Thursday's FROPA

Other than a wind shift and temperature change, I wasn't expecting to see anything photogenic with the sharp cold front to slice through the region yesterday. Much to my surprise, this key component that will go on to assist with the intensification of Sandy did in fact offer up a few visuals.

Wednesday Morning

Per the KILX AFD (Area Forecast Discussion) from 10:21 AM CDT though I was unaware at the time...

DOWNSTREAM... BROAD WARM/MOIST ADVECTION CONTINUES LOCALLY WHICH WILL PRODUCE CONDITIONS MORE TYPICAL OF SUMMER TODAY. ANTICIPATED HIGHS IN THE LOWER 80S WILL BE NEAR RECORDS IN MOST LOCATIONS. A POCKET OF STEEPER LAPSE RATES AND HIGHER DEWPOINTS IN A 700-850 MB LAYER OVER CENTRAL AND EASTERN IL WAS CONTRIBUTING TO AN AREA OF ENHANCED CU/AC AND WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED TO SEE AN ISOLATED SPRINKLE OUT OF THIS DECK IN THE NEXT FEW HOURS.

On This Day Two Years Ago...

Throughout this year I have been redoing older pictures and with that, coming across ones that have not been seen including most of these from an event on this day in 2010.

That morning, never before seen.


Later at Lake Shelbyville, never before seen.


Never before seen (NBS).


(NBS)


Redo.


(NBS)


(NBS)


Redo.


(NBS)


(NBS)


(NBS)


(NBS)


Redo.


Redo.


(NBS)


Redo.


(NBS)


(NBS)


This guy whose stance now reminds me of a popular meme was from the 26th.




Not apparent to me then, four images from that session now assembled into an animation sequence so happen to capture the breathing motion.

Orionids / Morning Storms / More

This past Saturday into Sunday was the peak of the annual Orionid Meteor Shower. I went out into the country but it was early so despite seeing a few small ones from out of frame, luck was not with me. I was however, swooped by a curious owl that I was able to follow with the flashlight across frame. Although it didn't show up, you can see where the unintentionally illuminated foreground resulted in my first accidental "light painting".



Trying again later, I was able to image a small one and then in a separate session after, pick up something extraordinarily bright but unfortunately my lens was out of focus. It is unlikely the second object is a meteor and instead, a flaring satellite since meteors (like the first) were generating green light trails which I'm pretty sure is the spectral color of ionized oxygen molecules as the meteor torches everything in its path of descent.





Messing around Sunday night.


Monday morning we had an MCS push through with occasional severe warnings. A cell to the NW captured my attention on velocity. Despite the intense lightning that was associated, I only caught an incidental bolt but the structure was still worth it.

Capture c/o RadarScope








This morning we had a piece of energy lift through that offered up more lightning.




14 minute stack.




Capture c/o RadarScope


and finally, though I haven't visited in ages, I have to give respect to StormTrack for remembering even if it is automated and a day early.

Spectacular Sunrise

Sub Severe Storm At Kenney Illinois

Despite the powerful dynamics associated with the most recent system to lift through the Midwest, a lack of overall instability kept local severe weather to a minimum. Regardless, during squall line passage I stepped out to nearby Kenney to observe a line segment that I thought might produce photogenic HP structure but was somewhat lacking. Weather is as weather does so no complaints.









Behind the line.