Storm Highway by Dan Robinson
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Storm Highway by Dan RobinsonClick for an important message

2013 Storm Chasing & Photography Accounts, Photos and Videos

By DAN ROBINSON
Editor/Photographer
Important Message 30 Years of Storm Chasing & Photography Dan's YouTube Video Channel Dan's Twitter feed Dan's RSS/XML feed

2013 was similar to 2005 in that it was considered a generally difficult year for spring storm chasing in the Great Plains, but if one managed to be on the right events at the right time, some great success could be had. I was blessed to pick the right storms on those "right" events, coming away with some of my best images, videos and experiences ever. My Midwest chase year was also fruitful, with 5 tornadoes in Illinois. Despite busting on the big November 17 outbreak, I came away with some interesting and satisfying tornado intercepts on July 1.

All that said, then there was May 31. I have not spoken much about how I feel about that day, other than what I've written in my chase account for the event. The tragedy of that day has left me honestly not really knowing what to say or feel, and I'm reluctant to offer platitudes. It may be a long time before I'm able to fully process what happened. Notwithstanding, I will choose to focus on the good of 2013 - not forgetting about May 31, but counting my blessings and looking forward to the future.

View logs by year: 

Storm Chasing Home | Storm Chasing FAQ | Expeditions by Year | Video Clips | Photo Gallery

2013 Storm Highlights

September 1, 2013
NASHVILLE, IL - Sprites from a distant storm complex.

August 12, 2013
MASCOUTAH, IL - Cold-air funnels east of St. Louis.

July 22, 2013
BARTELSO, IL - Clear-air lightning and the full moon.

July 1, 2013
BELLMONT, IL - Tornadoes in eastern Illinois.

June 12, 2013
PAW PAW, IL - Brief tornado in northern Illinois.

May 31, 2013
EL RENO, OK - A very close call with the world's largest EF5 tornado during a tragic day.

May 28, 2013
BENNINGTON, KS - A career best tornado intercept - a close encounter with an EF4 tornado.

May 18, 2013
ROZEL, KS - Intercepting one of the most photogenic tornadoes of the decade, then another close tornado encounter.

May 3, 2013
VANDALIA, IL - Cold core storms in southern Illinois.

April 17, 2013
CALIFORNIA, MO - Supercells in central Missouri.

April 10, 2013
ALTON, IL - Severe storms in the St. Louis metro area.

March 17, 2013
ADDIEVILLE, IL - Intense lightning with surface temperatures at 36°F;.

February 21, 2013
ALTON, IL - Snowstorm in the St. Louis metro area.

February 3, 2013
ST. LOUIS, IL - Surprise snowstorm and icy roads in St. Louis.

January 29, 2013
LAKE ST. LOUIS, IL - Severe thunderstorms in the western St. Louis metro area.

All 2013 Storm Logs

January 2013:
- 1/12 Icing IL
- 1/27 Icing IL
- 1/29 Severe storms MO
- 1/31 Snow IL

February 2013:
- 2/3 Icy roads MO
- 2/21 Snowstorm IL
- 2/25 Thundersleet IL

March 2013:
- 3/12 Comet IL
- 3/17 Lightning IL
- 3/24 Snowstorm IL,MO

April 2013:
- 4/7 Supercell KS
- 4/8 Tornado Bust KS
- 4/7 Tornado Bust KS
- 4/10 Severe storms IL,MO
- 4/16 Lightning MO
- 4/17 Supercells MO
- 4/18 Lightning MO
- 4/18 Tornado bust IL

May 2013:
- 5/3 Cold core storms IL
- 5/9 Severe storms MO,IL
- 5/16 Distant lightning IL
- 5/18 Tornado intercepts KS
- 5/19 Supercell KS
- 5/27 Supercell KS
- 5/28 Tornado intercept KS
- 5/29 Supercells OK
- 5/30 Supercells OK
- 5/31 Tornado intercept OK

June 2013:
- 6/12 Tornado intercept IL
- 7/22 Thunderstorms IL
- 7/23 Thunderstorms IL
- 7/26 Thunderstorms IL

July 2013:
- 7/1 Tornado intercepts IL
- 7/2 Tornado intercept IL
- 7/10 Lightning MO
- 7/13 Thunderstorms IL
- 7/22 Lightning IL
- 7/23 Lightning MO

August 2013:
- 8/7 Lightning IL
- 8/8 MCV storms IL
- 8/12 Funnels IL
- 8/23 Lightning IL

September 2013:
- 9/1 Sprites IL
- 9/14 Steam devils IL
- 9/18 Arch rainbow MO
- 9/19 Thunderstorms IL
- 9/20 Lightning MO
- 9/24 Severe storms MO/IL

October 2013:
- 10/1 Auroras IL
- 10/4 Lightning IL
- 10/5 Lightning IL
- 10/8 Auroras IL
- 10/31 Severe storms IL

November 2013:
- 11/16 Lightning IL
- 11/17 Outbreak bust IL

December 2013:
- 12/5 Snow MO
- 12/20 Lightning IL
- 12/21 Freezing rain MO

Catch of the Year:

May 28: Close EF4 tornado intercept at Bennington, KS.
[ Read more about this event ]

2013 Mileage
11,935
Winter 1,306
Tornado 9,300
General Weather 1,329

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