Astronomy, Photography and Weather

There was no convective forecast issued for N. Ireland today but I was still on the look out for some cool structures from any big showers which developed. After all, RTE mentioned a risk of thunder. During the late afternoon I checked the radar and seen a big horizontal line of red echoes showing intense rainfall moving from W to E. According to the time on the radar it would hit here any moment. I grabbed the camera and walked out the Coleraine Road but the system beat me to it after only 5 min's lead time. A huge gust front appeared over the Sperrins and moved across the Coleraine road with pretty good struture on its N side. Behind it was a dense silver-grey curtain of rain. I manged to get a few shots of the gust front and a quick visual observation of Whale's Mouth structure on its underside when the torrential rain hit. It was nasty!. The sides of the road flooded within 30 secs and I was soaked to the skin in half that time. The torrential rain latest about 20 mins but the 'normal' rain behind it was at least one hour in duration. Cars had to use their headlights due to the darkness and low visibility. The gust front was some sight and quite a treat. It looked exactly like a thunderstorm without the thunder!

Looking NW along Coleraine road with approaching gust front moving L to R. Note the birds disturbed.

(http://i38.tinypic.com/2cpyo1k.jpg)

(http://i34.tinypic.com/25k4w2t.jpg)

Due W at the precip curtain about to hit

(http://i38.tinypic.com/358324h.jpg)

SW at the other end of it.

(http://i36.tinypic.com/18oftc.jpg)

Back to NW

(http://i33.tinypic.com/28qqhxg.jpg)

Impact. First drops hitting followed sec's later by severe rainfall

(http://i34.tinypic.com/23j4ch1.jpg)

Summertime and the livin' is easy, fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high. ;D

Oh...the irony of that line Paul  :). I actually seen the Sun during the evening today and it took me a min to find out what it was. Had to consult starry night pro  :)