6/3/2010 - Northeast Nebraska Storm

Thursday was a bit frustrating initially since our target area near Chamberlain, SD didn't "go" -- we suppose due to reduced heating thanks to thick cirrus canopy. However, during the late evening, we were rewarded with a dramatic shelf cloud along the southeast and east edge of a outflow dominant supercell near Niobrara, NE. Despite having to navigate around a few hail cores and dealing with construction-induced route changes in South Dakota, we eventually made it south of the Missouri River into Nebraska where we were literally chased by a surging supercell that quickly transitioned into a mini-bow echo. It tailed us at what appeared to be about 55-65 mph, but we were afforded a couple opportunities to stop, jump out, and grab some pics. The shelf was rather dramatic in the late evening light, emanating a beautiful turquoise along and within its laminar front. In addition, while driving east ahead of the surging cold pool, we witnessed a neat kink form along the shelf. The kink rotated like crazy at cloud-base level and even had a good bit of dust concentrated under it -- thought for a second, we may witness one of those bottom-up tornadoes. Alas, it never appeared to strengthen enough to produce. Overnighting in Norfolk, NE.

Panoramic shot east of Niobrara, NE.

Cool kink that formed and rotated as we raced east.

Shelf as it crossed north of us at twilight east of Hartington, NE.

Yet another perspective, looking north-northeast.