Bryan1117 Posted May 24, 2019 Report Share Posted May 24, 2019 It seems to have lifted somewhat for now, although the wall cloud is rotating rapidly.Looks like the circulation might skirt just south of Iowa City, it's off to the left of the webcam now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iowawx Posted May 24, 2019 Report Share Posted May 24, 2019 Some storms look like they are trying to get going just to the south and west of Cedar Rapids, but they don't look very impressive right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iowawx Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 Storm developing over Cedar Rapids right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted May 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 Here is some footage of the tornado SW of Iowa City...https://twitter.com/i/status/1132070974906609665 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormy Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 I saw it form about 2 miles to my nne. Almost front porch viewing!! It stayed on the ground for around 10 minutes or more before lifting! A storm chaser drove by just before it formed and I heard ambulance or emergency vehicl sirens. I hope no one was hurt!We have a family gathering this evening and still have chores to do. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Stormy Posted May 25, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 Here are a couple of pictures of the storm before & during the time it was tornadic. Don't have time to edit them now and couldn't tell which are better when I uploaded them. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormy Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 I can't believe how many supercells took almost the same exact path past my place the last few years! At least the fourth one now that was crazy close and the first one with a nearby tornado!!Last year I saw that Ia county tornado just a bit, but it was so far off and that cell took a different path. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted May 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 Here are a couple of pictures of the storm before & during the time it was tornadic. Don't have time to edit them now and couldn't tell which are better when I uploaded them. Great pics! One day I’d like to witness a tornado from a distance. Glad to see it was far enough away but close enough to see nature’s fury. I bet you had goosebumps watching this storm form. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
East Dubzz Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 Tornado warning just to my south! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormhunter87 Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 Here are a couple of pictures of the storm before & during the time it was tornadic. Don't have time to edit them now and couldn't tell which are better when I uploaded them.Amazing pictures! Man that must have been a sight! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormhunter87 Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 Tornado warning just to my south!Man if I was out chasing I would be parked just on the south side of that. Good looking cell. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OKwx2k4 Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 Congratulations on the pictures Sparky! Those are very good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iowawx Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 Earlier this evening, a storm developed over Cedar Rapids. I got 0.05" of rain in just about 2 minutes. It was an intense, but brief downpour. The sun briefly came out afterwards but more clouds moved back in. Looks like on radar more thunderstorms are forming in southwest Iowa and northern Missouri moving northeast, so we should get some additional showers and storms tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
East Dubzz Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 Earlier this evening, a storm developed over Cedar Rapids. I got 0.05" of rain in just about 2 minutes. It was an intense, but brief downpour. The sun briefly came out afterwards but more clouds moved back in. Looks like on radar more thunderstorms are forming in southwest Iowa and northern Missouri moving northeast, so we should get some additional showers and storms tonight.Was hoping to see something come of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaster220 Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 My goodness have you had it bad this year. Holy smokes. I thought last May was nasty during the 1st half but this month has been relentlessly bad up north. Might as well set some new...record? This year could very well be an extremely short growing season. Here in Marshall, I was noticing we still have a scattering of spring flowering trees in bloom. In my 17 yrs here, I cannot remember them still blooming at MDW. Often, they're done in April when we get our normal warmth. The latest is usually first 1/3 of May. I would call this record late, even later than 2014. 2 Quote Winter 2023-24 Snow Total = 52.8" (89% Normal Season) Largest Storm: 12" (1/12-13) Oct: 0.1 Nov: 2.9 Dec: 7.5 Jan: 31.7 Feb: 6.0 Mar: 4.1 Apr: 0.0 Avg = 59.2" (Harrison): 2023-24 = xx.x" Avg = 45.0" (KDTW): 2022-23 = 33.5" 2021-22 = 35.6" Avg = 49.7" (KRMY): 2020-21 = 36.2" 2019-20 = 48.0" 2018-19 = 56.1" 2017-18 = 68.3" 2016-17 = 52" 2015-16 = 57.4" 2014-15 = 55.3" 2013-14 = 100.6" (coldest & snowiest in the modern record!) 2012-13 = 47.2" 2011-12 = 43.7" Legit Blizzards (high winds and dbl digit snows): Feb 2011, Dec 2009, Jan 2005, Dec 2000, Jan 1999, Mar 1998, Nov 1989, Jan 1982, Jan 1978, Jan 1977, Apr 1975, Mar 1973, Jan 1967, Feb 1965, Jan 1918 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaster220 Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 GRR headline: Showers and Thunderstorms...Again You know its getting old when even NWS is tired of it 2 Quote Winter 2023-24 Snow Total = 52.8" (89% Normal Season) Largest Storm: 12" (1/12-13) Oct: 0.1 Nov: 2.9 Dec: 7.5 Jan: 31.7 Feb: 6.0 Mar: 4.1 Apr: 0.0 Avg = 59.2" (Harrison): 2023-24 = xx.x" Avg = 45.0" (KDTW): 2022-23 = 33.5" 2021-22 = 35.6" Avg = 49.7" (KRMY): 2020-21 = 36.2" 2019-20 = 48.0" 2018-19 = 56.1" 2017-18 = 68.3" 2016-17 = 52" 2015-16 = 57.4" 2014-15 = 55.3" 2013-14 = 100.6" (coldest & snowiest in the modern record!) 2012-13 = 47.2" 2011-12 = 43.7" Legit Blizzards (high winds and dbl digit snows): Feb 2011, Dec 2009, Jan 2005, Dec 2000, Jan 1999, Mar 1998, Nov 1989, Jan 1982, Jan 1978, Jan 1977, Apr 1975, Mar 1973, Jan 1967, Feb 1965, Jan 1918 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
