Storm-hunting in Winter Clothes
Several years ago, I loved hitting the road on days when I did not expect much to happen. Usually, I'd be pleasantly surprised with the outcome. There's no question expectations were low today as a stationary front forced weather in our area. Allowing for elevated thunderstorms with no available potential energy or favorable wind shear for severe weather.
Today was my first storm hunt of the 2013 season. Perhaps the latest start to the storm season for me ever. Though it seems storms have always fired at inopportune times for me this spring.
I was surprised when I stepped out my door and had to turn around to grab a jacket. Then, I thought to myself, this may be a very disappointing day, with temperatures in the lower 60s with cloud cover.
I spent the first 30 minutes of the chase watching a rain shaft near Stewardson, Illinois. Waiting for any sign of life, but not even a rumble of thunder. I drove around looking for some picture opportunities but found nothing worth grabbing my camera. I set my course for home. Then, the storm pulled an act I've often observed from my niece and nephews. "Don't go, look what I can do!" Three lightning strikes hit, at the same time, the first the storm had produced. I decided maybe the storm was worth more of my time. I followed the storm east to Neoga, Illinois. I stopped west of Neoga to snap a photo of an un-plowed field taken over by wild flowers. A common site in this area.
Moving northeast of Neoga I saw the barn I drove past for an entire summer when I took Calculus I in Mattoon. I vowed to one day photo this barn, but I had waited for a backdrop, I decided to try it today, with mediocre results. Perhaps a storm with more structure and more color or even a sunset in the future.
I moved east through the town of Trilla, Illinois. Decided to take a turn south, and I waited for the storm to approach near Toledo, Illinois. The storm started to develop structure and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, which resulted in some photo opportunities.
It wasn't long before rain overspread the area, and I was washed out. I lacked radar, due to poor data coverage, so I called it a day. Pleased, yet again, on a day when I expected no weather excitement.
Today was my first storm hunt of the 2013 season. Perhaps the latest start to the storm season for me ever. Though it seems storms have always fired at inopportune times for me this spring.
I was surprised when I stepped out my door and had to turn around to grab a jacket. Then, I thought to myself, this may be a very disappointing day, with temperatures in the lower 60s with cloud cover.
I spent the first 30 minutes of the chase watching a rain shaft near Stewardson, Illinois. Waiting for any sign of life, but not even a rumble of thunder. I drove around looking for some picture opportunities but found nothing worth grabbing my camera. I set my course for home. Then, the storm pulled an act I've often observed from my niece and nephews. "Don't go, look what I can do!" Three lightning strikes hit, at the same time, the first the storm had produced. I decided maybe the storm was worth more of my time. I followed the storm east to Neoga, Illinois. I stopped west of Neoga to snap a photo of an un-plowed field taken over by wild flowers. A common site in this area.
Moving northeast of Neoga I saw the barn I drove past for an entire summer when I took Calculus I in Mattoon. I vowed to one day photo this barn, but I had waited for a backdrop, I decided to try it today, with mediocre results. Perhaps a storm with more structure and more color or even a sunset in the future.
I moved east through the town of Trilla, Illinois. Decided to take a turn south, and I waited for the storm to approach near Toledo, Illinois. The storm started to develop structure and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, which resulted in some photo opportunities.
It wasn't long before rain overspread the area, and I was washed out. I lacked radar, due to poor data coverage, so I called it a day. Pleased, yet again, on a day when I expected no weather excitement.
