As soon as the Manchester tornado dissipated, a new meso to the northeast produced a nice funnel, and while repositioning to the east on Hwy. 14, it produced tornado #5.1.; 2. Minutes after tornado #5 dissipated, tornado #6 developed 2-3 miles northwest of De Smet at 8:04.3. The tornado went through some spectacular metamorphesis changing from a rope to a stovepipe and then displaying an inner core with outer sheath before finally dissipating at 8:13 p.m.4.-9. Going north of De Smet, tornado #7 developed about 1 mile north of De Smet at 8:20 p.m.10. The tornado persisted for about 1 minute before dissipating. The cell continued displaying incredible structure 11. as it produced a few small funnels.12. While the new meso began producing a larger, more persistent funnel 13., the old meso to the west produced a rope funnel 14., and both were on the ground simultaneously at 8:25 making them tornadoes #8 & 9.15. However, the tornadoes dissipated soon after, and I repositioned further north. This meso wasn't as organized as the earlier ones 16., but it managed to produce a funnel 17., which became tornado #10 at 8:30 18., and it lasted for about one minute before dissipating.19.
This last tornado effectively ended the actual chase portion of the day. While this was the most incredible day I've ever witnessed and probably ever will witness, getting to Sioux Falls and a hotel was an entirely different story that I'll discuss when I write the chase account. I'll just say for now though that it was a truly frightening experience.
Also, I must give much thanks to Dave Lewison for doing an excellent job of nowcasting this day. He kept me informed with constant updates, and I couldn't have asked for any better. Be sure to check out this radar loop of the day (1mb) that Dave put together.
Other pages concerning the June 24, 2003 tornado outbreak:
NWSFO FSD
Scott Blair
Karen Leszke
Matthew Grzych
Project A.N.S.W.E.R.S.
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