News

Incredible pictures of a supercell by Dick McGowan

Posted At: July 30, 2008 @ 11:46 AM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes
Check out these pictures taken by Dick yesterday on a tornado-warned supercell in Lyon County, KS south of Emporia.  He said the storm produced several feathery funnels and had the best structure he's seen all season!  This storm was on a pseudo warm front just to northeast of a low that passed across Kansas yesterday.  The environment was characterized by very good 0-3 km CAPE, and great turning in the low-level wind field.  Once again a great example of how you don't need strong upper-level flow or extreme CAPE for an incredible supercell.







MCS Frenzy

Posted At: July 29, 2008 @ 8:30 PM
Posted By: Matthew Van Every
Related Categories: General
HUGE MCS (Mesoscale Convective System) is under way over Illinois. This system is very impressive because of its size... IT COVERS HALF THE STATE!!!

There are a few reports of wind with the leading convective squall line but they are minor. Never the less this is a very impressive complex.



Closer to home...

TVN Steam One is jumping with joy in circles because we have a non zero tornado chance in Oklahoma!!!



... Joy!!!

Little to the North... Little to the South

Posted At: July 28, 2008 @ 5:01 PM
Posted By: Matthew Van Every
Related Categories: Hurricanes, Tornadoes

Canada continues to look very active for the rest of this week and possibly through the weekend. Currently a low pressure system is entering Western Canada and will be slowly moving across the Rockies then out into the prairies. Below is an infrared (IR) satellite image of the cyclone as it begins to make landfall.



According to the latest models, the system will bring plenty of bulk shear to support daily supercells. The 850mb winds will turn from the South at 20 to 30 kts as the upper level jet exits the Rockies. This should return sufficient moisture to produce a slight chance at tornadoes on Wednesday and possibly Friday. Below are the 250mb jet on the left and the 850mb jet on the Right.

IN OTHER NEWS…

There are currently two active tropical waves, one in the Gulf and one just moved off the coast of Africa into open waters! The Gulf wave seems to be in a weak environment for any further development. The second wave looks to be far enough South to have a good chance of making a U.S. landfall as long as it develops into an organized cyclone. I must also add that this wave reminds me a bit of Hurricane Dean’s parent wave, which formed in about the same location and time last year, before it narrowly missed Reed and Joel on Jamaica instead of turning North to die.




In short, Canada is looking good... we can no longer say "Hello Dolly" but TVN is welcoming this next wave off of Africa and it is looking promising.

Monster derecho expected in the Dakotas, tornadoes likely in Manitoba!

Posted At: July 28, 2008 @ 10:02 AM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes
With extreme CAPE, marginal low-level shear, and WNW-ly upper flow in the Dakotas, the stage will be set for a monster derecho that will sweep southeastward toward the Missouri River Valley.  Since these storms will quickly merge into a linear MCS, the tornado threat should be minimal south of the International Border.  Further north in Manitoba, the story could be different - the low-level jet will be stronger (20-30 knots), and storm initiation will not be as widespread and should be later in the day.  Thus, storms will have a higher likelihood of remaining discrete.  Based on this morning's RUC runs, I'd say the best chances for tornadic supercells will be across south-central and southeast Manitoba after 21z. 
 

Based on the almost certainty of derecho formation this afternoon across the Dakotas, the Storm Prediction Center has issued a moderate risk, with 5% or less tornado probabilities.  Given the linear MCS expected, straightline winds and large hail will be the main threat with these storms.  Stay tuned for updates as this severe weather situation unfolds, and check out the Nowcasting Thread in the forum for live updates...

Tornadic supercells move through Regina and Saskatoon, SK!

Posted At: July 28, 2008 @ 12:20 AM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes
While I was driving through the Ozarks of Missouri, tornadic supercells were going nuts this afternoon/evening in Saskatchewan.  One particularly strong supercell moved across the north side of Regina, temporarily suspending a CFL game!  A rotating wall cloud was reported with this storm, but the couplet really strengthened to the northeast of Regina.  Check out the Nowcasting thread in the forum for the archive of real-time posts as this event was unfolding.  Thanks to Justin Hobson for the radar images and Dave Carlsen for reports...  With dewpoints in the 60s, east-southeasterly surface winds, and a 25-30 knot 850 mb jet, the environment was very favorable for tornadic supercells - this is a perfect example of strong low- and deep-layer shear  with marginal wind magnitudes due to substantial turning with height.  Here is a radar image when the supercell was at the northeast side of Regina:

Video of a waterspout in Montreal!

