Amateur Storm Chasing

Scary Tornado like Clouds of Oklahoma

2011 Joplin tornado The 2011 Joplin tornado was a powerful and catastrophic EF5-rated multiple-vortex tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri, United States, on the evening of Sunday, May 22, 2011. It was part of a larger late-May tornado outbreak and reached a maximum width of nearly 1 mile during its path through the southern part of city.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 👍 Hand Held Weather Station: https://amzn.to/36zZ5y3 👍 GoPro Action Camera: https://amzn.to/2TJ1Tnv 👍 Storm Lightning Detector: https://amzn.to/2OPRlzv 👍 Storm Chasing Handbook: https://amzn.to/2OnPyCQ 👍 Storm Chaser TShirt: https://amzn.to/2rxclTG 👍 Glass Mount Antenna: https://amzn.to/2RJzDBu 👍 Rain-X Windshield Rain Protection: https://amzn.to/2W7ENbB 👍 Rain-X Wiper Blades: https://amzn.to/2yxLqv0 Storm chasing 2020 Thunderstorm Basics What is a thunderstorm? A thunderstorm is a rain shower during which you hear thunder. Since thunder comes from lightning, all thunderstorms have lightning. Why do I sometimes hear meteorologists use the word “convection” when talking about thunderstorms? Usually created by surface heating, convection is upward atmospheric motion that transports whatever is in the air along with it—especially any moisture available in the air. A thunderstorm is the result of convection. What is a severe thunderstorm? A thunderstorm is classified as “severe” when it contains one or more of the following: hail one inch or greater, winds gusting in excess of 50 knots (57.5 mph), or a tornado. How many thunderstorms are there? Worldwide, there are an estimated 16 million thunderstorms each year, and at any given moment, there are roughly 2,000 thunderstorms in progress. There are about 100,000 thunderstorms each year in the U.S. alone. About 10% of these reach severe levels. When are thunderstorms most likely? Thunderstorms are most likely in the spring and summer months and during the afternoon and evening hours, but they can occur year-round and at all hours. Along the Gulf Coast and across the southeastern and western states, most thunderstorms occur during the afternoon. Thunderstorms frequently occur in the late afternoon and at night in the Plains states. What kinds of damage can thunderstorms cause? Many hazardous weather events are associated with thunderstorms. Under the right conditions, rainfall from thunderstorms causes flash flooding, killing more people each year than hurricanes, tornadoes or lightning. Lightning is responsible for many fires around the world each year, and causes fatalities. Hail up to the size of softballs damages cars and windows, and kills livestock caught out in the open. Strong (up to more than 120 mph) straight-line winds associated with thunderstorms knock down trees, power lines and mobile homes. Tornadoes (with winds up to about 300 mph) can destroy all but the best-built man-made structures. Where are severe thunderstorms most common? The greatest severe weather threat in the U.S. extends from Texas to southern Minnesota. But, no place in the United States is completely safe from the threat of severe weather. What is the difference between a Severe Thunderstorm WATCH and a Severe Thunderstorm WARNING? A Severe Thunderstorm WATCH is issued by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center meteorologists who are watching the weather 24/7 across the entire U.S. for weather conditions that are favorable for severe thunderstorms. A watch can cover parts of a state or several states. Watch and prepare for severe weather and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio to know when warnings are issued. A Severe Thunderstorm WARNING is issued by your local NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Office meteorologists who watch a designated area 24/7 for severe weather that has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings mean there is a serious threat to life and property to those in the path of the storm. ACT now to find safe shelter! A warning can cover parts of counties or several counties in the path of danger.