Its that time of year folks, where the bitching and whining begins about how mediocre this chase season was. After one of the quietest Junes I've ever seen there doesn't look to be any good setups in the next week. Technically this was one of my better seasons since I got my first two tornadoes this year, my plains trip in, as well as some of the best structure I've seen whilst chasing but the year lacked a lot in terms of overall good setups. It basically hinged on two days: March 2nd and April 14th. I chased the 2nd and got a tornado in Kentucky but never have I seen a year with only two outbreaks even after May and most of June. Of course there were other big days, May 19th in south-central Kansas, May 25th in western Kansas, May 30th in central Texas, June 5th in Montana and so on. But the biggest issue was the number of big bust days. Even with all the ingredients in place (strong shear, moderate-high instability, great moisture and modest lift) days still busted like its 1988. We had the fewest confirmed tornadoes in May in history. We have yet to hit 1000 tornadoes even (we're currently at 841 reported) and its the end of June almost. The cap won over on a lot of setups along with moisture being mixed out early. This year almost reminds me of 2009, but I've been hearing a lot of comparisons to 2006 (I wouldn't know considering I didn't get into chasing until roughly 2-3 years later). The only good thing to be considered is this:
-I got tornadoes for the first time this season
-Big seasons "usually" come after weaker seasons and I'll be out on the Plains for school next year
All in all, I can't complain about it too much but a far more active season would have been appreciated. This season also saw another uptick in anti-chaser articles and other such bullshit, but hopefully it'll blow over now that the season has taken such a downward spiral. Below are some of the best images from the season:
Southern supercell near Long Ridge, KY. March 2
Rope tornado near Long Ridge, KY. March 2
Rope tornado near Long Ridge, KY. March 2
Supercell 1 south of Russell, KS. May 25
Supercell 1 south of Russell, KS. May 25
Supercell 2 with tornado east of LaCrosse, KS. May 25
Contrast shot showing tornado east of LaCrosse. May 25
Contrast shot of tornado east of LaCrosse. May 25
Multicell rain shaft/microburst S. NE. May 27
Multicell rain shaft/microburst S. NE. May 27
Closeup of dust being kicked up. S. NE. May 27
Rain shaft north of Wilber, NE. May 27
Rain shaft/elevated updraft base. Lincoln, NE. May 27
Updraft towers. Lincoln, NE. May 27
Mammatus. Hays, KS. May 25
Mammatus. Hays, KS. May 25
Mammatus. Hays, KS. May 25