East Dubzz Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 I’ve had 1.12” of rain m fall since 7 am this morning. 1.83” of rain since about 2 this morning. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormy Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 Congratulations on the pictures Sparky! Those are very good.Thank you amigo! Stay safe down there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormy Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 This storm didn’t seem to wild and I’m usually more afraid of the lightning. I’m probably not afraid enough and didn’t get any goosebumps. It would’ve been awesome to get a time lapse of the storm as you could see the whole mesocyclone rotating! The best tornado I’ve ever seen passing by here! There was some damage,but thankfully not devastating that I know of yet. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkeye Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 It appears Cedar Rapids will remain dry tonight... and quite possibly through the weekend.. Quote season snowfall: 34.8" '22-23: 30.2" '21-22: 27.1" '20-21: 52.5" '19-20: 36.2" '18-19: 50.2" '17-18: 39.5" Average snowfall: ~30" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormhunter87 Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 It appears Cedar Rapids will remain dry tonight... and quite possibly through the weekend..May not be a bad thing. A slight shift north the next couple of days will change alot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted May 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 Good morning all, hope everyone on here can enjoy this Memorial Day weekend with family and friends. Whether your firing up the grill and cooking up some BBQ, heading to the beach or just chillaxin' on the deck...have a safe and relaxing weekend. I'm heading up to the high country again to Payson, AZ to tackle another hike and then probably settle down at a picnic area just up the road climbing to the Mogollon Rim where there are a couple lakes. The smell of the pines is amazing up that way and the weather will be noticeable cooler for the time of year. Only supposed to be in the mid 60's with sunny skies. Let's not forget all of our veterans who have served and are currently serving our wonderful armed forces across the Globe. #Memorial Day 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OKwx2k4 Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 Good time to document the flooding over parts of Oklahoma this weekend. Mentioned in a few posts needing a break from the rainfall and, well, it's just not happening. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OKwx2k4 Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 No help. More rain to come. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OKwx2k4 Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 I'm thankful for another year of grace, liberty and freedom that was provided for me by greater sacrifice than I could give. I'm thankful every day for that. God bless the USA and the men and women who have laid down all for us. Happy Memorial Day Weekend 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
East Dubzz Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 Temp only got up to 79 (heat index up to 81), but it felt even warmer than that. Probably because I’m not used to it actually being warm yet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 Other than a few showers earlier this afternoon, it is a pretty decent Saturday afternoon weatherwise w temps in the 70s. It feels a tad humid. First time this season I am using this word for my area. 1 Quote Snowfall for Winter 2023 -24 for Metro Detroit Area Oct 2023: 0.2" AN Nov 2023: 2.2" AN Dec 2023: 0.5" BN Insane! Jan 2024: 17.0" AN Feb 2024: 1.9" BN Mar 2024: 4.9" BN April 2024: Season So Far: 26.7" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 Here are a couple of pictures of the storm before & during the time it was tornadic. Don't have time to edit them now and couldn't tell which are better when I uploaded them. Nice! Quote Snowfall for Winter 2023 -24 for Metro Detroit Area Oct 2023: 0.2" AN Nov 2023: 2.2" AN Dec 2023: 0.5" BN Insane! Jan 2024: 17.0" AN Feb 2024: 1.9" BN Mar 2024: 4.9" BN April 2024: Season So Far: 26.7" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iowawx Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 Storms look like they are having a hard time getting going across Iowa so far. I hope we can get a storm tonight, but best chance looks like it’s south of here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minny_Weather Posted May 26, 2019 Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 Just walked to the grocery store and walking on the grass was like walking on a wet sponge. We can't take any more rain. 1 Quote Formerly *ahem*: LNK_Weather, TOL_Weather, FAR_Weather, MSP_Weather, IMoveALot_Weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OKwx2k4 Posted May 26, 2019 Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 Getting throttled again tonight with another load down south to come. Western Oklahoma is getting nailed. I should be seeing mine between 4-6 am I think. Oh yay.