The May 27, 2001 Kansas/Oklahoma Outflow Extravaganza

This day featured storms forming en masse quite early along an old front in western Kansas. Given the mode of initiation, only modest vertical wind shear and relatively high surface dewpoint depressions, we were absolutely certain that these early storms would become outflow dominant beasts with little or no threat of tornado formation. Thus, we hung around Meade, Kansas waiting for new storms to initiate in southwest Kansas or northwestern Oklahoma. After a while, we decided to blow off the Kansas storms altogether and head for northern Oklahoma where we felt sure an isolated supercell or two would form later in the evening. En route to this new target area, we were distracted by first a nice-looking shelf cloud to our north associated with the leading edge of the northern storms' outflow and then new severe thunderstorm formation right overhead. We would follow this latter severe thunderstorm into northwestern Oklahoma, being blasted by severe outflow winds, enjoying a view of fantastic storm structure and later seeing an incredible shelf cloud.  To read the full chase summary click here.

Along Hwy 160 west of Ashland, KS we stop to enjoy a view of a very pretty severe storm bearing down on us from the north.	Here is the eastern portion of the same storm. Note the expansive mid-level cloud base and double arcus structure at low-levels.	Continuing east along Hwy 160, we note the explosive development of a thunderstorm directly overhead and to our east. Here is a spin up/wall cloud within a part of that base to our east.	Winds at our location are now blowing out of the north at 60-75 mph and dust is reducing visibility. Large hail is now bombing the rear vehicle of our caravan, just 200 yards behind us in this image.
We look to our south-southeast and notice this congested area of dirt underneath the forward flank updraft.	It didn't take long to realize that this dirt plume was rotating quickly underneath the base. While often hesitant to confirm this as a tornado (circulation should be strong enough to do damage - e.g., break large tree limbs, break power poles, etc...), this does appear to be a weak tornado.	Another shot of the surface circulation, centered right near Sitka, Kansas.	Southbound we go on Hwy 183 into Oklahoma. Near Jct. 64/34 east of Buffalo, we capture this image of the storm structure overhead - it looks like a spaceship, with multiple undulating bands spiraling around the updraft.
We get farther ahead of the storm in order to get a wider view of its structure.	Note the large cylindrical front wall of the convective system, along with the outflowish appearance at low-levels. We had to keep moving to stay ahead of this beast.	Another shot with the tour armada in the foreground.	Our attention is eventually diverted to the west where a fantastic tiered shelf cloud is emerging from the murk.
I can count 5 levels here!	Muncha-muncha...storm chasers go with lunch!	Note the "shark's teeth" at the leading edge of the shelf cloud.

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