Nags Head, N.C.

May 13, 2001

One thing hard about trying to photograph lightning is the ability to have a good spot and a clear atmosphere with no haze, both of these factors were in my favor on the night of May 13, 2001. My family was invited to stay a couple of days with some good friends of our in there condo which is right next to the ocean in Nags Head, N.C. The last night we were there a strong cold front and a unstable atmosphere caused a line of very heavy storms to move from north to south into the area. I watched the storms come in with most of the lightning stay in the clouds and assumed this would be just another heavy rain producing thunderstorm with little lightning. Well it was at the beginning but the storm had a ending surprise for me. After the passing of the main line of storms the backside started to really  produce anvilcrawlers and a number  of cloud to ground strikes. This single five contact cloud to ground strike was truly amazing. Also look at the gas station, it took a hit  when I was pointed the other way on the photo marked Nags Head #5.