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Last Updated on Sunday, 10 January 2010 01:26 Written by Roger Hill

2001

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June 9, 2001 took us to North Dakota. Never again will I underestimate the importance of a boundary in tornado genesis. A weak bubble high formed over South Dakota after a morning MCS moved through, scouring out all moisture. However, north of the warm front in western North Dakota moisture was pooling with dewpoints in the 60s. So north we headed. There was 50 kts at 500 mb, great veering profile, high CAPE, and an approaching short wave. On the way northward through South Dakota, dewpoints bounced from the upper 40s through the 60s, but by the time we hit I-94 they increased to 66F. A couple of severe storms were ongoing, with one storm potentially tornadic. Other storms rapidly formed along the boundary, which was also collocated with I-94. Within 30 minutes upon arrival, a supercell exploded just to out east, so we raced after it, and what a show it gave us. Rapid cascading from the RFD was visible, huge hail soon followed, and finally as we got in front of it a possible tornado crossed in front of us causing significant damage. Check out the pics below.

The first storm exploded as we arrive.	Wall cloud forms under a rapidly developing supercell.
Cascading from the RFD down the back side of this storm and wall cloud.	Wall cloud wraps with hail and rain.
Clear slot forms to the left (west) of the wall cloud.	Very intense hail.
Hail up to 6" deep. Reports from NWS BIS had hail drifts to 5 ft deep!!!	We get northeast of the updraft only to find a butt dragging meso.
We tried to beat the meso/possible tornado and found a man hurt in his destroyed car.	Power poles are snapped.
More snapped power poles.	We finally get in front of this monster.
Gorgeous shelf near dusk.	More of the shelf.
Lighting under the shelf.