03/25/07 SE Minnesota

Bill Doms, David Drufke, and I arrived in Albert Lea just after noon. After taking a look at model data and satellite we decided to wait for initiation in Albert Lea. Camera wars ensued with other chasers in the parking lot of the Shell station as the Cu field developed overhead. Eventually cells fired around 4 pm just to our NW. We headed North up I-35 and intercepted the southern cell just south of Owatonna. We managed to maintain our position just South and SE of the cell all the way to the Wisconsin border. Kudos to Bill for keeping up with it!! Soon after initiation the base on this cell lowered and a wall cloud/ lowering developed briefly. However, it did not hold together and the cell quickly became more elongated and elevated. Further NE another wall cloud tried to organize only to transition into a shelf as we got out ahead of it near the border. We ended our chase at the river and headed home as the line of cells merged and moved into the rough chasing terrain of Wisconsin. Despite lack of tornadoes it was great to be out on the road again and see some structure! Fun chase! - Melanie Metz

Chase log and photographs copyright Melanie Metz and Peggy Willenberg 2006 Twistersisters.com