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Marlin, TX LP supercell - 3/21/2005
The complete "life span" of a beautiful, sculpted, tornadic LP (low-precipitation) supercell in the Brazos Valley of Texas.
Date(s): March 22, 2005. Album by Bill Purcell. Photos by Bill Purcell. 1 - 20 of 20 Total. 45429 Visits.
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Bluebonnets along Hwy 7, looking toward Marlin at the persistent updraft

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View is from FM 712, 3 SSW Marlin, looking NNW.  Updraft tower showing rotation.

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Amazing horseshoe LP updraft.  This and all further images viewed from 3 SSE Marlin on Hwy 6, looking NNE, eventually ENE.

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Brazos Valley fields of gold, vaulted bell-shaped LP.

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Downward vertical motion seen in and downstream from collar cloud as it wraps around the meso.

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Extremely sheared updraft tower, funnel begins to develop.

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Amazing structure, funnel extends a bit further toward the ground.

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I think THIS might be a magazine cover!  Unbelievable!

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Uhhh, yeah.  I'm running out of unique adjectives and descriptions.  Just enjoy ...

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Unconfirmed touchdown, but damn convincing given the perspective.

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The same, seconds later.  YOU'D call it a tornado, wouldn't you?!?

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Barely-visible vortex ropes out, underturning continues in "mezzanine" layer.

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Did I mention this thing had virtually no forward motion?  Did I mention I'm running out of caption ideas?

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My older brother suggested that I create a wx calendar based upon this single storm.  Interesting idea.

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Oops!  I forgot to call attention to this earlier - there's a small rainbow segment just ahead of the updraft nose.  Also, cigar-shaped, detached tail cloud begins to develop to the NE under weak precip shield.

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Full display of amazing shear / horizontal vorticity in tilting updraft, along with mid-level funnel in the vault.  Although updraft organization weakens, westward inflow band intensifies!

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Incredible example of "breaking wave" motion over the vault, strong downward motion associated with quasi-horizontal vortex tube.

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Complex splitting, wrapping and wave-breaking as the westward inflow band forks.

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The sun sets, the updraft wanes, and the anvil went "thataway!"

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Ultimate, peaceful, yet hallowed dissipation of the Grand Process known forevermore as a sky sculpture.

   
 
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