March 19, 2020
Decided to get out today to observe storms. The Storm Prediction Center placed an enhanced risk of severe storms in Southeast Missouri including a 10% tornado risk. Although none the models ever showed any discrete supercell development in southeast Missouri, my friend Brian Meyr and I made our way down south anyway. Our target holding area would be Sikeston, MO. On our way down I-55, we passed through the line of storms that would eventually put out a tornado warning in Illinois near Rend Lake. It was here we saw our only 2 bolts of lightning all day. WOO HOO!
We did make it down to Sikeston and throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening would meander back and forth on I-55 watching many small cells working their way southwest to northeast. Certainly was a long shot that one of these cells would intensify to the point of becoming severe. That never happened as cell after cell passed us with no more than a brief, heavy rain burst. As evening began turning into night, we began our trek back home.
For the most part, the day just ended being a long drive. Was nice to see some of the signs of Spring with the dogwoods, bradford pears, magnolias, etc. that were already in full bloom down there. Got to spend some time getting to know my new friend Brian Meyr, and had a reprieve from the constant onslaught of news from the CoronaVirus pandemic.
8.5 Hours - 343 Miles
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