Another amazing tornado picture!

Scott Pollak

Not a thing to do with v/o here, just yet ANOTHER incredible photo. Here's the link in case you'd like to read about how the photo occurred:

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/a-remarkable-photo-from-tornado-country/#comment-424016

Dave DeAndrea · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008, 14:16 (GMT) Post subject:

Wow! Thanks for sharing that, Scott.

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008, 15:11 (GMT) Post subject:

My first response was that it was an altered image; but since you don't appear to think it has, I'd go with you on it, since you have more exposure to photography and experience in computer graphics. However, I think it is mislabelled. It's not a tornado: there's no debris -- it's all cloud and very little wind, if you'll notice. But it's something even cooler and more rare, I think...cloud wall from a supercell set nearly on the ground.

Allen Brown · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008, 15:19 (GMT) Post subject:

Wow! That IS a spectacular storm photo, Scott.

I noticed that there's some discussion on the photo blog as to whether this was actually a tornado. From what I read, the woman who took the shot said the funnel never touched the ground, thus, no debris. Whatever it is...it's awesome.

Here's a link that shows how easy it is to mistake some storm formations for tornados.

http://www.stormeyes.org/tornado/faq/notahose.htm

Kara Edwards · **Voice Talent** Joined: 26 Oct 2006 Posts: 347

I sent the link to my husband who is a meteorologist (the kind with all his degrees and seals and stuff). This is what he thought,

"That looks pretty official. Too bad there’s so much horizon debris from trees, barns, silo storage buildings. I can’t get a clear shot at what’s happening behind all that on the true horizon. Definitely a good shot at a tornadic supercell thunderstorm."

By 'debris' he means all the buildings blocking the view, not actual debris in the storm.

From a photographic point of view, it is remarkable! I'm willing to do almost anything to get a good picture- but would never risk being so close to a storm like that!

In fact, just last week I was caught driving in one of the worst electrical storms I've ever seen. Taking photos was the LAST thing on my mind! After watching 2 transformers blow on the side of the road from strikes (only several feet from where we were driving)- I just wanted out of there!!

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008, 15:47 (GMT) Post subject:

Kara, I'm betting the electrical storm you got was related to the one we had here last week. I THINK it was on Wednesday evening, but I'm not positive. It was absolutely frightening. I'd dropped my daughter off at work and it was rolling in. The most active lightning I've ever been around... TONS of hits everywhere and super close to us. There were a few hits that actually scared me and I don't think that's ever happened to me before.

Kara Edwards · **Voice Talent** Joined: 26 Oct 2006 Posts: 347

I bet they are related! Mine was Tuesday night, and I was in the car with a cameraman driving to Charleston to shoot a series of TV commercials on Wednesday morning. Thankfully, I was in the passenger seat, as I know I would have driven off the road a few times! In fact, he had to lower the visor and turn on some music to distract him. Even he was scared!

I was once caught on a highway alone (well, I had my cat) in the middle of Alabama during a tornado that ran along the road. This lightning storm almost scared me as bad as that did. So, that's saying something!

Craig Crumpton · **Voice Talent** Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 58

Cameron Thomas · **Voice Talent** Joined: 06 Dec 2006 Posts: 479

Melba,

You're pretty good at this stuff! Ever since I saw this picture the first time, I, too, thought there was something just a little fishy--it does look like the wall cloud is reeeally close to the ground. I wish the right side of that storm was visible in the shot. Since the buildings hinder any kind of view of surface interaction so we'll probably never know for sure if it was "technically" a tornado. Either way, I'm not going to quibble because it is just an incredibly sensational photo! Despite being a "met" myself, I've never collected a whole lot of weather pictures, however, I did save this one to the archive when I first saw it in the headlines.

A Tornadic Cheers,
Cameron

Allison Scussel · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 928

Whether the picture is real or not, it makes great wallpaper for the PC! lachtot