Supercell and tornado compilation plus best storm time lapse footage in 4K. For licensing contact hankschyma@gmail.com

There are different breeds of thunderstorms. Each with their own characteristics. There are single celled storms. Often weak and short lived. Multi celled storms, sporadic and unorganized and squalls, organizing into dramatic lines that can stretch hundreds of miles. But the mother of all thunderstorms is the supercell.

Supercells are the least common mode of storms and their defining character is a deep, persistently rotating updraft called a mesocyclone. Supercells are often referred to as rotating thunderstorms. This rotating nature enables them to generate Torrential rainfall and severe winds, intense and continuous lightning activity, and enormous hail. It’s the supercell that is responsible for producing the majority of the worlds violent tornadoes.

Supercells can occur all over the world but in one location, they turn up with alarming frequency… Tornado Alley in the United States. Fewer than 30% of supercells produce tornadoes and scientists are still trying to understand why one supercell produces violent tornadoes and another does not.

Supercells come in 3 different classifications: The Low Precipitation supercell or LP, The Classic supercell and the high precipitation supercell or HP, where heavy rainfall shroud much of the internal storm structure.

They often form as one mode and transition to another. Once a supercell is on the roll, it can dominate the atmosphere persisting for hours and hours. Sometimes the atmosphere generates mixed modes. Storms with characteristics of other storm types.
Squalls with supercells imbedded in their lines, or hybrid cells with both squall and supercell structures. No two supercells are exactly the same. With their explosive energy and wind sheer sculpted beauty, being In their presence can be captivating or terrifying… or both. They are a dream scenario for nature photographers and time lapse photography truly captures their beauty. The mesocyclone twists the supercell into dramatic sky-scapes. Perhaps a storm that resembles stacked plates or one with tiers like upside-down wedding cake, or the alien invading mothership.

With the most powerful supercells, time lapse photography isn't necessary to capture their intense churning. The clouds moves so fast, the storm doesn’t appear to be from this world.

Music: Composed by Hank Schyma & Dan Workman

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