Start: Woodward, OK
Lunch: Fast food in Enid
End: Shawnee (350 miles)
There was little consternation with regard to where we needed to be this chase day. After lunch in Enid, we continued to the E and SE into the trees east of I-35, and watched storm towers grow in the sunshine about halfway between Oklahoma City and Tulsa. 500 flow was northwest at about 40 knots, and this activity pulled us from about Stroud to north of Okemah. Instability was very good, with up to 4000 J/kg CAPE. As the western-most storm intensified, it turned southward near Okemah.
We got right in front of it near Okemah, and Highway 27 southbound was just about perfect to keep tabs on the action area just to the north. This beast caused giant hail near Okemah (near 4.25 inches), prolific CG lightning, and plenty of excitement for chasers right in front of it to Wetumka and Horntown.
A lowering or two threatened to turn tornadic, but we did not observe a tornado. The storm turned rather ugly and HP, and I let it go at Horntown. We scooted a little to the west to watch it move off to our southeast.
This beast continued south through the trees to the Red River. Our group waved goodbye near Holdenville. I took a break from the tour for the next several days!
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