Last updated May 31, 2021
Cloud connoisseurs await chasing season whenever it’s not chasing season. The hunt has become something of a year-round endeavor, with the playing field much of the country.
Still, the core of chase season happens in the central U.S. during spring and summer. Chasers from around the world descend on the Plains every year, focused on May, the month featuring the statistical peak of tornado numbers.
The Plains chase season has picked up significantly heading into late spring. While Texas was off to a big lead in big days, and it’s still seeing them, other states are joining the ranks.
We’ll update this post as the season plays out. It may skip smaller, marginal events in which chasers don’t come away with much. That might roughly equate to a 2 percent or lower day with limited or no activity of note. It’ll also likely skip events outside the Plains overall, but tbd.
Thus far, there have been a number of tornadic or otherwise significant Plains-focused chase days. They are March 10, 12, 13, and 24. April is so far a bit sparse in the Plains, but as you’ll see below the wait for the 23rd was worth it, and more chasing occurred April 27. May seems likely to finish below average for tornadoes, but a number of big storm chasers were still to be had.
*new soon*
Texas has had a big chase season for a while now, while Oklahoma and Kansas have been largely missed. A classic setup with a retreating outflow boundary, right near the peak season. Say hello to Selden.
The main trough ejection of this cycle happened with a bang. Tornadoes were not too widespread, but out of the ones that happened, there were a couple beauties.
When there’s moisture, there tends to be storms. While late May is still on the early side of peak for Colorado, the tornadoes didn’t seem to care.
A more classic if somewhat heavily forced trough ejection was on tap. The main question mark? A sagging outflow boundary from storms the day prior. It narrowed the region of tornado potential by limiting moisture, but it didn’t close the threat down in the least.
The tornado risk was low, a severe thunderstorm watch was up. A classic day before the day plus needle in the haystack kind of deal. Toss in some structure you only see a few times a decade and, well…
Moving into peak season, you chase when you can. Especially if it’s in Texas which seems to deliver tornadoes from every setup this year.
There were also a number of landspouts and tornadoes up in Colorado despite meager moisture.
Some of the most memorable days start off looking fairly typical. An enhanced risk and a five percent tornado probability were draped across northwest Texas and adjacent southwest Oklahoma, along the winding Red River. It was one of those days with an obvious target and that target went big.
A smattering of storms covered the central Plains. A few intrepid chasers were out catching the goods.
If the setup is right, tornado events can happen just about any time. The setup here was right. Good enough for a moderate risk of tornadoes from SPC.
Although it arrived a few months earlier than you might expect on the High Plains of Texas, it was indeed a classic and it generally verified as such. Dense fog advisories blanketed much of the region early, with cloud bases almost touchable, swirling around above folks heads at game time.
The first chase day of climatological spring. A potent shortwave crashed through parts of the upper Midwest. It might be early, and as of now no tornadoes have been confirmed, but the structure was hot. So were the satellite images.
March tornadoes in west Texas? Doubtful these days. There’s even a huge drought! Except it happened as a big ole upper-level bowling ball began to work out into the Plains. If this is setting the stage for the chase season… watch out.
In a field historically dominated by men, Jen Walton has emerged as a transformative figure…
Jason Persoff, MD, SFHM, is recognized globally for his expertise in storm chasing. He earned…
Tornado numbers were near or above average. A chase season peak in June provided numerous…
One of the more widespread tornado outbreaks in years, from Iowa and Illinois to Arkansas.
The active start of the year could be a sign, but a mid-March pattern change…
A near average year for tornadoes across the country, with a cool season bend. We've…