Chase Log


March 2, 2012

Type: Storm Chase
Location(s): USPS Post Office in Dickson, TN
Chase Result: Success
Witnessed: Rotating Wall Cloud, Hail, High Winds, Tree and Property Damage

Summary:
Witnessed a rotating wall cloud moving E @ 65mph that later dropped a very weak tornado that only lasted for a short time. I could not see the tornado, due to the storm becoming rain-wrapped very quickly. It took out a few tall, skinny trees, peeled back some metal tiles on the Renaissance Center's Cybersphere, damaged the flea market area, and another part of the storm (believed to be a tornado, which the local FD says they witnessed) damaged the roof to the Hampton Inn at the interstate (I-40, exit 172) and tore off some of the siding of the roof on the Waffle House at the interstate as well. There have also been some reports of damage done to some homes around that area as well.

I did get hailed on where I was at, and the largest hail stones I could find were about the size of a quarter.

The NWS does not believe there was a tornado in Dickson, but myself and a few other fellow spotters that were with me all saw a couple of power flashes in the direction that the tornado crossed the road. Power flashes indicate that there is high circulation on the ground.

Thankfully, there were no injuries or fatalities reported in Dickson County from this event.



January 23, 2012

Type: Stationary Observation
Location(s): 3 miles N of the City of Dickson, TN
Chase Result: N/A
Witnessed: Funnel Cloud/Tornado, High Winds, Tree Damage

Summary:
Witnessed a possible tornado that passed just 1/4 mile north of my home. This is one of two possible tornadoes that came through Dickson, TN. A tornado warning was issued at 12:40 AM for my area specifically, along with an additional tornado warning just S of my location for the second indication of rotation that came through Dickson at 12:53 AM. Lots of tree and power line damage was reported following the storm along the areas of where the "tornadoes" came through. Dickson also suffered from lots of areas without power.



August 3, 2011

Type: Stationary Observation
Location(s): Dickson, TN
Chase Result: N/A
Witnessed: Severe Thunderstorm, Very Frequent Lightning

Summary:
Witnessed very frequent CG (cloud-to-ground) lightning during a severe thunderstorm warning issued around 10:00PM CDT. Video footage was taken during this event, which may be viewed below.



May 1, 2011

Type: Stationary Observation
Location(s): Dickson, TN
Chase Result: N/A
Witnessed: Shelf Cloud

Summary:
***

April 27, 2011

Type: Storm Chase
Location(s): Huntsville, AL, Fayetteville, TN, Marshall County, TN
Chase Result: Success
Witnessed: Multiple Tornadoes, Very Frequent Lightning, Hail, Damaging Winds, Major Flooding

Summary:
Video footage was taken during this event, which may be viewed below.







April 26, 2011

Type: Stationary Observation
Location(s): Dickson, TN
Chase Result: N/A
Witnessed: Multiple wall clouds, very frequent lightning, heavy downpours, flooding

Summary:
***

April 4, 2011

Type: Stationary Observation, Damage Survey
Location(s): Dickson, TN
Chase Result: N/A
Witnessed: Tornado, Damage to buildings and property

Summary:
Witnessed and experienced a confirmed EF-1 tornado in the vocational building at the Dickson County High School around 1:35 PM CDT. The tornado made a direct hit where I was taking shelter in a narrow and inner-most hallway. Numerous hardwood trees were snapped and the roofs on the shop area and near the 100 hallway on the other side of the campus were blown off. A window at the pool area was also blown out, and a large garage door on the car shop was blown in. Lots of tree and property damage was personally noted and documented around the Dickson area, mainly near the high school, Union Cemetery, Luther Lake, Yellow Creek Rd. and Montgomery Bell Park - which includes trees on homes, vehicles and power lines. Several power poles were found torn down in some areas. No injuries or fatalities were reported for this incident.

March 23, 2011

Type: Stationary Observation
Location(s): 4mi. N of the City of Dickson, TN
Chase Result: N/A
Witnessed: 50mph+ Straight Line Winds, Brief Downpours

Summary:
Witnessed 50mph+ winds rip sizable limbs from trees.

February 27, 2011

Type: Stationary Observation
Location(s): 4mi. N of the City of Dickson, TN
Chase Result: N/A
Witnessed: Rotating Wall Cloud

Summary:
A tornado warning was issued at 4:31PM for a large portion of NW Dickson County. Radar imagery indicated that mild rotation was accompanying this cell, shown as a clockwise hook echo on the SW corner of the cell. A slowly rotating wall cloud was witnessed and documented. There was a rumor that a tornado had touched down in Vanleer, TN, a small town several miles north of this location, however the certainty of that report is unknown at this time. The NWS was notified regarding this event. Video footage was taken during this event, which may be viewed below.



February 24, 2011

Type: Stationary Observation
Location(s): 4 mi. N of the City of Dickson, TN
Chase Result: N/A
Witnessed: 70mph+ Straight Line Winds, Very Heavy Rain, Lightning

Summary:
Two tornado warnings were issued around 9PM CST before the squall line came through. During the passing of the line of severe thunderstorms, very heavy rain, winds in excess of 70mph and lightning were witnessed. No known damage was done at our location at this time, besides several trees down in other parts of Dickson County, TN. Storm total rainfall was approximately 4.5". Video footage was taken during the tornado warning, which may be viewed below.



February 9, 2011

Type: Stationary Observation
Location(s): Dickson, TN
Chase Result: N/A
Witnessed: Dry Snow, 2in.

Summary:
2" of snow fell on top of the previous snow that fell on Monday, totaling up to approximately 4" total since Monday afternoon. Snow fell from 2PM-6PM CST.