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 👍 Hand Held Weather Station: https://amzn.to/36zZ5y3 👍 GoPro Action Camera: https://amzn.to/2TJ1Tnv 👍 Storm Lightning Detector: https://amzn.to/2OPRlzv 👍 Storm Chasing Handbook: https://amzn.to/2OnPyCQ 👍 Storm Chaser TShirt: https://amzn.to/2rxclTG 👍 Glass Mount Antenna: https://amzn.to/2RJzDBu 👍 Rain-X Windshield Rain Protection: https://amzn.to/2W7ENbB 👍 Rain-X Wiper Blades: https://amzn.to/2yxLqv0 Shelf clouds are often associated with squall lines, and many times they are reported as wall clouds, funnel clouds, or rotation. Below is a brief review of what a shelf cloud, wall cloud, and funnel cloud look like. Remember, that the main threat with any squall line is severe damaging winds associated with the shelf cloud, although brief spin-up tornadoes can occur. Often times, these tornadoes are rain-wrapped and short-lived. Thunderstorm Basics What is a thunderstorm? A thunderstorm is a rain shower during which you hear thunder. Since thunder comes from lightning, all thunderstorms have lightning. Why do I sometimes hear meteorologists use the word “convection” when talking about thunderstorms? Usually created by surface heating, convection is upward atmospheric motion that transports whatever is in the air along with it—especially any moisture available in the air. A thunderstorm is the result of convection. What is a severe thunderstorm? A thunderstorm is classified as “severe” when it contains one or more of the following: hail one inch or greater, winds gusting in excess of 50 knots (57.5 mph), or a tornado. How many thunderstorms are there? Worldwide, there are an estimated 16 million thunderstorms each year, and at any given moment, there are roughly 2,000 thunderstorms in progress. There are about 100,000 thunderstorms each year in the U.S. alone. About 10% of these reach severe levels. When are thunderstorms most likely? Thunderstorms are most likely in the spring and summer months and during the afternoon and evening hours, but they can occur year-round and at all hours. What kinds of damage can thunderstorms cause? Many hazardous weather events are associated with thunderstorms. Under the right conditions, rainfall from thunderstorms causes flash flooding, killing more people each year than hurricanes, tornadoes or lightning. Lightning is responsible for many fires around the world each year, and causes fatalities. Hail up to the size of softballs damages cars and windows, and kills livestock caught out in the open. Strong (up to more than 120 mph) straight-line winds associated with thunderstorms knock down trees, power lines and mobile homes. Tornadoes (with winds up to about 300 mph) can destroy all but the best-built man-made structures. Where are severe thunderstorms most common? The greatest severe weather threat in the U.S. extends from Texas to southern Minnesota. But, no place in the United States is completely safe from the threat of severe weather. What is the difference between a Severe Thunderstorm WATCH and a Severe Thunderstorm WARNING? A Severe Thunderstorm WATCH is issued by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center meteorologists who are watching the weather 24/7 across the entire U.S. for weather conditions that are favorable for severe thunderstorms. A watch can cover parts of a state or several states. Watch and prepare for severe weather and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio to know when warnings are issued. A Severe Thunderstorm WARNING is issued by your local NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Office meteorologists who watch a designated area 24/7 for severe weather that has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings mean there is a serious threat to life and property to those in the path of the storm. ACT now to find safe shelter! A warning can cover parts of counties or several counties in the path of danger.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 👍 Hand Held Weather Station: https://amzn.to/36zZ5y3 👍 GoPro Action Camera: https://amzn.to/2TJ1Tnv A wall cloud is a large, localized, persistent, and often abrupt lowering of cloud that develops beneath the surrounding base of a cumulonimbus cloud and from which tornadoes sometimes form. It is typically beneath the rain-free base portion of a thunderstorm, and indicates the area of the strongest updraft within a storm. Rotating wall clouds are an indication of a mesocyclone in a thunderstorm; most strong tornadoes form from these. Many wall clouds do rotate; however, some do not. Genesis Wall clouds are formed by a process known as entrained, when an inflow of warm, moist air rises and converges, overpowering wet, rain-cooled air from the normally downwind downdraft. As the warm air continues to en train the cooler air, the air temperature drops and the dew point increases (thus the dew point depression decreases). As this air continues to rise, it becomes more saturated with moisture, which results in additional cloud condensation, sometimes in the form of a wall cloud. Wall clouds may form as a descending of the cloud base or may form as rising scud comes together and connects to the storm's cloud base.