Posted At: July 25, 2008 @ 1:58 PM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes
Here are two incredible videos of waterspouts in Montreal, Quebec from July 23, 2008.  It looks like a fairly stout wall cloud above the funnel, and a clear slot may be present wrapping in front of it - so this water spout could be associated with a supercell?

Video/pictures of the Manitoba tornado from yesterday!

Posted At: July 24, 2008 @ 2:05 PM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes
Below is a video from Rob MacDonald of Prairie Skies Storm Chasing and pictures from Justin Hobson of the University of Manitoba/Environment Canada of the tornadic supercell north and northeast of Pipestone, Manitoba from yesterday evening.  This cell produced several tornadoes during about a 15 minute span as the storm showed 100+ knots gtg on radar.  If these chasers weren't in the area, no one would have known about these tornadoes! 









Here are some high-resolution radar images provided by Justin H of the storm at the time of the tornado.  The left image I believe is storm relative velocity and the center is reflectivity.  As you can see the couplet was very impressive on this storm at the time of the tornado. 

Video of Hurricane Dolly from Port Mansfield, TX!

Posted At: July 23, 2008 @ 11:06 PM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Hurricanes
Here is the video from Hurricane Dolly!  It was taken from the eye wall in Port Mansfield, TX, just north of South Padre Island, by storm chasers Joel Taylor, Matt Chatelain, Matt Van Every, Daniel Betten, and Curtis McDonald, all in the same vehicle! 

Supercell with tornado potential in Manitoba!

Posted At: July 23, 2008 @ 6:26 PM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes
A textbook tornadic supercell has developed over Southwest Manitoba this evening, with very strong rotation indicated on Minot, ND radar.  I've been nowcasting for Rob MacDonald and Justin H, who are currently tracking the storm.  Rob is reporting a potential rain-wrapped tornado or very large wall cloud on this storm, and a very brief touchdown earlier.  This storm is moving in an increasingly favorable environment for tornadoes, so I would not be surprised it it continues to produce.  Stay tuned for updates...I'll have Stream 1's video from Hurricane Dolly up in a few hours.

TVN about to live stream inside the eye!!!

Posted At: July 23, 2008 @ 7:39 AM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Hurricanes
I just got off the phone with Joel, and they can see the western edge of the eye of Hurricane Dolly on the horizon.  They're currently on the beach and are in perfect position for intercept - reporting 70+ mph sustained at this time in the outer eyewall.  They're hoping to stream blue sky from inside the eye!  Check out the tracker page for the live streaming video!

TVN 3-4 hours from the eye! Check out the tracker page for live streaming!

Posted At: July 23, 2008 @ 4:52 AM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Hurricanes
TVN Stream 1 is currently located at the base of the bridge to cross over from the mainland to South Padre Island, and is working on getting across.  I just got off the phone with Joel and they are already experiencing gusts over 60 mph in the first rain bands of the inner core.  Hurricane Dolly is looking very impressive on radar and satellite, with a current intensity of 85 knots!  The individual eddies inside the eyewall are clearly apparent on Brownsville radar, and rapid intensification is currently underway.  I would not be surprised at all if Dolly achieves strong cat 2 status before landfall!  TVN is getting their live stream up and running, so check out the live tracker page while they still have data!  Below is the radar loop from 4 to 4:45 am CDT:


Hurricane Dolly is looking VERY impressive on satellite, with a symmetric inner core and very cold cloud tops on IR.  The rather large eye can be seen as well, but cirrus clouds are concealing it slightly.  Hopefully TVN will be able to stream live from inside the eye of this intensifying hurricane!

TVN heading south to intercept Hurricane Dolly - Check out the live tracker at landfall!

Posted At: July 22, 2008 @ 9:17 PM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Hurricanes
TVN storm chasers Joel Taylor, Matt Chatelain, Daniel Betten, Matt Van Every, and Curtis McDonald are currently heading south through Texas to intercept Hurricane Dolly at landfall tomorrow east of Brownsville, TX.  Check out the live tracker tomorrow for live streaming video throughout the hurricane landfall, and hopefully from inside the eye if cell phone towers can remain functional.   As of the last advisory, Dolly has attained minimal hurricane status, and is forecast to strengthen to at least 80 knots by landfall tomorrow morning.  Convection has tried to explode and wrap completely around the center all evening, and an eye has begun to appear on Brownville, TX radar and possibly latest IR imagery (see below).



