Amateur Radio Skywarn Activity -- 12 July 2008

Chaves County Skywarn hams were activated to monitor and report on a number of quickly developing, severe thunderstorms. KB0QNW and K9TVS chased the storms, while other hams observed and reported from their home locations. W5ALL coordinated, providing communication with the Chaves County Emergency Manager Teresa Barncastle, and NWSABQ Meteorologist Tim Shy (KM4KS).

Wall Cloud
SW of Roswell, NM

Photo Jim Tucker, KB0QNW

The above photo, taken by Skywarn ham Jim Tucker, shows an alarming lowering (wall cloud) in the rain-free base to the left of the rain shaft. The cell weakened and the wall cloud drew-up before a tornado warning was justified. The cell passed directly over Roswell, dumping torrential rain.

Photo Steve Johnson, K9TVS

Wall Cloud
North of Roswell, NM

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque (NWSABQ) issued a tornado warning for northern Chaves County, based on Doppler RADAR echoes from this cell north of Roswell. In the above photo, taken by Skywarn ham Steven Johnson, a wall cloud can be seen lowering from the rain-free base to the right of the rain shaft. No tornado was visually observed on the ground. This storm was in a sparsely populated area after crossing US-285.