Bear's Cage storm chaser

Bear's Cage storm chaser Storm chasing page, previously named "Bear's Cage Brandon".This page showcases my journey through tornado alley.

From the top of Minnesota, all the way down to Kansas, and beyond. YouTube page " the Bear's cage(storm chase)" still in the works

06/12/2026

May 24th, 2026

The day the mothership took over southeast SD.

The energy within the atmosphere was perfect for a powerful storm. Mixed with windshear, and a lack of dew points, the storm generated a highly elevated mesocyclone, closely resembling a mothership.

On this day, the dew points where 30° apart from the observed ground temperatures. In order for a storm to produce a tornado, the cloud base has to be exceptionally low. For this to happen, dew points need to be relatively close to the actual temperature. But some things are worth chasing anyways.

This shot was taken from 30 miles away.

Oh goody, next to a tornado possible storm. But no exit in sight.
06/11/2026

Oh goody, next to a tornado possible storm.

But no exit in sight.

Getting my step count in Des Moines, where the air is soup.
06/10/2026

Getting my step count in Des Moines, where the air is soup.

Is it just me, or is the HRRR off its meds today.
06/10/2026

Is it just me, or is the HRRR off its meds today.

At Mille Lacs Lake, waiting for complete darkness and the tops of storms to be in sight.
06/10/2026

At Mille Lacs Lake, waiting for complete darkness and the tops of storms to be in sight.

06/10/2026

Not a current event!!

If you've ever been to a spotter training course (Skywarn), chances are they've put up a map asking you which spot would be ideal for observing.

With every storm having different characteristics, it's hard to answer what spot best fits, and safely. Normally I find myself having better off just south of the forward flank downdraft, and east of the mesocyclone (rotating updraft).

The video below shows what it looked like just south of a rain wrapped mesocyclone. And the second half as the RFD( Rear Flank Downdraft) surging into me, while rotation was still present to my north.

May 31st
West of Sioux Falls

Checking the models to see if clouds diminish late tonight in northern Minnesota. With a split in clouds and high lightn...
06/09/2026

Checking the models to see if clouds diminish late tonight in northern Minnesota.

With a split in clouds and high lightning intensity off west, some red sprites may be visible if I can find the right spot.

As of right now, it's Chi Chi time🤪😋

06/08/2026

Scares the crap outta ya.

Positive lead lightning strikes are the most powerful, cleanest, and long lasting shots to the ground. It only makes up 5% of cloud to ground lightning, but is 10x more powerful than the common negative charged leader.

Because of the strength, longevity, and lack of kinks, when the shock wave hits, IT HITS.

More common in the most intense storms.

As severe weather season ramps up in the upper Midwest, some things seem uncertain about this upcoming setup. Let me exp...
06/08/2026

As severe weather season ramps up in the upper Midwest, some things seem uncertain about this upcoming setup. Let me explain.

A low pressure system will be moving across The Dakotas tomorrow. This will bring all the ingredients together.

Energy:🔥🔥🔥
there is no shortage of convective energy in the atmosphere tomorrow. As the ground level gets extra heated, the levels above will cool rapidly, and this will lead to buoyancy causing storms.

Windshear: 💨💨
the hodograph shows wind speed accelerating and twisting with height. This will give the updraft some momentum, and potentially cause things to rotate.

Dew points:💧💧
In most graphs, the dew points sits 20° apart from actual temperatures.
This may result in a high cloud base, however, if or when a wall cloud forms, the height of a cloud base no longer remains an issue.

Time, place, and storm mode:

The HRRR shows storms activating in the western parts of North Dakota, and shows it moving into Eastern parts of the Dakotas after sunset.

A lot remains a mystery about the storm mode. The wind shear seems favorable for discrete supercells. But could transform later on into a major wind event.

My next decision will be made when the 18z models drop.

Finally got my print of the Yankton, SD mothership. Shout out to Whitewall for making such great prints.
06/06/2026

Finally got my print of the Yankton, SD mothership. Shout out to Whitewall for making such great prints.

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