June 21st storm

 This is from my other website: https://www.ruminationofthunder.com/

This has nothing to do with my writing, but shows a glimpse into my other life as a storm chaser and photographer.

Around 1:20am, a bolt of lightning hit violently near the house, which made me sit up and say something unmentionable. Remarkable, considering I sleep in the basement.

I had watched storms heading to the area and went to sleep.

The next morning, the news reported on a fatal tornado eight miles from my house.

From NWS Wichita

A tornado had formed and dissipated in two radar sweeps. Quick enough that no warning was issued.

From NWS Wichita

This is velocity data on the left. Green is wind moving at the radar located in southwest Wichita, red is wind moving away. Any time two colors meet in a small area, it shows spin. On the right is Correlation Coefficient. This gives the ability to tell if a tornado lifts debris in the atmosphere.

From NWS Wichita

A tornado touched down, hit a manufactured home, then lifted. Unfortunately, there was a fatality of one resident who lived there. A utility worker reported that the house had been blown off its foundation and destroyed.

Drone shot from Chris Evan's KAKE TV

We hear too often stories of a tornado hitting without warning, then finding out there were warnings in place before it hit. This is one of the odd and tragic stories of a tornado hitting and destroying so quickly that a warning couldn't be placed.

This is also one of the few posts I've made where my photography wasn't used. It's just been something on my mind, how the weather could change in an instant and come to you.