At 2:25 pm Eastern, the SPC issues a Tornado Watch that includes extreme SW Michigan. Continuing on with the video, Blake points out the cloud motion showing significant amounts of sheer in the atmosphere; low level clouds moving in one direction and mid-level clouds moving in a completely different direction. He explains that this is a classic example of a tornadic environment.

Blake believes that the tornado may have originally touched down near Paw Paw Lake while he was chasing in Texas Corners. He points out the extremely low LCLs as something he would typically see in Texas or Oklahoma and remarked on how that’s unusual in Michigan. He also shows the very strong inflow toward the rotating wall cloud. It was just behind the tree line when it formed so he could not tell if it was in contact with the ground (and therefore, not a confirmed tornado at that point). No damage was reported at this location.

Eventually Blake decided to move out of his current location and get on to US-131 at Center St. just south of Kalamazoo and saw a large funnel just west of his location. He then shows video of the tornado over Crossroads Mall. He didn’t initially notice it because it appeared to be almost completely rain-wrapped. Eventually, he notices debris being lofted in the air and that’s the moment where he realizes there is a tornado on the ground, causing damage.

His video also shows the greenish-blue sky and then gets caught in the RFD (rear downflank draft) with heavy rain and strong winds. He continues to follow the tornado toward Climax. Seeing debris continue to fall out of the sky and considering the topography, he decided not to chase farther east.

After the storm passed, Blake went back to his parent’s house to check what damaged had occurred there. Fortunately, their house was in-tact and everyone was safe – even the dog.

Blake also said that the Air Zoo had all of their important documents in the upstairs of a building that got struck by the tornado and it sucked all of them out. He mentions that the secondary Tornado Warning was issued because of media/first responders reports rather than the National Weather Service believing there was another tornado.

Blake briefly also shared a video of him out and about in 1997 in exactly the same area when a Tornado Watch was issued by the SPC. The only access he had to radar was on TV. He jumped in his parents’ car and went down to Paw Paw Lake to see what was out there. He believes that this was the first storm to produce a tornado that he ever witnessed. Blake estimates he’s seen approximately 200 tornadoes in his lifetime.

Blake stuck around and answered questions from the group. He shared that the most impressive tornado he’s witnessed was in southern Kansas on May 29th 2004 and Blake says he has a very interesting video on his YouTube. (If interested just search up Blake Naftel on YouTube to watch and learn about storms from him) 

Blake also is working on making a weather-related sketch comedy show in Chicago, hoping to share his comedic talents and life experience with the world!

Alana shared the results of the election

President: Warren Wheeler

Vice President: Kim Scholten

Treasurer: Bill Marino

Secretary: Matt Kirkwood

At Large: Alana Dachtler

The new board positions will take effect at the beginning of the next fiscal year; June 1st, 2025.

Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm