Start, Lubbock; end, Uvalde, TX; 509 miles; lunch at The Taco Place at Ozona
Oftentimes in spring, when moisture is scarce on the Plains, a chaser’s mind turns to the fresh, exhilarating waters of the Rio Grande. Yes, the river along the international border is like a resort area. Well, it is a “last resort” area to see storms when moisture is shunted south into Mexico. Today, our only hope for decent convection would be storms coming off of higher terrain in Mexico, west and south of the Rio Grande. Upper winds would steer any storms into the United States, where we would be waiting. Instability and shear were mediocre-to-good, and SPC showed a marginal risk of severe along the river near Del Rio.
Our group made the long trek south from the Panhandle to the river at Del Rio, and we observed a fairly healthy Mexican cell to our south. It appeared to organize and strengthen some as it came over Del Rio, and there was a clear-cut clear slot with a lowered area. There was no tornado, but it wasn’t a bad attempt for such a low-end chase day. The excitement level diminished for the most part thereafter, as we made our way to Eagle Pass and vicinity.
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