CHASE ARCHIVES
Monsoon Season
2010
July and early August experienced a few brief monsoonal intrusions which were unchaseable for me due to work commitments. As such, it wasn't until August 25 where I had my first chase of the season. Monsoon season extended itself into early October with some excellent chase days on Oct 1 and 2, snagging a beautiful funnel cloud in a rotating storm over Yucaipa. A severe outbreak setup the next few days which was confined to the eastern deserts and much of Arizona, with a tornado outbreak in the Belmont/Flagstaff area on Oct 6. I was not able to chase in AZ due to work.
August 25, 2010 - Perris, Hemet, Winchester, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, CA
Severe thunderstorms broke out in a wide area of the Inland Empire, San Bernardino Mtns, and the high desert of San Bernardino County. I started my chase in Hemet where I detected weak rotation and spotted a brief funnel on the southwest side of Hemet. Re-positioned in Winchester and observed brushfire triggered by lightning. Re-positioned again in Lake Elsinore after observing a microburst underway. Damage from the microburst occurred near downtown Lake Elsinore as it snapped several dozen power poles along a mile stretch of Pottery Rd, as well as dozens of down trees and damage to homes. 12 people were trapped in a Riverside Transit Authority minibus when power lines fell on it. It took one hour to rescue them.
August 26, 2010 - Lakeview/Nuevo/Romoland/Menifee, CA
I intercepted the northwest side of the storm near Lakeview and Nuevo where I was overrun by a haboob sandstorm. As the storm intensified, I observed an inflow tail and wall cloud, later confirmed by NWS via radar that the storm exhibited weak rotation. NWS issued a severe thunderstorm warning and included wording of rotation and *possible* tornadoes. I was able to penetrate the core near Romoland and Menifee and experienced 1/2" to 1" hail in that area.
September 30, 2010 - Perris, CA
Tropical wave moved north into Southern California bringing with it remnants of an MCS that had earlier pounded northern Baja. Storms were mostly embedded type and not severe. Chased between home and Perris.
October 1, 2010 - Beaumont, CA
Late season monsoonal intrusion in Southern California aided by a cutoff low dropping south through central California. I targeted a severe thundersotrm over Beaumont that showed weak rotation and some lowering on the south side of town. While I did catch a brief funnel, camcorder malfunction ended my ability to record the moment including the core of the storm riding over me.
October 2, 2010 - Beaumont/Yucaipa, CA
Late season monsoon setup. Targeted Beaumont as a potential for development. Storm blows up about 4pm right over Beaumont, going severe and producing 1" hail. Storm moved north into Yucaipa where it produced flash flooding. Storm also exhibited rotation and produced a funnel cloud over Yucaipa.
October 3, 2010 - Lakeview/Perris, CA
The western side of a low end severe risk in Southern California and western Arizona brought weak thunderstorms in the Inland Empire area. Observed interesting structure around Lakeview and Perris. Nothing of any exceptionally notable activity other than light rain and a few lightning strikes in the area. I was not able to chase any farther east due to personal commitments this day.