39 Grand Is NE 10 May 2005

Date: 10 May 05

Location: Grand Is to Central City, NE

Summary: Started the 2005 chase season immediately after getting off the Joe Block and after a short hop to Toledo Coast Guard for license renewal, headed out west toward home and a potential chase day in Central IL. That day didn't pan out, but the next day in Central NE looked much more promising. Made it to Grand Is around 1800 and Tornado watch #243 was issued at 1825. After sitting in Wood River for only a short time, a huge tower broke thru the CAP and immediately started to organize. By 1855 the storm had a tornado warning on it. Followed the storm up to a point near Abbott, NE where it took on a really nice "mothership" look. Soon after a huge outflow plume kicked up alot of dust and debris, which coincided with a very brief funnel and the spotter network went crazy with tornado reports. A fire fighter stood next to me the entire time and I told him that there was no tornado with this storm, but he didn't seem interested in correcting any of the mayhem being broadcast over the airwaves. Followed the storm up to Central City and called it a day.

Initiation W of Wood River.

Storm is becoming more organized.

Beautiful Structure.

Storm begins to spill some outflow.

Outflow zoomed in. Tornado reports were being reported on the net like crazy. There was a brief funnel at one point. No tornado though.

Wall cloud near Dannebrog,NE.

Zoom on the Wall.

Storm as it passed near Central City, NE.

VidCap of a CG strike W of Central City.