Chasing the Wind

We knew this day would be very conditional (because of the cap), but the severe parameters were too tasty to resist. Large-scale forcing was weak (vorticity maximum was still quit far to the west), so we were hoping that the dryline circulation would be sufficient initiate convection. CAPE was forecast to be moderate (around 1500 j/kg) and low-level shear was progged to be quite intense (>300 m2/s2 of 0-1 km SRH). In addition, we hoped that an outflow boundary would intersect with the dryline and provide an additional source of convergence (and resulting lift). Based on this, we targeted Hollis, Oklahoma.

We (Jeff Snyder, Kim, Brandon Lawson, Grant Hicks, Bethany Vanderpool, and I) left Norman around 12 p.m. for SW Oklahoma. We took the usual route down to Lawton (via HW 62 and I-44) and then west on HW 62 toward Altus. We arrived in our target around 3 p.m. and obtained a WiFi connection in Altus. After perusing data for a while, it was becoming increasingly apparent that the cap would not break. Even still, we headed west to obtain a visual of the dryline. There were a few elevated towers just west of the Oklahoma/Texas border, but it was obvious we were busted. Thus, around 6 p.m., we headed back home. We stopped in Lawton for a meal, and made it back into Norman by 10.

Chase-wise, this was a very poor chase. Yet, it was nice to get out again with friends and enjoy the scenes of southwestern Oklahoma.

# posted by Gabe Garfield @ 9:18 AM