Joyful Storm Hunting

Neighborhood Thunderstorm Intercepts - 1/24/12

Night on fire from Lightning flashes like this one I photographed last Spring

Celebrating the Year of the Dragon's dawning, Mother Nature added her own fireworks.

The show for me began just after I left work around 4:45 pm in North Dallas. Swirly charcoal grays of thunderstorm cell hugged the S.W. sky, moving northward.

Beautiful purplish bolts of lightning danced and curled between earth and sky, replied to by the most beautiful whispers of earth rattling thunder that warmed my heart.

Between 6:45 pm and 9:45 pm, occasional to frequent flashes of light filled the sky, from "elevated thunderstorms", or storms set off when unstable warm air over-rides a stable cold air mass at the surface.

My wife and I watched for about 45 minutes, looking out the window as if it were open curtains to a grand theatre stage, celebrating whenever flashes revealed brilliant spikes across the sky.  Loud rolls responded.

My spirit hungered to take a walk out in this; within moments after I stepped out the door, everything intensified into a exhilarating unleashing.

Sudden seas of windswept rains enveloped me, blasting into my body.  Brilliant platinum strobes bathed my world again and again with in-your-face intensity.

Roll after roll of thunder filled the night while trees swayed in sheets of splattering drops that faded streetlights to mists.

I savored pure raw excitement & semi-shivered in wetness that turned my waterproof shoes into puddles & soaking my jeans as if I had jumped into a swimming pool.

All ended by 9:45.  Then at 1 a.m. I awakened to an amazing swell of energy, similar to the energy that one may feel when walking towards a rushing waterfall.

For awhile I heard or saw nothing, but suddenly the entire night opened up in cloudburst rains, punctuated by only occasional flashes and rumbles.

Very, very occasional lightning and thunder along with heavy rains returned at 5 a.m.

The backyard rainguage measured about 3.75" when I left for work at 7:30 this morning. When I returned it had reached 120 mm, or about 4.5".

This brings our January total to nearly 6", pretty amazing and good insurance for the heat and drought to come later this year.

(C) 2011, Stephen Eric Levine, All Rights Reserved

Art from the Heart of the Storm

Following are a few more moments of pure joy, captured thru my sketch pad as I came home to the passion of the elements:

Just West of Greenville, TX in hot pursuit

Total merge with constant lightning and wall of rain - near zero visibility, New Years Eve 2002-just N. of Huntsville TX

Intercept of Summertime storm, about 15 miles South of home.

Continuous Lightning, whiteout rains mixed with pea-hail and strong winds- Allen Texas, about 8 miles from home. No rain whatsoever at my location. Another close, perfect intercept.

After 5 week of searing heat and no rain, this drive up to Calera OK brought me great relief as I looked West into an approaching squall line about 10 a.m. on a Sunday morning.

Amazing colors splashed across this supercell thunderstorm as it moved off to the East here in Richardson TX. 7/10/03

Climactic Moments as I penetrated the Heart of Storm - Seagoville, TX 10/6/02

All Artwork and Descriptions Copyright Stephen Eric Levine - All Rights Reserved.

Storm Art #2- Moments in Ecstasy

Caddo, Oklahoma 4/19/03- Around 9:30 p.m.

(for better viewing, click on image to make larger)

I gaze into the Eastern sky as three separate thundercells leap with lightning after dark, sparking the night with their exquisite fireworks and illuminating seas of cauliflower cloud into mystical shadows.

Black night time sky filled  with stars serve as backdrop in stillness.

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Before I purchased my good waterproof snapshot camera, I did sketches after returning from the hunt.

This provided deep nourishment for me by re-creating peak moments of the chase and providing closure to a truly sacred journey into God's splendor.

(C) Stephen Eric Levine, All Rights Reserved

January Thunderstorm- A Rare Gem

Last night, I awakened to an awesome sight around 12:20 a.m.

Entire swaths of sky suddenly transformed to sheets of fluttering and flickering white light, followed by soft rumbles and whispers of thunder.

Over time, strobes grew more and more brilliant, reflecting across rooftops and earth; illuminating my entire bedroom-much to my heart's delight.

Thunder expanded across more and more sky, with increasing depth and loudness.

I gazed in awe, gratitude and meditative contemplation into seas of light that flickered up to four times per minute.

Within 20 minutes, lightning grew to dazzling; flashes transforming the night again and again, followed by roars across sky.

Rain, falling very lightly suddenly burst into pounding drops, creating its own roar and briefly mingling with small hailstones knocking on the roof.

Streetlights faded to mists and one nearly blinding bluish flash gave way to earth shaking thunder claps.

Rain tapered as suddenly as it came and flickers slowly pressed into the Northeast horizons, illuminating sheets and layers of clouds into mysterious shadows.

(C) 2011, Stephen Eric Levine, all rights reserved

Artwork from the Hunt- New Mexico, June 2003

Before I purchased my good waterproof snapshot camera, I captured memories of the hunt through artwork that I composed after the experience.

