THUNDERSTORM T0078
Date: Sunday 8th May 2011
Time: 1630-2030 Local (bulk of the CB activity to end of chase)
Location: Wichita Falls, Texas. USA.
Path: In and around the Wichita Falls region.

Synoptics: Dry heat destabilisation ahead of trough
Duration: about 4-5 hours chasing from initiation to end
Type: High Level Multicell, possible embedded Supercells
Average lightning type: CC Crawlers, quiet, very high level
Footage Quality: Full HD / DSLR

 

Our self-catered stormchase around the Midwest continues. After a whole week of high pressure (after the Longview Supercell T0077) the atmosphere started to become unstable with temperatures exceeding 39C and a new trough coming in from the west. We located near an area where the inversion, holding these high temperatures down, was most likely to be slightly eroded by the upper trough. The result was over 3000J/kg CAPE being released at high altitude, producing a Multicell MCS starting around 10000ft. Strong hot winds and very strong anvil spread with mammatus featured, with sparse but pretty lightning and long crawling CC bolts. This storm features my first DSLR shots of lightning.