When Thor decides to throw anger, all jokes have to be cast aside. Thunderstorms, being as fascinating as they truly are, are also a superbly dangerous occurrence, capable of unleashing havoc from Roland’s Emmerich’s daydream, albeit looking stunningly amazing in the process. These are 10 amazing pictures of thunderstorms!
image source: oko-planet.su
Mammatus clouds never mean a good thing is coming. Despite looking peculiarly appealing, the occurrence of them usually indicates a severe, possibly even tornadic, thunderstorm creeping in. We don’t want to slip into the territory of meteorology, but if you see these humps attached to the bottom of the cumulonimbus cloud (the one that looks like a post-nuclear explosion mushroom cloud), it’s safe to say you’ll probably witness a lighting show of the century. Purely as a photo with the flock of birds crossing and the sunlight desperately trying to squeeze through, this one comes off as a great textural landscape. The thunder cracking seems almost audible.
image source: www.huffingtonpost.com
Although this example does not represent any immediate danger and seems to be more of a downpour than a genuine tempest, it still shows the incredible visual impact the gust can have even when experienced from a relatively safe distance. It also shows the characteristically local nature of the weather condition. More than anything, it looks like a showering of a particular region for some, only in the higher layers known, reason. Sunlight contributes with its flare for a superb visual spectacle.
image source: news.nationalgeographic.com
Okay, so this is it, the Yin and Yang of the weather sphere, the elemental, majestic and spontaneous versus the harmonious, collected and peaceful. Let the show begin! The contrast of two conditions is a flabbergasting one, making the scene seem always a result of editing trickery. It’s not, however. The silent dusk hour is disturbed by a colossal force approaching. And won’t you look at those shades of blue in the upper right… Nature truly provokes mythical thinking.
image source: matadornetwork.com
Forming over Silver City in New Mexico, this blast will surely rain some cats and dogs. We already mentioned the disaster of biblical proportions and in the context of that, this might as well be the visual preview of the second coming. Okay, forget the religious connotations; this is simply awe when it strikes. A flaming cumulonimbus ready to deliver a barrage of hail, deluge, and some electrical discharge. When you see this Diablo approaching, be sure to gear as far as possible!
image source: foro.technoastur.com
Okay, the subject before the lens in this case, scientifically speaking, is not a supercell. This wide angle photography by Ryan McGinnis portrays the rare phenomena known as the arcus cloud rolling over the plains of Keanary, Nebraska, in 2011. As you might have expected, the thunderstorm contained within it was a real fury. And how could it not be? Anything of this scale and appearance should be looked upon with a considerable precaution. Some of the most spot on comparisons found on the web imply that this is an alien mothership in disguise. Thus, it’s clear that alien civilizations are not familiar with the concept of being inconspicuous.
image source: matadornetwork.com
Now forget about the fourth picture as the “grandiose” one. Forget about the term “biblical”. To describe this monstrosity, we’ll have to put to use the whole staff of the Greek pantheon. If papa Zeus had ever decided to leave the Olympus for a secular walk along the plains of dear old Gaia, the scene would most likely look exactly like this. Sprouting lighting to the left and right, the barbet would rush over like a meteorological tsunami of inconceivable measure. Impact-wise, this might be one the most impressive photos of a thunder dome in action. Thank you, weather channel!
image source: masterphotonetwork.blogspot.com
At the foothills of the famous mountain, we have a gorgeous Greek beachside with the black mass being distant enough to function as a rather scenery-fitting eye candy. Taken by the Greek photographer Christos Tsoumplekas, the photo captures the wonderfully chilly weather characteristic to a thunderstorm setting in for action. The vista of clouds lights up the already dark formation and, presumably, with a little help from the polarizer effect, the scene becomes a romanticist’s dream. “Nature is so astounding and with such a kill appeal”, he thought to himself.
image source: https://jenniferimages.wordpress.com
The effect of a burn-out, arid landscape is truly reminiscent of the complicated geography Frodo and Sam had to deal with while trying to get rid of the Ring. The deep blue of the parent cloud and the hordes of cumulus floating beneath it only add to the overall epochal mood. Taken by Jenniffer from Bluestonephotography, it is actually a rather beautiful and conventional American southwest scenery. HDR (high dynamic range) and possibly some other technical additions like the aforementioned polarizer make this one as intimidating as it appears.
image source: www.dailymail.co.uk
A one of a kind meteorological occasion over the Queensland skies during the February of 2016 led to a social media explosion. The web was overcrowded with pink and orange-shaded imagery depicting one of the most beautiful thunderstorm cloud formations ever caught on virtual memory. Now how come we get such a visual treat? Turns out, it’s a rare combination of ice clouds, scorching summer temperatures and regular thunderstorm clouds. Talk about a weather overkill… The fantastic image was provided by Manda O’Sullivan who gave the audience a straightforward question - have you ever seen a prettier storm cloud? And it’s not that easy to give an answer.
image source: www2.pvc.maricopa.edu
With our final entry, we’re once again touching the subject of cumulonimbus clouds. To keep up with our scientific premise, we’ve included a natural phenomenon known as the overshooting top. What's so significant about this dome-like protrusion shooting up from the top of the anvil is the fact that it once again indicates how severe the fads of Thor will be in this case. If the overshooting top stays there longer than 10 minutes, there is a good chance your surroundings will be decimated to pieces. If so, you better run. Before, though, take a quick snapshot. Pictures of thunderstorms are, after all, pictures of a monumental power!
