June 22nd Storms

Facebook makes it too easy to become lazy when it comes to other online activities such as maintaining this blog. It's been a busy time since last post and maybe I'll get caught up? Remains to be seen as I'm at a different place anymore with this stuff. Anyways, a few weeks ago we had a big day for Illinois with the majority of activity up north but also some drama in the downstate...

Severe thunderstorm at daybreak between Springfield and Decatur with more bark than bite and an otherwise big wet non-photogenic mess.


Secondary line later that morning from the same location that was unwarned yet unlike the previous, highly photogenic with a well defined outflow roll cloud.




Heading north into unfamiliar territory for a look at numerous tornado warned storms in the vicinity of the I-80 corridor, dramatic structure beginning near the small town of Walnut.




Positioning a few miles west for a new cell bearing tornado warning, intense lightning with this one so I didn't stick around nor remember location.


Dropping even further west and south, end of the line cell caught the end of day light from yet another unnoticed location but didn't care as it was just cool.








Now dark and stair stepping south to safely navigate away from the complex, new storms downstream would go tornado warned. Following at great distance, saw power flashes during the journey including over the Pontiac area. Tripoded 300mm with release, I was able to get a likely tornado illuminated by power flash occurring at or near Fairbury several miles away.


Continuing to follow up until I-55, long lensed it some more to get suspicious features over the Thawville/Buckley areas. Lightning bugs were on one this night and made for cool effect even though lives were being adversely affected. Storm appreciation is a complicated activity to understand and will always be a love/hate subject. I just like the challenge of witness and documentation while letting the pictures speak for themselves.