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormhunter87 Posted May 26, 2019 Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 Two tornado warnings heading straight into OKC bleh not good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormhunter87 Posted May 26, 2019 Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 It appears El Reno took a direct hit. Seeing reports of deaths but cannot confirm that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlcater Posted May 26, 2019 Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 Nicely done Sparky! Figure'd you'd be on it as it was down by Kalona. Was that your first? I'll add my little chase account in the next post. The reason I always post chase accounts here last is because uploading images to this site is a massive, massive PITA. The site is very picky about which images it likes and which it doesn't for some reason. 1 Quote 2021-22 Snowfall: (Hiawatha) TOTAL: 10.2" (12/28: 3.0") (12/29: 0.8") (1/1: 6.4") Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlcater Posted May 26, 2019 Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 Friday was a rather challenging forecast, at least for me. What made it difficult was that the warm front had similar parameters from Kankakee all the way towards the East Central Iowa triple point. I had originally targeted Rock Island as models had honed in on initiation along the MS river this morning, and had generally held on to that idea through the early afternoon, so off I went to the Quad Cities, after stumbling around there for a few hours, and winding up in some shadier areas of Rock Island, I found a safe spot to check obs. It became evident that the Quad Cities was no longer the place to be and that the triple point in East Central Iowa was looking increasingly favored over IL, particularly noting the extreme levels of 0-3km CAPE(200-250 J/kg), rich mid 70s dewpoints and the fact that it had been sunny in Iowa the whole day, whereas IL had a late morning MCS and midday supercell. Not to mention that a fairly robust patch of cumulus was evident on visible satellite out in Iowa. After seeing that Iowa was clearly becoming the favored target area, I turned back the way I came, minus one tank of gas lol. Eventually posted up in Williamsburg and watched several towers to the south struggle. After about an hour and a half of watching towers go up and back down on themselves, I became increasingly concerned with the possibility of a cap bust, as subsidence was really putting a hamper on these updrafts, and seemingly winning for the time being. A lone storm finally became established at about 5:45pm and slowly began to acquire supercell characteristics. Core punched through perhaps the lamest core ever(heavy rain and pea size hail -- zzzzzz) but was greeted with a nice, broadly rotating wall cloud, but updraft base was still pretty anemic otherwise. This storm would fight for its life during its entire existence. This wall cloud would persist and evolve with several RFD pushes failing to get the job done. I continued to follow the storm east, and the low-level rotation was getting more and more defined with each successive push of the RFD, but still had a long ways to go. As this supercell approached the warm front, it rapidly got its act together and picked up a tornado warning. Not 10 minutes later, a barrel-shaped tornado dropped below the world's most anemic base, which allowed for some spectacular lighting, to be fair. I'm almost certain that the extra vorticity on the warm front and 225 J/kg of 0-3km CAPE are reasons this storm was able to produce such a formidable tornado despite the storm struggling to maintain a consistently strong updraft. https://youtu.be/5zVLRH_qMis(Music is because I totally botched the real audio -- with radio, some tornado tourettes and talking to other chasers, so I just canned and replaced it with some music.) After this tornado occluded over Iowa City, the storm slowly started to succumb to the subsidence as it never regained anything really resembling a healthy updraft base after this tornado. I followed it towards West Branch before letting it go and heading back to Cedar Rapids. This storm went up, produced a significant tornado and died in under 2 hours, that is the part that surprises me. This wasn't a dominant, robust supercell, this was a supercell that did nothing but fight to stay alive as long as it could, which happened to be just long enough that it was able to produce the most impressive single tornado that I've seen so far. What a fantastic way to start off my 2019 chase season! 7 Quote 2021-22 Snowfall: (Hiawatha) TOTAL: 10.2" (12/28: 3.0") (12/29: 0.8") (1/1: 6.4") Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormy Posted May 26, 2019 Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 Nicely done Sparky! Figure'd you'd be on it as it was down by Kalona. Was that your first? I'll add my little chase account in the next post. The reason I always post chase accounts here last is because uploading images to this site is a massive, massive PITA. The site is very picky about which images it likes and which it doesn't for some reason.Thank you.... Actually I didn’t chase it went right past where I live! If it would’ve dropped sooner it would’ve passed just under 1 mile nw of me! You probably drove right past my place! Some of those photos you posted were when you were driving up highway 1 as I recognize that area, though I don’t live along that road. I saw a very good video on yesterday on Facebook that showed tornado genesis! You likely have good video as well.Very good right-up and photos on your post above! https://www.weather.gov/dvn/summary_052419 