Everywhere you go, always take the weather with you. Some stormchasers take this idea a bit too far by following around enormous, wild weather patterns, and the result is some gorgeous yet terrifying photos.
Lighting Up the Light House
Moses Berdy loves hanging out at Folly Beach in Charleston, South Carolina. On one trip to Morris Island Lighthouse, though, the weather turned on him, leading to an incredible picture that's nonetheless a little frightening considering just how close that lightning came to the beachfront.
Sudden Downpour
This incredibly ominous photo comes as a storm washes over Miami, Florida. The intense change in weather comes as a result of air currents wafting large oceanic clouds onto this coastal city.
I Left My Umbrella in San Francisco
Here, we see the heavens open on San Francisco, as rain descends in a torrential downpour. The storm also brings thunder and lightning; dangers that tall cities always need to be prepared for.
A 'Photogenic' Cloud
Taken near Montagnana in northern Italy, this photo shows the formation of what photographer Marko Korosec describes as "a massive mesocyclone with also a short-lived large cone funnel cloud ." Korosec found this particular cyclone to be particularly "photogenic" as he followed it, taking pictures.
Sinking to the Cloud
Korosec also managed to capture a very similar cyclone as it formed above a field in Eastern Colorado. It's clear to see the moment that large pressure is changing the storm's shape as it begins to funnel down towards the ground.
Starry, Starry Night
This "explosive" storm formed quickly in the sky above western Texas. Lightning flashed from the clouds as the winds whipped the storm into a frenzy, moving rapidly in place with clear sky visible beyond its border - hence, a stunning view of the Milky Way in the background.
Silent Hills
Not all dangerous weather involves strong winds. Here, thick marine fog is engulfing the coastal city of Trieste in Italy. As pretty as this looks from a distance, fog like this can make visibility difficult and lead to all kinds of accidents on narrow, poorly lit roads.
Anvil Crawler Lightning
This photo, taken in southern Texas, shows a formation of lightning known as "anvil crawlers." These bursts of lightning snake out across the sky, making for some beautiful visuals despite being a tremendous danger to all tall buildings in the vicinity.
A Storm By Sunset
Here, eastern Colorado sees the formation of a supercell cyclone. According to the photographer, this cyclone lasted a long time, remaining in the sky throughout dusk as it blocked out a beautiful golden sunset.
Lighting Up the Sky
This photo shows lightning tearing across the sky across the horizon, while the city of Palmas, Tocantins in Brazil is left relatively unscathed.
Storm in a Teacup
This picture thankfully doesn't show a single instant, but is rather a composit of twenty five photos taken over the course of three hours in Australia. The result is an image that shows a full thunderstorm in a single instance, proving just how much energy can be released in the sky during a storm.
Early Rains
Florida's stormy season started early this year - this photo was taken early in the spring, when the rains don't typically start falling until mid-May. Around the world, weather patterns are shifting, in large part due to significant ongoing disruption to our planet's climate.
A Close Encounter
Taken at around 11pm at night while driving between Lakeport and Buckhead Ridge in Florida, this shows a bolt of lightning hitting disconcertingly close to the photographer, Jeff Gammons. This region of Florida is well known for its late night thunderstorms, especially during the summer months.
A Pierside Opportunity
Taken in July on Treasure Coast near Hutchinson Island in Florida, this fast-moving storm was only present in the sky very briefly as it continued its travels. The photographer, Gammons, had to run out onto the pier as it past to catch this picture before it was too late.
Flames in the Sky
No, this isn't the Upside Down. Taken in Osceola County, Florida, this picture shows a very fast-moving storm that lit up the sky very briefly. While photographer Gammons would have liked to have set up a timelapse to catch the whole storm, there simply wasn't time. At least this photo, showing what Gammons calls "blue flames," shows off the power of the storm.
Blue Sky Mushroom Cloud
Taken on the south-facing side of Sanibel Island, off the coast of Florida, this image shows the sudden and unpredictable nature of tropical storms. Blue skies can turn into large thunderstorms quickly, and photographer Gammons had to be careful to avoid being struck by lightning.
The High Ground
Not all incredible weather occurs in the clouds. This photo shows an eruption from within active volcano Mount Yasur on the Pacific Island of Tanna Island in Vanuatu. On the day this was taken, explosions and rumbles could be heard long into the night as the volcano belched out smoke, ash and lava.
Fear the Haboob
An incredible haboob (or dust storm) that formed on the road between Barellan and Temora in Australia shows that dry winds can be just as deadly as wet ones. This dust storm covered a large area in a short time, leaving fields and trees ravaged in its wake.
A Fun Day Ahead
This photo is perhaps more exciting than terrifying. Displaying a thick snowstorm blowing across Perisher ski resort in Australia, we're able to see a snow plough preparing the freshly laid powder for a day of winter sports. The result of a blizzard can be a lot of fun!
