Lightning and thunder in the San Juan's

B

BaseCampAnne

New member
Wow, I wonder how many C-Brats are experiencing these powerful displays?

Last night was another night full of nature's fireworks and this evening we have been witnessing several evening hours of large flashes of gigantic jagged lightning and rumbling, rolling thunder that seems to almost shake the atmosphere, while the land and water remain calm.

Sometimes we are hearing what sounds like someone crinkling cellophane immediately after seeing the jagged lightning.

It seems unusual not to have pounding rain, rather intermittent showers, all the while seeing a bit of blue sky while off to the west the sky is golden.

I'm unclear where the conflicting weather systems are coming from; experiencing it is breath-taking!

Large raindrops briefly strike the boat now and the flashes seem to be increasing with thunder echoing sooner again. What an experience as the sky slowly is drained of daylight.
 
We're sitting on the Mississippi River, in Winona Mn. By some chance we got a call from a friend in Bellingham, Wa this morn. and we both discussed thunderstorms.

The ones in Bellingham won for size and glory. The ones on the Mississippi won for being regular, even in the middle of a drought. 2 in the last 2 nights. Fortuitously, we've been asleep when they rumbled through. It's been hotter than the nether world, temp in the mid-90's and humidity to match.

At the moment I'd rather be in Bellingham.

Boris
 
Last night was spectacular in Olympia. Only once before in my life have I felt more in the middle of a thunder storm, and that was on the Emmons Glacier on Mt Ranier where there was absolutely nothing to do but gape in wonder and laugh - or pray if so inclined.

Our daughter and her family arrived yesterday from Florida, which is the absolute lightning capital of the country, and they were impressed by the show. It lasted on and off for about two hours. In a couple of instances there was no discernible gap between flash and boom. Really loud. We did not lose power, which surprised me. One strike seemed to have set off someone's car alarm on the street next over from us. No obvious damage in the immediate neighborhood this morning. Heard lots of sirens in the distance during the night. Hope no one was hurt.
 
The dog care place where we take shadow got hit yesterday. One of the owners was out working on the fence and the fence took a couple of hits. Said his pant legs has several burn marks in them and he could not hear for a hour. I have been with in 100 ft of strikes before while in and out of the house (texas, North carolina) and its a rush. When you see the flash and only feel the thunder and the concussion wave but dont really hear the thunder because its too loud.. you are too close.
 
We've been loving it - the hounds, not so much.

Here's a pic taken by a riding buddy of mine last night in Port Angeles, looking out over the Strait.

zcNIv.jpg
 
Hi All:
Patti's been wishing for a good thunder & lightening show ever since we moved to Anacortes 3 months ago. Well she sure got what she wished for last night! It was really an awesome display. The only problem was it terrified our little Maltese "Sam". He was really trembling & I had to hold him for most of the night. We lost power after 9 PM & got it back around 4:30 this AM.
Paul K
 
At one point, *(according to KOMO news) there were over 500 strikes per hour during that storm, and it continued for much of 2 days. Very unusual for the PNW weather.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Just returned from a 5 day trip in the San Juans.
Kim and I were in Shallow Bay on Sucia Island Friday and Saturday.
The evening thunder and lightning storm was spectacular! To our SW was the storm moving to W rain falling out of the sky in gray sheets and then several lightning bolts 1-3 at a time in clear view. Off to the NW was a beautiful clear sky with the sun shining brightly.
As the sun sank lower, not one, but two rainbows shown in the stormy sky with more lightning bolts.
Truly awe inspiring, no pics of the lightning, not a good camera, and I wish we had a video camera
The best natural fireworks show we have ever seen! Really priceless!
 
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