An anomalous early-spring low pressure system aided by a strong negatively-tilted mid-level shortwave trough shifted into the Mid-Missouri Valley on Saturday March 5th, 2022. With overperforming moisture and vertical wind shear supportive of (photogenic) fast-moving tornadoes, the target of Emmerson, IA was set for myself, Seth, and Tyler...
As storms developed, they gradually acquired supercellular characteristics and soon became tornado warned by 3:15PM. We were downstream of the Emmerson storm by roughly 8 miles when a weak and brief tornado allegedly developed. Missed it. Shoot! We stayed with that storm as it tracked northeastward along the warm front, but soon additional cells would form to its southeast, essentially cutting-off its once unimpeded inflow. We began to realize the budding cell that was quickly developing toward Orient would be "the one" to target 'til dark. So we set our waypoint for Winterset as we were already on state hwy 92 and it seemed like a reasonable trajectory to intercept the storm assuming it maintained its intensity...and the rest is history.
What you'll view in this video is our approach and navigation from the NW, N, then lastly NE flank of a decaying (previously tornado warned) "supershower" near Cumberland that exhibited interesting rising motions with fragmented stratocumulus. We soon witnessed the inception of a funnel cloud just south of town which extended roughly 3/4 to the ground which may/may not have also been associated with an accessory horizontal vortex to its south. You'd think it reached the ground at one point... Anyways, once we realized we should quit being tempted by the dying Cumberland storm, we advanced further east and ultimately pursued the 69.5 mile violent tornado from Winterset to Newton. The last tornado to travel over 70 miles through Iowa was the historic June 7, 1984 F4 which began near Eagleville, MO and ended near Windham, IA...over 130 miles!
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Approaching organizing updraft base
0:36 - Cumberland, IA funnel cloud/possible tornado
2:19 - Realization
2:32 - Approaching tornado near Winterset
3:39 - Damage scene #1 east of Winterset
4:02 - Approaching rain-wrapped tornado south of Norwalk
4:58 - Norwalk, IA rain-wrapped tornado
5:53 - Trailing rain-wrapped tornado on U.S. hwy 65
6:03 - Damage scene #2 near Avon
6:42 - Damage scene #3 west of Newton
A lot of controversy over reckless driving behaviors have evolved since this event. Most notably with Stas Speransky excessively speeding along state hwy 92 and through the residential areas of Winterset's city limits, as well as neglecting a stop sign, driving off-road around a road block, and into a farmer's field in order to get "the shot" of the departing multi-vortex behemoth. In addition, a black Ford Expedition commandeered by Adam Lucio, Stephen Jones, Trey Greenwood, and Micah Hart (among others) were tailgating Seth, Tyler, and myself going 80+ mph in a 55 mph zone on state hwy 28 on our approach to Norwalk. I have the latter's conviction documented on camera (not shown in this video...another time) as we need to hold each other accountable for these types of actions. We need to represent the community better and this is straying us further away from righteous representation...
...As a meteorologist, veteran storm chaser going into his 9th year, and human being that exercises common-sense as much as possible, this is NOT acceptable! This is NOT safe! This is NOT worth 30 seconds of blurry footage featuring sideways rain and loud low-bass wind noises! I'm not saying I've always been a perfect driver, far from it actually, but I promise to all my followers, friends, family, colleagues, and fellow chasers...when I'm chasing...NO ONE will see me pull these maneuvers. No storm is worth risking your life, or the life of others in order to get "the shot".
God bless you all and thank you for viewing my video!
God works in mysterious ways, in ways we cannot comprehend yet. I pray for healing, comfort, grace, and strength for the families negatively impacted by the deadly Winterset and Chariton tornadoes. You can donate to the victims by clicking this link here: [ Ссылка ]
For additional information on this historic event, check out the event summary issued by the National Weather Service in Des Moines, IA here: [ Ссылка ]
