5/28/18 | Federal, WY

From months in advance, it was clear that 2018 would be a slow storm chasing season. This was very early in my chase career, too, so there was some hesitancy to schedule a long block of time away in the Plains. As you may have figured out, I did it anyway.

May 28th was the first day which I had the ability to chase during the 2018 season. In the morning, we drove from Central Kansas to Cheyenne and immediately caught up with a supercell that was rolling off the higher terrain. It was quickly tornado warned. 

In almost no-time, a bright white tube touched down in the distant green grass. I was positioned relatively far away from this tornado, but it was absolutely gorgeous to watch. It remained on the ground for some time, oscillating in size. 

The NWS ultimately rated this an EF-2 tornado, with peak winds of 111-115mph. Significant tornado damage was observed in Federal, 15 miles or so to the northwest of Cheyenne. 

This storm then became higher precipitation in nature and the circulation wrapped up. Colder air came surging eastward off the higher terrain, and while there were a few more supercells well to our south and east, we decided to call the chase and head to Denver for dinner in anticipation of chasing the following day as well.