This is a rather unconventional spotting angle for a rotating wall cloud: to its WNW, standing in the sunlight behind the mesocyclone, peering through the rear portion of the hook and its wrapping curtains of rain. In the hilly crosstimbers forest of east-central Oklahoma, one takes advantage of any possible viewing vantage that’s safe! Fortunately the precipitation was thin enough (for now) to make out details and watch for signs of tornadic spinups underneath. Although a weak tornado later was reported with the supercell, this particular cycle didn’t produce one. Instead, we could admire the beauty of the scene from an uncommon perspective, before attempting to reposition into the storm’s inflow region.
4 S Jacktown OK (19 May 10) Looking ESE
35.4468, -97.0005
Through the Back Side
This is a rather unconventional spotting angle for a rotating wall cloud: to its WNW, standing in the sunlight behind the mesocyclone, peering through the rear portion of the hook and its wrapping curtains of rain. In the hilly crosstimbers forest of east-central Oklahoma, one takes advantage of any possible viewing vantage that’s safe! Fortunately the precipitation was thin enough (for now) to make out details and watch for signs of tornadic spinups underneath. Although a weak tornado later was reported with the supercell, this particular cycle didn’t produce one. Instead, we could admire the beauty of the scene from an uncommon perspective, before attempting to reposition into the storm’s inflow region.
4 S Jacktown OK (19 May 10) Looking ESE
35.4468, -97.0005