5/20/09: Supercell in Northwest Nebraska

Different day, same story. We were slightly more optimistic about the possibility of storms today over western Nebraska into eastern Wyoming. Generally, though, it looked sub-marginal. I certainly wouldn’t chase this junk, even if it were close to Norman. But, this year is as lean as it gets, so we chased.

Initially, we targeted Alliance, Nebraska. Upon arrival there, we had lunch at McDonald’s (my stomach hates me!), and then went northwest to our new target, Hemingford, Nebraska. There was a big party in town as the armada arrived. The FC vehicle didn’t get to join in the festivities, unfortunately. We stayed about a mile west of town and watched the cumulus bubble upwards. Eventually, two storms formed: one was located in Converse County, Wyoming, the other in Banner County, Nebraska. Eventually, we rolled the dice on the Nebraska storm and headed south from Hemingford. When we come to a location several miles east of Alliance, I spotted a blocky wall cloud to my southwest. That quickly dissipated, and the storm never regained its previous look. We went as far as Hyannis, and then we turned back to Alliance.

Along the way, another storm took shape northwest of Alliance – right where we’d been earlier in the day. And wouldn’t you know it? It actually became a supercell! Now, the supercell was a bit weak sauce, but hey, when things are this bad, you take what you can get.

Cumulus clouds bubble upwards west of Hemingford, Nebraska.

Supercell thunderstorm north of Alliance, Nebraska.