Not in Nebraska Anymore
A clearly formed tornado tearing across the landscape of Sidney, Nebraska, this storm looks powerful enough to transport someone to the mythical land of Oz. Nevertheless, anyone with a brain will know to keep their distance, no matter how much heart or courage you may already possess.
Up the Water Spout
A wet and wild waterspout that has formed off the coast of Lakeshore Drive in New Orleans, Louisiana, this doesn't exactly look like prime water sports weather.
This Albino Deer
Albino animals are truly rare. They're among the most beautiful creatures on Earth. Just look at this albino deer. It’s almost like someone made a sculpture out of ivory and placed it in the forest for the world to admire. The photographer even managed to capture a rainbow in this pic which makes this deer seem like its in some sort of magical land.
The Itsy Bitsy Maple Leaf
This Maple Leaf is so tiny and adorable, one would swear that it’s fake, but this is actually just another one of Mother Nature’s many miracles. Now most maple leaves are about the size of a human hand but this one makes the person holding it look like they’ve got giant hands.
Sunflowers Growing from the Sidewalk
Notice those plants full of sunflowers growing from the crack on the edge of this sidewalk? Who wouldn't? It's not everyday that we're lucky enough to run into such a beautiful sight.
This Moss is Color Blending
The moss framing the bricks on this path is creating an ombré effect that goes from green to orange, which is eerily reminiscent of the color changes leaves undergo when the seasons change from summer to fall.
This Driftwood is Oh-So Twisted
This driftwood by the shore of this lake looks like a giant rope, but it’s not. And chances are, the trunk is no longer alive because this process tends to happen when a plant called English Ivy twists around a tree trunk, essentially killing it.
This Icy Umbrella
Mother Nature gave this bird feeder a total makeover by turning it into an icy umbrella. The air was so cold that the water dripping from the top created icicles that look similar to fringes one would see on a fancy lamp.
This Mossy Looking Frog
This is a Vietnamese Mossy Frog, which earned its name because it obviously blends in quite well with moss. But most people would probably walk right by it in the wilderness without realizing it’s there which is why this photo is such a rare treat.
Flowers are Blooming in the Atacama Desert
Most people think of deserts as dry and airy with virtually no vegetation except for a few cacti here and there. But the ground in the Atacama Desert in Chile occasionally has purple and yellow flowers blooming from the cracks in the ground.
Mt. Fuji Has a Hat
Everyone needs a little break from the sun now and then, even Japan’s Mt. Fuji. Fortunately, Mother Nature was there to help and created this lenticular cloud over it which looks an awful lot like an enormous white hat.
This Petunia Looks Like A Night Sky
This might look like one of those fake flowers sold in novelty shops that use fiber optics to light the petals up, but it’s not. This Petunia flower is called Night Sky because it’s blue but has white discolorations on the petals that look like a cluster of stars.
This Yellowish-Pink Moth
Moths are generally dark, but this beautiful and rebellious babe looks like it dyed its fur yellow and pink. And yet this is completely natural which helps it blend in with its natural surroundings.
This Cabbage is Showing Its True Colors
Who said all cabbages are green? This one has leafy layers of different fall colors that would make a great centerpiece. Whoever grew this cabbage deserves an award for owning such a colorful thing.
The Itsy Bitsy Frog
Frogs come in all shapes and sizes, but this one’s really fascinating because it is smaller than the size of a human fingernail. While it might not seem like a big deal, it’s certainly quite a rare discovery to make.
This Army of Baby Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers in the spring and summer months are nothing out of the ordinary. But how many people can say that they’ve seen an army of baby grasshoppers all congregating in one place? This is so cute!
This Tree Grew from a Silo
Although the silo itself was old and abandoned, it still served a purpose. It housed and protected a tree that grew from the bottom up. But no one really knew this was happening until the tree branches grew beyond the remnants of the silo.
This Skink Lizard
This skink lizard is utterly adorable with its black and white stripes that run parallel to each other all the way from its head down to the rest of its body. But what makes this creature even cuter is the striking blue tail. What a beauty!
Spoiler Alert! It’s Not a Cooper Tree
The tree growing outside of that structure is actually a Tibetan Cherry Tree. But why does it look like it’s made of copper? It's obviously not, but it does trick the eye, doesn't it? The copper-colored skin tends to shed during the winter time, but during the summer months, it’s all shiny and silky.
Meet the Parrot Waxcap Mushroom
Although most mushrooms tend to be grayish and kinda dull, the Parrot Waxcap Mushroom is anything but. It's a stunning fungi with a waxy and transparent green top and a yellowish interior. Even the stem looks oh-so unique.
These Trees Have Ice Shelves
The trees appear to have shelves or benches for people to sit on, but this actually happened after the river flooded and partially froze. When the water went down, it left a series of ice shelves behind.
This Squirrel with a Squirrely Blonde Tail
This squirrel is the talk of the park and the rest of the squirrels are undoubtedly so jealous of its luscious blonde tail, which is pretty unique. We bet this cost a fortune at the salon!
