May 10, 2017
Statistics
Initial Target
Start
End
Storm Intercepts
Tornadoes
Hail
Wind
Features
Miles
Galesburg, IL
Springfield, IL 2:15 PM 5/10/2017
Springfield, IL 7:15 PM 5/10/2017
Brimfield, IL
0
0"
0 mph
Shelf Cloud
243
Summary
Warm front setup in central IL. Targeted west of Peoria for potential discrete prefrontal initiation ahead of squall. Was briefly on small discrete cell before encroaching line overran storm. Noted pretty skies with rainbows and sunset storms back at home.
Crew and Equipment
Solo chase. Equipment: Sony FDR-AX100.
Video
Details

A small cell was crossing 74 near Brimfield and I moved in under the base. The updraft base and precipitation core were nicely separated, but the cell didn't organize beyond that. I could see the shelf cloud of the encroaching line looming low contrast in the distance. When it arrived, the tornado chase would be effectively over.
Conclusion
No Illinois warm front magic on this chase, but it was worth a shot and the Southern Plains wound up not producing anything hugely photogenic so I wasn't missing out either.
Lessons Learned
- Sometimes the prettiest skies are waiting at home.