April 20, 2006 - West Texas, Lamesa

Left Norman early with Gabe Garfield and Justin Walker. Our initial target was Abilene, but  when we arrived there it was rainy and cold. We stopped for lunch and were ready to give up for the day, but decided to go west after the storms that had formed on the upslope in eastern New Mexico. We finally got to see breaks in the clouds and blue sky near Lamesa, but it was too late for any solar heating. Shear was awesome, but cold pools of air at the surface kept today from living up to its potential. Early storms prevented the needed daytime heating from the sun and surface instabilities stayed low.

Southwest of Lamesa, TX - A few showers form, but with cold surface temperatures they don't do much more than rain.

Lamesa, TX - Finally see tornadoes today... on the Lamesa water towers!

Lamesa, TX - Sun sets, the incredible shear can be seen in rising scud clouds.

East of Lamesa, TX - Clouds, illuminated by the city of Lamesa, show the incredible shear in the area. Any rising motion is accompanied by some intense twisting motions.