The forecast track for Dolly is still directly over the TX/Mexico Border east of Brownsville, very near South Padre Island.  TVN Stream 1 will attempt to document the storm from a barrier island if possible, since the storm surge will not be out of control.  Stay tuned for updates as the hurricane chase unfolds!

Dolly heading toward Northeast Mexico!

Posted At: July 22, 2008 @ 9:30 AM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Hurricanes
Tropical Storm Dolly continues to slowly strengthen, but explosive intensification did not occur last night like we thought it might.  Convection developed near the center of the cyclone but a well developed central dense overcast could not quite materialize.  However, the last few satellite scans look like the storm may finally be getting its act together, with rapid intensification still likely before landfall.  As expected, the forecast track has been adjusted slightly to the left, with a predicted landfall early Wednesday morning just south of the Texas border in Northeast Mexico.



Even though Hurricane Hunter aircraft measured a wind of 60 knots (assumed to be over-estimated due to heavy precipitation), the intensity in the 7 am CDT advisory was set at 50 kts..  But I would not be surprised if Dolly is upgraded to a minimal hurricane by the next advisory.  TVN Stream 1 is still thinking very seriously about intercepted this storm - so stay tuned for updates.

TS Dolly gaining strength after emerging in the Gulf

Posted At: July 21, 2008 @ 11:08 AM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Hurricanes
Tropical Storm Dolly now has a very well defined closed circulation, and has intensified gradually since emerging in the Gulf of Mexico from the extreme northern Yucatan (although the ill-defined center of circulation at the time may have missed the peninsula all together).  Maximum sustained winds have been measured at 45 knots by hurricane reconnaissance aircraft, with most of the convection on the north and east side of the storm.  Any explosive intensification will likely not occur until deep convection forms or wraps around the center.  Based on recent satellite trends, it also appears that Dolly is moving in a more westerly direction toward northern Mexico, rather than South Texas - but of course this may not continue.  TVN is keeping a VERY close eye on this storm, and will likely intercept if it appears Dolly will attain category 3 intensity.  Stay tuned for updates!

Texas Coast Under the Gun???

Posted At: July 20, 2008 @ 8:29 PM
Posted By: Matthew Van Every
Related Categories: Hurricanes

Dolly achieved tropical storm status today and is still slowly brewing in the Caribbean. The National Hurricane Center has Dolly slowly strengthening to a category 1 hurricane and making landfall somewhere near Brownsville Tx. mid day on Wednesday.


Dolly's Track

After keeping a close eye on this system and watching it's environment, I think that this storm has a really good chance at a rapid explosion from T.S. to a Cat. 2 once it clears land due to the extremely warm waters (23 c) and favorable upperlevel conditions. Also, there is a weak low-pressure system sweeping across Northern U.S. This will break down the mid level ridge and allow Dolly to track further north of the current forecast, possibly placing the storm to make landfall between Houston and Corpus Christi TX. This more northern track is also backed by climatology of July storms (look below).

July Climo

TVN Stream 1 is keeping a close eye on this system to see how it evolves. We are hoping to start our Hurricane Hunting early this year!!!

If this happens, buy fuel before it makes landfall!!!

Severe MCS expected again today in Missouri River Valley!

Posted At: July 20, 2008 @ 9:45 AM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: General
Similar to yesterday, a classic northwesterly flow MCS setup is in place across the northern Missouri River Valley, characterized by very weak low-level shear, high CAPE, and a diffuse surface pattern.  Outflow boundaries from last night's convection will likely also be a focus for convective initiation this afternoon/evening.  Also similar to yesterday, the tornado chances will be small, and the tornado warnings will once again far exceed the actual reports (most of which will be false).  Still though, storm interactions with outflow boundaries may aid in a few brief tornadoes, especially this evening as a weak LLJ kicks in.  Stay tuned for updates!

Classic MCS evolution expected over Northern Missouri River Valley this afternoon/evening

Posted At: July 19, 2008 @ 2:18 PM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: General
A classic mid-summer severe weather pattern is in place across the upper Missouri River Valley this afternoon and evening, which basically means a very minimal tornado threat and rapid evolution into a mesoscale convective system (MCS)/derecho.  Thus, the main svr threat will be strong straight-line winds and large hail.  The basic ingredients for this textbook MCS pattern are weak low-level shear, high CAPE, a subtle disturbance embedded in northwesterly flow, and a diffuse surface pattern.  Storms are already exploding across southeast SD, but as expected, these storms have not exhibited supercellular structure.  The RUC forecast for 00z for 850 mb and CAPE below tell the story:

 
The SPC has issued an MD for this area, and a severe thunderstorm watch will likely be issued for this area.  There is a very small chance that if a cell can remain discrete through the evening while the LLJ intensifies, a brief tornado may touch down - but I'd say there is a better chance of winning the lottery.  We'll see though...  Crazier things have happened. 

