SkyPix

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

Thunderbird Frozen

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Strange ice forms like this come about only through uncanny event sequences:  a brutally sharp cold blast flinging lake water against the shoreline with its logs already stained red by iron-rich mud, wave after wave splashed over until even the runs and drips solidified in single-digit to subzero temperatures.  Then as the winds calmed, the lake water itself froze, locking this surreal scene in … [Read more...]

After the Corner Flow

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In meteorology, "corner flow" usually refers to the area of upturning of inward-spiraling flow in an intense vortex (such as a tornado).  Here I make a bad pun of it, since this actually was the result of nontornadic, downburst flow at a (street) corner!   The lush thickness of green grass belies the very severe winds that blasted through southern Nebraska and northern Kansas the night before, … [Read more...]

Looky Thar Pardner, A Storm over Yonder!

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The backdrop of a supercell, with ragged wall cloud and wild, banded cloud formations overhead, offers a unique interpretation of two-dimensional art on the High Plains of eastern New Mexico.  This is one of two cutout-mural cowboys at the hilltop location astride US-285, each signed and designed by artist John Cerney. 9 NNW Ramon, NM (7 Jun 17) Looking NW 34.3447, -104.9694 … [Read more...]

Radial Rise

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This display of cirrus radiatus was one of the most visually peculiar and symbolically striking sunrise formations I've ever witnessed, but the physical explanation is easy.  Nearly evenly spaced cirrus bands, aligned south to north across the southern sky, actually were parallel to each other.  As with slats in a set of vertical blinds, but more translucent, each shaded the next to its right … [Read more...]

Wave-Spray Rime on Grass

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Rime often forms from freezing fog, or spray blown off of bodies of water.  In this case, it was fine spray—flung several yards inland off the tops of waves crashing into Lake Thunderbird's shoreline, in bitter-cold and windy conditions.  The howling norther of the day before calmed down overnight, sunrise revealing a sparkling array of crystals clinging to the blades of lakeside grass. Norman, … [Read more...]

Cryptic Sky

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This scene encapsulates the irony of the supercell.  For all of its striking beauty, it continually threatens grave consequences for those in its path: lightning (including lightning-started fires), severe wind, giant hail, and sometimes tornadoes.  This supercell ultimately would produce all of the above.  Conscientious storm observers want no human harm, hoping against destruction while tracking … [Read more...]