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Derecho


Derecho
Photo Information
Copyright: John Denk (jpdenk) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 265 W: 1 N: 400] (1084)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-07-10
Categories: Sky
Camera: Nikon D70, Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED DX AF-S
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/40 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-07-11 7:27
Viewed: 478
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is an approaching storm called a Derecho. This storm originated several hundred miles away in southern Minnesota and traveled all the way to Illinois, where it caused scattered light damage, mostly to trees. I watched it on Doppler radar on the Internet all day as it approached, went out to a nearby hilltop to take a few shots of it when it was nearby, and I think I like this one the best. While it was very scary looking, it wasn't particularly violent, at least not where I live.

On July 4-5, 1999, a derecho that started in North Dakota traveled across Minnesota, southern Canada and ended in Maine. In the Superior National Forest of northern Minnesota, it generated winds as high as 100 m.p.h. that flattened about 600 square miles of forest, destroying tens of millions of trees.

According to Wikipedia:

"A derecho (from Spanish: "derecho" meaning "straight") is a widespread and long-lived, violent convectively induced straight-line windstorm that is associated with a fast-moving band of severe thunderstorms usually taking the form of a bow echo. Derechos blow in the direction of movement of their associated storms, similar to a gust front, except that the wind is sustained and generally increases in strength behind the "gust" front. A warm weather phenomenon, derechos occur mostly in summer, especially July in the northern hemisphere. They can occur at any time of the year and occur as frequently at night as in the daylight hours.

The traditional criteria that distinguish a derecho from a severe thunderstorm are sustained winds of 58 mph/92 km/h during the storm as opposed to gusts, high and/or rapidly increasing forward speed, and geographic extent (typically 250 nautical miles (460 km) in length. [1]) In addition, they have a distinctive appearance on radar (bow echo); several unique features, such as the rear inflow notch and bookend vortex, and usually manifest two or more downbursts.

Although these storms most commonly occur in North America, derechos may infrequently occur elsewhere in the world. Outside North America they may be called by different names. For example, in Bangladesh and adjacent portions of India, a type of storm known as a "Nor'wester" may be a progressive derecho."
PaulH, aes_thor, Evelynn, boreocypriensis, gerdakettner, meyerd, marhowie, jusninasirun has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To marhowie: Thanksjpdenk 1 07-20 08:17
To Nilson: Thank youjpdenk 1 07-16 20:29
To boreocypriensis: Thanksjpdenk 2 07-15 00:04
To meyerd: Thanksjpdenk 1 07-14 21:01
To gerdakettner: Thanksjpdenk 1 07-14 20:59
To CecilePage: Thanksjpdenk 1 07-14 20:55
To Evelynn: Thanksjpdenk 1 07-14 20:54
To aes_thor: Thanksjpdenk 1 07-14 20:53
To PaulH: Thanksjpdenk 1 07-14 20:50
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Critiques [Translate]

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  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1033 W: 26 N: 2998] (10820)
  • [2008-07-11 7:34]
  • [+]

Hi John,
i've long wanted to see this type of weather in this part of the world...it is awesome, in the truest sense if the word.
Very much like the strong horizontal element to the image, and the contrast between ground and sky. Mostly though, i just love the mood you captured/created...very Ominous! Well composed too, with good notes.
tfs and have a good weekend,
Paul

Hi John,

Amazing and breath taking clouds formation, look real dangerous. Nice shot, good composition, colours and lighting. Interesting note.

TFS, cheers
Adrian

What a good example of a "derecho"... something I had not heard of before. It is a great shot of a dramatic scene. Thanks for sharing it.

Evelynn : )

Hi John,
What a great photo.This beautiful earth of ours has a lot of power.Thanks for the information on storm type. All my best.
Cecile

Hi my friend John,
What an amazing landscape shot of an approaching storm called a Derecho. Perfect composition of this natural event. TFS. Have a nice weeekend!
Cheers,

Bayram

hello John
wow..amazing capture especially the cloud formations

Hi Johne,
an extremely interesting, unusual shot of a natural phenomenon. It really looks scary the way you present the storm. Thanks for sharing and the careful explanation that goes with the picture.
Best regards
Dietrich

Ola John
Bela foto com bons detalhes e cores, a nitidez esta muito boa e a luminosidade tambem.
Parabens
Nilson

Hi John,
Excellent capture showing this widespread and fast moving windstorm.
The exposure must have been tricky, but you did a nice job of it here..Well composed with great FG detail/color that compliments/contrasts your dramatic sky.
Well done!
Howard

Hello John. I have never seen cloud looking like this. Very threatening sky indicating the storm is coming. Very well taken care exposure of the ground and sky. Have to go down my favorite and well done indeed. Regards. Jusni

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