Tropical Depression Three nearing TS strength!

Posted At: July 19, 2008 @ 10:31 AM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Hurricanes
TD Three is intensifying very slowly just off the SC/NC coast, with winds of 30 knots reported by a ship just southeast of the center.  The circulation center is clearly apparent on Wilmington radar, with the last few scans showing convection rotating entirely around.  The "donut hole" at the bottom center of the radar image below from just after 1500 UTC is where the approximate center of circulation is located.  Most models show very slow intensification if any due to dry air located just north of the system, but the NHC is predicting tropical storm status by the next advisory. 



The forecast track show below is right along the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, which favors continued intensification despite the dry air located to the north of the cyclone.  Typically re-curving systems encounter increased upper-level shear as they encounter the westerlies of Mid-latitudes, so TD3 will likely not attain hurricane status.  Stay tuned for updates!  My sister is currently located in New Bern, NC so I may have some pictures to post later today.

Supercells exploding in SW Saskatchewan!

Posted At: July 18, 2008 @ 3:34 PM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes
As a shortwave trough rotates through Alberta, supercells have developed along a cold front in Southwest Saskatchewan this afternoon.  Upper-level flow is very marginal for the maintenance of rotating updrafts, but very high CAPE values of 3000+ J/kg could compensate.  A 25-30 knot low-level jet is definitely supportive of low-level rotation, so I would not be surprised if a few tornadoes are reported from these storms.  Shown below is a radar loop beginning just before 20z from SW SK...Stay tuned for updates as this severe weather situation unfolds!

Cold-core funnel insanity in Canada!

Posted At: July 16, 2008 @ 4:48 PM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes
Tornado watches have been issued by Environment Canada for parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan for the possibility of "cold-core funnels", which are usually very weak and brief and rarely cause damage.  These types of vortices are not associated with supercells, and typically occur under a strong, cold upper-level storm system.  During situations when the warm sector is marginal for supercell tornadoes, storm chasers are often faced with the dilemma of chasing the cold core further west or the warm sector to the south and east.  I almost always chose the latter unless it looks completely terrible, but cold core tornadoes can be fun to chase since they're usually so weak you can drive through them!  But this is not recommended! 

Meanwhile, a strong bow echo is heading toward my location here in Grand Rapids, Michigan!
 

Severe weather likely today over North-central U.S.

Posted At: July 16, 2008 @ 10:52 AM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes
The Storm Prediction Center has issued a slight risk for a large part of the North-central U.S. for this afternoon and evening, with strong straight-line winds and large hail being the main threats.  The environment over southern Minnesota is most favorable for supercells as an outflow boundary from last night's convection settles in the area.  Still though, this environment will be characterized by weak low-level shear, so any tornadoes will likely be brief - if at all.  The extended range models are showing a nice Canadian trough this weekend into early next week... but confidence in this solution is low! 

Hurricane Season is under way!

Posted At: July 14, 2008 @ 10:28 PM
Posted By: Matthew Van Every
Related Categories: Hurricanes

Hurricane Season is under way! There are currently two named storms Bertha (Atlantic) and Elida (Pacific). Bertha just made a direct hit on Bermuda as a Tropical Storm. It is forecast to strengthen again as it makes a eastward turn. Elida is forecast to continue to move out into the Pacific. Also there is a wave behind Bertha that is in favorable conditions to form into a tropical system.

Hurricane Season is from June 1st to Nov. 30th and this year has the potential to have above average activity due to the weak La Nina, which tends to create a favorable environment for Atlantic hurricanes.

A hurricane expert from Colorado State University is forecasting 15 named storms with 4 becoming major. Some forecasters are expecting a year just shy of the infamous 2005 season! (Watch those gas prices)



Amazing home video of the Wilmar tornado!

Posted At: July 14, 2008 @ 12:41 PM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes
Check out this incredible home video of the Wilmar, MN tornado that touched down last Friday.   Sorry for the lack of updates since our chase in Canada, but we just returned to the States late last night.


For those that have not heard, this tornado was rated an EF3 by the NWS, as it caused damage to a turkey barn as well as a few homes.  Thankfully no fatalities were reported from this tornado.  I really wish we were in position to chase this event, but we were stuck in western Manitoba at the time of the tornado!

