My 2010 chase season just can't seem to catch on all cylinders yet. I was in DC for a meeting yesterday afternoon and so had to fight the Friday traffic back home while keeping a weather eye out for convective towers. Upon arriving home just after 5:00 pm I had nothing, so I just about gave up on chasing given the time and my lack of overall energy after a long week. Of course when I checked radar at 5:25 pm I spied a brand new cell near Culpeper which changed everything. I grabbed my chase gear and headed up Route 17 toward Bealeton in hopes of intercepting that cell. As I neared there however that particular storm essentially died before my eyes while the storm just to its north - over northern Fauquier county and moving ENE - was exhibiting supercell characteristics. Even tho' I generally don't chase that far north I bent the rules and motored into rural Prince William county (against the continuous stream of traffic escaping the DC area for the weekend) in an intercept attempt. Alas, even tho' that cell was indeed growing and looking ominous I couldn't catch it before it entered the Northern VA chaser-avoidance zone and then crossed the Potomac River. (Please note that storm above as the cell marked "H3" with a tornado signature on it!!!) In weary disgust I headed back into southern Fauquier county to watch the development of two more cells near Culpeper, winding up south of Morrisville along the Rappahannock River as I watched both these new storms die before my eyes. Now REALLY disgusted I headed back home, not even seeing any lightning until after dark when a few cells passed near us.
Looking back on it I don't think I could have done anything different than I did, but that somehow doesn't ease the frustration of a missed supercell and dying storms.
UPDATE 16 May 3:11 pm: Found the NWS tornado warning online for southern Maryland. It was issued at 7:34 pm Friday 14 May for the storm that eluded me. Other media reports indicate funnels were sighted near Waldorf MD. Lots and lots of hail reports from that evening.

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