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.

Note - This page may take a while to load on some SLOWER connections!

STORM CHASING - CENTRAL UNITED STATES - 2025 CHASE LOG

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS - CLICK TO GO TO PAGE

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.

CHOOSE A VIDEO CLIP BELOW - LINKS TO YOUTUBE

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 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

Details coming soon - Please check back.

CHASE TRIP CHRONOLOGY FOR CHASE EXPEDITION 2025

This is the main storm chasing "expedition" for spring of 2025, It has NOT yet begun (so please check back later) ... The total mileage on the vehicle from TBD through TBD was 0 miles.

CHASE EXPEDITION 2025 MAIN PARTICIPANTS

CHASER NAMEHOME / BASE CITYCALLSIGNCHASE DATESOCCUPATION
CHRIS COLLURADEERFIELD BEACH, FLKG4PJNTBD TO TBDIT CONSULTANT

DETAILED CHASE LOG FOR CHASE EXPEDITION 2025

1). Jan 1, 0:00 PM - Coming soon.

This concludes the chase log for the central US Plains for the main chase "expedition" of 2025 starting TBD and ending on TBD. The summary includes a total of 0 observations, out of which there were 0 severe thunderstorms and 0 strong thunderstorm. Out of these thunderstorms, at least 0 tornadoes were observed. 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 TBD, 2025

Details coming soon.

HTML File "mwcl2025.htm" - Developed By Chris Collura

To Return To The HOME Page Of This Site Click The "INDEX.HTM" Link Here!