000
NOUS43 KMPX 130120 AAA
PNSMPX
MNZ041>045-047>070-073>078-082>085-091>093-WIZ014>016-023>028-
140000-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
820 PM CDT SAT JUL 12 2008

...WILLMAR AREA TORNADO RATED EF-3...

A DAMAGE SURVEY TEAM HAS COMPLETED ITS INSPECTION OF THE TORNADO
DAMAGE FROM FRIDAYS STORM SOUTH OF WILLMAR...AND THE TORNADO WILL BE
RATED AS A LOW END EF-3. AN EF-3 TORNADO CORRELATES WITH WINDS OF
136 TO 165 MPH...AND THIS PARTICULAR TORNADO IS MOST LIKELY IN THE
RANGE OF 136 TO 150 MPH. THE EF SCALE REFERS TO THE ENHANCED FUJITA
SCALE.

THE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT FIVE TO SIX MILES SOUTHWEST OF
DOWNTOWN WILLMAR. MORE SPECIFICALLY...ONE HALF MILE NORTH OF
PRIAM...ALONG COUNTY ROAD 116...HITTING A TURKEY BARN. THE TORNADO
TRAVELED EAST...CROSSING HIGHWAY 71 NEAR 45TH AVENUE OR COUNTY ROAD
19...OR ABOUT TWO AND ONE HALF MILES SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN WILLMAR. IT
CONTINUED MOVING EASTWARD...ALONG AND JUST NORTH OF COUNTY ROAD 19.
THE MOST SEVERE DAMAGE TOOK PLACE ONE AND ONE HALF MILES EAST OF
HIGHWAY 71 AND ONE THIRD MILE NORTH OF COUNTY ROAD 19.

THE TORNADO DISSIPATED FOUR MILES SOUTHEAST OF WILLMAR....TWO AND
ONE HALF MILES EAST OF HIGHWAY 71 AND ONE HALF MILE NORTH OF COUNTY
ROAD 19.

TOTAL PATH LENGTH WAS EIGHT MILES...AND THE MAXIMUM WIDTH WAS 200
YARDS.

TWO MINOR INJURIES OCCURRED AT A TURKEY BARN ALONG COUNTY ROAD 19
AND JUST EAST OF HIGHWAY 71. THERE WERE NO FATALITIES ASSOCIATED
WITH THE TORNADO.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME EYEWITNESSES DESCRIBING A SECONDARY TORNADO
ROTATING AROUND THE MAIN TORNADO. WHETHER THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED
CAN BE DETERMINED ONLY BY PHOTOS OR VIDEO...AND THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE WILL BE EXAMINING THE NUMEROUS PHOTOS AND VIDEOS THAT EXIST.
IF YOU WISH TO SEND PHOTOS OR VIDEO LINKS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE...PLEASE GO TO OUR WEB SITE WWW.WEATHER.GOV/TWINCITIES AND
SEND AN E-MAIL TO THE WEBMASTER. THIS WEB SITE ALSO HAS A REVIEW OF
THE STORM.

THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN REPORTS OF OTHER TORNADOES IN THE COSMOS OR
ATWATER AREAS...AFTER THE DISSIPATION OF THE WILLMAR TORNADO.
AGAIN... PHOTOS OR VIDEO WILL BE REQUIRED TO VERIFY THIS...SINCE
NOTHING HAS BEEN HEARD IN THE WAY OF DAMAGE IN THESE AREAS. THE
DAMAGE THREE MILES NORTHWEST OF BROWNTON WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE BEEN
CAUSED BY OUTFLOW FROM THE STORM...AND THEREFORE NOT TORNADIC.

MANY THANKS ARE TO BE GIVEN TO THE MANY STORM SPOTTERS...STORM
CHASERS...EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL...LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICIALS...AND OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS WHO PROVIDED SUCH
VALUABLE REPORTS BEFORE...DURING AND AFTER THE TORNADO. THOSE
REPORTS UNDOUBTEDLY HELPED SAVE LIVES.

Pictures/video from the Saskatchewan supercell!

Posted At: July 11, 2008 @ 4:11 PM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes
Here are video (coming very soon) and pictures of the Saskatchewan supercell from yesterday.  Well worth the 30 hours of non-stop driving and no sleep!  The pictures do not really do the storm justice, but the video comes close. I've been talking with Environment Canada today, and they said there is significant damage  in Carlisle, SK.  We were right under the wall cloud at the time and experienced 80-100 mph RFD winds that nearly blew our car off the road.  Thanks again to Dick McGowan for dominating nowcasting.. 






