Day three of the multi-day chase...We started off the day in Avoca, IA. This day looked to have the same potential as NE/KS did the previous day. We headed east with an initial target in W. IL.
While on I-80 between Des Moines and Iowa City, storm development started to occur in scattered fashion from NW. Iowa down into E-C. Missouri. With this occurring we decided to maneuver southeast to get into position, which lead us first into Mt. Pleasant, IA. After a brief stop, we continued southeast into Fort Madison, IA. By this time a messy arc of storms was ongoing just to our southeast, extending from NW. Iowa into NW. Missouri and down to near St. Louis.
We ended up heading heading east out of Fort Madison, crossing the Mississippi River into Illinois, to get into position for the incoming storms. Pulling off on a side road near Adrian, IL the storms approached. We ended up with some interesting structure as they passed, but nothing really noteworthy. By this time it was clear the potential today wasn't going to work out, thus we decided to head to Peoria for dinner then back home. While making the drive from near La Harpe to Peoria, encountered several more storms within a disorganized line, several of which produced some small hail.
While all of this was going on a tornado outbreak was occurring to the south across Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. Looking back on things, given the high potential and how Dixie Alley events generally pan out as shown, it might have been worthwhile to have made the trip down. Making it back to Chicago early Monday night there was talk of potentially going down south to chase what was expected to be another day with high potential across Mississippi/Alabama on Tuesday (29th). Danny couldn't go and I decided to pass up the opportunity, which I regretted at first. Adam and Alec did however decided to make the trek down.
Some pictures from this chase can be viewed below. Additional pictures can be seen in the 2014 photography section.
While on I-80 between Des Moines and Iowa City, storm development started to occur in scattered fashion from NW. Iowa down into E-C. Missouri. With this occurring we decided to maneuver southeast to get into position, which lead us first into Mt. Pleasant, IA. After a brief stop, we continued southeast into Fort Madison, IA. By this time a messy arc of storms was ongoing just to our southeast, extending from NW. Iowa into NW. Missouri and down to near St. Louis.
We ended up heading heading east out of Fort Madison, crossing the Mississippi River into Illinois, to get into position for the incoming storms. Pulling off on a side road near Adrian, IL the storms approached. We ended up with some interesting structure as they passed, but nothing really noteworthy. By this time it was clear the potential today wasn't going to work out, thus we decided to head to Peoria for dinner then back home. While making the drive from near La Harpe to Peoria, encountered several more storms within a disorganized line, several of which produced some small hail.
While all of this was going on a tornado outbreak was occurring to the south across Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. Looking back on things, given the high potential and how Dixie Alley events generally pan out as shown, it might have been worthwhile to have made the trip down. Making it back to Chicago early Monday night there was talk of potentially going down south to chase what was expected to be another day with high potential across Mississippi/Alabama on Tuesday (29th). Danny couldn't go and I decided to pass up the opportunity, which I regretted at first. Adam and Alec did however decided to make the trek down.
Some pictures from this chase can be viewed below. Additional pictures can be seen in the 2014 photography section.
| Chase Statistics: Tornadoes: 0 Wind: 30-40MPH Hail: 0.50" (Marble Size) | SPC Severe Weather Reports:  |
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