Staying Local: May 2, 2022
It’s been an active storm season so far across the Plains. Easily the most active early season since at least 2015 and May has only just begun.
Monday’s storm chase was about as local as it gets. Starting in Oklahoma City, I opted to go southwest toward a developing supercell thunderstorm near Chickasaw. Even though the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk (category 4 out of 5) of severe thunderstorms in northern Oklahoma, storms in that area were quickly growing upscale. It didn’t make sense to rush up there, as storms had quickly formed a line and supercell structure was fading.
Farther south, a supercell thunderstorm prompted a tornado warning near Dibble, OK late in the afternoon. The storm featured prominent structure, as it moved gradually toward the east. I followed the storm for almost two hours, before fading daylight and a quickly approaching cold front threatened to render chase conditions unfavorable.
Before turning back, I made a last ditch move to visit an abandoned school in Tribbey, for a few potential photo opportunities. Bringing together abandoned structures and storms is one of favorite things to do, but everything has to line up just right.
Even though the storm itself was passing north of the school, mammatus overhead and a shelf cloud off to the side created a dramatic mood at the long forgotten school. I do find it a bit peculiar that the old structure recently had windows replaced, as the interior is locked up and in shambles. Some of the new windows have already been smashed out, but abandoned buildings never seem to last long before they get vandalized.
Either way, it seemed to be a proper way to end the chase day, but the photoshoot was not over yet. Just as I approached Moore, mammatus created a vivid orange sky, as the sun began to set. It was a fitting welcome home and a memorable way to end the chase.
