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.
Wall Cloud
Photo Steve Johnson, K9TVS
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.