December 24, 2009 SW Louisiana Tornado Outbreak

I departed New Iberia, LA around 4:30 AM for my initial target spot at Iowa, LA targeting the leading edge of a rapidly developing squall line that was located just to the west of the Texas/Louisiana border. I anticipated discrete low topped HP supercells with the potential to produce tornadoes along the I-10 corridor as the line moved east.

After a short time accessing the developing situation in Iowa, I decided to take Hwy 165 NE to Kinder where I got on Hwy 190 to go back east. At 7 AM, things began to take shape with three HP supercells developing ahead of the main squall line; one to the northeast of Eunice and two south of I-10 between the towns of Welsh and Crowley. Being out of position for the cell northeast of Eunice, I targeted the cell south of Crowley.

Around this time, I went through multiple data gaps, which caused me to adjust my strategy and move north toward Ville Platte in order to reposition myself about three miles northeast of Ville Platte to allow the storm to come to me rather than going south after it. At approximately 8:22 AM the NWS (LCH) issued a tornado warning right on top of my location.

A few minutes later, the heavy precipitation associated with the core of the cell decreased; and, I spotted the rotating wall cloud associated with the storm. I quickly chased the wall cloud northeast and watched as it became rain wrapped once again. Shortly after, I experienced strong RFD winds about nine miles Southwest of Bunkie.

I then traveled south on Hwy 71 dissecting the squall line before moving east again on Hwy 190 to get ahead of the it for another chance at intercepting any discrete cells; but, mother nature failed to produce any. My chase ended shortly after noon as I intercepted the squall line in the parking lot of a gas station in Hammond, LA.

In all, there were 12 confirmed tornadoes across southwest Louisiana, including three EF2’s, thus making this event the largest tornado outbreak since May 15, 2008. There were numerous reports of damage across the region and only four injuries. Sadly, there was one fatality in Scott, LA due to a tree falling onto a house. Special thanks to Don Wheeler (LA Delta CC) for his excellent nowcasting during my periods of data gaps and to Matt Clay (NWS SCEP) for handling my reports. This helped make my first planned chase on my own a success.

My location relative to the area of interest on radar at the time of the wall cloud sighting. Photo courtesy of Don Wheeler (LDCC).

-JP