6.9.00 Albion, Montana

I started the day expecting my target area to be southeast Montana, northeast Wyoming. Things looked marginal for organized storms, so I decided to wait to head out until it was clear that storms were going to initiate. There was a shortwave moving across Utah and into Wyoming. This would improve upper level dynamics and enhance instability and lift. However, the surface features were far from ideal. A strong cap continued to be an issue in north central South Dakota and south central North Dakota east of a surface low. West of the surface low, winds were north-northwest in SE MT and southwest in NE WY. Streamline analysis showed the convergence line near the border of MT and WY.

A 230 pm MDT, I checked the satellite image once last time before heading north. Cumulus was starting to develop along the convergence line. My target was Alzada, MT.

As soon as I got on I-90 northbound, I could see the developing cumulus in SE MT. It looked multicellular from Sturgis, but the updrafts were well defined and strong. By the time I headed northwest from Belle Fourche, the storm really looked like it was starting to organize. The storm appeared to be on highway 212. I reached Alzada around 4 pm and the storm had moved just to the northeast. My only good road option also took me northeast, but it would keep me west of the storm. I stopped in Albion, MT and watched the storm begin to weaken and continue to move northeast towards Buffalo, SD.

I was interested now in a storm to my west-southwest. The backsheared anvil looked impressive. It was pretty much moving right for me, so I stayed put and waited. It was an HP looking storm, and the heavy precipitation prevented me from seeing any features in the core. My only road options were northeast or southeast (both dirt roads). As it got closer, I began to move northeast. Soon I realized that this route was going to take me right into the path of the core, and there was no way I was going to stay ahead of it. I retreated back to Albion and watched it passed just to my north. I was hit with 45+ mph winds and heavy rain (no hail) as the southern edge of the gust front went over me. My northeast road option was now completely washed/mudded out. I headed back to highway 212 and moved southeast.

While heading for Belle Fourche, a nice LP type updraft/storm developed just north of the highway. I suspect it initiated on the outflow from the HP. Its updraft towers were quite interesting to watch and had a lot of motion. I videoed at least once mid-level vortex in the updraft. It continued to move north, and I followed by heading north from Belle Fourche. It soon started to die, but very impressive development was now to the east. I suspect this activity was along highway 212 northeast of Newell and this was verified by other chaser reports. Since I had committed north out of Belle Fourche, I would not be able to get to the new development before sunset. I, therefore, positioned myself to photograph the sunset lighting effects on the west side of the storm.

	Just north of Sturgis, SD on I-90 looking northwest. The storm looked multicellular at this point.
	Northwest of Belle Fourche on highway 212 looking northwest. The storm was really starting to organize and the updraft bombs were impressive.
	Continuing northwest on highway 212. Starting to develop a backsheared anvil.
	Northeast of Alzada, MT, looking northeast. The first storm starts to weaken.
	Looking west-southwest from Albion, MT. Storm #2 was showing HP characteristics and was heading pretty much straight at me. The core was obscured by heavy precipitation.
	Closer look at the gust front region and layered striations as it approaches.
	Here is a view looking southwest as I retreat south back to Albion, MT.
	The southern tail of the gust front and precipitation hit me during my retreat, but the core stayed to my northwest.
	After storm #2 moved northeast, I had to backtrack to Belle Fourche via highway 212. This storm kicked up just north of the highway and had a very nice updraft. It later died after moving north.
	Now north of Belle Fourche looking east. This anvil was being kicked off from a storm near Faith, SD..
	As the sun set, this storm appeared to begin its collapse. However, it made for a picturesque ending to the day.