Topic: A Big Deal For Us in the Pacific NorthWet....

[GregJ]

Lightning is a big deal in western Washington.  We don't get a lot of it.  I know the rest of the country has been getting slammed, but I still thought I'd share last night's event.  I woke up last night to constant flashing.  I had not heard any thunder, but the flashing was constant and intense.  I grabbed my Ipad on the nightstand and looked at the Doppler.  We had a tight wad of red coming straight at my house.  It actually started in Oregon, but on this Doppler it showed it coming straight up Puget Sound unlike anything I have ever seen.  So....  My first thought was about my NON-grounded 30 foot metal mast for my anemometer that sits on top of the ridge of the first story of my 2 story home that has a cedar shake roof.....    Thankfully it passed over us sparing my home.... It continued north and my webcam actually captured 9 lightning bolt images.  I put up a page off my site with a time lapse and the best 4 strikes.

http://www.skunkbayweather.com/LightShow070912.html

Thought I'd share,

Greg

[cospringswx]

Very nice!! What kind of webcam and software do you use?

[GregJ]

I am using the Sebectec package with the Olympus SP-500 digital camera.  The software is fantastic and the cam has worked flawlessly.  I really like how it allows me to do my best work while I'm asleep.... 

Greg

[cospringswx]

The reason I'm asking is because I like how it displays the wx data on the cam image. I use the webcam software on weather display.

[ocala]

Those are some nice captures.
Probably nothing better then a good lightning storm at night.

[DanS]

cool images! Hey Greg, it might be worth checking with your homeowners insurance provider about having cedar shakes and the ungrounded mast on them. For peace of mind anyway. Just a possibility that you have to claim for lightning/fire damage and they discover the metal ungrounded mast and use that to refuse coverage. Maybe better to know now and it doesn't cost anything to ask.  

Always love seeing your webcam view. Thanks again.
Dan

[Farmtalk]

Very, Very nice captures Greg! Though those are some intense lightning bolts, I always like storms at night because they get me to sleep better for some reason.

Thanks for sharing those pics!!