Tornadoes - Noble County, OK - May 24, 2008

On the afternoon of May 24, 2008 an isolated supercell thunderstorm developed over north-central Oklahoma, to the northwest of Oklahoma City, and quickly became tornadic as it moved slowly east-northeastward. The cyclic cell became a prolific tornado producer and, over a four hour period, generated no less than 15 individual tornadoes... possibly more.

After already observing numerous tornadoes, the hail core from this cyclic supercell overtook our chase team (Michael Laca and Max Hagen) and we were forced to find shelter in the town of Douglas, Oklahoma. Once the hail let up, we decided to head back towards I-35 and drop south to get a good vantage point as the cell continued to advance.

We stopped on the west side of I-35 between Perry and Orlando and to our amazement the large, rain-wrapped wedge was still on the ground to our southwest.

As we watched, the tornado became more diffuse and within a few minutes had lifted into a large rotating base. Shortly after this, a new satellite tornado formed to the left of, and behind, the larger circulation. This tornado lasted for a few minutes before dissipating. The other half of our chase team (Jim Leonard, Ray Walker and Eric Baker) who were in another location, photographed this tornado and another one, which was very close, but apparently obscured from our view by the parent circulation.

A few minutes later another small needle-like funnel appeared and touched down briefly.

Just before the main circulation crossed I-35, a new funnel formed and lowered toward the ground with a quick swirl of condensation appearing at the surface. The circulation became quickly rain-wrapped, but reports on the radio indicate that debris was observed as the circulation crossed the interstate, moving east-northeast toward Perry, Oklahoma.

After the circulation crossed I-35, the core overtook us once again and we experienced intense rain, marble to quarter-sized hail, and winds gusting to 60-65mph as the cell weakened.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Tornado
• Tornadoes
• May
• 24
• 2008
• Memorial
• Day
• Outbreak
• Wedge
• Cyclic
• Supercell
• Thunderstorm
• Severe
• Wind
• Hennessey
• Bison
• Orlando
• Oklahoma
• Storm
• Chase
• Chasing
• Michael
• Laca
• HD
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[Rain1290]

This is some spectacular footage of that supercell thunderstorm and associated tornado! The lashing rains at the end were so fearsome, and those lightning CGs you captured certainly made the feeling so dramatic!

Just one question, but do you happen to know the estimated strength of the tornado you captured in this video?

Excellent work, my friend, and very nice video description!

~Trav.~

[vmax135]

@Rain1290 Thanks so much, Travis! This particular supercell was incredible. I have three different videos posted from this one cyclic event, it just kept producing tornado after tornado. The highest rating I saw from any of the tornadoes in this particular storm was EF2. That said, none of them really hit anything substantial, except the hog farm in that famous aerial footage from Hennessey, OK. Given the doppler velocities recorded I suspect this storm produced one or two tornadoes near EF3.

[cluberaner93]

great video vmax135, so big supercells we don't have in germany. well, i wanna see in real a tornado. thx for your great vid and great job :-)

[vmax135]

@cluberaner93 Thank you so much!!! I'm really glad you enjoyed the clip!

[vmax135]

@cluberaner93 Thank you so much!!! I'm really glad you enjoyed the clip!

[zoniekat]

Thanks for this beautiful video. I live in Arizona and I miss *real* weather! If we have rain it's the main news story of the day. The weather is great here but it can be monotinous.

[vmax135]

@zoniekat Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the clip... I'm sure you make up for the lack of significant weather with the beautiful scenery though!

[Russenka]

Wow today is May 24, 2011 and there is a Tornado warning at the Noble County. That`s so weird same day 3 years ago this happened

[angelplurbaby]

This storm sucked so bad,m I was in Dibble when it happened. Not cool.

[pardyhardly]

I would have shit onions and pissed cheez wiz if I were there.

[makeupbyEL]

so funnny lol

[ipods36]

i have a question for you vmax, how did you film this and not even get nervous!?!

P.S do you like the weather in Oklahoma cuz in Norman, OK. We got some tornadoes a couple months ago :P