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Link to video: Symphony of Lightning (be sure to turn up your volume!)
Link to photo album: Lightning 2022 and More Lightning
One thing you learn very quickly when living in the desert southwest is that just about everyone here can't wait for monsoon season to start. We can literally go months without a drop of rain. If you're not from here, you might think of monsoons as bad things, wreaking all kinds of havoc. But actually, it's just a seasonal prevailing wind blowing from the southwest and bringing rain typically between May and September. In Arizona, it means that moisture streams northward from the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. Together with daytime heating (usually 110+ degrees), it brings about a change in our weather pattern, bringing much-needed rain to our desert.
One thing you learn very quickly when living in the desert southwest is that just about everyone here can't wait for monsoon season to start. We can literally go months without a drop of rain. If you're not from here, you might think of monsoons as bad things, wreaking all kinds of havoc. But actually, it's just a seasonal prevailing wind blowing from the southwest and bringing rain typically between May and September. In Arizona, it means that moisture streams northward from the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. Together with daytime heating (usually 110+ degrees), it brings about a change in our weather pattern, bringing much-needed rain to our desert.
When these storms roll in, usually in the late afternoon and evening, they bring with them torrential rains and spectacular lightning displays. The rains usually only last about 10-20 minutes and can drop up to one inch+ of water in one storm, making driving difficult. Because you can see so far here, you can enjoy the beauty of the storms that are many miles away.
About 20 years ago, a good friend of ours introduced Pete to lightning photography and he's been hooked ever since. His photo library now consists of hundreds of lighting shots. His photos have been featured on our local news channels, Arizona Highways Facebook page, National Geographic (Nat Geo lightning article), and even one in the Library of Congress! (Library of Congress article)
Just to be clear, lightning photography is dangerous. You should not attempt this. He takes many safety measures and never puts himself in imminent danger. But even with all those safety measures in place, these storms can surprise you. Once while photographing a distant storm, another storm crept up behind him unnoticed and announced its presence with a bolt of lightning that struck the ground about 100 yards away. That is definitely too close for comfort! He quickly packed up his gear and headed home. Never underestimate storms!
Lightning Facts:
- An actual lightning strike travels around 270,000 mph.
- Lightning is one of nature's most recurrent and common spectacles.
- Around the world, there are over 3,000,000 flashes every day, about 44 strikes every second.
- The actual width of a lightning bolt is only about 2-3 cm. The charge carried down this small channel is so intense that the temperature of the lightning reaches 54,000 °F - that's five times hotter than the surface of the Sun and 300 million volts.
- The average length of a lightning bolt is about 2-3 miles.
- To tell how far away a thunderstorm is, simply count the number of seconds between the flash of lightning and the boom of thunder that follows. Divide this number by five and this tells you how many miles away you are from the storm.
Be sure to check out the video at the top of this article. You will be amazed!
This shot was taken from Gates Pass looking southwest at Kitt Peak and is a 2-minute exposure. Mother Nature sure has a sense of humor sometimes!
This shot was taken at the Red Hills Visitor Center in Saguaro National Park. It kind of looks like Africa and is one of his most popular photos.
Until next time,
Peace & Love
Pete & Lori
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