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westMJim Posted May 26, 2019 Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 It sure has been a wet May as Grand Rapids is now at 5.00" Muskegon is at 5.99" Kalamazoo is at 5.01" to the east Lansing has had much less rain and sets at 2.37" It still has not officially reached 80 or better at Grand Rapids this year. The high here at my house yesterday was 76 (78 at GRR) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkeye Posted May 26, 2019 Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 Des Moines NWS discussing Tuesday... Tuesday continues to be the target for potential significant severeweather across Iowa as a potent upper closed upper level lowpressure lifts northeast into western Nebraska. Numerous high impactpast events are showing up in the 72 hr CIPS Analogs this past runincluding 6/4/2008, 5/27/1995 and 5/22/2008 to name a few. Each hadnumerous supercells with tornadoes in addition to damaging winds andvery large hail. The synoptic environment certainly looks conducivefor a repeat with the warm front stretched across the state, which atthis time, appears to be somewhere between Highway 20 and Interstate80. This will be a highly forced dynamic system which should erodethe morning/early afternoon capping inversion with the potential forexplosive supercell development. Certainly will continue to monitorthe situation. SPC has placed the area under an Enhanced risk forsevere weather Tuesday. Reference SWODY3 for additional details. Ifthe situation continues to evolve as expected, likely this risk willbe upgraded with future forecasts. 1 Quote season snowfall: 34.8" '22-23: 30.2" '21-22: 27.1" '20-21: 52.5" '19-20: 36.2" '18-19: 50.2" '17-18: 39.5" Average snowfall: ~30" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormhunter87 Posted May 26, 2019 Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 Tuesday is looking interesting. Definitely going to be watching that day. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted May 26, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 Friday was a rather challenging forecast, at least for me. What made it difficult was that the warm front had similar parameters from Kankakee all the way towards the East Central Iowa triple point. I had originally targeted Rock Island as models had honed in on initiation along the MS river this morning, and had generally held on to that idea through the early afternoon, so off I went to the Quad Cities, after stumbling around there for a few hours, and winding up in some shadier areas of Rock Island, I found a safe spot to check obs. It became evident that the Quad Cities was no longer the place to be and that the triple point in East Central Iowa was looking increasingly favored over IL, particularly noting the extreme levels of 0-3km CAPE(200-250 J/kg), rich mid 70s dewpoints and the fact that it had been sunny in Iowa the whole day, whereas IL had a late morning MCS and midday supercell. Not to mention that a fairly robust patch of cumulus was evident on visible satellite out in Iowa. After seeing that Iowa was clearly becoming the favored target area, I turned back the way I came, minus one tank of gas lol. Eventually posted up in Williamsburg and watched several towers to the south struggle. After about an hour and a half of watching towers go up and back down on themselves, I became increasingly concerned with the possibility of a cap bust, as subsidence was really putting a hamper on these updrafts, and seemingly winning for the time being.A lone storm finally became established at about 5:45pm and slowly began to acquire supercell characteristics. Core punched through perhaps the lamest core ever(heavy rain and pea size hail -- zzzzzz) but was greeted with a nice, broadly rotating wall cloud, but updraft base was still pretty anemic otherwise. This storm would fight for its life during its entire existence. This wall cloud would persist and evolve with several RFD pushes failing to get the job done. I continued to follow the storm east, and the low-level rotation was getting more and more defined with each successive push of the RFD, but still had a long ways to go. As this supercell approached the warm front, it rapidly got its act together and picked up a tornado warning. Not 10 minutes later, a barrel-shaped tornado dropped below the world's most anemic base, which allowed for some spectacular lighting, to be fair. I'm almost certain that the extra vorticity on the warm front and 225 J/kg of 0-3km CAPE are reasons this storm was able to produce such a formidable tornado despite the storm struggling to maintain a consistently strong updraft. (Music is because I totally botched the real audio -- with radio, some tornado tourettes and talking to other chasers, so I just canned and replaced it with some music.) After this tornado occluded over Iowa City, the storm slowly started to succumb to the subsidence as it never regained anything really resembling a healthy updraft base after this tornado. I followed it towards West Branch before letting it go and heading back to Cedar Rapids. This storm went up, produced a significant tornado and died in under 2 hours, that is the part that surprises me. This wasn't a dominant, robust supercell, this was a supercell that did nothing but fight to stay alive as long as it could, which happened to be just long enough that it was able to produce the most impressive single tornado that I've seen so far. What a fantastic way to start off my 2019 chase season! Great work! Were you close enough to hear the roar of the twister? That was an intense supercell as you mentioned and it surely was notable in your video. Surprised there weren’t more storm chasers in the area tracking that beast. Good luck next time! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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