Encore - Great Plains Severe Storm

September 23, 2017

GreatPlainsstormIMG_0639

Today and every Saturday Earth Science Picture of the Day invites you to rediscover favorites from the past. Saturday posts feature an EPOD that was chosen by viewers like you in our monthly Viewers' Choice polls. Join us as we look back at these intriguing and captivating images.

Photographer: Theresa Bauman
Summary Author: Theresa Bauman

June 2012 Viewer's Choice The photo above showing a nasty storm gathering strength above the Great Plains was taken from Elizabeth, Colorado on June 2, 2012 about 1:05 p.m. I watched the sky change from cobalt blue with fluffy cumulus clouds around noon to this end-of-the-world monster. We were under a tornado warning so I locked the horses in the barn and took cover. At right is a classic example of an inflow band, also sometimes called the beaver tail. Whenever you see a beaver tail such as this, not only is the whole storm rotating but it's also dominating the environment for miles around. Though we endured strong winds, lightning and a lashing rain, we got off lucky -- no damages were sustained.

Photo Details: Camera Maker: Canon; Camera Model: Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS; Focal Length: 4.3mm; Aperture: f/2.7; Exposure Time: 0.0063 s (1/160); ISO equiv: 100.