Target: Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Started the day in Sidney, Nebraska as this was day 2 of a multi-day High Plains chasing trip. The first storms went up fairly early, around 2:00 pm just west of Chugwater, Wyoming. I took the short trip through Scottsbluff, Nebraska, ultimately coming into view of the storm near Veteran, Wyoming. To the west of the storm, another supercell fired up and paralleled the track of the lead supercell, just to its southwest. This orientation of the storms, as well as high rain-free bases allowed viewing of both storms simultaneously. While the bases were visible, ample low clouds precluded any updraft viewing. The western storm demonstrated a flat, laminar base, which showed no good signs of rotation. The western storm appeared to contain more traditional, classic supercell base structure, with a slowly rotating lowering and a long inflow tail. While the western storm indicated the best signs of organized supercellular behavior the cold temperatures and dry air precluded any tornadic activity. Followed the storms back to the east/southeast through Yoder, Wyoming and Lyman, Nebraska, ultimately driving through the bluffs at Scottsbluff. It was about this time that it became apparent that the storms were likely done. I stopped at Chimney Rock, just outside of Scottsbluff to take some photography with the storm in the background of the frontier landmark. The day ended back in Sidney, with hopefully another day of High Plains chasing on May 21.
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