Striking gold: Storm Hunters witness funnel formation

Sunday, June 1, 2014, 7:01 AM -

They say patience will be rewarded and that certainly turned out to be true for Storm Hunter Mark Robinson and meteorologist Jaclyn Whittal

Their Saturday started off quietly in North Platte, Nebraska but soon they traveled west to Chugwater, Wyoming—one of only two spots that were under a tornado warning in the western USA.

RELATED: El Reno tornado: One year after deadly and record-breaking storm

When they arrived, they were feeling discouraged. Storms were going up and pulsing down all around them.

"I thought 'oh great' another bad chase day in 2014," Whittal says. "Then out of nowhere a storm that had barely any rotation starts producing this gorgeous funnel right over an open field with a beautiful background behind it."

The funnel forms in Chugwater, Wyoming. Image captured at approximately 6:47 p.m. on May 31. Courtesy: Mark Robinson

To be officially classified as a tornado the funnel would have had to make contact with the surface. The unofficial "rule" for storm hunters is if the cloud is half way to the ground, it likely is in contact with the surface. The rest of the day turned out to be quiet—just as this season has been. Looking ahead, there is still some cautious optimism about spotting a tornado. The flow aloft, moisture and instability seem to be more significant than any chase day they have had yet. "Tuesday is the day that every chaser will be focusing on," Whittal says. Tuesday also happens to be their last chase day this year. In 2013, their last day was definitely eventful. It was the day an EF3 tornado struck El Reno, Okalhoma, killing at least 19 people including three storm chasers.