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VORTEX chose the TX panhandle for operations because we (correctly) surmised that subsidence and lid strength would overwhelm convective initiation in north TX during the daylight hours. What we did not forecast correctly is that CAPE was only several hundred J/kg in the Panhandle. Late in the afternoon, as the armada was approaching the Caprock escarpment, weak anvils and convective towers became visible (88D radar indicated ~45 dBZ reflectivity near Canyon, TX). However, upon cresting the escarpment, we observed that bases were roughly at the same level as the anvils. Recreational activities ensued at the Allsup's in Silverton.
Erik Rasmussen
Jerry Straka