April 14, 2000 - Red River, Texas

Tim Samaras and I left Lakewood, Colorado at 5:00 PM on 4/14/2000. The Storm Prediction Center had a moderate risk posted for the day 2 forecast. A strong cold front was sagging southward and a low pressure system was spinning over southern Colorado. Over night Goodland, Kansas had a 60 degree temperature change. Denver received snow and freezing temperatures after having mid 70's temperature when we left. Fortunately my wife thought to unhook the water hoses while I was off chasing storms. As Tim and I departed for Dumas, Texas our only concern was the strength of the moisture returning from the Gulf of Mexico.

After spending the night in Dumas, Tim and I headed for Vernon, Texas on Saturday morning. The initial convection started firing east of Amarillo as the dryline pushed eastward. Measured dewpoint at this time was 59. This picture above was taken at about 2:15 pm CDT west of Vernon, Texas. As I recall the first severe thunderstorm warning was issued for this cell at this time.

Looking northeast from 10 miles east of Childress at 3:50 pm CDT. The picture shows the capped atmosphere toward Oklahoma City. Storms were firing on a north/south squall line.

Mammatus clouds at 4:20 pm CDT looking northeast from 15 miles east of Childress, an indication of an unstable atmosphere. A tornado warning had been issued at this time for Roger Mills county in Oklahoma.

I was hoping Tale End Charlie had put down a tornado but it was only a freight train. Above the train, in the background the long linear squall line can be seen.

Above the shelf cloud from progressing squall line at 5:05 pm CDT south of Chillicothe looking Northeast. From the weather channel we notice a detached cell momentarily out in front of the squall line and hoped Tale End Charlie was alive and well at 5:36 pm CDT. The lone cell rejoined the line as we progressed further south (below).

Even a squall line thunderstorm can be beautiful, 6:11 pm CDT on highway 183/283 north of Seymour, Texas.

Tim's new Dryline chaser complete with autotracking satellite dish on the back top, progressing squall line above the vehicle.

Advancing thunderstorm at 6:25 pm CDT with Lake Kemp in the foreground. No Tale End Charlie,yet!

Sun in the background making a Squall Line Eclipse of sorts on the road to Seymour. Tim and I decide to start for home at 7:30 pm CDT. Sometime about 8:00 pm as we are headed home we heard a tornado warning for Throckmorton. It may have only been radar indicated? I don't know if it was confirmed or not? Tale End Charlie may have shown up after all?