Tornado / Core Punch - WaKeeny, KS - May 22, 2008

After two prior intercepts during the afternoon, storm chasers Michael Laca, Jim Leonard, Linda Kitchen, Kathy Velasquez, Ray Walker, Eric Baker and Max Hagen moved south along Higway 283 in Trego County, Kansas to a position two miles south of WaKeeny. A strong rotational couplet was evident on radar as an intesifying supercell thunderstorm approached from the south-southwest after sunset.

As the cell neared, a distinct wall cloud developed and as our chaser convoy turned west off of 283, a large, partially rain-wrapped, cone descended and headed rapidly north-northeast. The funnel briefly condensed all the way to the ground as it crossed the road about 1/2 mile in front of us.

Immediately after the funnel passed, the rain and hail core rapidly followed and trying to make a three point turn on a very narrow dirt road, lined with chase vehicles, delayed things just long enough for the core to overtake us. Blinding rain, quarter-sized hail and winds gusting to 60-65 mph made driving back north along 283, towards WaKeeny, extremely treacherous.

As we found out later, the parent circulation that produced the tornado we had witnessed, approached highway 283 just south of I-70 and a new intermittent tornadic damage track began near there. A corrugated metal shed was completely destroyed (seen at the end of this clip). The new tornadic circulation moved northeastward through the eastern sections of WaKeeny with isolated damage.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Tornado
• Tornadoes
• May
• 22
• 2008
• Memorial
• Day
• Outbreak
• Supercell
• Hail
• Core
• High
• Wind
• Thunderstorm
• Kansas
• Storm
• Chase
• Chasing
• Severe
• Weather
• WaKeeny
• Damage
• Michael
• Laca
• HD
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[Torn80cj]

Well this makes 3 storms we were on together. Small world. May 22, 23, and 24 we were on the same storms. I had been looking for some vids on the Wakeeney tornado and Collyer tornadoes. In the Wakeeney event, I saw one which appeared about 1 mile away from the bridge that crosses 70. I heard it did some damage at the airport. I got overtaken by hail and rain also and had to wait it out as the storm moved over me. I knew I was safe from the twister being that it was moving NE and was to my west.

[vmax135]

Awesome, Chris! We had just come from a warned cell north of 70, between WaKeeny and Hill City that didn't produce... and as we were heading south on 283 noticed this thing. There were a bunch of chasers on it... we all got overrun by the core...lol.

[LindaKitch]

Hi Michael, I just spotted this! It was a pretty wild drive, especially when Kath and I went off the road. I wish that was on videotape. Thanks again for comming back for us. It was really great chasing with you. Hopw we can do it again next year. Linda

[vmax135]

Hi Linda!!! Thanks so much for leaving a comment. The WaKeeny storm was definitely wild... not to mention you and Kathy going off the road. I'm just glad you guys weren't hurt. I can hardly wait to get out there and see you guys in the Spring.

[SupercellNathan]

I have seen many videos of the Wakeeny, KS storm, and it seemed like everybody was getting caught up in this thing. Storm Chasers, Amatures, and others. What a terrible storm to be caught in.

[vmax135]

I know...I think everyone who was on that road off of 283 has posted their video...haha. Strangely enough there weren't that many chase vehicles... probably only 10 or 11. The road was really narrow and with everyone trying to avoid getting stuck in the ditch as we slowly turned around...the core (which was moving pretty fast) caught up with everyone. The drive back to WaKeeny was definitely the most treacherous during the entire chase.

[mattxr2i]

Hi. First I would like to say great video! And that was a pretty insane core punch! Glad you guys got out of there ok. Second, I am a novice chaser but have done the NOAA/NWS spotter training. I live in Ohio (so we don't get to see so many supercells and even fewer that become tornadic) But i would love to go on a chase with you guys someday when I can afford it. I am really good with the GR programs (wish I could afford 2 analyst) Would you guys be willing to let me tag along sometime?

[lgmmrm]

I think me and my grandma accidently stumbled into the core one night...

[jmeier37]

@vmax135 another great video. I'm checking out most of the tornadoes on the list from the May 2008 Outbreak that included the Parkersburg one right now.

[TommyJoebowers1tycoo]

One vicious cloud! Almost constant cloud to ground flashes!

[uzzyytt]

:D Good luck whit the storm chasing :)

[LindaKitch]

I'm not kidding, every year about this time I count the days.  We always have a ball! We'll be there! See you in the spring.