Ashland, NE - May 4, 2004

This would be the first chase day of the year and my first chase is quite some time. It was also the first chase where I did real forecasting to select a target rather than playing an active cell close to home. In this case the target area was close to home so I just sat and waited for the action. There was a surface low pressure center near Lincoln with a dryslot moving in. A triple point was set up very near Lincoln. I was drooling over the parameters like probably every storm enthusiast in the country. A tropical meteorology graduate course exam the next day... Study or chase? Chase now, study later. Away I go around 3:15. I stop to top of the gas and as soon as I get out of the car I see a massive cell just north of Lincoln (first photo). It wouldn't be a long drive on this day. I head up I-180 to leave Lincoln and head east on I-80. I drive until I reach the U.S. 6 exit about eight miles east of my entry. I prefer just about anything to an interstate when chasing. I drive just a few miles east just past the town of Waverly and get my glimpse at the mesocyclone (second photo). Scud was already rising. I continue to head east/northeast as the cell maintained an eastward heading. I wanted to get even closer. Thought I witnessed a poor constrast funnel between Waverly and Ashland. In Ashland the sirens were sounding as the typical RFD clear notch made an appearance. The clouds were going nuts and the state patrol reported a funnel over my location. I did not see it if it was there but it is tough to see through a roof. I decided to pull off in a cul-de-sac area (not recommended as there is not an additional escape route) and watched the low level circulation pass just about a half mile to my north. It was rather intense but did not see a tornado. Hail began to fall and was getting bigger. I decided to bail. Heading back west, hail was covering U.S. 6. The loud bangs and pops on my car accentuated the bass drums on the radio. A very good show. Not too many pics however as I was constantly moving. When I did finally park it was poor contrast and then all hell broke loose. I was a little closer to the action than expected. Miles: 80, Chase rating 6/10 (nice cell, rotation, hail, and close.... poor contrast, hills, and limited viewing options)