7.21.01 Rapid City, SD

My parents were out visiting for the weekend, so I did not anticipate chasing. However, sometimes the chase comes to you. While eating dinner at an Italian restaurant in town, a thunderstorm moved just north of Rapid City and produced an impressive shear funnel. Since we were seated next to the window, we were able to watch the whole event. Always having a camera in the car paid off as I went outside and captured it on film.

An outflow boundary produced by a strong thunderstorm over the Badlands moved west towards Rapid City and kicked off some more intense thunderstorms. Shear was enhanced from the outflow boundary, and I witnessed two more funnels before dark. Not a bad day considering my chase route was to a restaurant, an ice cream parlor and home.

	720 pm MDT A shear funnel begins to rope out after lasting approximately 5 minutes. View is looking north from Botticelli's restaurant in Rapid City, SD.
	810 pm MDT An outflow boundary from earlier convection initiated these thunderstorms. A brief shear funnel formed on the right most (southern) buildup. View is looking east from Fjords Ice Cream Parlor.
	As the sunset, the strong southeasterly winds associated with the outflow boundary were still initiating convection over the Rapid City area.

	View is looking east from Skyline Drive. Notice the pileus cloud.
	While driving back home, I noticed this shear funnel just west of Skyline Drive. View is looking west from Skyline Drive.

	View is looking northeast from west Rapid City.