Rozel – Sanford, KS — Travis Farncombe

Published on May 18, 2013

The setup on May 18 presented a classic two-target scenario that is frequently a challenge for chasers. One target was to the north, near the tripple-point in Kansas, the other was south, along the dryline in Oklahoma. I was with Silver Lining, and Roger positioned us between the two targets early in the day so that we could make our final target decision (north or south) closer to go-time.

Finally, by late afternoon, we began to see signs of convective initiation to the north of Dodge City and we made our decision. We blasted north as the first supercell of the day was exploding and becoming dominant, and it didn’t take long for us to begin hearing reports of a large tornado on the ground near Rozel. We got into viewing range to witness the last ten minutes of this tornado’s life.

**The Rozel tornado in as it entered its rope-out phase, backlit by the setting sun.**

As this tornado dissipated the storm continued eastward and cycled, and we approached the new area of circulation from the south. Just as we reached Sanford, a stunning elephant trunk tornado dropped less than a mile to our east, and for the next 30 minutes we were witness to one of prettiest tornadoes I have ever seen.

**Storm chasers, Silver Lining Tours guests, watch and photograph the Sanford tornado on May 18, 2013.**

Travis Farncombe

I am the founder Highways & Hailstones. I live with my family in Toronto, Ontario - about 2000 miles from Oklahoma City and the heart of Tornado Alley. Every spring and summer, I travel down there, to the American Midwest, to witness the most awe-inspiring weather on the planet.

The first time I chased was ten years ago; I signed up as a guest with a storm chase tour company, and joined that group for a week on the plains. I saw my first tornado on that trip. It was a silhouette on a dark Kansas night, betrayed by strobes of lightning flickering in the distance. While the rest of the tour guides and group scanned the storm to the south, a lingering flash drew my glance to the north, and there, unmistakable, was a backlit cone. It was serendipity. I yelled cone tornado!, and a storm chaser was born.

After chasing for a few years as a guest with Silver Lining Tours, I gradually began to spread my wings and chase on my own, having learned enough from Roger Hill and other veterans to chase safely and responsibly. I became a guide with SLT in 2015. Now, I am a certified spotter and chase locally in Southern Ontario, as well as down in Tornado Alley. I am always meeting new people, always learning, and always humbled by the power of nature.

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