Day 5 - New Chase Vehicle

SUN 31 MAY

Starting today in Fort Collins (CO) where it is currently 27C at time of writing, having reached the hotel here late yesterday evening. En-route from NM to CO yesterday we noticed the air con wasn't working properly, making the car quickly become more like a greenhouse. After phoning the rental car company and organising to swap for a replacement at Denver airport, we then had a 3 hour drive in a very hot car - but all is good, as we are now the owners of a Dodge Durango. Need a new name now (reg ends in TTT).

There was some nice convection developing over the Rockies to our west on the journey north yesterday afternoon/evening - proof that upslope flow/orographic forcing can induce convection!

Deep convection developing over the Rockies, as seen from Farista (CO)

The perfect combination - Golden Arches and convection at Raton (NM)

Our new, replacement chase vehicle - a Dodge Durango

Had originally planned to drive north to Gillette (WY) today to get closer to the risk area for tomorrow, but having looked at various output this morning think we'll try and see what NE Colorado can produce - chance of a couple of severe thunderstorms with hail and gusty winds, and a low risk of a short-lived tornado. Being in the post-frontal environment, the surface air is quite dry with ridging building from the west aloft, so any storms that do develop will likely be pretty well-scattered. Either way, we've got a lengthy drive tomorrow morning to get into position for the afternoon...

30 May 2015 Route Map (GPS failed so had to do it by hand!)

2015 STORM CHASE stats thus far:
McDonald's tally: 5
Applebee's tally: 4
Distance driven: 1,619 miles
States visited: 4