Happy New Year

Well it's been a while since I have updated this blog but happy new year to everyone and hope there are some amazing storms in 2012. I will be updating thoughts on the 2012 Tornado Season over the next few months and looking forward to Stormchase 2012 in Tornado Alley. Only 4 months to go and that should fly by! Here's hoping for some more amazing pictures to put up this year.

Tour 3 Highlights 2011

Have been sent the following Link which shows Netweather's 10 day Tour 3 from 2011 encompassing May 21st until May 31st.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zHMIcVhrD4

Enjoy

27th August 2011 - Cottonwood (AZ)

Last day in Arizona was meant for rest and relaxation in Sedona to escape the Heat and Furnace of Phoenix.......But along the way Storms popped off so we stopped at a few locations to shoot lightning with some good results. Got to Sedona for evening time but all the anvils had clouded the sky so no chance at Star shots tonight. Watched some distant storms flashing away to the West. Homeward bound tomorrow and should be back in the Uk Monday Lunchtime. Have enjoyed this trip immensely and hope to come back in 2012 for some more great Storms.

26th August 2011 - W Senora Desert

Another epic Arizona Monsoon Chase today. Storms fired at 1pm down near to Casa Grande in some residual Moisture left over (104/60f) So we headed down to take a look, the Moisture was moving Westwards and so were the Strongest Storms. Had some very nice structure today with some close ear splitting thunder and dangerous Cg lightning out of the anvil. Got onto a very nice Storm at Sunset near Salome just off the I-10. This gave a cracking display for about 45 minutes with vivid colours. Last day on the 27th and we will probably be heading towards Sedona for some sight-seeing and maybe some storms if they pop up over the Mogollan Rim.

Has been a great trip and thanks for following.

25th August 2011 - Casa Grande - Arizona

Another day of Monsoon action but this time closer to Phoenix, got onto a Nice Storm just West of Casa Grande, went South down Highway 79 and stopped at the Tom Mix Indian Monument just East of Casa Grande. A line of 3 Thunderstorms were to our West and South West and as the setting sun went down so the Cg's started to crank up. Got some lovely shots of Cactus and Cgs with the Sunset. All storms died down as darkness fell so and early night back to the Hotel.

24th August 2011 - Benson (AZ)

Left hotel at 4pm with an almost repeat set-up to yesterday. Storms started to get going at 5pm and an MCS Rolled towards Tucson, we drive through a Mini Haboob along the way with the Storms outflow creating this feature. I then positioned us South and East of Tucson on the Desert Floor with a View to our South and East at more Storms forming along another Outflow Boundary. We could not target Windy Point this time as the Storms were to far South and East and the Mountians would have blocked off good viewing. So we set up just off I-10 Between Tucson and Benson and got some great shots once again. This was the 9th out of 9 days we have seen Thunderstorms and with 3 more to come the Monsoon Season has treated us very well. Got my best image ever from a 40 Second Exposure of 10+ Lightning bolts!

23rd August 2011 - Mount Lemmon (Windy Point)

Today we hit the Jackpot for Lightning Photography. An MCS Was moving due West to the South of Tucson and dissipating as Sunset came on. We went up 7,000ft above Sea Level to overlook Tucson and I noted an Outflow Boundary extending to the South East from the old remnant MCS. Literally as we set up at Windy Point the first Cg bolts started raining down to our South East at a range of 10-12 miles away. This Storm was moving due West over the Lit up Valley below to affect Eastern most parts of Tucson. Our viewpoint was incredible being level with the Storms Base and the next 90 minutes were Cg Lightning Heaven. These are probably some of the best Lightning shots we have seen on our chases. Enjoy!