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 👍 Hand Held Weather Station: https://amzn.to/36zZ5y3 👍 GoPro Action Camera: https://amzn.to/2TJ1Tnv 👍 Storm Lightning Detector: https://amzn.to/2OPRlzv 👍 Storm Chasing Handbook: https://amzn.to/2OnPyCQ 👍 Storm Chaser TShirt: https://amzn.to/2rxclTG 👍 Glass Mount Antenna: https://amzn.to/2RJzDBu 👍 Rain-X Windshield Rain Protection: https://amzn.to/2W7ENbB 👍 Rain-X Wiper Blades: https://amzn.to/2yxLqv0 Thunderstorm is a rain shower during which you hear thunder. Since thunder comes from lightning, all thunderstorms have lightning. Why do I sometimes hear meteorologists use the word “convection” when talking about thunderstorms? Usually created by surface heating, convection is upward atmospheric motion that transports whatever is in the air along with it—especially any moisture available in the air. A thunderstorm is the result of convection. What is a severe thunderstorm? A thunderstorm is classified as “severe” when it contains one or more of the following: hail one inch or greater, winds gusting in excess of 50 knots (57.5 mph), or a tornado. How many thunderstorms are there? Worldwide, there are an estimated 16 million thunderstorms each year, and at any given moment, there are roughly 2,000 thunderstorms in progress. There are about 100,000 thunderstorms each year in the U.S. alone. About 10% of these reach severe levels. When are thunderstorms most likely? Thunderstorms are most likely in the spring and summer months and during the afternoon and evening hours, but they can occur year-round and at all hours. What kinds of damage can thunderstorms cause? Many hazardous weather events are associated with thunderstorms. Under the right conditions, rainfall from thunderstorms causes flash flooding, killing more people each year than hurricanes, tornadoes or lightning. Lightning is responsible for many fires around the world each year, and causes fatalities. Hail up to the size of softballs damages cars and windows, and kills livestock caught out in the open. Strong (up to more than 120 mph) straight-line winds associated with thunderstorms knock down trees, power lines and mobile homes. Tornadoes (with winds up to about 300 mph) can destroy all but the best-built man-made structures. Where are severe thunderstorms most common? The greatest severe weather threat in the U.S. extends from Texas to southern Minnesota. But, no place in the United States is completely safe from the threat of severe weather. What is the difference between a Severe Thunderstorm WATCH and a Severe Thunderstorm WARNING? A Severe Thunderstorm WATCH is issued by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center meteorologists who are watching the weather 24/7 across the entire U.S. for weather conditions that are favorable for severe thunderstorms. A watch can cover parts of a state or several states. Watch and prepare for severe weather and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio to know when warnings are issued. A Severe Thunderstorm WARNING is issued by your local NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Office meteorologists who watch a designated area 24/7 for severe weather that has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings mean there is a serious threat to life and property to those in the path of the storm. ACT now to find safe shelter! A warning can cover parts of counties or several counties in the path of danger.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 👍 Storm Lightning Detector: https://amzn.to/2OPRlzv 👍 Hand Held Weather Station: https://amzn.to/36zZ5y3 👍 GoPro Action Camera: https://amzn.to/2TJ1Tnv 👍 Storm Chasing Handbook: https://amzn.to/2OnPyCQ 👍 Storm Chaser TShirt: https://amzn.to/2rxclTG 👍 Glass Mount Antenna: https://amzn.to/2RJzDBu 👍 Rain-X Windshield Rain Protection: https://amzn.to/2W7ENbB 👍 Rain-X Wiper Blades: https://amzn.to/2yxLqv0 Shelf clouds are often associated with squall lines, and many times they are reported as wall clouds, funnel clouds, or rotation. Below is a brief review of what a shelf cloud, wall cloud, and funnel cloud look like. Remember, that the main threat with any squall line is severe damaging winds associated with the shelf cloud, although brief spin-up tornadoes can occur. Often times, these tornadoes are rain-wrapped and short-lived. Thunderstorm Basics What is a thunderstorm? A thunderstorm is a rain shower during which you hear thunder. Since thunder comes from lightning, all thunderstorms have lightning. Why do I sometimes hear meteorologists use the word “convection” when talking about thunderstorms? Usually created by surface heating, convection is upward atmospheric motion that transports whatever is in the air along with it—especially any moisture available in the air. A thunderstorm is the result of convection. What is a severe thunderstorm? A thunderstorm is classified as “severe” when it contains one or more of the following: hail one inch or greater, winds gusting in excess of 50 knots (57.5 mph), or a tornado. How