This was a nourishing and fulfilling activity as it recreated the entire episode for me and provided a sense of completion as well.

This first drawing comes from one of our Tornado Alley Safari tours, June 5th, 2003.

A developing squall line blasted through with a huge gust of wind. We chased Southward, East of Tucumcari, N.M. after the still-developing cells.

This is a composite drawing, taking place towards sunset with distant lightning leaping for earth beyond the hills and streaks of dust being blown towards the sky up ahead of us.

(C) 2012, Stephen Eric Levine; all rights reserved

Rare December Thunderstorms

This month so far has brought us three thunder days here in DFW, one of which I had the pleasure of watching from beginning to end, one of which was a wild goose chase that ended in a "bust" and one which I completely missed due to its taking place during work hours.

Wednesday, December 14th at 8 p.m.

A squall line developed just east of my town, looking like a thin snake on radar. Soon lightning flashed at me from that direction, bringing whispers of thunder and beckoning me to give chase.

My goal was to get myself under the lightning, safely experience rushes of electric brilliance & beauty, and grab a potential good photograph.

Sensuous breezes filled the night with magical Spring-like moods bearing humid mildness and occasional bright flickers of white as I set off for a hopeful intercept.

Entire cloud banks silhouetted like mountains off in the East while dancing lightning played within.

However by the time I got to the frontal boundary, the lightning part had scooted far off to the N.E. and only very heavy rain remained, bringing standing water on a major 4 lane highway.

Lots of drama but a disappointing "bust".

Thursday, December 15th, morning:

The cold front turned stationary to our South, with unstable warm air riding up and over our chilly 40's temperatures. Dramatic curly-cue clouds of charcoal gray rolled above trees, soon giving way to showers of increasing intensity.

According to my acquaintances at work who were out and about around 11:30 a.m., dramatic thunder rumbled and rolled through for about 10 minutes. One crack "scared my dog".

It was frustrating missing this, but I affirmed that another time would come soon to hopefully savor a good show.

Monday, December 19, 4:45 - 5:15 p.m.

This time, location and timing worked out perfectly.

The National Weather Service and Severe Storm Prediction Center both advertized the potential for intense storms across our region at least one day in advance.

A combination of intense torque to the atmosphere, low temperature to dew point ( a measure of humidity) spread and a blast of air called a "jet" riding on top of all this brought prospects of hail and isolated tornadoes as well as very heay rain.

A squall line formed between Fort Worth and Abilene Texas in the early afternoon and swiftly moved eastward.

I could feel tension rising within me as I cast occasional glances at the radar and wondered if I would end my work shift before the storm front arrived.

About 10 minutes before my shift ended, the sky darkened as low hunks of overcast raced northward.

About 10 minutes after I left the building, a charcoal line of clouds arose across the entire Western sky, moving closer. Greenish tinged grayness provided background against this dramatic cloudscape.

Soon occasional flashes of lightning emanated behind the cloud bank, sending delight to my soul.

The storm's heart descended with cloudburst rains dropping visibility to about 3/4 mile.

My entire world  faded into a greenish- tinged mist of pounding raindrops, shattered by occasional flickers of brilliant white and rolls of thunder.

Near-night time darkness enveloped and winds gusting to approximately 40 MPH blasted sheet upon sheet of pulsating water against my car and across the parking lot.

Within 10 minutes, rains tapered and brighter sky tinged in blue rolled overhead as darkness tinged with green & occasional lightning pressed northeast.

(C) 2011, Stephen Eric Levine

 

Finding God in the Clouds

I thrill to your boundless power, Creator of the Universe as you reflect in this mighty celestial mountain climbing to heights that play with the angels.

I listen to your Angel Voices within.

I thrill to your leaps, dances and flirtations of white light as they present themselves in ribbons and branches of fire that careen across your cloud mountain and for earth below.

Your fat cold raindrops tickle and tingle my skin with delight.

In the Bible it is said that God speaks in thunder, and I listen to God speaking within you through whispers, rumbles, rolls, rolls and claps.

I acknowledge that what I see in you mirrors back magnificence that lies within me and within each of us.

Thank you God for your beauty, majesty, magnificence and boundless power.

(C) 2011, Stephen Levine; All Rights Reserved

Walking in a Lightning Wonderland-November 21,2011

Evening after dark: I delight to raindrops crackling upon my umbrella and murmuring across the earth. Deeply I inhale scents of rain-sweetened air as puddles gather beneath me.

Dazzling flashes of white and bluish burst out across the sky, illumining earth in their vivid glows. My heart leaps in joy with each flicker and listens intently as musical rolls dance and play above my head.

11:50p.m. to 1:15 a.m. Tuesday: I awaken to an electric energy in the air, a felt-sense that something is on its way, though not one flicker of lightning emanates from anywhere, and barely a drop of rain falls.

Around 12:30 a.m. the entire night suddenly turns bright as mid-day,  pulsing with brilliance that envelops everything in its light. For several seconds it seems that nothing else in this world exists but white light.

