Chapter 16

Images and Diagrams
(Images used with authors' permission )

Web Sites for more information

Lightning on a Gust Front

    Can high wind bend a channel of lightning?  It appears to be happening in this images taken in western Oklahoma.  Strong winds form a gust front into a shelf cloud along the leading edge of the storm.  Storms with this configuration are usually fast movers with strong straight line winds.  This cell was moving east at 60 m.p.h.  The blue color is from the film.

(Photo and Text: Gene Moore - Chase Day)


Return to Top of Page

Cloud to Ground Strikes

    Cloud to ground lightning looks the best when it's out of the rain.  Two types of lightning are in the first image.  Lightning under the cloud base that is on the edge of the rain and lightning coming out of the anvil striking outside the edge of the storm.  Both are clear of the rain area and show good branching.

(Photo and Text: Gene Moore - Chase Day)
Return to Top of Page
 
 

Lightning Over Oklahoma City
(Photo:  Gene Moore - Chase Day)

Return to Top of Page

Combining a Red Sunset and the Lightning

    A very red sunset combined with an isolated severe storm over Ardmore, Oklahoma produced this unusual shot.  No colored filters or Photoshop tricks here, just a great sunset.  This photo was taken from the scenic overlook in the Arbuckle Mountains.

(Photo and Text: Gene Moore - Chase Day)
Return to Top of Page
 
 

Daylight Lightning Hits A New Mexico Mountain Side

    It's common knowledge that lightning hits the highest spots, right?  By watching lightning long enough in the mountains, one will discover it hits where it pleases.  It frequently bypasses the mountain tops to strike in the valleys or hillsides.  If you're out in a lightning storm it's best to get under cover and away from big trees, but just because your on lower ground is no guarantee of protection.

(Photo and Text: Gene Moore - Chase Day)
Return to Top of Page

Lightning Backlights A Mesocyclone

     Lightning is generally very active during the formation stages of a mesocyclone. In this image a rapidly rotating wall cloud is captured, with a tail cloud streaming in from the east.

(Photo and Text: Gene Moore - Chase Day)
Return to Top of Page

Thunderstorm and Lightning Web Sites

    Welcome to the Storm Prediction Center
         http://www.spc.noaa.gov/

    FEMA FACT SHEET: Thunderstorms and Lightning
         http://www.fema.gov/library/thunderf.htm

    Red Sprites and Blue Jets
         http://elf.gi.alaska.edu/sprites.html    

    Wind and hail: main criteria for severe thunderstorms
         http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wsevstrm.htm

   Thunderstorms and lightning...the underrated killers!
         http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/trw.htm

   

Return to Top of Page

Back to Chapter 16 Menu