Waking tired, after returning from the previous days chase at 3:13am the UK Storm Chasers were up early checking charts and analysing the day’s potential. It was obvious that Wales had a good potential with dew points predicted to obtain a realistic value of 15C and convective temperatures well below that forecast. In addition there was good upper level support in the form of a jet streak and this contributed to reasonable deep layer shear which could help storms evolve into a multi-cell system. There was a small amount of low-level shear so funnel clouds could not be ruled out and so TORRO issued a convective discussion instead of a severe thunderstorm watch. Estofex agreed on thunderstorm potential and so issued a thunderstorm area but were less certain on any severe potential.

We set off at 10:45 reaching our target of Shrewsbury by lunch. Shallow convection was already present and within half an hour 2 cells had broken the cap to our east and west. We decide to head for the western cell which was likely to be in the better shear and have slightly more instability. The anvil was quickly dispersed by the strong upper level winds and mamatus formed on its underside. Their multicell nature was obvious with the storm having discrete developing, mature and decaying cells. On consulting radar these storms appeared to be rather spectacular decoys with much more robust convection occurring south of our location and heading NNW so we left these storms and to get in position near Druid.

Unfortunately a bad car accident ahead of us delayed us by 45 minutes and with no road options at all we had to sit and wait. By the time we got near our target a very impressive thunderstorm had formed with a distinct and violent looking roll cloud forming on the gust front. Lightning was observed and beautiful rolling thunder heard. The UK Storm Chasers agreed to head NNE towards Ruthin where the storm displayed mamatus with an impressive rain core behind.  Unfortunately by this time the storm was decaying as the heat was reducing during the early evening. Getting into position on a hill side in Rhewl looking across the valley towards the Clwydian range we watched and listened as the thunderstorm rumbled out towards the Irish Sea.

Another successful chase but to finish the day we continued our road trip to sample the sights of Snowdonia National Park and taste the local cuisine in Ganllwyd. Battling our way home on the A-roads of Wales rather than the M5, then missing our junction on the M4 and ending up in Reading and finally getting lost on the diversion put in place due to the A34 being closed, we eventually returned home at 3:18am.