many thunderstorms are there? Worldwide, there are an estimated 16 million thunderstorms each year, and at any given moment, there are roughly 2,000 thunderstorms in progress. There are about 100,000 thunderstorms each year in the U.S. alone. About 10% of these reach severe levels. When are thunderstorms most likely? Thunderstorms are most likely in the spring and summer months and during the afternoon and evening hours, but they can occur year-round and at all hours. What kinds of damage can thunderstorms cause? Many hazardous weather events are associated with thunderstorms. Under the right conditions, rainfall from thunderstorms causes flash flooding, killing more people each year than hurricanes, tornadoes or lightning. Lightning is responsible for many fires around the world each year, and causes fatalities. Hail up to the size of softballs damages cars and windows, and kills livestock caught out in the open. Strong (up to more than 120 mph) straight-line winds associated with thunderstorms knock down trees, power lines and mobile homes. Tornadoes (with winds up to about 300 mph) can destroy all but the best-built man-made structures. Where are severe thunderstorms most common? The greatest severe weather threat in the U.S. extends from Texas to southern Minnesota. But, no place in the United States is completely safe from the threat of severe weather. What is the difference between a Severe Thunderstorm WATCH and a Severe Thunderstorm WARNING? A Severe Thunderstorm WATCH is issued by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center meteorologists who are watching the weather 24/7 across the entire U.S. for weather conditions that are favorable for severe thunderstorms. A watch can cover parts of a state or several states. Watch and prepare for severe weather and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio to know when warnings are issued. A Severe Thunderstorm WARNING is issued by your local NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Office meteorologists who watch a designated area 24/7 for severe weather that has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings mean there is a serious threat to life and property to those in the path of the storm. ACT now to find safe shelter! A warning can cover parts of counties or several counties in the path of danger.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 👍 Hand Held Weather Station: https://amzn.to/36zZ5y3 👍 Storm Lightning Detector: https://amzn.to/2OPRlzv 👍 Storm Chasing Handbook: https://amzn.to/2OnPyCQ 👍 Glass Mount Antenna: https://amzn.to/2RJzDBu 👍 Rain-X Windshield Rain Protection: https://amzn.to/2W7ENbB Chapters: 00:00 Radar Intro 00:44 In the car ready to go 01:23 Dirt Road Prelims 02:41 Hillbillys pull up | Scare us away 03:36 Getting closer and darker 04:30 Approaching the Wall Cloud 05:21 Stayed too long at the Wall Cloud 06:02 Power Lines Crash 06:36 A Dangerous Drive 10:22 Menacing Clouds 11:44 Devil Clouds 15:15 Lightning TOO CLOSE Thunderstorm damage as winds knock down power lines in front of me. A wall cloud is a large, localized, persistent, and often abrupt lowering of cloud that develops beneath the surrounding base of a cumulonimbus cloud and from which tornadoes sometimes form. It is typically beneath the rain-free base portion of a thunderstorm, and indicates the area of the strongest updraft within a storm. Rotating wall clouds are an indication of a mesocyclone in a thunderstorm; most strong tornadoes form from these. Many wall clouds do rotate; however, some do not. Genesis Wall clouds are formed by a process known as entrained, when an inflow of warm, moist air rises and converges, overpowering wet, rain-cooled air from the normally downwind downdraft. As the warm air continues to en train the cooler air, the air temperature drops and the dew point increases (thus the dew point depression decreases). As this air continues to rise, it becomes more saturated with moisture, which results in additional cloud condensation, sometimes in the form of a wall cloud. Wall clouds may form as a descending of the cloud base or may form as rising scud comes together and connects to the storm's cloud base.