Tremendous claps of thunder respond, building into an earth-shattering explosion that shakes walls & windows then fades into claps rolling overhead and every which way.

Three more similar lightning discharges follow, each about 5 minutes apart. Powerful thunder responds, though not as earth shattering as the first outburst.

I return to sleep, feeling warmth and joy in my heart for having experienced this celestial show.

At work the next morning several co-workers ask me if I heard the explosion and if I knew what it was.

Scientifically, the first explosion was probably a positive lightning discharge. 

Positively charged lightning bolts have far more voltage moving through them than the average bolt, and frequently span tens of thousands of feet from cloud top to earth.

Thus, they are hotter, more electrified, and therefore also produce more intense thunder over greater distances.

Due to trees and houses blocking the view, I did not see the actual cloud to ground bolt.

The subsequent discharges were probably extensive cloud to cloud bolts, hidden from view by the low overcast.

The depth and loudness of thunder was probably caused by the combination of cloud to cloud lightning close to earth plus a heat inversion with colder air at the surface and warmer air overhead.

Warmer air overhead sometimes acts as a mirror, deepening the tenor of the thunder and reflecting it back to earth.

(C)2011, Stephen Levine, All Rights Reserved

Sky Cracking Open!

This spectacular lightning discharge is shot looking south and overhead during our drought breaking storm in the Dallas area September 18, 2011.

10-23-2011: Wow!

About 1:10 a.m. one of the most powerful thunderstorms and hail storms I've ever seen from home base rolled in from the North.

Following is a photo and story account:

Lightning arrives ahead of the storm, tearing through sheaths of clouds and accompanied by gusty North winds. Chilly fresh air fills the night as all the world waits in anticipation for wildness to unfold. Photo looking East.

Sheets of lightning volly back and forth across the Northern sky with non-stop intensity. It's like a celestial table tennis game, using white light as the ball. My jaw hangs in awe as I watch.

Sometimes dramatic bolts leap for the earth out ahead of the storm. My heart leaps with glee in response. Photo looking ENE.

Cloud layers merge into a flash filled overcast, and roars of thunder steadily draw closer to my window. Windwhipped rain sets in, swiftly transforming into swirling sheets that begin fading out street lights. Treetops bend & sway in honor of the rushing elements. Frequent flashes of brilliant white fills the night, followed by crashes and roars of thunder.

Rain suddenly turns to hail and thickens in intensity. Tremendous clatter of hailstones obliquely hitting the window mingles with roar on the roof. It's as if the heart of the thunderstorm thousands of feet overhead has settled down upon us, setting down across our back yards. 

Awe returns to fill my heart and mind as everything turns into a mist of lightning-illumined pounding hailstones. Wind and hail rocking one of our parked cars turns on the alarm system, it's loud beeping mingles with the whoosing sound of elemental wildness.

Through the dim light and sound of hail slapping the window, I can tell that it's not dangerously big.

Flickers of white lightning continue to play about sky and brightness of hail-whitened earth swiftly glows back into the night. My awe now mingles with thrill to see something I've never seen before - - ground white as snow from hail, and in such a short period of time.

When hail and rain taper, I open the door to a winter wonderland-like world. It's utterly amazing. This photo is taken looking West, while lightning flashes illuminate the whitened earth.

Here is another photo of the hail whitened earth lit by lightning flashes. Notice accumulating hail even in the street!

Hail stones range generally up to penny sized, some up to 3/4" big. About 1/2 to 3/4" of hail covers the earth, more in places where it piled up. It's truly amazing to walk on the crunchy ground and kick through the swishing sound of hailstones. Oh yes, and I do munch on a couple. They taste cold and sweet.

Here is another shot of the hail covered earth.

This photo is taken at 8 a.m., six hours after the storm had ended. Amazingly, parts of the lawn are still white from hailstones, and drifts of piled up hail lay in places. As I walk about, earth still crunches beneath my feet across much of the lawn.

Here is another shot of the hail, some 6 hours after the storm had ended.

The hail was too small to do anything to cars. However, I estimate that many trees lost 20-30% of their leaves, and streets are covered with drifts and piles of fresh green leaves.  It's not been a good year for most of our trees between the intense heat and drought and now hail knocking more leaves off (mixed with my awe, fascination, gratitude and thrill of experiencing this powerful weather event, I felt twinges of sadness for the trees. But it's nature and I know that it's part of a cycle that they have lived with for eons. 

The force of hail and wind took out all our succulent plants ( a graphic demonstation of the blesssing of hail insurance for farmers) and also shattered our porch floodlight, sending pieces of glass across the porch. (which I didn't discover till this morning)

I certainly did not mind going out and buying the replacement today; seeing this celestial event was worth far more than the cost of admission.

When the cashier at the store expressed empathy for the shattered light I told her "that's OK, I'm a storm hunter and enjoyed the show." She giggled and told me that her father loves storms too and chases them.

The Oak Tree leaves and nuts all over my side of the street came from lawns 1/2 block away.

Copyright, 2011, Stephen Eric Levine, All Rights Reserved