6/2/2010 - Colby Supercell

Wednesday featured two marginal severe targets: 1) southeast Colorado to the Texas panhandle or 2) northeast Colorado, northwest Kansas, into southwestern Nebraska. We initially chose target (1), but during our westbound drive, we decided to go for (2) based on new (12z) model output and analysis. We eventually made it to Colby, where we chowed down on some lunch at Montana Mike’s while keeping a radar eye on a storm northwest of Ogallala. After lunch, we ventured north to the Wallace and Dikins, NE region, where we intercepted a decaying storm. We then shot south where we gassed up in McCook and turned our eyes to a storm developing and strengthening in the Benkelman, NE area. We intercepted this picturesque, high-based supercell south of Atwood, and again east of Colby. As you can see below, the storm featured modest mid-level rotation. It was a nice treat for such a marginal day. Ended the night with drive to McCook for dinner and, eventually, North Platte for our 3rd LBF Holiday Inn Express experience of this trip.

Not the kind of tube we were lookin' for.

First storm that gusted out once we got to it.

Colby Supercell.

Storm as it nears Colby.

Time lapse of the storm north and then east of Colby.