June 4, 2003 Storm Chase |  TX Panhandle and Eastern NM Supercells

Original Target: Walsh, CO
 

The initial convection near Walsh, CO was very linear and shallow in nature.  I decided to head south away from this to the OK/TX Panhandle region.  South of Boise City, OK, I saw a modest mammatus field overhead. Upon entering the TX Panhandle, a supercell was identified to my west in Dallam Cty.  Here it is to the north after repositioning.  Oddly, the only NOAA transmitter out here was from the Albuquerque office so I had to rely on the few local radio stations for updates.  Thanks to Phil K. for the TVS update!
Here was a distant convergence axis to the NE likely enhanced from overnight convective boundaries. Updraft core with inflow/beaver's tail and a wall cloud.
Another shot with the vault on the right and laminar inflow.  Constant thunder was occurring for most of this time in the FFD and anvil. Wet RFD and HP structure to the NNW.
Decided to get closer to the eroding core, but this supercell was favoring outflow by this point.  A couple of quarter sized stones were being kicked out here. I had to punch the previous storm's core to get around to another supercell to the west in NM (very limited roads).  I ended up passing through the new supercell's FFD with only some minor hail encountered.  This new cell had a TVS and here is its wall cloud.
Looking NE Very nice non-rotating wall and tail cloud over the barren NM terrain.
'Nuff said! Headed south to see the forward flank updraft become linear.  Decided to head to Amarillo for a motel and cursed myself for passing on the other storms just to my south (later became tornadic near Cannon AFB!).


All photos copyright © Matt Ziebell
 

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