5/11/09: Clinton, OK

Today was another down day. The aforementioned front was still stalled over central Texas, keeping the high octane juice just out of reach. So, the field coordinators decided that it was most reasonable to simply set up shop for “Day 2” potential (i.e., tomorrow). In any case, V2 participants were instructed to travel to Clinton, Oklahoma at their leisure. I was hoping we would stay in Norman a bit longer, but I suppose we had to establish a little forward momentum.
After the usual morning briefing, I talked with one of the FCs (David Dowell) about when we were planning on heading out to Clinton. He said he didn’t know and asked about my preference for departure time. “I wouldn’t mind staying around Norman for a bit,” I replied.

After this, I “chatted it up” with some other V2 members before deciding to go to lunch at Santa Fe with Dan Dawson, Robin Tanamachi and Harald Richter. Right before we left, Harald ran into Steve Hodanish, so he decided to skip out on lunch to catch up with Steve. While at Santa Fe, I got a call from Brian Baker (the driver of the FC vehicle): he said that the FC vehicle would be departing for Clinton straight-away. Having just received a frosty Dr. Pepper from the waitress, I was in a bit of a pickle. I called Brian to see if Erik and David wished to join us for lunch. Erik was cordial, but indicated that they would be doing more testing on the road. I grabbed a quick bowl of soup and then headed promptly to Wal-Mart: thank goodness I drove my car to the Holiday Inn! (Otherwise, I might have been left behind.)

We arrived in Clinton, Oklahoma during the early afternoon. By this time, about half of the armada had already arrived. A media “feeding frenzy” began as reporters from CNN, the Weather Channel, and even the local paper descended upon the scientists. Craig Schwartz and I posed for a storm chasing “action shot” in front of one of the mobile mesonets. Craig stepped up on floorboard of the driver’s side of the vehicle while I stepped out on the passenger side with the ham radio mike in my hand; we both stared at some invisible tornado in the distance! :-P

This evening, we attempted to eat at “Pop Hicks Cafe” in downtown Clinton, just off historic Route 66. Unfortunately, we didn’t find the place: apparently, it burned down 10 years ago! We ended up eating at a quaint, little Mexican restaurant called “Pedro’s”. Tonight, we finished off the evening playing several rounds of as many poker variants as there were rounds. I met most of the North Carolina State group during this period: they are a pretty fun bunch.

Tomorrow, we may have some storms somewhere in the Southern Plains. The biggest problem will be the capping inversion, which is itself a product of the meager moisture return across the Plains. That last cold front really did a number on the moisture quality. A week of NW flow aloft isn’t going to help matters, since it will likely drive more cold fronts to the Gulf and take with it any hope of good storms. Time to start praying

The three-ring circus in Clinton, Oklahoma.

Owen Shieh interviews with CNN.

Mike Bettis of the Weather Channel sets up for a live broadcast.
The Mobile Mesonet crew at Pedro's.