VORTEX2 has moved the massive fleet way north. Currently we are stationed in western Nebraska. We are poised to go more northwest in pursuit of severe weather. The problem for VORTEX2 (though not for the High Plains) is that the atmosphere has grown quiet. The jet stream is way up along the USA/Canada border. A storm in the Gulf of Mexico is preventing warm soupy air from flowing north into the Plains. The combination means hot dry conditions through tornado alley, and not many pickings for VORTEX2.
But, there are always chances. Today we are looking at slim chances in Nebraska. Tomorrow holds the possibility of operations in Nebraska, Wyoming or Colorado. The chances are slim, but we're out here anyway, waiting, so slim is better than none.
These types of lulls are par for the course in tornado research. Active periods alternate with periods of relative calm. During this time we practice on whatever storms we can find. With our uniquely numerous and diverse set of instruments we can learn valuable things about non-tornadic storms also.
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Where are you in western Nebraska?
ReplyDeleteI was poised to join you guys this week to take pictures, but with the current pattern I'm holding off for at least a week.. Hopefully the models indicating a death ridge are just pulling our leg. If there is any silver lining to it all, it's that June usually shifts the pattern north, and you'll maybe have more shots at the fly zones in western NE.
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