This Burnt Tree Continues to Thrive
This tree suffered some serious burns in a fire. In fact, the damage is visible on the bottom area which is completely charred. But the tree’s will to live is clearly strong because the branches above have continued to grow and the leaves are as green and as vibrant as the neighboring trees in the background.
This Geyser’s Going to Blow Any Minute
It looks like some kind of alien space ship about to ascend from the Earth’s surface and fly off into outer space. But it’s actually a geothermal geyser that’s just about ready to erupt while spectators eagerly wait for the event from a safe distance.
This Lone Cherry Growing from a Tree
We’ve heard of cherry trees, which have tons of cherries growing from them. But this one is a total rebel and decided to stay all by itself and appears to be sticking out of a branch in the middle of the tree.
The Saddest Rock Formation Ever
Sometimes, nature creates unusual rock formations with patterns that our minds try to make sense of. Well, in this case, this rock formation looks like a rock who is terribly sad and in need of a friend.
A Red Rainbow in the Night Sky
Someone took a snap of what appears to be a red rainbow while taking their boat out on the water at Midnight in Finland. Usually, rainbows offer various colored arches, but the other colors decided to stay home this night.
A Shadow From Another Tree Completes This One
The lighting in this photo is perfect, because not only is the shadow of another tree perfectly in place to complete this tree, the shadow itself also appears to be green. If you just took one glance at this photo, you might have even been fooled by the illusion and thought that there were two trees in the shot.
New Growth Stands Out on This Fir Tree
It’s easy to see where this tree started growing after it had a good trimming. The new bristles on this fir tree grew in lime green colored, a far cry from their original forrest green hue that is still evident at the inner edge of each bristle.
A Painting From 1892 and The Same Spot in 2020
Over a hundred years after this painting was finished, this spot in Porvoo, located in Southern Finland, is nearly untouched by modern structures. Even the roots of the tree in the forefront seem like they haven’t moved an inch in a century.
Condensation on the Leaves of a Blackberry Plant
This photo actually showcases a progress called guttation, by which plants exude water from structures called hydathodes on the margins of their leaves. This is nature’s way of allowing plants to relieve some water pressure built up inside leaves.
This Tree Has Just One Branch of an Apple Tree
This might seem like an absolutely other worldly occurrence, but anyone can get a tree of two different varieties in one by utilizing the process of grafting. By inserting a piece of one tree, or graft, into the trunk of another tree, both can continue to grow together.
A Colony of Fairy Inkcaps
Fairy ink caps, or tripping crumble cap, is a species of fungus that resembles small, upside down thimbles. This species of fungus is also edible for most humans. The species was given their name in 1939 by Jakob Emanuel Lange.
A Single Red Rose Growing Through Ivy
Roses typically grow in rose bushes, so this flower was probably the only one to bloom because the rest of the plant was obstructed by this massive wall of ivy. It looks picture perfect, like a scene out of “Beauty and the Beast.”
An Ecosystem Growing in a Beer Bottle
This beer bottle was found laying abandoned in a patch of land in the woods and thank goodness that the person who picked it up glanced inside of it. It was teeming with life, growing a few plants right out of the soil that accumulated inside.
This Pile of Snow Rolled Up Like a Hay Bale
Under the right conditions, snow that’s laying on the ground can freeze to itself. If this happens it can stay together if rolled up gingerly, like this young girl was able to do, amounting in a pile of snow that’s as tall as she is!
A Bunch of Bunches of Grapes
These grapes grew into an absolutely huge bunch to be sold at a market. There is a biblical story about bunches of grapes like these, called Grapes of Canaan, that grew so big that they needed to be carried by two men.
A Close Up Shot of a Chameleon
This isn’t a shot of orbeez, a slime ball or Dippin’ Dots ice cream, this is the skin of a colorful chameleon. Chameleons have different types of color-bearing cells which are organized in layers on their skin. The upper layer of skin has yellow and red pigments while the lower layers have black or brown pigments.
This Leaf is Patterned Like a Weather Radar
If the pattern on this leaf is familiar to you, that might be because it resembles the television screen during a weather segment. The leaf was transitioning from one color to the next when it got a fungal infection, turning segments of the leaf dark brown and splotchy.
This Palm Frond’s Patterns
Palm fronds’ patterns are typically simple segmented designs, but this frond looks like it was cramped inside of a shell for a while without room to properly grow, causing this amazing crimped design when it finally came out and saw the light of day.
The Inside of This Orchid Resembles An Eagle
The inner petals of this flower really look like a bird swooping down to catch its prey. The details are so perfect that you can see the face, eyes, beak, wings and talons of this fictitious bird even from afar. It’s amazing how nature can resemble other natural things.
A Tree With a Face
This tree looks like a sleeping man, but he is in desperate need of a haircut! If you look closely you can see what look like sleeping eyes, a nose, and a closed mouth underneath a huge green head of hair. This tree man certainly picked a picturesque place to fall asleep standing up for the night.