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 👍 Hand Held Weather Station: https://amzn.to/36zZ5y3 👍 GoPro Action Camera: https://amzn.to/2TJ1Tnv 👍 Storm Lightning Detector: https://amzn.to/2OPRlzv 👍 Storm Chasing Handbook: https://amzn.to/2OnPyCQ 👍 Storm Chaser TShirt: https://amzn.to/2rxclTG 👍 Glass Mount Antenna: https://amzn.to/2RJzDBu 👍 Rain-X Windshield Rain Protection: https://amzn.to/2W7ENbB 👍 Rain-X Wiper Blades: https://amzn.to/2yxLqv0 A wall cloud is a large, localized, persistent, and often abrupt lowering of cloud that develops beneath the surrounding base of a cumulonimbus cloud and from which tornadoes sometimes form. It is typically beneath the rain-free base portion of a thunderstorm, and indicates the area of the strongest updraft within a storm. Rotating wall clouds are an indication of a mesocyclone in a thunderstorm; most strong tornadoes form from these. Many wall clouds do rotate; however, some do not. Genesis Wall clouds are formed by a process known as entrained, when an inflow of warm, moist air rises and converges, overpowering wet, rain-cooled air from the normally downwind downdraft. As the warm air continues to en train the cooler air, the air temperature drops and the dew point increases (thus the dew point depression decreases). As this air continues to rise, it becomes more saturated with moisture, which results in additional cloud condensation, sometimes in the form of a wall cloud. Wall clouds may form as a descending of the cloud base or may form as rising scud comes together and connects to the storm's cloud base.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 👍 Midland NOAA Tornado / Severe Weather Alarm! https://amzn.to/33PBF8M 👍 Hand Held Weather Station: https://amzn.to/36zZ5y3 👍 Storm Lightning Detector: https://amzn.to/2OPRlzv We got our shelter from here based on the good Google Reviews: https://www.oklahomashelters.net/ This is our new home's tornado shelter. We installed it in the garage. Underground storm shelter is the perfect solution for a family that doesn't want to displace valuable space that could be used for storage or other purposes. This storm shelter mounts flush with your garage floor and with a 1/4 in. thick lid it's so strong that you can even drive a vehicle over it. We've heard from customers who have used their shelter as a mechanics pit for working on their vehicles or changing their oil. Our Oklahoma Shelters provide the protection you need in OKC We can’t predict when a tornado will occur. The strength of extreme storms and tornadoes is so high that every year these storms and tornadoes injure and kill people in the Midwestern and Southern regions of the United States. Our Storm Oklahoma Shelters and Safe Rooms can provide the protection you need from injury or death that can by caused by these dangerous weather conditions. Oklahoma Shelters installs Storm Shelters and Safe Rooms. They are engineered and tested and each can withstand the forces of extreme wind and flying debris which is a result of these Tornadoes. If you have any questions feel free to call or email us. Our Tornado Shelters are manufactured and tested according to the highest quality standards Don’t be caught off guard. If you live in Oklahoma City or outside of Oklahoma City Texas Tech Impact Test safe rooms,

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 👍 Hand Held Weather Station: https://amzn.to/36zZ5y3 👍 GoPro Action Camera: https://amzn.to/2TJ1Tnv 👍 Storm Lightning Detector: https://amzn.to/2OPRlzv 👍 Storm Chasing Handbook: https://amzn.to/2OnPyCQ 👍 Glass Mount Antenna: https://amzn.to/2RJzDBu 👍 Rain-X Windshield Rain Protection: https://am zn.to/2W7ENbB 👍 Rain-X Wiper Blades: https://amzn.to/2yxLqv0 https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/nexradinv/index.jsp I show you how to view historical archived radar data from any time, storm or tornado and view it in weather radar software.GR2Analyst Version 2 not GRLevel3GR2Analyst Version 2 is an advanced Nexrad Level II analysis application. Key features of GR2Analyst are: Standard and Super Resolution Level II data Dual Polarization data High resolution derived products Cross-Sections Volumetric Display Live or archived L2 data Severe weather warnings Local Storm Reports (LSRs) Ultra-high resolution background imagery Volumetric DisplayGR2Analyst's volume rendering engine produces high quality semi-transparent and isosurface 3D displays for any of the base Level II data products (reflectivity, velocity, storm relative velocity, and spectrum width):May 3, 1999 Moore tornadoWith this unprecedented visualization capability, you will see storm structures develop and be able to predict when and where severe weather will impact the ground. High Resolution Derived ProductsHigh Resolution Echo TopsIn Live mode, each derived product updates as new tilts are received, keeping you informed even in rapidly changing severe weather events.GR2Analyst Version 2 is available for a 21 day trial period. The trial version is fully functional. Click on the link below to install it on your computer. GR2Analyst 2 Setup (8.5MB)Your graphics hardware must support Shader Model 2.0. GR2Analyst will not run without that support. See below for more system requirements information.GR2Analyst Version 2 can be ordered online at any time. Once you have purchased GR2Analyst, a registration key will be sent to you via email.

Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:17 Weather Alert Radio by Midland 02:06 The Storm Shelter Outside 08:47 Down into the shelter 13:50 Storm Shelters On The Air Ham Radio 16:10 Storm Shelter Antenna Discussion 18:14 Survival Products for the Shelter As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 🔥 LED Light Strips: https://amzn.to/2EbhxDj 🔥 Dewalt DC Fan: https://amzn.to/311JRRu 🔥 Battery Op Fan w/ USB port: https://amzn.to/2DSUWM5 🔥 Survival Whistles: https://amzn.to/2E8qCN2 🔥 Crank NOAA Radio/light/charger: https://amzn.to/323gPQL 🔥 Hand Water Pump: https://amzn.to/2Yb73uD 🔥 Ear Plugs: https://amzn.to/3iPJEXz 🔥 Dead On War Hammer: https://amzn.to/2CAqhlP This is our new home's tornado shelter. We installed it in the garage. Underground storm shelter is the perfect solution for a family that doesn't want to displace valuable space that could be used for storage or other purposes. This storm shelter mounts flush with your garage floor and with a 1/4 in. thick lid it's so strong that you can even drive a vehicle over it. We've heard from customers who have used their shelter as a mechanics pit for working on their vehicles or changing their oil. Our Oklahoma Shelters provide the protection you need in OKC We can’t predict when a tornado will occur. The strength of extreme storms and tornadoes is so high that every year these storms and tornadoes injure and kill people in the Midwestern and Southern regions of the United States. Our Storm Oklahoma Shelters and Safe Rooms can provide the protection you need from injury or death that can by caused by these dangerous weather conditions. Oklahoma Shelters installs Storm Shelters and Safe Rooms. They are engineered and tested and each can withstand the forces of extreme wind and flying debris which is a result of these Tornadoes. If you have any questions feel free to call or email us. Our Tornado Shelters are manufactured and tested according to the highest quality standards Don’t be caught off guard. If you live in Oklahoma City or outside of Oklahoma City Texas Tech Impact Test safe rooms,

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 🔥 LED Light Strips: https://amzn.to/2EbhxDj 🔥 Dewalt DC Fan: https://amzn.to/311JRRu 🔥 Battery Op Fan w/ USB port: https://amzn.to/2DSUWM5 🔥 Survival Whistles: https://amzn.to/2E8qCN2 🔥 Crank NOAA Radio/light/charger: https://amzn.to/323gPQL Mystery Silent Lighting Flashes. No Rain. No sound. No Radar Signature. Heat lightning, also known as silent lightning, summer lightning, or dry lightning (mainly used in the American Southwest; not to be confused with dry thunderstorms, which are also often called dry lightning), is a misnomer[1] used for the faint flashes of lightning on the horizon or other clouds from distant thunderstorms that do not appear to have accompanying sounds of thunder. The actual phenomenon that is sometimes called heat lightning is simply cloud-to-ground lightning that occurs very far away, with thunder that dissipates before it reaches the observer.[2] At night, it is possible to see the flashes of lightning from very far distances, up to 100 miles (160 kilometres), but the sound does not carry that far.[3] In Florida, this type of lightning is often seen over the water at night, the remnants of storms that formed during the day along a sea breeze front coming in from the opposite coast. Heat lightning is not to be confused with electrically-induced luminosity actually generated at mesospheric altitudes above thunderstorm systems (and likewise visible at exceedingly great ranges), a phenomenon known as "sprites".