Photos: FL Noctilucent Clouds, NOLA Waterspout

I wanted to call attention to these two excellent photos uploaded to the ADCPG last week, both from down South. You can leave comments on either photo, and see larger versions, by clicking on them.

First, a shot of what appears to be noctilucent clouds [WikiPedia], which are extremely rare south of the Canadian border and pretty much unheard of in Florida.

The photo was taken by Fishin Momma, better known as Tami Stone, near Brandon, FL, around 4:45 AM.

Based on this photo of a similar phenomenon in California, I suspect it may be created by man, from a NASA or military launch vapor trail. As such, I don't know if it qualifies as a noctilucent cloud or not. In related news, local storm chaser Ron "R-Factor" Shawley believes that he saw some noctilucent clouds last month here in Pennsylvania.

And next up, from jagunther (John Gunther), a huge waterspout on Lake Pontchartrain (New Orleans), Louisiana on July 19th. The NWS received multiple reports of this beast. I believe you can see some tree damage in the foreground, though that could be left over from Katrina.