Fun with thunderstorms

This afternoon we were visited by severe thunderstorms, including another doppler indicated tornado. This possible tornado was closer to us than the storms we've been having so I got to see the edges of the storm. In my deep, deep concern for Krista's and the kitties' safety, I immediately ran outside with my camera to take pictures. Seriously, though, it was a big storm and we are safe and sound. It will probably be a long evening of thunderstorms, but I don't expect a problem. The weather service here is highly cautious and issues warnings all the time. One thing that will take some getting used to is the difference in weather patterns. In Florida, the storms build up more or less in place, move a little, and then dump the rain in the afternoon. Here, storms start building over Arkansas or Alabama in the late morning/afternoon, then become large, powerful storms over NC in the evenings. The intensity of the thunderstorms is not particularly different that in FL during the summer, but here they are more localized. Here you can track individual storms as they move through the area. In FL, the whole area is more or less at risk. Anyway, enough serious talk. One of my main motivators in taking pictures was the lightning. I included them because I think they are cool and because Nate will be impressed because they are all day-time shots. Shooting lightning during the day is tough because you can't leave the shutter open for a long time so timing has to be perfect. Enjoy.