Montana Supercell
This incredible supercell formed as soon as this thunderstorm crossed
the Rocky mountains and moved over the Great Plains in Montana.
Seeing the difference the sudden updraft makes to rotation in a storm
like this as soon as it reaches the warmer air is pretty incredible.
To stand and observe a storm of this magnitude moving towards you at
50mph is a very humbling experience, the warm air being sucked into
the storm is incredibly strong and makes photography a little
challenging at times! You knew when the supercell was getting too
close as you would suddenly find yourself in the outflow with the wind
completely changing direction instantly. Every little while you had to
pack up quick knowing that the hail core carrying golf-tennis ball
size hailstones was just moments away!
After nightfall this storm went on to produce a tornado near the town
of Great Falls.
I have always wanted to witness storms like this on the Plains and to get the chance to chase them like this with a very knowledgable guide was just amazing. Looking forward to next year already!
Comments and faves
Franco Marconi, Michael Mehl, chris lazzery, Sebastian Wasek, and 679 other people added this photo to their favorites.
chris lazzery (11 months ago | reply)
Wow! That must have been incredible to watch unfold. Tremendous image Antony.
Mike McCusker LRPS and his Nikon (11 months ago | reply)
OMG - is all
Jurjen Harmsma Photography (11 months ago | reply)
My god!
Must have been an awesome sight!
D Breezy - davidthompsonphotography.com (11 months ago | reply)
Good lord! This looks like a scene from a sci-fi movie! Totally awesome! This must have been a sight to see not alone to capture!
Douglas Griffin (11 months ago | reply)
I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like this before. An astonishing image.
Alsal Photography (11 months ago | reply)
What incredible drama in that image! Congratulations on such capture.
Tony Gill (11 months ago | reply)
Spectacular cloud formations Antony! As much as I love the prevailing weather we get in Dorset sometimes it's just not enough :) Superbly handled as usual, hope you didn't get blown off your feet afterwards! All the best - Tony
JaveFoto (11 months ago | reply)
Amazing texture!
Gies! (off for two weeks). Will catch up when I am (11 months ago | reply)
WOW, spectaculair
Fabietto76°OZ (11 months ago | reply)
Beautiful!
Chris Lishman (11 months ago | reply)
Takes my breath away! Fantastic....magic moment superbly captured!
antonyspencer (11 months ago | reply)
Thanks for your comments guys! This was totally amazing, I couldn't recommend it highly enough! I've got plenty more images to come as we saw 4 of these amazing storms and visited some incredible landscapes. It always takes a while to see the potential in the local landscapes after a trip away like this!
Jochen-B (11 months ago | reply)
Impressive!
Benjamin-H (11 months ago | reply)
That's an incredible storm, great capture. I also love the cloud at the top of frame too - great pattern/texture.
chocoorange (11 months ago | reply)
woww!! i can only imagine how it feels like to chase storms like these.. pheeww.. great scene well captured.. :)
ArcticShooter (11 months ago | reply)
Wow this is amazing
Gavin Dunbar (11 months ago | reply)
Apocalyptic!
timballic (11 months ago | reply)
Absolutely amazing! Hope you got under cover in time to avoid the golf ball hail!.
Orion Ahrensfeld (11 months ago | reply)
Wow, that is just incredible! What an amazing thing it must have been to witness and experience in person! Nicely captured.
agavephoto (11 months ago | reply)
That's an awesome cloud display. Looks like fun!
#christopher# (11 months ago | reply)
Fantastic capture and great info.
beachc0mber (11 months ago | reply)
Extraordinary! I don't think we have phenomenon like this in the UK. It must have been amazing to experience first hand
Gary J Weathers (11 months ago | reply)
Great cloud details and nice tone!
Frank Brauner (11 months ago | reply)
Is this REAL?
Breathtaking. What a catch! Photo of the year....
Shane Michael Black (11 months ago | reply)
Dang.... that is just incredible.
Mairi M Martin (11 months ago | reply)
Absolutely awesome photograph ; stunning !
evy2010 (11 months ago | reply)
Super stunnung!!
Bidwell, Coby (11 months ago | reply)
The blue's in that storm cell are incredible! What a magnificent capture! Very well done!
Pedro Díaz Molins (piterart) (11 months ago | reply)
Spectacular shot!
Lauri Hytti (11 months ago | reply)
Insane storm and photograph of it. Great work
Deborah (polarcollision) (11 months ago | reply)
love the mamatus (spelling?) clouds being spewed off the disk
Vaidas M (11 months ago | reply)
wow, fantastic shot!
It would be interesting to witness a storm like that with my own eyes, but I know it could never occur in Europe (although it's probably for the better anyway :) ).
Trevor Cotton (11 months ago | reply)
A truely amazing sky and superbly captured, great work indeed.
A.J. Pye (11 months ago | reply)
Fantastic - loving the mammatus and the cell is spectacular, especially that colour in the middle. Must've been an awesome experience, great shot!
ir guy (11 months ago | reply)
Very nice
The Flying Pig (11 months ago | reply)
Jeez - that's magnificent
Priyanka Haldar (11 months ago | reply)
thats awesome
Arnodil (11 months ago | reply)
omfg! can't believe my eyes :)) fav!!!!!!!!!
C4Yourself (11 months ago | reply)
Image to powerful to show the pixels. Feels good to overcome fears and face ALL.
Joshua Cripps (11 months ago | reply)
Holy cow. That must've been an awe-inducing experience.
Marcel Cavelti (11 months ago | reply)
that's crazy!
atif peshimam (11 months ago | reply)
SImply stunning.
Thats truly a magical shot. loved the composition and clouds.
brilliant work Antony.
Joe Rainbow (11 months ago | reply)
Slag! I am sooo jealous right now. I have always wanted to do that. One day. Lovely clean shot mate, and full of weird details. Hope you and the family are all ok. V. busy here at the mo.
Carl Mick (11 months ago | reply)
oh boy what a sight and what a great capture
Duncan Everson (11 months ago | reply)
Incredible shot. Just awesome!
Just Call Me Al. (11 months ago | reply)
*speechless*
Keith - Glasgow (11 months ago | reply)
That's an amazing image.
Light Echoes (11 months ago | reply)
You beautifully captured an amazing force of nature.
Conor Barry (11 months ago | reply)
That is awesome. Very eerie as well. I really like the detail and color in the clouds.
John A.Hemmingsen (11 months ago | reply)
wow, what a fantastic thing to witness, the cloud is amazing, congrats !!!