(C) 1998 Jesse Ferrell / CASI

After the events of the day had unfolded with little action near CASI HQ, it became apparent to me that if I was going to see any severe weather of interest I was going to have to go after it. So at 7:30 I left, heading east, to I-80. I caught up with the storms near Williamsport and took 15-N to try to find a lookout. By the time I got on 15 the rain was torrential and I eventually had to pull to the side of the road. Unfortunately when I did I found myself under assault with winds estimated at 30-50mph, lightning like a strobe-light, and unfortunately, on top of a hill.

I was unfamiliar with the area but as the car began shaking back and forth it became clear to me that I needed to get to a lower elevation quickly. I proceeded to take the next major exit from 15, Hepburnsville. I pulled into the ample driveway of a lumber mill and took in some of the most awesome lightning I have ever seen.

The frequency of the lightning was unprecedented. I was astounded. I felt like I was in my own Faraday Cage. Not just CC or masked CG but CG streaks very close by and of great number, even occasional anvil crawlers. The lightning that I got on video that night, despite being through the Rain-X'ed windows, was the best of my career.

Almost needless to say there was a Severe Thunderstorm Warning out for my county. The storm was vicious. I've included some of the lightning captures below, but you should see the *video*!

Click on each picture below for the Full-Size Version.

All Photos (C) 1998 Jesse Ferrell / CASI. Please for permission before use.

15N Near Hepburnsville - Winds Of 40-50 And I Pull Over	15N Near Hepburnsville	Lightning Strikes As I Near The Hepburnsville Exit	Interesting Scud Cloud On The Exit Ramp
Anvil Crawler Seen Out Side Window	"The Big One" - First Nice CG - Click For HUGE Version	Lightning Illuminates Interesting Cloud Features	Lightning Illuminates Interesting Cloud Features
Lightning Illuminates Interesting Cloud Features	Lightning Illuminates Interesting Cloud Features	Ouch! The Second Big Strike - Click For HUGE Version	Same Strike Continued - Click For HUGE Version
GIF ANIMATIONS: (Click For Animations)

Special Investigation : Lightning Video

There was some discussion some time ago on the weather newsgroups about the strange things that lightning does to videotape recording, for example making the lightning appear in front of objects (phantoms) when it is actually behind them. I submit to you the following frames from the large lightning shot depicted above.

Notice that the GIF Animation contains all 40 Frames of the One Lightning Strike. I have clipped six of them here for you to see in large version.

Notice in the 6th frame the clear presence of a "phantom bolt" The video has captured one frame on top of another and the same strike appears twice. The first frame contains an interesting feature which could be mistaken for a leader. Leaders, the precursors to lightning, area very rare to capture on video, and this strike was not close enough that leaders would likely be seen a few feet in front of me, so I must assume that this is a "phantom" although it is interesting to note that it is not part of any strike we see on any other frame, not a repeat, like the sixth frame. This being noted, it is likely a strike off-camera reflecting on the lens. Theoretically. Interesting nonetheless.

One Lightning Strike: (Click For Animations/Full-Size Images)
GIF ANIMATION =====>