SkyPix

A digital photographic storybook of clouds, weather and water by Roger Edwards.

Sparking Ordway Supercell

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Diving south-southeast across the High Plains of eastern Colorado, a magnificent summertime supercell flung large sparks all around, lighting up the night naturally with pulsating brilliance. Though fundamentally similar to other supercells, every one has its own expressive personality in both cloud form and lightning production, unique as a fingerprint.  That’s why I appreciate them so, and seek … [Read more...]

Turquoise from Trinidad

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This storm formed over the Sangre de Cristos west of Trinidad, and was a well-developed supercell by the time it passed over town.  By the time of this photo, east of Trinidad, the supercell had enlarged and clearly strengthened, sporting a very large updraft base, multiple tail clouds, and intermittent wall clouds.  Entering richer moisture, the storm would intensify further, lower its based to … [Read more...]

Felt Mammatus

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The title has a simple meaning that is not obvious to those unfamiliar with southern High Plains geography.  No, this wonderful sunset scene wasn't "felt" as a feeling, at least not physically nor emotionally, nor did I judge its apparent texture as resembling the fabric known as felt.  I suppose one can get deliriously artistic, especially with aid of mind-altering substances, and dive into those … [Read more...]

Morning after Downburst Hail

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Pieces of trees litter a camping/picnic pad the morning after an intense downburst struck Ord, containing measured severe gusts and marginally severe hail.  The wind-driven hailstones shredded vegetation, including leaves and adjoining twigs in overhead trees.  Though such effects are common after hailstorms, it's uncommon to see them the next morning basically as deposited, without being removed … [Read more...]

Shelfie Six Pack: Dark Back

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[Part 6 of 6]  Before departing the area, the outflow current and its shelf cloud had one more strange and interesting twilight view to give:  a darkening base, made mysteriously menacing in appearance by virtue of an incomplete view through the trees.  I deeply, innately enjoy this kind of ominous light on land and in the sky.  The base was related to unseen convective towers getting very deep … [Read more...]

Shelfie Six Pack: Flying Formation

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[Part 5 of 6] Following the fascinating interplay of light and shadow and illusions offered by a passing shelf cloud in the dim early twilight, this odd formation rose on a localized plume of lift, hoisting the underside of the arcus cloud material in its path along a sort of bow wave.  This feature sailed swiftly southward (left to right) across the sky, and diffused itself within another minute … [Read more...]