5/15/09: Squall Line in Northwest Oklahoma

Today, we had a reasonable hope of supercells. But, like every chase day of late, we were concerned with the anemic flow in the mid-troposphere. Low-level shear was fairly modest, but we hoped big CAPE would overcome the distinct lack of vertical shear. Further, we were concerned about storm mode (i.e., a squall line forming), since most of the numerical models indicated that a line of storms would form quickly and eliminate any chance for supercells.

Unfortunately, the numerical models were very accurate. Our original target was Enid, Oklahoma, with an eye toward the eastern Texas panhandle (where a very potent supercell thunderstorm eventually formed). We ended up sticking with the NW/NC Oklahoma target. We set up shop in Cherokee, Oklahoma; we stayed there for 2 hours as the squall line slowly approached. The squall line was actually pretty neat-looking, though relatively weak. Then we sat in rain for about 1 hour before we gave up for the day and headed to Enid for the night. In Enid, we ate bad Chinese food: a fitting end to a mediocre chase day.

Mammatus clouds near Cherokee, Oklahoma.

Approaching squall line, north of Cherokee, Oklahoma.
Embedded supercell structure north of Cherokee, Oklahoma.