March 31, 2016

There was a slight risk for severe for all of Indiana. Hopes for any severe storms was not to great but we said, what the heck and go on a test run/short storm chase. We traveled to SE Indiana and did get in a path of a severe storm around the town of Versallias. Storms really never reached our area, though a strong wind gust of 50mph was observed. A few cloud to ground lighting shots was observed but not able to get on video.

We didn't travel far, so not a complete bust since we did get winds almost to severe limits. We did find a great restaurant on our trip back, one that we will visit again.

81.5 Miles traveled

50 mph estimated wind gusts

Few CG lighting

Rain bans observed


ll20160331 1630 UTC Day 1 Outlook Graphic

 April 26, 2016

Not much of a chase day for us here in SW Ohio/SE Indiana. There was a marginal risk for storms today. We had to work our various jobs so it was basically a work chase. The primary risk today was from hail and wind. We watch an MCS from Missouri track all day to us.

Preliminary Showalter Stability Index of -3 on this morning's sounding, signifying a very unstable atmosphere.

Early in the day SPC did put out MCD saying that a few storms may become marginally severe, but shouldn't warrant a watch for today.

MD 455 graphic

NWS Wilmington was watching the MCS as well, periodically keeping us updated on the weather situation.

At 530pm scattered storms formed ahead of the MCS, prompting our local NWS office to inform us scattered severe storms will be possible throughout this afternoon.

At 600pm SPC issued another MCD for our area indicating that some storms may contain isolated Large hail/wind threat and will monitor convective trends and may issue a watch later on today.

MD 460 graphic

Thunderstorm Watch #11 was issued for the entire southern portion of Ohio. Wind and hail was the primary threats. At the same time, various thunderstorms warnings was being issued in our area.

Our area did go under severe warned after 7. Gusty winds and rain was observed, but not severe criteria. Storms on the east side of the city of Cincinnati did drop up to 1 inch hail, but here just a regular storm. Some low level rotation was observed, but nothing came from that. A few pics of the coming shelf cloud was taken.

Very little lighting was observed during the storm, but was treated with periodically cloud to cloud lighting on the drive home.

 May 01, 2016

Not much happen in out area today. We did have a slight risk for severe for most of the day.

20160501 1630 UTC Day 1 Outlook Graphic20160501 1630 UTC Day 1 Tornado Probabilities Graphic


Moring fog and convection set up the day for a good chance for some storms. Sunshine thru the day also amplify that. Later on SPC did put out an MCD and a Thunderstorm Watch for our area, but we were in the just the Northern tip, so I was not expecting much.

md0525 graphicWW0133 SAW

Storms did go severe about an hour south of us, but looking at the radar, they were barely reaching severe crieta, so we decided to stay home and "chase" from there.


By the time the storms reached us, the were no longer severe. Actually the line split and totally missed us.


We did observed some mamatus clouds and some CG lighting.


More storms came in late during the night with some vivid lighting, but was way to exhausted to film it. Better luck next time.


  May 10, 2016

Again another day the was a bust for Ohio. Southwest Ohio was in a Enhanced/Slight risk for the day. 

The ingredients were there, all we needed was sunshine to trigger the storms. We had very little sunshine to do that. SPC did put out a thunderstorm watch for the very tip of Ohio. The main batch of activity was very far south along the Tennessee/Kentucky border.

WW0159 WOU

Only a few severe thunderstorm warnings were posted for Ohio with little to no reports came in. I was stationed in Greendale, IN were we did have a storm go warned to our west and south.

All we got at our location was extremely heavy rain and quite a few cloud to ground lighting strikes after the rain had past.

Visibility was also reduced.

The atmosphere became really stable after the first round. We did get a steady rain off and on all night. Eventually, the watch was cancelled 20 minutes early.

Right at sunset, we were treated with a rainbow and an awesome sunset. Pics will be posted later this week, but here are two right now.

  June 4, 2016

We were out and about enjoying a trip to Camden Park in West Virginia. We also had a slight risk for severe storms that day. 

20160604 1630 UTC Day 1 Outlook Graphic

While enjoying the rides, we also kept an eye to the sky. I made sure my phone was fully charged before we went in. Skies did open up twice. The first was a light shower, but the second brought a line of non-severe storms. 

A nice shelf cloud passed over the park, followed by a 40mph gust front and heavy rainstorm.  

That lasted for about 20 minutes. The skies cleared and temps stayed cool for the rest of the day. It was also a plus because the park pretty much cleared out and left the rides to just a handful of people.