A rogue mesocyclone with impressive mid level updraft rotation and descending Wall Cloud(s) was observed as it developed near the Pecos River in extreme northeastern Reeves County and eventually tracked through central Crane, northern Upton and southern Midland counties from 2030Z until 2250Z, October 5th, 2008. A second mesocyclone "sister", forming southwest of the previous, following a similar trajectory, was also captured beginning at 2250Z. Both SuperCells would be tornado warned during a portion of their life-cycle(s) by MAF/NWS.
The author left Midland around 1900Z deciding upon a target area in south-central Permian Basin were solar insolation was believed to be more abundant during the day through a broken stratus deck and improve instability . The Permian Basin was listed in a slight risk category by the SPC due to being in a favorable shear environment due to a rather strong LLJ contributing to warm air advection (Theta e ridge) beneath a strong mid level (500MB0) southwesterly flow aloft and a very intense Upper Jet (250MB) with 90K winds rounding the base of an amplified Upper Trough. The mid and upper level strong winds would provide ascent forcing due to divergence aloft. The MLCAPE was not real impressive from the 1200Z soundings due to abundant mid level warm moisture present, lessening lapse rates. Surface dew-points were near 60 degrees. The strong directional and speed shear as "progged" was believed to allow for rotation of any storm towers which developed. Cumulus development was noted when leaving Midland and some convection had already initiated in the northern Permian Basin, southeastern New Mexico and the South Plains. The SPC issued a Severe Thunderstom Watch around 1910Z and its configuration along with radar reflectivity is shown in the first image (the author would travel toward the southwest from Midland). The second image was captured along RR 1233, approximately 2 miles west of the intersection with SH 385, in eastern Crane county at 2030Z looking toward the southwest at developing storm tower's southern end.
The NWS in Midland tornado warned this mesocyclone at 2140Z. The next image is taken, a short time later, of the updraft base, rotating, and a descending wall cloud, centered over the road background, in sepia format in order to enhance the resol
At approxi-mately 2210Z another Wall Cloud lowering was noted south of RR1230 after the author continued to drive east, as the circulation center was tracking a litt
le south of due east. Driving back to SH 385 and turning north it was noted that there was a second updraft base seen to the southwest of the currently chased mesocyclone. The next image is of lowered condensation infow into this second evolving mesocyclone and it was taken approximately at 2250Z. A radar capture is also included for reference to the "chased supercell" and with respect to the author's truck.
The next image was taken a short time later after traveling back south along SH 385 and capturing a zoomed image looking toward the southwest.
It was beginning to become dark not only because of nearing dusk but because an advancing multicelled squall line approaching from the west. The next image is a radar capture of the aforementioned linear squall line playing "catch up" to the two rogue mesocyclones (image is blurred... my apologies). It is noted that the second mesocyclone was tornado warned by MAF/NWS as it enters Upton County, center of the c
oncentric rings. While driving back toward Midland on FM 1788 in southern Midland county the advancing shelf cloud and accompany-ing gust front edge of the advancing squall line was captured. The next two images are, first, radar capture (clearer than previous) showing location of truck with respect to advancing gust front and second, a picture of the advancing shelf cloud.
While traveling north on FM 1788 in central Midland county straight line winds estimated to be near 60 mph were encountered, blowing from west to east.
The author never observed a tornado from the primary chased mesocyclone (#1) and did not have an opportunity to witness mesocyclone(#2) for a long enough duration before encountering dark or obstruction of viewing angle to provide ground truth.