March 27, 2004 - Western Oklahoma, Custer City
Tornado
Click on any photo to see a larger version
Route
Left Oklahoma City around 11:30am with an
initial target of Elk City. That's where we ended up intercepting our first
storm. It had broad rotation and an occasional lowering, but could not seem to
wrap itself up. Finally saw our first tornado of the day near Custer City. It
was not down long, though. Ended up following the storm to Watonga before
breaking off to intercept the southern storm that was near Clinton. This storm
looked great being backlit by a setting sun. Followed it into Okarche before
calling it a night and heading home.
I-40 approaching Elk City, 1:30pm. Looking west.
I-40 and Hwy 34, 1:45pm. Looking west as storm moved in.
Hwy 44 near Foss Reservoir, 2:15pm. Strong rotation seen as
storm moved across west end of lake.
Hwy 44 approaching Butler, 3:00pm. Hail covers the
road.
US 183, 3:20pm. Aaron Kennedy watches for another funnel
after catching a thin needle tornado a few minutes earlier.
  
Hwy 33 just east of Custer City, 3:30pm. Finally catch a
glimpse of the tornado.
Hwy 47 just west of Thomas, 3:45pm. Nice panorama.
US 270/ US 281 west of Watonga, 4:30pm.
US 281 south of Geary, 5:07pm. Looking west toward
Weatherford at the tornado warned storm.
I-40 near Hydro, 5:20pm. Looking west at a wonderful
backlit supercell.
US 270 east of Geary, 6:25pm. Another nice panorama.
North of Calumet on N2740, 6:35pm. Another wall cloud as the storm approaches Okarche.
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