Storm Print – Fourplay

After you've had your fun with a storm for the day, its usually good to sit and let it pass over you. Once the rain has cleared, there's usually a spectacular lightning display to watch off the back end in the trailing stratiform area, such was the case with this MCS near the town of Brady, TX.
After chasing a hefty golf-ball throwing supercell around the mountains near the city of San Angelo in Texas and riding out the hellacious line-out that it evolved into, we retreated east towards the town of Brady where we chilled at a gas station with another tour group. Here we awaited the passing of another line segment reported to be throwing baseballs around in 100mph winds. Sadly, despite the occasional large hailstone and some gusty winds, the reported potency of the storm was a bit DOA at our location. However, after consuming a couple of ice creams as we waited for the maelstrom to pass, we were treated to a 360 degree lightning show filled with what are known as 'upward leaders'. These lightning bolts are positively charged strikes that lead up from ground based objects and connect with strikes that are set off in the cloud. The last shot of a long and eventful chase day, this is a single 15 second exposure with all four strikes appearing simultaneously, 3 of which are positive upward leaders.

For more lightning photos, consider checking out my lightning gallery.