SkyPix

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

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When Thunderstorms Collide

2015-01-15 By Roger Edwards

Colliding Thunderstorms at Night

What can happen when 2 thunderstorms join? A laminar, striated arcus cloud and some powerful fireworks! There is a lot of great storm-scale meteorology in this picture. Note how the cloud base of the storm at left is forced upward, parallel to and above the arcus cloud. The arcus condenses in moist air being smoothly lifted above outflow expelled by an unseen storm off to the right. The beauty of its double-plated, laminar (smooth) appearance belies the danger underneath from wind and lightning. Where the outflows from the two storms collide, in the background, new cells form fast, prolifically sparking from rapid charge separation within. Merging thunderstorm cells are also well-known producers of localized heavy rain and flash flood events, and occasionally severe gusts and hail. Buildings in this photo are dorms on the OU campus, and part of the stadium (at right) as it stood in 1987.

Norman OK (9 Sep 87) Looking SW
35.2076, -97.4386

Filed Under: Gallery of Outflow, Night Lightning Tagged With: lightning, nighttime, Norman, Oklahoma, outflow, storms, thunderstorms, University of Oklahoma, weather

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About

Welcome to SkyPix, an online photo book of clouds, weather and water by Roger Edwards. As in a printed coffee-table book, every image has its own page with a unique story. After all, meaningful photography is much more than just picture-taking; it is visually rendering a moment in place and time from a perspective like none other. As a scientist and an artist, I hope my deep passion for the power and splendor of our skies and waters shines through in these pages. If you are a cloud and weather aficionado, outdoor enthusiast, outdoor or nature photographer, art lover, or anyone who craves learning, enjoy...

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Further images from this photographer may be found at:
Roger Edwards Image of the Week
Roger Edwards Digital Galleries
Storms Observed Chase BLOG

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