I took a long drive with chase partners James McCormick, Kyle Klute, and Dr.
Ken Dewey. In short, we drove west then east then north, then west, back east,
back north... From Lincoln to Kearney to near Norfolk and back to Lincoln. Total
miles: 540. We were extremely irratated at the total lack of any vertical development
throughout the afternoon and even considered heading home. While moving east
(toward home) we spotted a rapidly growing tower to the north. After a few minutes
watching and taking a few pics we decided to get closer to the cell. It quickly collapsed but there was even a better looking cell to
the north. After making an untimely gas stop we quickly got under the cell and watched its fury. We moved little over the next hour. Daylight eventually
was lost and we headed into Norfolk, NE for a bite. While walking down the sidewalk on the infamous Johnny Carson Blvd (U.S. 81) we noticed
the DOW trucks marching south through town. |
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Left: A sculpture on the UNL campus that looks like a tornado. A good omen? Center: The archway monument on I-80 near Kearney. Right: The second tower goes up (and up). |
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Left: Horizontal view of second tower. Right: A very small funnel just north of U.S. 275. |
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Left: A clear notch in the storm. Center: Rapid rotation just to my east. Right: Funnel begins to descend from the base near Hadar, NE. |
The Chase Continues: Click for additional chase pics.