Enhanced Risk Day

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) had issued an Enhanced Risk for severe weather for the panhandle areas of Oklahoma and Texas on Monday, May 16, 2016 (above), but our confidence for tornadoes or any form of severe weather was in doubt because of cool temperatures (low-to-mid-60s). There was however, enough instability and shear to initiate storms.

The supercell above was in full organization when the image was captured. The leading edge was laced with mammatus clouds, but there was a curious lack of lightning activity. This image was captured at 2:46 pm CDT and looks west from E0132 Road, about .25-mile west of Highway 324 and about 16 miles northwest of Boise City, Oklahoma. The flat and open terrain made for excellent observation/photography.

The above image looks north toward the storm at the same time. Note the obvious turbulent nature of the approaching storm in the background. Standing watching the storm near our vehicle is son Ryan. Nikon D7200 DSLR camera.