I’ve been busy processing some of my older photos with the help of Fred Miranda’s powerful Photoshop plugins - with excellent results! This picturesque tornado occurred near Attica, Kansas on May 29, 2004. Bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, the tornado may look benign. In reality, it was a giant drill press, slowly drifting across the countryside. Thankfully, it didn’t drift in our direction.

It looks as if this year’s chase season in the Plains has pretty much come to an end. Despite a dismal May, the first half of June proved exciting in western Kansas and the Texas Panhandle. Unfortunately, Nebraska remained quiet. Clearly, I picked the wrong year to play close to home.

Still, surprise events can and do happen in the Central and Northern Plains late in the season - even when under the influence of strong ridging. Just ask Mike Hollingshead.