Clouds, Sunsets, and clouds at Sunset

OK. Classtime. Most country folk call this a "wall cloud". The correct term is called a "gust front". Let me explain. Warm moist air rises. That rising warm is is what becomes a cloud. When that cloud becomes a storm and starts moving, they can create a gust front or a shelf cloud. Think of a slow motion nuclear explosion. The hot air is rising in the middle and when it gets so high and cools, it falls right back down alongside the warm column that is rising. The falling cool air is what you feel on your face when the storm first gets to you. Now for the exciting part...When the warm moist air sucking up rubs along that cool air rushing back out near the earths surface the temperature gradient (difference) causes moisture to be squeezed out to a visible form. So the shelf cloud you see is actually the barrier between the warm air rising up into the storm, and the cool air falling and rushing ahead of the storm. I was on my way home when I saw this shelf cloud before the gust front hit and I pulled over to get some pics of it. It was so big I had to turn the camera sideways to get it in the screen. It was magnificent.

Another beautiful storm cloud many counties away from me. As the sun set it became even more gorgeous.

Becoming a nice anviltop.

Sunrises too. Good morning America.

3 magnificent pics.



Morning sunrise with mist.

When you see these, you should know we are getting to fall/winter time, and nearing the end of the years pictures. These are called sundogs. Yes, I pulled over to the side of the road to take these pics too. When the air turns cold in the fall/winter, the air in the stratosphere is even colder. So cold those arent clouds you see, they are floating ice crystals. When the sun is just right the ice crystals will reflect a prism of light, the sundog. There is usually just one but there can be 2, and they are at 22 degrees from the sun on opposing sides of the sun.

And lastly, this was the super duper blue/blood moon or whatever it was labeled. I knew that the weather would be moving in the next night, so this picture of the full moon was from the night before. Usually when I take pics of a moon rise you can barely see anything due to cellphone camera limits and quality. But these came out pretty nice all things considered. So to sunset this thread, I give you a moon rise. Get out and see mother nature. Enjoy 2018. Be kind to your fellow man.

Anyone who has ever had a farm knows that there is always something to do. Add in a hobby like gardening and it can be non-stop. Farmers have to plan their day in and sometimes through inclement weather, making farmers some of the original outdoorsman. I find myself outside alot and am usually dodging heat, rain, wind, and ram sheep from sunrise to sunset. As much as I hate being tethered to cell phones, they do provide a layer of safety and security when I am out working alone in solitude on my farm. But sometimes when I pause for a break I see something that I would like to share. So here in the dead of winter, I am sharing some shots of clouds, sunsets, and clouds at sunset from over the summer. I hope this warms you up and gets you ready for spring tornado season!

This 4th shot is one of may favorites and one of the first I started taking.

Looks like it could have been in one of several Mid-Western states.  Iowa?

Close. Southern Illinois, near DuQuoin Illinois. Some of those storms pictured, like the mothership, would be over Cairo Illinois. Some of the anviltop storms I would see during sunset that I thought were close, I would hear on the evening news that it was over Missouri. I am used to seeing things far out as I lived in the desert for so long, but the sunrise and sunsets let me see these stormclouds that are in other states.

olschoolsteel , thanks for those awesome pictures - and I actually do mean awesome in the true meaning of the word. I find the idea of corn sweat fascinating and I know that living in an arid climate, I'd find it uncomfortable too. Clouds have always fascinated me since my childhood lying in a field looking at the sky and seeing shapes - dragons, dinosaurs etc. I can still do that! Without a doubt we get some of the most interesting cloud formations associated with extreme weather but those peaceful, mackerel sky sunrises are pretty cool too. Thanks again for sharing the beauty of the skies where you live.

olschoolsteel, thanks so much for sharing these amazing photos. They are beyond beautiful and show Mother Nature at her most powerful.