TVN heading to Canada!

Posted At: July 9, 2008 @ 11:29 AM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes


Even though our main target is the prolonged setup in Canada from Sunday through next week, we've decided that we can't pass up the opportunity tomorrow in North Dakota.  Our plan is to leave from Michigan, drive through the Upper Peninsula along the Lake Superior shoreline before surging west to Minot!  After the Thursday - Friday event, we'll head west to Alberta by Sunday and follow the persistent trough slowly eastward (assuming the long-range models verify).  Stay tuned for updates as our Canadian chase season has finally begun!

Up-close photos of the Rolla, ND tornado from Art Dodd!

Posted At: July 8, 2008 @ 5:13 PM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes
Here are pictures of the damaging tornado that struck just the north side of Rolla, ND yesterday, from local resident and chaser Art Dodd.  He was VERY close to this tornado!  More information coming soon...



Incredible photos of the MB/ND tornadoes! from Manitoba storm chaser Rob MacDonald

Posted At: July 7, 2008 @ 11:15 PM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes
Here are photos of the multiple tornadoes that touched down today in extreme southern Manitoba into northern North Dakota, taken by Manitoba storm chaser Rob MacDonald.  Rob intercepted the storm shortly after the first tornado at Turtle Mountain, MB was produced.  The tornadoes shown below touched down about 20 miles east of Rock Lake. 









Tornadic supercell moving across northern ND!

Posted At: July 7, 2008 @ 3:22 PM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes
A persistent tornadic supercell has tracked southeastward along an outflow boundary this afternoon from extreme southern MB into extreme northern ND, with tornado reports near Turtle Mountain Provincial Park just north of the MB/ND border.  Minot, ND radar shows a nice mesocyclone with this storm, so brief tornadoes are not out of the question as the storm continues to ride the boundary.  Additional development has occurred further southeast, but these storms are not yet showing supercellular characteristics.   Yet another mesoscale accident!

Test: custom Youtube player

Posted At: July 7, 2008 @ 12:36 AM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: General
This is just a test of the customizable Youtube players..  It should cycle through all our uploaded videos.  We need some storms to chase in good shear.  Post season chase depression is setting in rapidly!!

Tornado watch issued for ND! Svr t'storm watch for Manitoba

Posted At: July 5, 2008 @ 7:48 PM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes
Small supercells have developed this evening along a weak cold front from south-central Manitoba into northeastern North Dakota.  Marginal wind shear and a strong cap have limited the tornado threat so far, but the low-level jet should increase over the next few hours.  If the strengthening cap with nightfall does not kill the storms, then there may be a narrow window for tornadoes over this area. 

             

Given the marginal conditions for tornadoes, we decided to bypass this setup for a more substantial storm system forecast to eject from the North Pacific late next week.  Hopefully this was the right decision!!!

Independence Day!!!

Posted At: July 4, 2008 @ 11:12 PM
Posted By: Matthew Van Every
Related Categories: General
Hello all! I have created a forum for everyone to share their photos, videos, and stories of their July 4th  to share with everyone else under the anything goes forum.

http://tornadovideos.net/forum/messages.cfm?messageid=F173B5C3-1AA0-0548-B680208636146007#F173B5C3-1AA0-0548-B680208636146007

Happy July 4th! 30 year anniversary of the Elgin, ND F4

Posted At: July 4, 2008 @ 11:43 AM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes
Happy July 4th to everyone!

We were hoping to spend this Independence Day in Canada chasing tubes, but the moisture is having major problems making it that far north.

In other news, today is the 30 year anniversary of the F4 tornado that struck Elgin, ND 60 miles southwest of Bismark on July 4, 1978.  Here is the Bismark NWS page concerning this insane tornado:

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=bis&storyid=16357&source=0

The Extremes 2008 DVD Trailer

Posted At: July 2, 2008 @ 1:21 AM
Posted By: Matthew Van Every
Related Categories: Tornadoes
Here is TVN Stream GOLD (aka Stream1) best most intense video collection of 2008. This DVD will be in stock on TornadoStore.net by August 2008. This DVD will also include bonus tracks of must see 2007 tornadoes. Keep a lookout on TornadoStore.net for the release of this amazing DVD!!! Also, we hope to be selling incredible stills of the May 1st Osage County tornado (see image below), as well as many other tornadoes in multiple sizes including posters!!!