From - Sun Sep 05 13:47:58 1999
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Date: Thu, 12 Aug 1999 00:30:21 EDT
Subject: VirginiaChase
To: gonzo71@hotmail.com, SkyDiary@aol.com, vortex2@brevard.net,
casilist@weatherwatchers.org
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Virginia Storm Chase August 11, 1999
I didn't plan to chase today even though I had the afternoon off.
Conditions didn't look good, and I planned to spend the afternoon with my
girlfriend. She couldn't make it at the last minute and I rechecked the
data. Things were looking better but still not that impressive. There was a
slight risk issued for Eastern Virginia, North Eastern North Carolina and the
Delmarva. ("some rotation possible") A shortwave trough was going to move
through the area. Midlevel flow at 500 MB was 30 knots and 12Z soundings
indicated moderate lapse rates with 850-500 MB values of 6.5-7 c/km. CAPES
were 2000 to 3000. There was also a weak vort max. In Norfolk at 1PM, the
temp was 89; 75 dewpoint with SW winds at 16 gusting to 21.
Choosing a target area was difficult due to the area. Storms moving east
would eventually hit water or go over over the Norfolk/Hampton/Va Beach area
during rush hour. I also had to choose a Northern or Southern route since
the target area is split by the James River with no easy way to cross. I
decided the moisture was a little better to the South and I headed down 95
from Richmond at about 2PM. East of Hopewell, I saw some Cu but I wasn't
impressed. I continued down 95 and then SE on 460 stopping for a bite to eat
in Waverly, Va. There was some Cu over me but none to the South. Anything
forming near me would go East and cross the river. I stopped at the
Wakefield NWS to check their satellite and surface data. There was Cu to the
North and South along with a faint boundry near Suffolk between higher and
lower dewpoints. I figured storms would fire along that boundry.
Unfortunately, that is getting into a metropolitan area. I had no choice but
to continue toward it. The storms firing north of I-64 (my Northern target
area) were out of range now. As I reached the boundry in Eastern Portsmouth,
storms were already firing in a North South line. I watched a more isolated
one form a wall cloud (not rotating) but it moved into an area with poor
roads and lots of traffic. I saw beautiful CG's, some striking sunny and
probably rain free areas. I went South on Route 17 to get a better view
before they moved away. A portable LCD TV gave me good info on the run. The
local TV stations cut in and showed radar of my now dying storms plus a huge
right mover in my Northern target area which had tornado warnings before
moving into the Chesapeake.
By about 6:30 PM, I decided the show was over and headed home by
crossing the James to Newport News and then going West on I-64. Near the
small town of Croaker, I saw an interesting storm to the North. I didn't
think it would amount to much since storms had already passed through the
area and it was cooler. The storm looked rather small. I pulled off the
interstate and headed North on 607 to get a good view of the base. Usually,
this area has lots of clear cuts which provide good visibility but I kept
seeing more trees. I should have turned around and tried a different road but
I waited to long and the storm hit. The wind shifted and was blowing TOWARD
the storm which by now I figured was right turning. With trees all around I
had to park in someones driveway. Falling trees and limbs are one of the
biggest dangers in Virginia chasing. The core hit with blasts of wind and
pea sized hail. When things calmed down, I went back to the interstate
driving around fallen limbs and branches. I got hit with some isolated marble
sized hail but the trip home was otherwise uneventful. I couldn't follow the
storm since it was going due South and away from good roads. There was a
tornado warning for the storm but I saw no rotation. (Too many trees)
A fun and exciting chase though no good photos. Also a good learning
experience. Don't underestimate "small storms" and watch for for right
turners.
Bill Hark
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