29-11-03 Storms

Previous Page

The day looked unstable for most of the morning, promising something. After lunch a few showers following the southern coast (but missing us) caught my eye when a CG strike appeared out of nowhere. A few more strikes followed and that seemed to be it as the associated rain band moved further south. Howvever, the lightning left behind a legacy in the form of a fire that burned for some hours in the vicinity of Second Valley/ Wirrina. At no time did a "ful blown" thunderstorm develop, just a mid level cloud base with enough instability to give a few showers and the odd strike. Later in the evening and following the same path as earlier more storms fired up giving a decent light show, some of which I was lucky enough to capture......

Radar from the evening showing the narrow squall line

The skies were certainly unstable showing some promise at dusk. Looking west.

Cool sunset from the patio

It fired up just after dark - despite being blown out a little, my best shot of the evening.

A close up crop of the previous image, fantastic bolt!

Backlit clouds by lightning and orange glow from sunset

Not such an impressive shot, but lightning nonetheless.

Another flash!

Classic CG.

Crop of the previous image

Yet another crop - notice the interesting "nodules" on the smaller fork!
This effect has been well described by Weatherzone Forum Member "TranslucidusW"
"The "nodules" on the smaller lightning stroke are similar to what sometimes people call Ball lightning and is when that portion of the stroke is travelling in a direct line with the eye of the observer - perhaps for a good distance and therefore appears much brighter than the rest of the stroke and also appears round."

Copyright T.Thorpe 2003 www.hillsrain.com