Storm Chase 2003

May 16 - May 28


by William T. Hark
Stock Photgraphy and Video

Although many chasers saw tornadoes during Spring 2003, I saw only one in Virginia and none in Tornado Alley. The first two weeks of May set a record for number of tornadoes. I arrived for the second two weeks and the severe weather pattern ended. I was still able to see supercells, lightning, wall clouds and hail along with a rare Virginia tornado. Of course, there were more tornadoes across the Plains after I returned home. I was also able to spend time with friends and explore Big Bend National Park. While I was chasing, I was filmed by a crew from Pioneer Productions. The show about chasers (one of three one hour shows) will air on the Travel Channel in late October or early November. My friends and I were filmed during a lull in severe weather so I don't know how much of their footage will be used.

Click on the picture or text to access the corresponding chase log. Pictures are linked in the text of each log or by thumbnails in the middle or the end of the documents.

Images are for sale. If you have questions about image usage, video for television shows, or tornadoes and storm chasing, please see my Storm F.A.Q.

Last modified: Auguse 24, 2003


May 16 - 18 (Storm chaser picnic, severe storms, wall cloud near Denver)


May 19 (Healdton and Loco, Oklahoma: supercell, rotating wall cloud, tornado warning)


May 20 - 23 (Detention by government security, Big Texan, windmill photos, interviews with Pioneer Productions, Kansas and Texas storms)


May 24 - 25 (Texas: LP supercell, severe lightning, hail)


May 26 - 28 (Big Bend National Park and Rio Grande Valley)


May 31 (Tornado near Brodnax, Virginia)

During this trip, I chased with the the following chasers: Brian Crean, Ron Gravelle Jack Kertzie, George Kourounis, Chris Kridler, Scott McPartland, Jason Persoff, M.D., Rob Pollanz, and Peter Ventre. Thanks to Jim Leonard and Charles Edwards of Cloud 9 Tours and Dave Lewison, for help with data and nowcasting. I also received updates from Tim Vasquez's Chase Hotline.

All photos and pictures are copyright 2003 William T. Hark, M.D except as noted. My pictures are either video captures using a Sony TRV-900 mini DV or scanned slides from a Nikon FG and Fuji Velvia film.

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Please E-mail me with questions, comments and complaints. Wthark@aol.com
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