Extreme Instability
August 8, 2004 10:19 AM Subscribe
Extreme Instability is a site by Mike Hollingshead, a weather buff from Nebraska who likes chasing storms. On his good days, he gets some spectacular photos of tornados and supercells, but, heck, even his 'crap chasing' days aren't too bad. More of Mike's photos at photoSig.
Wow. I adore storms and storm photography, and this guy is great - some of the best tornado images I've seen. For more really nice weather photography, I found Gene Rhoden's Storm Gallery, and there's also some good stuff at the National Severe Storms Laboratory Photo Album.
I used to live in a hurricane zone, and for a long time my desktop image was one of those "hurricane from space" images, along the lines of something like this. Earthquakes are just not as scenic.
posted by taz at 11:33 AM on August 8, 2004
I used to live in a hurricane zone, and for a long time my desktop image was one of those "hurricane from space" images, along the lines of something like this. Earthquakes are just not as scenic.
posted by taz at 11:33 AM on August 8, 2004
Those shots are amazing, especially the supercell pics.
posted by Salmonberry at 11:36 AM on August 8, 2004
posted by Salmonberry at 11:36 AM on August 8, 2004
Those pictures are amazing. I can't imagine actually being that close to a tornado and not wanting to run for cover. ; )
posted by SisterHavana at 4:08 PM on August 8, 2004
posted by SisterHavana at 4:08 PM on August 8, 2004
Great stuff. I've always been unhealthily fascinated by clouds. I'd love to go stormchasing...
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:36 PM on August 8, 2004
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:36 PM on August 8, 2004
Chalk me up as another one who now feels like moving to the great plains to chase tornados.
The Highway 12 Supercell is very cool, to the point where it looks like a creepy huge spaceship hovering over Sioux City. I think his best photos are the oncoming supercells, and to me they look more ferocious than the tornados themselves.
[This is good]
posted by chronic sublime at 8:11 PM on August 8, 2004
The Highway 12 Supercell is very cool, to the point where it looks like a creepy huge spaceship hovering over Sioux City. I think his best photos are the oncoming supercells, and to me they look more ferocious than the tornados themselves.
[This is good]
posted by chronic sublime at 8:11 PM on August 8, 2004
Holy crap, that guy went out with my sister once. Weird.
Also weird that the Nebraska Tornado Obsession is resulting in something constructive.
posted by COBRA! at 6:57 AM on August 9, 2004
Also weird that the Nebraska Tornado Obsession is resulting in something constructive.
posted by COBRA! at 6:57 AM on August 9, 2004
Stravos and Chronic. Well worth the vacation time for the experience if you take the time learn some basic forecasting knowledge. And do some reading. Chasing got a bad name after that stupid twister movie came out from all the yahoo amateurs. That's kind of fallen off lately but be prepared for evil looks if you tell locals what you are doing.
A couple weeks in Oklahoma during storm season is cheaper than the same time on a beach somewhere. And generally about as relaxing. There is a lot of time spent waiting around and driving to where the storm is. Lots of time to spend in small town museums. Make sure you get unlimited milage on your rental. When I went chasing in the states 5 years ago we put 6200km on our rental in 13 days.
If you chose to chase in the states I'd be wary of being labeled a terrorist. After all, you and a couple of your buddies are basicly driving around taking pictures in a place that isn't exactly known for it's tourism but does have all sorts of military bases and chemical plants and enthusiastic patriots. That goes double if you weren't born in the US or look middle eastern.
posted by Mitheral at 3:24 PM on August 9, 2004
A couple weeks in Oklahoma during storm season is cheaper than the same time on a beach somewhere. And generally about as relaxing. There is a lot of time spent waiting around and driving to where the storm is. Lots of time to spend in small town museums. Make sure you get unlimited milage on your rental. When I went chasing in the states 5 years ago we put 6200km on our rental in 13 days.
If you chose to chase in the states I'd be wary of being labeled a terrorist. After all, you and a couple of your buddies are basicly driving around taking pictures in a place that isn't exactly known for it's tourism but does have all sorts of military bases and chemical plants and enthusiastic patriots. That goes double if you weren't born in the US or look middle eastern.
posted by Mitheral at 3:24 PM on August 9, 2004
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posted by moonbird at 11:22 AM on August 8, 2004