(Above) Approaching the supercell from the east already tornado warned near Pumpkin Center, OK

Another shot of the supercell and large anvil

These next two pictures looking west toward Pumpkin Center you see what I observe. At the time I was wondering if I was seeing the left side of a large rain wrapped tornado. Since a tornado was logged here, that may be what these pictures show.

My position is hwy 81 about halfway between Duncan and Marlow. This was a very sinister looking storm.

Here is a view of the new wallcloud to my northwest. At this time I am concerned about being pinned between the approaching high speed winds and hail I can see visually approaching from my west (pics above) and the developing tornado to my northwest and north. The town to my south is the only road option and it is congested and slow with traffic and traffic lights.

A nice funnel begins to form under the wallcloud.

Here is another shot of the funnel.

And a wider view of the cloud structure.

Here I catch the lowering funnel in the distance behind the Citgo station. One part extends at least to the top of the tree in the distance. The approximate position would be just west Marlow. A tornado and power flashes on the ground were reported at Marlow so it is possible it may be on the ground.  At this point it is obvious that the features of the western flank are beginning to race out eastward in my direction.  Time to go! I bail east before the high wind and hail can catch me.

East of the town of Duncan on Cemetary Road I turn to take this shot of the distant second flank and a lowered wallcloud / possible funnel.  Somewhere around here a helicopter came out to investigate.  It extended almost to ground at one point. But I still needed to get east as the storm had it’s own plans and intentions!

In these next two pictures I race east on Old State Hwy 7. I am travelling very quickly but the churning wallcloud and funnels to the left and rear of my drivers window seem to easily be keeping pace. At this time they present very obvious fast moving up and down motion as well as rotation. I thought a tornado was immenent very near me at this location.

Additionally I am experiencing fairly strong winds here. Mobile Threatnet is showing that I am on the edge of a strong shear area.  As I recall it was reporting 92 mph of shear. Yep, you can see my speed as I try and get clear. Apparently the old inflow area is outflowing and pushing this area of inflow and rotation out. The storm is trying to reform further east. A large high wind / shear area was created in the process.

In these two pictures further east I stop and get out. While looking around back to my north west I see this very faint tornado shaped structure under a slightly lowered cloud base.  Could this have been a tornado? I don’t know - possibly. I took a picture just in case.

I stopped at this intersection for awhile and let the dash cam roll and took some shots of the continuing wallcloud and funnel action.

It seemed it really wanted to do something.

Still further east and north as light is beginning to get weak I take this picture. At the time I thought this was likely a large wide tornado. It didn’t seem to last real long. I also ran the dash cam on it awhile.  Not sure how much can be told as with distance and lighting it was tough. However this is near the town of Elmore City at about 8:12pm. This is about 10 minutes after a warning for this area was given I believe. I was really surprised not to see this in SPC’s storm log.

It’s getting dark and I am playing with the storm and taking pics. It continues to create additional areas of rotation very near me.  There is also brilliant lightning nearby.  I consider taking shots of it, but it is so close and violent I am afraid to get out and set up a tripod.

More storm structure.

Here is the old inflow area, and it looks like it has been gutted by RFD.

A new storm flank approaching from west.

Another shot of it later.

© All images on this site Copyright  Bill Tabor unless otherwise noted