(left) On Hwy 83 north of Wheeler, Tx about 5:10 I decide to turn around and head south in order to get to the southern end of the developing storm to my west (right side of road). My earlier target was a bit further north but I realize they are lining out. As I head south the precipitation core and intensity of the storm to my west / southwest intensifies. I believe around 5:22 a Tornado Warning is issued for the town of Wheeler.  It states there is a developing tornado 7 miles SW of town and it is headed toward it. At this point I am still about 5 to 10 miles north of town. This will be a close one as I race south to beat the potential tornado!

(above) Closer to town things are looking a bit grim.  I am concerned that the storm core will drop the already reported 2 3/4” hail and break my windshield.  I am traveling very quickly in a heavy downpour to try and beat the approaching possible tornado. If my windshield is smashed then I will have to deal with glass fragments, rain, and other stuff hitting me in the face.  This will prevent me from keeping up my speed and may allow the reported tornado to run over me.  I am starting to think perhaps I should have gone north and not cut it so close.

The above storm relative motion radar shows a strong MESO couplet just south of the town of Wheeler around the time I am approaching it.  My plan is to take an east road - hopefully out of the path.  I believe the meso / tornado would be south or west of town as I approach.

(above) Relief! I finally have my eastbound road - hwy 152 in Wheeler. No time to lose! Through camcorder tape footage, and warning information I have estimated that I was in the town of Wheeler making this turn most likely about 5:31; however it could be between 5:27 and 5:32pm.

At 5:32 the above storm relative motion radar shows the meso to the east and somewhat a bit south of Hwy 152.  I believe.  It appears I drove through the meso as I exited town. Hmm...not exactly the plan.

In the image to the left I race away from Wheeler headed east.

(above) I timed myself and based on my speed and travel for ~ 6 minutes it puts my position about 8 miles east of Wheeler as I turn the vehicle around face NW and film the next several shots of an apparent rain-wrapped tornado. To my knowledge this tornado (mostly in open unpopulated country) never made the SPC logs. I was one of the few people in this position (the storm’s notch) but I never called it in to NWS.

The storm relative motion image above and the next one (following) illustrate the most likely configuration of the storm as I was shooting this tornado to the NW. The times of the SRM images are 5:37pm and 5:43 (further below).  Note the intense rotation.

The last image of the Wheeler tornado (above) is probably the best one. Zoomed in, the majority of the outline of the tornado is visible. (click to enlarge)

(above) After photographing for a bit I head east on hwy 152 again. Almost immediately after leaving my past location I am met with very intense inflow winds to the storm.  Indeed, these inflow jets were the strongest I remember ever being in.  They were feeding directly into the developing tornado / notch to my NNW.  It is difficult to judge wind speeds without instruments but at the time I thought they were 70 mph to 80 mph generally. My large Tahoe was difficult to keep on the road and I was a bit concerned of being blown off the road. I later joked that I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the gusts were to 90mph. Truth is - I can’t be sure - but at the time these were scary winds to be in.

(above) In the inflow jet. Visibility drops to zero!

At 6:03pm according to my camcorder audio I turned north on hwy 30 at the town of Sweetwater. I race north toward the double hook echo at a good clip. SPC (Storm Prediction Center) logs list two tornadoes just ahead of me at this time and in this location.  The first tornado is noted 5 miles south of Reydon at 6:00pm. The second is listed 8 miles north of Sweetwater at 6:05pm.  I think it is possible these may both be the same tornado spotted from different locations (but I could be wrong).  Regardless it is evident that the 3 pictures previous (upper left, upper right, and left) are of the Sweetwater tornado. I apologize for the quality of the images. They are captured from a Hi-8 camcorder. The tornado from a distance moves across the road from left to right as I approach.  It appears as a fairly large wedge. I passed some damage as I traveled north through this area..

Click here to see video of this part of the chase!

The image to the left shows the Sweetwater tornado exiting in the distance to the right. However above me at the last instant I realize I am about to drive under another developing tornado (funnel). The white appendage can be seen in the upper left. In the video the rotation in the clouds is clearly evident as I (cluelessly - lol) almost drive under it.

© All images on this site Copyright  Bill Tabor unless otherwise noted