Grand Island, Aurora, NE Tornado - June 17, 2009
by Benjamin Tillotson
Thursday, June 18, 2009, 1:24pm
This day looked like a good chance of tornadoes over a large portion of Nebraska so we took off at noon with a target of Hebron, NE. The day didn't turn out exactly as expected as the only good storms looked to be back at Kearney. We head back toward Kearney and get on the storm at Wood River which quickly produced a couple brief tornadoes.
The first of the two brief tornadoes.
The storm had some good structure before it produces a second time.
Second tornado.
More structure shots as the storm moves closer.
.jpg "Supercell west of Grand Island, NE")
.jpg "Supercell west of Grand Island, NE")
.jpg "Supercell west of Grand Island, NE")
We stopped and took a few lightning shots before the storm began to strengthen again.
.jpg "Supercell west of Grand Island, NE")
The storm forms a new wall cloud as it nears Grand Island.
.jpg "Supercell west of Grand Island, NE")
.jpg "Blowing Dust")
Some strong strait line winds as we enter Grand Island.
.jpg "Blowing Dust")
.jpg "Blowing Dust")
.jpg "Supercell in Grand Island, NE")
A nice RFD cut develops around the wall cloud.
.jpg "Supercell in Grand Island, NE")
.jpg "Supercell in Grand Island, NE")
We go east on Hwy 34 as the third and largest tornado forms.
Ground circulation begins about a quarter mile away.
Tornado moves south of the hwy. Michael is using the 10-22mm lens so the tornado was much closer than it appears.
At 10mm
Feeling the strong inflow winds as the tornado got closer was a little intimidating at times.
The tornado begins to move closer to the hwy and damages the buildings to the north of the hwy.
-4.jpg "Tornado west of Aurora, NE")
.jpg "Tornado west of Aurora, NE")
The tornado nears Aurora and we are a little concerned that it might do some damage to the town but it weakens as it enters town.
-5.jpg "Tornado west of Aurora, NE")
.jpg "Supercell east of Aurora, NE")
A last shot of lightning illuminating the updraft as we head back.
Thu, Jun 18, 2009, 1:33pmSethThat was soo much fun! My heart was beating pretty fast while it was chasing us, but it was most enjoyable. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to join you on your first tornado intercept!
Thu, Jun 18, 2009, 1:35pmPeter StoberMICHAEL! WOW!
Thu, Jun 18, 2009, 1:37pmdavidmHey! That's cool! Thanks, Ben!
Thu, Jun 18, 2009, 2:16pmAnne LanoUhh, wow! Those are incredible!! David and I were just sitting here with our mouths open saying over and over again "wow" :) Thanks for sharing these!
Thu, Jun 18, 2009, 2:32pmSheri HarringtonAmazing pics! I bet there are folks who would pay money for these!
Thu, Jun 18, 2009, 2:37pmMichaelWow. That's some awesome stuff.
Thu, Jun 18, 2009, 2:51pmMicahThose pictures are very cool!!
Thu, Jun 18, 2009, 3:43pmLinda BrockAmazing - and so are you guys!!!
I love all the pix, but esp. the lightning/updraft one!!!
Thu, Jun 18, 2009, 3:53pmAlHey, those are great pix!
Thu, Jun 18, 2009, 4:26pmsarah mWow.. that is so cool! I LOVE the picture at the end. Very nice job. That must have been very impressive!
Thu, Jun 18, 2009, 7:09pmGrandmaWe are impressed but stay safe
Fri, Jun 19, 2009, 1:16pmDavid H.Have you considered grizzly wrestling?
Fri, Jun 19, 2009, 1:27pmMichael TillotsonOf course not, David. Grizzly wrestling is dangerous.
Fri, Jun 19, 2009, 3:17pmSethAnd yet, tornadoes somehow miss the "dangerous" category. :)
Sat, Jun 20, 2009, 2:03amAmy K. Wow guys! I just had to come check out the blog to see what we missed:) Those are awesome pics. So, not fair!
Sat, Jun 20, 2009, 7:45pmJKBartellAmazing pics! Looks like an awesome rush.
Sat, Jun 20, 2009, 7:56pmGrandpa RubinghLooks like you're trying to live dangerously!
Sun, Jun 21, 2009, 2:31pmJosh Lvery cool. GJ michael and ben you really got some good pixs
Thu, Jun 25, 2009, 1:31pmLesVery cool guys! Looks like you had a lot of fun and those pics are amazing!
Fri, Jun 26, 2009, 8:48amRay GoughAmazing pictures, thanks for showing them.
