Targeting Great Bend, Kansas, convection began exploding a few miles to my north at 3 p.m.1. Focusing on the developing supercell, I caught up to it near Dubuque and observed a wall cloud with rapid upward motion develop.2. This wall cloud soon became outflow dominant, but a new meso began developing to it's east.3. The RFD cut around the new meso 4., and a brief dust-whirl tornado associated with a small funnel spun up about 8 miles west of Ellsworth.5. (contrast enhanced: 6.) As the supercell moved through Ellsworth and toward Kanapolis 7., the meso organized considerably with decent rotation.8. Approaching Kanapolis, the cell produced what appeared to be a large funnel 9. as the RFD began punching around to my west and southwest!10. Blasting east of Kanapolis ahead of a large gustnado on the nose of the RFD and trying to get ahead of the meso, I went north toward Hwy. 140 with hopes of getting ahead of the meso. However, as I broke out of the precip. and dust being wrapped around the meso, I found myself looking up into the bottom of a white funnel nearly overhead and rotating like mad (unfortunately, I didn't get this on film)! Blasting back south out of harm's way, I tried to get back ahead of the storm on some farm roads, but it was to no avail as I encountered slick roads and some extreme tree damage caused by RFD winds.11.; 12. I eventually made my way back to asphalt and re-intercepted the cell, only to observe a weakening outflow-dominant mess with a large shelf cloud.13.

Although this chase began well, it quickly turned into a frightening learning experience near Kanapolis. There was at least one very nice tornado this day, and because of some poor decisions in the latter stages of the chase, I missed it. Very frustrating...always outflank the storm!

Much appreciation extended to Dave Lewison for excellent nowcasting throughout the day.