR MAY 20-21, 2025

May 20 and 21 was down time spent in Moore, Oklahoma. I was able to get the windshield changed out, and visited the Tim Samaras memorial in El Reno as well.

GALLERY FOR MAY 22, 2025

May 22 was a chase day targeting north Texas, mainly near the Red River and Wichita Falls. The SPC had an enhanced risk, with hatched (significant) wind and hail probabilities of 15% and 30%, respectively. The tornado probability was 2%. The target area and outlook is in the left image above. Mesoscale discussion 931 is in the middle image, with subsequent severe thunderstorm watch box 312, valid until 10 PM CDT to the right.

This is an annotated visible satellite at around 0z May 23 (evening of May 22) showing the synoptic environment over Texas and surrounding areas. Note the long-track supercell moving southeast between Wichita Falls and Palo Pinto County.
Base reflectivity image for near Palo Pinto County in Texas (Dyess AFB radar) at roughly 6 PM CDT showing a long-tracked supercell moving S and SE. The Doppler velocity is in the upper-right inset.
View of powerful updraft of down-scaling supercell near Palo Pinto, Texas with incredible striations and structure during the evening of May 22. The view is to the north.

GALLERY FOR MAY 23, 2025

May 23 was a down day dur to work requirements and not wanting to drive all the way to Colorado. This is a distant storm looking east from Stillwater late in the day on May 23. The view is to the east.

GALLERY FOR MAY 24, 2025

May 24 was a chase day targeting anywhere from west-central to central Oklahoma. The SPC had an enhanced risk, with wind and hail probabilities of 15% and 30%, respectively (hail hatched for significant). The tornado probability was 10% in a small area as shown in the left image above with the target area. Mesoscale discussion 956 is in the middle image, with subsequent tornado watch box 319, valid until 4 AM CDT (the next day) to the right.

This is an annotated visible satellite at around 1z May 25 (evening of May 24) showing the synoptic environment over Texas and surrounding areas. Supercells are struggling to develop over west-central Oklahoma.
Base reflectivity image for western Oklahoma in Texas (Vance AFB radar) at roughly 9:30 PM CDT showing two supercells are struggling to develop.
View of developing supercell between Elk City and Arnett, Oklahoma at dusk on May 24. The view is to the west.

GALLERY FOR MAY 25, 2025

May 25 was a chase day targeting western Texas from near Tulia eastward. The SPC had an enhanced risk, with wind and hail probabilities both 30% (both hatched for significant). The tornado probability was 5% as shown in the left image above with the target area. Mesoscale discussion 966 is in the middle image, with subsequent tornado watch box 325, valid until 11 PM CDT to the right.

This is an annotated visible satellite at around 23z on May 25 showing the synoptic environment over west Texas and surrounding areas.
Base reflectivity image (Dyess AFB radar) at roughly 7:30 PM CDT showing an HP supercell that produced a weak tornado. The Doppler velocity is in the upper-left inset.
View of brief tornado to the west of Stamford, Texas during the evening of May 25. The view is to the northwest.

GALLERY FOR MAY 26, 2025

May 26 was a chase day targeting the Texas hill country with a target area starting near San Angelo in Texas. The SPC had an enhanced risk, shown in the annotated left image above. The wind and hail probabilities were both 30% (both hatched for significant). The tornado probability was 5% in the target area. Mesoscale discussion 991 is in the middle image, with subsequent tornado watch box 331, valid until 10 PM CDT to the right.

This is an annotated visible satellite between 21 and 22z on May 26 showing the synoptic environment over west Texas and surrounding areas. A powerful supercell is intensifying southeast of San Angelo, Texas.
Base reflectivity image (Dyess AFB radar) at roughly 5:30 PM CDT showing a powerful HP supercell between Mason, Texas. The Doppler velocity is in the upper-right inset.
Possible developing tornado (lower right in photo) to the northwest of Menard, Texas before evolving from classic to HP supercell mode during the afternoon of May 26. The view is to the north.

GALLERY FOR MAY 27, 2025

May 27 was a chase day targeting southwestern Texas near Fort Stockton. The SPC had a slight risk in place, as shown in the annotated left image above. The wind and hail probabilities both 15% (hail hatched for significant). The tornado probability was 2%. Mesoscale discussion 1009 is in the middle image, with subsequent severe thunderstorm watch box 338, valid until 11 PM CDT to the right.

This is an annotated visible satellite at around 22z on May 27 showing the synoptic environment over Texas and surrounding areas.
Base reflectivity image (Midland / Odessa radar) at just before 5 PM CDT showing small supercells forming in the up-slope regime southwest of Fort Stockton, Texas.
View of hail up to 1" covering the roadway west of Marathon, Texas during the late afternoon of May 27.

GALLERY FOR MAY 28, 2025

May 28 was a very long range chase day targeting extreme eastern Colorado into SW Kansas. The SPC had a slight risk, with a 5% tornado probability in the target area as shown in the annotated left image above. The wind and hail probabilities were both 15% (hail hatched for significant). Mesoscale discussion 1023 is in the middle image, with subsequent tornado watch box 342, valid until 10 PM CDT to the right.

This is an annotated visible satellite around 0z on May 29 (evening of May 28) showing the synoptic environment over Colorado and surrounding areas. A supercell can be seen in eastern Colorado, but is elevated atop a warm front.
Base reflectivity image (Goodland, Kansas radar) at roughly 5:30 PM CDT showing a supercell approaching Sheridan Lake, Colorado. The Doppler velocity is in the upper-right inset.
Powerful area of rotation with a supercell storm south of Cheyenne Wells, Colorado during the afternoon of May 28. Funnel can be seen with blowing dust. The view is to the north and northwest.

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