three days prior the Storm Prediction Center issued a risk of severe storms
for April 22nd initiating near a dryline. The next day the risk was upgraded
with a 10% chance of significant tornadoes and on the morning of April 22nd,
the day of the event the outlined risk of tornadoes was expanded.
At 1:09 p.m. cumulus clouds were developing along the dry line and by 1:12 p.m.
A mesoscale discussion was issued anticipating a few tornadoes.
At 3:20 a squadron of storms was developing along the dryline and by 4:01
they were maturing into small supercells marching east.
So which storm would you chase? A, B, C, or D?
After positioning for C and D
I committed to storm C...
Because it seemed to have stronger mesocyclone development
and wasn't tracking directly over the Red River.
and by 4:50 I was observing a was observing a tight rotating updraft
approach the town of Madill Oklahoma.
Could be happening right behind that tree.
Yep, there it is. Tornado is on the ground.
We're gonna get close and get up on that sucker.
There it is.
(tornado siren in distance)
May have to run away.
a swirl of drier air was being ingested into the storm slicing an impressive clear slot
around the tornado and providing a rare view
deep into the engine of the supercell.
It's right there. Yep, It's upon us.
I can hear it. (starts engine)
really close
(wind getting louder)
Oh yeah, we gotta run.
Here it comes.
Right out the gate this burrito earned ef-2 status, snapping power poles and
flinging trees as it tracked just south of the populated town.
The small mesocyclone and low precipitation storm mode, tracking near
paved routes I'd previously traveled, gave me a confidence to dare extremely
close videography... While keeping a close eye on a large debris perimeter as well
As well as the power lines above me.
oh it's spinning.
Ok, we're kind of inside it.
Everyone's rolling right?
Oh it's close.
(wind getting louder)
Oh it's close!
(debris banging into car)
That's close.
(WIND HOWLING)
Hang on.
That might be as far as I can go.
Wow.